How does the fuel thermostat work and does anyone have a cut away picture of it?

I know that it routes fuel in a loop up to the head somewhere but that seems like it would get too hot. It seems like the coolant would have been a better source of heat.

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1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png

AFAIK, the thermostat opens in cold weather and allows the fuel to pass through a section of the engine where there's coolant. Clearly this does no good on a stone cold engine (unless you have a block heater) but once the engine warms up the fuel will be warmed as it passes through the coolant. Warm fuel works better in the fuel injection system.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Is it hooked up to the engine oil recirculation by any chance? I have not investigated it yet but I see a lot of engine oil near the fuel thermostat or beneath it. I just put a rag under it to mop it all up until I have the time to investigate/work on it. Where else in that area can leak engine oil?

It seems to happen to all my to be fixed up 300SDL.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.