What is this heat exchanger for? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Rafi · #1 03-28-2004, 05:26 PM

I saw this on eBay, on a 83 300D in the engine compartment looks like an additional coolant heat exchanger but it is mounted horizontally so it has minimal air flow through it. I do not understand. Since it is listed by a dealer I suspect he does not know what it is. Can someone here shed some light?

it is ebay item 2469853061

Larry Delor · #2 03-28-2004, 05:54 PM

That's weird. Why would someone want to put that there?

slowmoe · #3 03-28-2004, 05:57 PM

It looks to me like an additional radiator fluid cooler that runs from the expansion tank to the radiator. I can't see how it could get that much flow with so small a diameter hose going into the radiator.

Did this car see a lot of high temp driving?

Rafi · #4 03-28-2004, 06:27 PM

The car is listed in Arizona. But if the hood is closed it will just heat the hood lid and the air intake hose

bjcsc · #5 03-28-2004, 08:22 PM

What if you're all thinking of this backwards, i.e. it may not be intended to cool anything but rather to heat something else up?

kip Foss · #6 03-28-2004, 08:37 PM

Looks like a heater for bio-Diesel conversion.

coachgeo · #7 03-29-2004, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kip Foss
Looks like a heater for bio-Diesel conversion.

You heat for WVO conversion not biodesel. It may be for WVO if a fuel line runs thru the heat exchanger.

slowmoe · #8 03-29-2004, 07:19 AM

Fuel lines are about 3 feet away...

It looks to me like someone had some extra parts, some time on his hands and a few too many beers.

I would take a very close look over the rest of the car and make sure that there are no auxiliary tire warmers or secondary door hinge lubricator pumps.

bjcsc · #9 03-29-2004, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by slowmoe
Fuel lines are about 3 feet away...

It looks to me like someone had some extra parts, some time on his hands and a few too many beers.

I would take a very close look over the rest of the car and make sure that there are no auxiliary tire warmers or secondary door hinge lubricator pumps.

Ha!

You could be exactly right. It may have no purpose at all!

Rafi · #10 03-29-2004, 08:13 AM

If it had no purpose then the guy most likely would have taken it out after the experiment was not too successful.

coachgeo - what is WVO? (West Virginai Oil) ?

TonyFromWestOz · #11 03-29-2004, 08:27 AM

Rafi,
WVO = Waste Vegetable Oil, Rudolph diesel demonstrated his engine running on "groundnut oil" (Peanut oil), so the use of used cooking oil, like peanut oil, canola oil etc, is like going back to diesel engine's roots.
BTW, once warmed up, the engine performance and economy is not affected by using WVO. It is best to start up and shutdown on a fuel like diesel or biodiesel, to reduce the possibility of coking up the engine.

R Leo · #12 03-29-2004, 08:34 AM

It's a muffler grease pre-heater.

Rafi · #13 03-29-2004, 08:57 AM

would people who practice WVO have two tanks and a manually actuated swithc between the two tnaks? How about an WVO roll call and their experience. I am facinated by not needing to go to the gas station.

coachgeo · #14 03-29-2004, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rafi
would people who practice WVO have two tanks and a manually actuated swithc between the two tnaks? How about an WVO roll call and their experience. I am facinated by not needing to go to the gas station.

Yep, two tanks is the most common. Go here for more information about WVO. There is a FAQ page about how to collect and install a WVO setup on vehicles and generators. In the FAQ is info specific to MB installations.

Tony, and I are WVO users. Another on this board occasionaly is Dana. There are a few others. If you really want to know who else you should start another thread on WVO roll call.

coachgeo · #15 03-29-2004, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by R Leo
It's a muffler grease pre-heater.

hmmmmm maybe its an elbow grease warmer? Makes it more comfortable to dig in there and do maintainance? :p