Coolant circulation flow question

[ToddT]

I want to add a 115vAC heater to the coolant but am concerned about the thermostat stopping the flow. I have Evans NGC+ in my engine, therefore zero pressure in the radiator- drilled hole in the cap on the plastic overflow tank. I am also running one of Bob Riley's 203 degree thermostats.

I grab the coolant from the unused 3/8" npt port on the driver's side of the water pump. The coolant returns to the overflow bottle using a tee into the small hose coming from the radiator.

My plan is to add a low pressure pump and heater in a little side loop back near the veggie tank. I'm in hopes of pushing warm coolant through the various veggie-related heat exchangers and hoses and finally back to the radiator. From there, I'm hoping it will warm up the coolant in the block. But, will it?

An alternate plan is to tie in to the heater hose return line, before the coolant re-enters the engine. So, does the thermostat affect the heater loop? On the return line?

Todd T

[BlueMule]

Todd
The coolant for the heater flows from the head on the passenger side, thru the heater core and then returns to the water pump. So to answer your question, no, the thermostat has no effect on the heater loop.

There are also two unused ports on the drivers side head and one on the passengers side heat where you could grab hot coolant for you veggie heating system

[ToddT]

Thanks. This afternoon I had other reasons to pop the hood. I realized why JOAT said he observed intermittent flow from the port on the driver's side. If he was using the same one I was, it is on the part of the engine that feeds the thermostat. When the thermostat is closed, this chamber is dead heading. Technically, it is open to the engine coolant but limited flow.

I think I'll change my truck to flow from the engine, through the veggie loop, then through the heater loop. I don't like the idea of a tee on the heater core loop as it cuts the flow rate.

Running veggie in my truck has caused me to learn my engine and entire vehicle so much better than before. This is only my second diesel and the first one was a work truck for my crews. I never did maintenance. I feel much more comfortable doing a lot of the maintenance short of internal engine stuff and computer issues.

Thanks again.

Todd