Shorted fuel heater - fixed

55494 Views 20 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Bossdog, Dec 27, 2016

klhansen

Discussion Starter · Oct 11, 2009 (Edited)

I repaired the shorted fuel heater in my truck today, so took some photos.

Here's what it looked like.

Notice that the circular wire, which is a hot bus from the connector (barely visible in the upper right) to the three buttons of semi-metallic heater element on the mounting plate. The wire was originally soldered onto the buttons, but came loose from vibration(?) and the wire slid over and shorted out on the mounting plate.

The post in the middle is held in place by the heater mounting plate. I had read on here that the post is threaded in with left-hand threads, and a crow's-foot wrench was needed, but that wasn't the case. Just the two screws and the electrical connector. Pretty easy fix. ?

I put together a mini-photo essay in my photo gallery with more pics including the new heater which is a beefier style, and not likely to have this problem.
Fuel Heater repair [on edit] fixed link

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1 - 20 of 21 Posts

losfinch

· #2 · Oct 11, 2009

What did the new heater cost?

Early 99 F350 4X4 CC 7.3 Auto. A.R.E. Topper, bed carpet/bench inserts, Rhino grill guard, AIS w/sleeve, Fuel filler mod, GOS headlight harness, 05-06 Headlights with LED bulbs, Rancho HD stabilizer, 06 Telescoping/heated mirrors with C-Btr Mirrors, Hella FF1000, Htr Bypass valve, front receiver hitch, Quadzilla XZT gauges, ITP Pre-pump/In-tank mods, Pioneer P5000UB w/XM radio, 4 Infinity Kappa 682.7cf, Fumoto valve, FIAMM Highway blaster horns, SS HPX, IDM mod, DP F5 (Stock,Drive-thru,60T,80E,120,80E-Mountain,1200), Walker BTM, RR, Dieselsite BRV, BTS Tranny (3rd one

), 31 row tranny cooler, Bilstein shocks, Amsoil bypass oil filter, Stancor HD Glow Plug Relay, billet thermostat housing, front & rear parking cameras, Aux reverse lights, Heated Seats.

Security: CrimeGuard Alarm with remote notification, DIY jimmi-jammers, door cylinder locks and linkage removed, padlocked rear bench seat hinge, PCM, DIY "pitstop" switch.

klhansen

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 12, 2009

losfinch said:
What did the new heater cost?

Lists for right at $30. Got it for $23. :thumbsup:

Ford want's $150 list for their equivalent.
:jawdrop:

jaschakoz

· #4 · Oct 13, 2009

Were Did You Buy The New Fuel Heater

klhansen

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 14, 2009

The new fuel heater was from the local International Dealer.

Also thought I'd clarify this, as I've been getting some questions about what it would fit.

I know it will fit a 99.5 7.3L PSD, and since the fuel system remained essentially the same from the Superduty introduction with the 99 model to the changeover to the 6.0L in mid 03, it should fit any 99 and up 7.3L.

I CAN"T say whether it will fit in a 94-97 Powerstroke. It may, but I can't be sure. If you do buy one for that application, be sure they'll let you return it.

curtcon

· #6 · Oct 17, 2009

so 183######### is the part number or is the 1P part of the number. I need to do this to my truck as well.

I take it your #30 fuse kept shorting as well.

klhansen

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 18, 2009

curtcon said:
so 183######### is the part number or is the 1P part of the number. I need to do this to my truck as well.

I take it your #30 fuse kept shorting as well.

The 1P isn't part of the number on the invoice.

The fuse blew only the one time. I left the shorted fuel heater unplugged till I got a chance to fix it.

curtcon

· #8 · Oct 19, 2009

klhansen said:
The 1P isn't part of the number on the invoice.

The fuse blew only the one time. I left the shorted fuel heater unplugged till I got a chance to fix it.

I unplugged it before 2 years ago and only for a week and then never had a problem till now. Now it will not start and the #30 30 amp fuse keeps blowing and I cant remember witch plug was for the heater so I can at least see if it is the problem.

Do you have a picture of witch plug it is? If that works again I am going tomorrow to get the new heater

JimmyDee

· #9 · Oct 21, 2009

Thank-you for this post and the pictures. The pictures kind of say it all.
Jim

werkzeug-mann

· #10 · Oct 21, 2009

having the same fun here. mine is a '97. fuse #22 keeps blowing even after disconnecting the heater lead.

finman

· #11 · Oct 21, 2009

does this apply to only late 90's trucks? If i remember right on my 2002 the heater assembly looked liked the new style. I need to double check when I change filters again.

Thanks,
Fin

boomboom

· #12 · Oct 21, 2009

Great info. and pics Thank You. I just changed my filter two weeks ago but didn't notice which design was in mine. :icon_rolleyes:

curtcon

· #13 · Oct 22, 2009

Well that was easy! got it for $23 and installed it in about 30 minutes and that was with changing the drain valve O rings and cleaning the crap out of the bottom of the fuel bowl. There was so much stuff that the only reason the drain valve stopped leaking is cause it was clogged shut.

Good thing the filter is there.

Was yours filled with what looked like very fine sand?

klhansen

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 22, 2009

curtcon said:
Was yours filled with what looked like very fine sand?

My filter bowl had a little bit of grit in it, maybe a dozen or so specs. I have a 75 micron pre-pump filter, which probably catches most of the big chunks.

Glad you got it fixed. :thumbsup:

finman: It's very possible that Ford/International updated the "wire and buttton" heater style to the heavy duty type by '02. Count yourself lucky if you have that type.

Big Boy w/ Big Toys

· #15 · Oct 27, 2009

Thanks Kevin!!!! You started it. I am on my 3rd heater this week. Seems they all went about the same time. Sharon's, then a neighbor and now another guy just called. Hope you don't need another anytime soon cause they are on order.

klhansen

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 27, 2009

Big Boy w/ Big Toys said:
Thanks Kevin!!!! You started it. I am on my 3rd heater this week. Seems they all went about the same time. Sharon's, then a neighbor and now another guy just called. Hope you don't need another anytime soon cause they are on order.

Holy cow, John, it's like a swine flu pandemic. :worried:

klingerman73

· #17 · Nov 22, 2009

Thanks for the pics and info!!

Just wanted to say thanks for the post, pics and info.. It looks like I have some looking around tomorrow to see if the problem is with the fuel heater. After the truck died on me last week, I replaced the #30 fuse and the truck fired right up. Went out tonight to start the truck and the #30 fuse blew again... sounds like I have an issue with the fuel heater.

gollidayd

· #18 · Jan 12, 2011

Fuel Heater Repair

Hey Kevin,

I'll go and get that tomorrow and put it in, thanks so much man, that really helps me out big time. Where are other stores to get this part? can i get it at Napa and u said its beefier?

boracay

· #19 · Jan 15, 2011

hmmm , mine popped off on one of the buttons [no short] .i was thinking of re soldering it back in place ,[not sure if i even need it in south florida] ,but that new one looks like high quality.

FJK1

· #20 · Jan 20, 2011

How low in temperature can you go with a disconnected fuel heater before you experience other problems? You guys in Alaska would probably have a good handle on this.

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