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Fuel leak from flame heater pump

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Marston90

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Pittsburgh, PA
I noticed some small fuel leaking today and finally identified the source coming from the brass elbow on the "out line" from the flame heater pump to the left of the oil fill cap. It leaks slowly from the threads when the truck is idling. Can anyone identify what caused this and parts needs for repair? Thanks

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brianp454

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Portland, OR
I usually agree with Gimpy, but not on this one.

If you need the flame heater for a cold start and the lines are plugged, you have to remove them and hook everything back up.
Not the best situation.

My suggestion if you have a leak is fix it.
If you are worried about a leak in the future, put a 1/4 turn valve inline with the fuel feed for the flame heater and leave it closed.
If it is cold and you need it you just have to turn the valve and you're in business.
Even a little leak then is OK because you can start the engine and get back on the road (close the valve again and you don't have a leak).

Apparently there is an o-ring and some sort of elastomer tube seal.
I haven't taken time out to sort it out... yet.
May have to do heavy lifting with the TM's at some point.
I've asked a few times if someone had info to share and never got any help.

In GA or or TX or FL it is easy to just say you don't need it.
Talk is cheap.
They don't understand that for guys like us it gets COLD.
I've used that flame heater and was glad I had it on a cold morning.
Cranking the starter and having oil pressure with no pops someday will change your thinking (or start it).
These engines do not have glow plugs; they have a flame heater.
The designers knew that these beasts would have to be started in the cold.
I want to be able to start my truck if she is needed to serve again and I do not want to be out reconnecting lines then or using ether and potentially damaging the engine.
 
Jeepsinker

Jeepsinker

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Then don't use ether. Use brake parts cleaner, or some gasoline on a rag, or a little on the air filter. My truck, and many others that live way up in the great white north, do not use or even have the flame heater anymore. I've started mine with no trouble in temp just above freezing. The flame heater is for temps that are positively Arctic, like -30 to -40 and below... if your truck won't start in the cold without the heater, your injectors are weak, or your compression is low, but running in the winter with a few gallons of gasoline in the fuel tank with diesel will be a great help in very low temperatures.
 
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brianp454

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Jeepsinker said:
Then don't use ether. Use brake parts cleaner, or some gasoline on a rag, or a little on the air filter. My truck, and many others that live way up in the great white north, do not use or even have the flame heater anymore. I've started mine with no trouble in temp just above freezing. The flame heater is for temps that are positively Arctic, like -30 to -40 and below... if your truck won't start in the cold without the heater, your injectors are weak, or your compression is low, but running in the winter with a few gallons of gasoline in the fuel tank with diesel will be a great help in very low temperatures.
Click to expand...
Yes or No for all of the below. Are Gimpy and Jeepsinker willing to be indemnified for emergency services for trucks that do not start below freezing? Or with an injector test you will then accept all costs involved? And are you advising people to soak air filters in flammable liquids and use rags with flammable liquids? Do you have a published manual with such advice? And will you be indemnified for all cost or incidents arising from such advice? FYI the flame heater is inside a cast iron manifold and the manufacturer is liable for issues with product safety. If you insert yourself in that you are accepting liability. Is your logo on the engine data plate? Do you suggest it be replaced with your logo?
And if it is below zero or conditions you have no experience of what is your level of guarantee and warranty? Will Steel Soldiers accept that or is it you personally? Please provide your registration with the Secretary of State in which you reside so that all claims may be processed in accordance with the law of any jurisdiction.
 
gimpyrobb

gimpyrobb

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Yeah, he isn't too far from me for me to know what kind of weather he gets. If the truck is running right, he doesn't need the system in his usual climate. I understand some like to keep things stock, and I applaud it, the system(for me) isn't worth the hassle.
 
Jeepsinker

Jeepsinker

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brianp454 said:
Yes or No for all of the below. Are Gimpy and Jeepsinker willing to be indemnified for emergency services for trucks that do not start below freezing? Or with an injector test you will then accept all costs involved? And are you advising people to soak air filters in flammable liquids and use rags with flammable liquids? Do you have a published manual with such advice? And will you be indemnified for all cost or incidents arising from such advice? FYI the flame heater is inside a cast iron manifold and the manufacturer is liable for issues with product safety. If you insert yourself in that you are accepting liability. Is your logo on the engine data plate? Do you suggest it be replaced with your logo?
And if it is below zero or conditions you have no experience of what is your level of guarantee and warranty? Will Steel Soldiers accept that or is it you personally? Please provide your registration with the Secretary of State in which you reside so that all claims may be processed in accordance with the law of any jurisdiction.
Click to expand...
It leaks directly onto the exhaust housing of the turbo, which can, and has caused fires. The manufacturers haven't written manuals for these in decades. The info I posted is well known known by most all of us who deal with these trucks. Don't be a turd, nobody needs to hear that garbage.
 
rustystud

rustystud

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brianp454 said:
Yes or No for all of the below. Are Gimpy and Jeepsinker willing to be indemnified for emergency services for trucks that do not start below freezing? Or with an injector test you will then accept all costs involved? And are you advising people to soak air filters in flammable liquids and use rags with flammable liquids? Do you have a published manual with such advice? And will you be indemnified for all cost or incidents arising from such advice? FYI the flame heater is inside a cast iron manifold and the manufacturer is liable for issues with product safety. If you insert yourself in that you are accepting liability. Is your logo on the engine data plate? Do you suggest it be replaced with your logo?
And if it is below zero or conditions you have no experience of what is your level of guarantee and warranty? Will Steel Soldiers accept that or is it you personally? Please provide your registration with the Secretary of State in which you reside so that all claims may be processed in accordance with the law of any jurisdiction.
Click to expand...
Actually Brian no one is going to get sued for some free advice. As a certified mechanic I will never tell anyone to get a flammable rag to help start a truck. I don't want to loose my certification. I might say " I know some people use a rag soaked in ether to help start a diesel engine" but I would never advise it. :whistle:
But we are all big boys here and are responsible for our own actions. So I don't feel Chris and Garrett's advice is wrong.
 
Jeepsinker

Jeepsinker

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:doh::doh::doh::doh:

We just went over this. If your truck won't start in the cold without the flame heater, then it has an issue, or issues that need to be addressed for proper operation.
 
Last edited:
Wildchild467

Wildchild467

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OilfieldRoughneck said:
Fix the leak. I use mine everyday in winter to plow snow. I like using that instead of ether.
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Do you notice that it helps a lot? I don't notice much of a difference when I use mine. I made a small tank for mine that I put diesel in so that it does not pull WMO/gas/diesel from my fuel tank for the heater. Everything on mine works, ignition system, pump and nozzle. When i crank it over and hit the switch, it still does not come right to life like it got a kick in the pants or anything.... It just does not seem to wake it right up like either would. I agree, I'm not a fan of either either. I just haven't used it on diesels and would rather play it safe and plug it in instead.
 
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