Anyone Install a Fuel Cooler?

**Cowpie1** · 08.03.2012

Tossing around the idea of putting a cooler on the fuel return line. These engines really cook the fuel due to the higher pressures, and there has been increasing incidences of a problem called asphalting happening to fuel. And it has been tossed around for quite a while that cooling the fuel will also help with power and possibly mpg. Thinking of doing a fuel cooler on my new ride and would be interested in comments from those that have done it also.

**rollin coal** · 08.03.2012

Haven't done it but do think it is a good idea. Makes perfect sense, cooler denser fuel has more BTU's than hot fuel that's expanded. Personally though I believe installing a cooler on the fuel line between the secondary fuel filter and where it goes into the head would net the best results - sending that cooled fuel directly to the injectors. Get a transmission cooler, route the fuel through it, and bam...

**Joetro** · 08.03.2012

I haven't done it, but I've tossed the idea around.

**Cowpie1** · 08.03.2012

Originally Posted by rollin coal

Haven't done it but do think it is a good idea. Makes perfect sense, cooler denser fuel has more BTU's than hot fuel that's expanded. Personally though I believe installing a cooler on the fuel line between the secondary fuel filter and where it goes into the head would net the best results - sending that cooled fuel directly to the injectors. Get a transmission cooler, route the fuel through it, and bam...

Not a bad idea. I came across a lot of discussion on fuel cooling being done on large pickups and such, but couldn't find anything on people doing it to class 8 trucks and bigger engines. Using a tranny cooler seems like a good idea, and will take a look at what you suggest as opposed to cooling on the return fuel side. There had been some discussion in the diesel pickup forums that cooling the fuel as quickly as you can coming back off the engine is the desired way, but have no first hand knowledge if that is accurate.

**rollin coal** · 08.03.2012

Well, what they are saying makes sense too. Maybe 2 fuel coolers would be optimum, to the head and on the return, but might be unnecessary overkill.. ..really don't know. Have heard second hand info about running coolers though and it allegedly does improve mpg's, never any details on the cooler location though. It is fact that cool fuel is more dense and puts out more BTU's than warm fuel, just what would be the best cooler setup, a person would just have to try and see what works. Don't think it's a bad idea to try and certainly a trans cooler and some fuel line isn't going to break a bank.

**Cowpie1** · 08.03.2012

Sent a note off to Bruce Malinson at Pitts Power about this. He said it was a good idea, they are working on something right now for a fuel return cooler, but if one is wanting to do this use the best automatic transmission cooler you can find.

I am going to do a little project planning.

**heavyhaulerss** · 08.03.2012

if cooler fuel is better, then why do we get better m.p.g in the summer than winter?

**superhauler** · 08.03.2012

Originally Posted by heavyhaulerss

if cooler fuel is better, then why do we get better m.p.g in the summer than winter?

winterblend fuel maybe. or to cold of fuel has same effect as hot fuel.

**Cowpie1** · 08.03.2012

There are lot of factors in that one. You know that. Cold air is denser to cut thru, oils in gearing, hubs, etc don't flow as well, also it is common knowledge that diesel usually is winter blended with #1 and has a lower BTU content and therefore less energy per gallon.

I would have expected more from you heavyhaulerss. You are just funning with me aren't you?