[Vwdiesel] insulating you're fuel filter

[Val Christian]

We haven't gotten into it yet, but there are several other things
which could be in play here.  I've had "slugs" of gooy fuel,
which will catch up in lines.  Also, ice crystals, from water 
dispersed in fuel can collect and clog on the strainer in the
tank.

Without covering all the reasoning involved, I'd heat the filter container,
with a heat gun, and see if the flow grows into the engine, and that the
clear line isn't passing bubbles of air.  You might be well served 
by getting the car into a warm garage, so it can "thaw out".  Your problem
might be wax, but it could also be water.  When the fuel starts to 
cloud, suspended microscopic water or dirt, acts as a growth point for
parafin crystalization.  If it's water (ice) then it can still clog 
things, and even adding gasoline may not help.

If you have a inline heater, that will be good, because some of the 
heat will work it's way back to the tank. Normally not a big deal,
but in your case it'll probably help.  

Sometimes fresh fuel has water suspended in it, esp. when the tanker
truck just pulled out.

Oh, the slugs, are possibly areas where there is localized matrixing of
the cloud material (water, parafin, whatever), and they tend to be 
resistant to additives.  Either a thaw out, or running them through
will deal with the problem.  Normally ice crystals are melted in the 
injector pump, when the vehicle is operating vs. starting, and aren't
a problem.  The ammount of water in volved is extremely small.

Good luck.

Val




> 
> Well, looks like  still have a problem.  Gallon of gas/kerosene didn't work.
> The sad part is that this fuel was treated with additives when it was filled
> and  about twice after, so its not like there is not enough in there ...
> Poor car barely made it 5 min from the house.  Yesterday it was fine, but it
> was warmer.  Guess today I'll go get some fuel line and re-arrange my heater
> until the winters over.  And to think I was looking for something to do when
> its -20C ...
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Val Christian" <val at swamps.roc.ny.us>
> To: "Derek" <weasel1 at sympatico.ca>
> Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 6:33 AM
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] insulating you're fuel filter
> 
> 
> > You definitely want the heat BEFORE the filter.  When you have fuel
> clouding,
> > it clogs the filter.  A new filter can be clogged in minutes, before you
> > could even get home.
> >
> > Alternatives to heaters include treating the fuel, inertial separators,
> etc.
> >
> > Val
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > I am not so worried about the tank and the lines, things can get rather
> > > thick and still pump.  What I am worried about is having to go rescue my
> > > wife again on the side of the road.  I am convinced that it was my
> filter
> > > that was starting to plug ( it is brand new btw ).  I have my inline
> heater
> > > plumbed so that it heats the fuel before it goes into the injection
> pump.
> > > The heater was a supplemental unit that I had while I was using WVO.  My
> > > thinking is that the fuel would be more than warm enough to the point
> where
> > > that little plastic diverter valve sends all the fuel back to the tank
> and
> > > didn't recirculate enough to unthaw the filter.  I haven't had this
> problem
> > > before and I have been using this heater for quite some time now.  For
> all I
> > > know this is a one time thing with a bad load of fuel.  I am just trying
> to
> > > think of a way to prevent future occurrences.  I do have an electric
> > > VegTherm heater, but I think that may be a bit of overkill.
> > >
> > > P.S. Idling the car on the side of the road did help thaw the filter,
> but is
> > > was a long drive home.  I kept having to stop over and over again
> because I
> > > couldn't maintain full power at all.  The gas/kerosene/additive and
> being in
> > > a heated garage helped enormously.  No issues so far ( knock on wood
> !! )
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: <LBaird119 at aol.com>
> > > To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 7:03 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] insulating you're fuel filter
> > >
> > >
> > > >   The problem with the aforementioned insulating the fuel tank is
> heat.
> > > > Insulation
> > > > only slows the migration of heat to cold.  Simply insulating the tank
> > > won't
> > > > work
> > > > unless you have a way to heat the fuel in it continuously or first.
> Then
> > > you
> > > >
> > > > have the lines so you need to insulate them, fuel filter, pump, return
> > > > lines...
> > > > Sure you pick up heat from the pump but at subzero temps how far do
> you
> > > > think that goes?  I seriously doubt it makes it much over halfway to
> the
> > > > tank.  :-(  Heating the fuel filter is fine unless your fuel is thick
> > > enough
> > > > it won't come out of the tank or at least plugs the inlet.  The little
> > > > plastic
> > > > thing is simple and works well when it works but still won't
> compensate
> > > > for really gelled fuel.
> > > >   A -20F tank of #2 is no less viscous than an insulated tank of -20F
> > > fuel.
> > > > ;-)
> > > >      Loren
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Vwdiesel mailing list
> > > > Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > > > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
> > > >
> > >
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> > >
> >
> >
> 
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