Northern WVO

[patty]

Hey all,
Im looking at WVO components and have decided to take the plunge this summer. My buddy went with the grease-car kit last year, now he's gutting it because he feels he can make a better system on his own. So I will be picking up his tank (with intank heating) and heated fuel lines for real cheap (the buddy discount). Anyways I was just looking at different heating strategies and was wondering what would be best for the cold north. I dont plan on driving around town on WVO, only for long trips (ski trips) so there will be a good amount of time to heat up the engine first. So if the tank is heated I figured I would need one more source of heat before the fuel filter. So I was looking at plantdrives Vegtherm Standard. Would this be sufficient or should I use a mixed heater filter? or both?
What are other northern residences using?

[Frisch]

Hey Patty,

I drove all over BC this january, including some -23 weather... with the plantdrive kit (coolant heated tank - hotfox - and filter - turbofyner and electric heater - vegtherm in the engine) there were no issues. The engine was usually up to temperature within minutes at highway speed.

So, I would recommend both the heated filter and the electric heater. I would not be worried about overheating, because the electric heater - vegtherm - is controlled by a temperature sensitive switch.

David

[patty]

i think im gonna go with a vegtherm right before the fuel filter, the coolant heated tank, and heated tape around the top of the fuel injector as a last resort.
i know you need two 3 port valves but there like $130 each? whats the down side of the one 6 port valve for 80 bucks?

[patty]

probably wrap the fuel filter in heated tape as well, like on the fattywagons vehicles.

[Frisch]

I've had no problems with my 6 port pollock valve, however, I've heard that their quality is less than the metal three port valves. A guy in Ontario said he found that his failed and allowed diesel to flow while he had switched to veggie. That's just one case, though. Perhaps others have not had problems?

[Adam]

whats the down side of the one 6 port valve for 80 bucks?

The main downside of the 6-port value is there is no purge option. Once you switch back to diesel from veg all the WVO in the return line gets pumped into your diesel tank. This isn't a big deal unless you are driving in really cold temps (i.e. PG Sept - May) and run you diesel tanks low. Also the more frequently you switch back and forth the more WVO is getting flushed into your diesel tank. Really this isn't a big deal, just fill up your diesel tanks more often in winter. I didn't have trouble starting my van until I was less than a 1/4 of a tank of diesel, even then it would start, i was just noticeably harder.

The plus side is that the 6-port is easier to plumb and a lot cheaper, that being said, if I had to do it all over again I might go with two 3-port values.

[patty]

What's the cheapest coolant heated fuel filter out there?
Right now I'm on the fence between shuckin out the extra dow for the coolant heated fuel filter (as most people do) or use the fattywagon electric jacket for a regular fuel filter.

As of now I plan on going:
Coolant Heated Tank (Buddy Handout) => Coolant Heated Fuel Line HIH (Fattywagon) => Electric Heated Fuel Filter Jacket (Fattywagon) => 6 Port Valve (Plantdrive) => Electric Heated Injection Iines (Fattywagon).

I realize I should just go with the coolant filter seeing that it would be easy with the fuel lines coolant heated, I just cant justify the money if the electric jacket does the same thing (or does it).

[ForealBoreal]

I dont know if you really need to set up injector heaters, due to the fact your only going to switch when your vo is warm enough. Your engine is your last heat exchanger.
if your intrested i can post a link later to make your own HIH coolent and fuel line.
I am putting everything together for my system when i but my truck this summer.

you could also make your own heated filter. just a coolent wrap around our filter. thats the cheapest way of doing it.

I myself am pondering on if i should throw in a vegitherm. I know somedays driving to Shames i wish i had one.