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| Heated fuel for better mpg?? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 23 2009, 05:30 PM (4,385 Views) | |
| dept411 | Nov 23 2009, 05:30 PM Post #1 |
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Metro on the brain
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I got my heated fuel system installed today and filled up the tank. I used 1/4" copper tubing wrapped around my top radiator hose. It was about 30" of tubing in contact with the hose. I also wrapped it with exhaust wrap and cover it with ss tape. I hope that helps keep some of the heat in. I dont know for sure how much fuel goes through the line on my drive to work but at 45mpg it cant be much. I'll be posting any losses or gains over the next week or so. I was gonna post some pics but cant seem to get them on. I'll keep trying. |
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| billy508 | Nov 23 2009, 06:11 PM Post #2 |
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billy508
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Good luck. If you get the fuel too hot you may encounter vapor lock. Used to be a very common problem here in the South. Be very careful with all your plumbing. A small leak goes a long ways. Looking forward to your future posts.
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| bogs | Nov 23 2009, 07:47 PM Post #3 |
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Duct tape heals all wounds
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For posting pics, this thread Posting Images is just chock full of info!
Edited by bogs, Nov 23 2009, 07:48 PM.
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| billy508 | Nov 23 2009, 08:06 PM Post #4 |
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billy508
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What I just said about vapor lock may not be true. I know it was on older cars but I am not sure about the newer injected cars. Higher fuel pressures and better routing of the fuel lines has made a big difference. Didnt mean to cloud the issue.
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| Manny | Nov 23 2009, 08:12 PM Post #5 |
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Yes! a Costa Rican member
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Looking forward for pics!!! |
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| dept411 | Nov 23 2009, 10:41 PM Post #6 |
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Metro on the brain
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I think my pic problem is from me being at work . They aren't allowing any pics to come through even the one posted on the forums. All I get are the little red x's on my computer. I definately don't get photbucket pic here. I'll try tomorrow to post some pics when I get up.
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| Woodie | Nov 24 2009, 06:43 AM Post #7 |
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Sounds good. Quite a bit of fuel runs through there and the reason is the same one why you don't need to worry about vapor lock. Most of the gas that's pumped up there slips past the fuel pressure regulator and goes back to the tank. There's a constant flow and the fuel to be used is kept under pressure, this keeps fuel injected cars from having vapor lock problems. I'd disconnect the heater in the summer, but don't worry about it now. |
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| Cobb | Nov 24 2009, 10:10 AM Post #8 |
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BANNED
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Interesting.... I dont know the name of the guy, but I saw on an episode of horse power on the power block on spike tv about a fiero a guy had turb charged with a gasifier modification he made. It some how vaporized the gas and used 2 rotating metal brushes and got great power and unbelievable fuel economy. |
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| dept411 | Dec 7 2009, 11:11 PM Post #9 |
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Metro on the brain
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Heres some results of my heated fuel using copper coiled around the top rad hose. No gains I was getting 45mpg and I still am. The fuel doesn't seem warm at the t/b either. I havent taken temp readings from cold start to finish but when I get to work and open her up and grab the fuel line next to the t/b its not much warmer. I guess the fuel pump is returning alot to the tank as I drive and my little setup wont heat it that fast. I dont want to mess with the fuel pressure so I'll write this off unless someone has a better idea. |
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| nerys | Dec 8 2009, 01:35 AM Post #10 |
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Grr
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Which hose? one gets hotter than the other. I also don't think 30" is anywhere near enough. First the hose is a good insulator so not much heat actually gets through it hence why you can TOUCH IT with your bare skin even though the water inside would give you a really bad week if you touched it :-) hehe I would wrap it around the exhaust pipe. its metal so better heat conduction. |
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| Woodie | Dec 8 2009, 07:41 AM Post #11 |
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Please don't wrap your fuel line around your exhaust, that's not a good idea. You might try wrapping some insulation around the radiator hose, fuel line combo to keep the heat in there. |
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| nerys | Dec 8 2009, 08:27 AM Post #12 |
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Grr
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too hot? How hot does it get? how about THROUGH the radiator hose. IE a coil INSIDE the hose. Will work a TON better at getting your heat. the trick is keeping is sealed under the typical 10-15psi pressure in these systems (NOT a pressure to scoff at its way more than people realize) |
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| bogs | Dec 8 2009, 12:26 PM Post #13 |
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Duct tape heals all wounds
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Yah, I would stay away from around the exhaust as well, Nery its not just the heat of the exhaust, its dissimilar metals. |
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| mwebb | Dec 8 2009, 01:33 PM Post #14 |
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FOG
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if the system does not have auto transmission you could route it through the UNused oil cooler / heater in the bottom of the radiator. but i think the whole concept is a bad idea , when we see a sooty mushroom cloud on the horizon .... we will mourn your demise . maybe you will make the darwin awards ? think positive ? works for the other guy ... |
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| dept411 | Dec 8 2009, 01:36 PM Post #15 |
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Metro on the brain
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I did wrap the coil with several wraps of insulation. I also used some s/s heat tape to keep it all wrapped up nice and neat. i also wrapped the line all the way to the t/b. If this worked I was going to buy a automatic radiator and plumb into the oil cooler to heat the fuel. I "think" my problem is that the fuel is being pumped past my coil to fast via the regulator and I really don't want to adjust anything there. My setup would have to heat the entire fuel system(don't want that either) just the fuel at the t/b prior to entering the injector. Anyone have an idea how long the fuel pump stays on while running the vehicle at 55mph? |
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. They aren't allowing any pics to come through even the one posted on the forums.
All I get are the little red x's on my computer. I definately don't get photbucket pic here. I'll try tomorrow to post some pics when I get up.

2:06 PM Jul 11