Fueling questions, Return fuel line and fuel module

[015point9]

On the fuel module…Is it desirable to have fuel return go back into “collection” basket?   If so why? 

Am I right in my thinking or am I missing something?    As long as fuel is getting sucked up with no leaks and 21 psi with  ½ fuel line (at idle, don’t know about WOT yet)  doesn’t really matter how return fuel  is hooked up to.   Other than return has to go back into tank.

 If fuel return matters,  I can put in back in several ways…using draw straw or the fuel filler hose that has a metal fitting with connection tube or fuel module.  But fuel module fittings are 3/8 inch line I think. 

(I fixed the sump, no longer leaks and now plugged off and want to abandon sump,  so hose is no longer hanging down and routing of hose would be better at fuel module instead at sump at rear of tank).

 

Thanks

[dripley]

If you are pulling fuel from outside the fuel module it does not make any difference where the return goes. Mine is pulling from the module and both my returns are in the basket. It pretty much insures I can pull all the fuel from the tank and have darn near done that several times over the years. Still scary to put 35 gallons in the tank, just means i stretched it a little far.

 Now there is a valid argument on dumping the warm return fuel straight to the pick up and just pumping back thru the system. I have no way to check the temp of the fuel coming back from head. I would think the return from the pump would not be much warmer than it was when pulled from the tank. Even then I would not think any of that matters until below a quarter tank or so. 

[015point9]

Thank you. 

 

You said...

Quote

If you are pulling fuel from outside the fuel module it does not make any difference where the return goes.

 

But if I am pulling fuel from fuel module (what I'm  planning to do) would that make any difference pertaining to return lines? 

[dripley]

We have folks here doing it both ways with success. The only thing I question myself on is how hot is the fuel returning from the head and does it raise the temp of the fuel enough to effect the cooling of the VP computer? This would only be during low fuel level conditions. I dont seem to have any issues. The pump has 175k on it now and all seems well with it. On the plus side you will always have fuel in the basket until the pump sucks it all out. That was my thinking when I installed mine. I typically fill up with near 31 to 33 gallons so my truck sees low fuel levels on every tank. This is all based on an electric lift pump, not sure how the mechanical ones are set up.

[JAG1]

mine dumps into the filler neck. It helps mix the two stoke oil if its running and forget to dump it in before filling. I like the fill neck because I think it helps dump some of the heat away from the hot return fuel.

 

I would like to add that I don't live in a cold area in the PNW but summers are very hot.

 

Edited January 6, 2017 by JAG1

[Mopar1973Man]

At this time of the year fuel temp is not a problem. I see some pretty low fuel temps. It might warm up to +40*F. Like tonight it will be well below zero. 

[Dieselfuture]

Pull and return to basket keep fuel from jelling, keep above 1/4 tank for multiple reasons. 

[KATOOM]

Fuel returning to the basket serves as a couple things.  Ensuring there is fuel available to the engine when the fuel level gets very low, as long as there's fuel in the tank.  And keeping the supply line fuel warm in cool climates.  Something which can be counter productive in the hot summer heat, but keeping the fuel level from getting too low helps keep fuel temps from getting too hot.

 

The fuel module basket is not a required thing but it sure helps the 1/4 tank problem lots of people experience after installing the drawstraw.  Installation errors of the drawstraw generally are the reason too.

 

Cant say whether or not people are seeing overall positive results with the new sumps either but aside fro allowing all the tank crud t easily make its way into the fuel supply, a sump seems like a way to get all the fuel out of the tank.

Edited January 8, 2017 by KATOOM

[JAG1]

With my set up dumping fuel return down the fill neck, I like to be able to lift the cap and see how well the return is flowing and how the overflow is doing.

 

I've run all the way to the empty mark at the fill station, but when I got there, I found out the diesel pump was out of order. Had to feather the fuel another 12 miles or so to another filling station. I was very happy that it made it.

 

The bottom of my fuel basket is mostly gone and broken off. Since I have the big pre lift pump filter with the clear bowl on the bottom I can see what condition my fuel quality is and filter the occasional garbage out of the fuel before it gets to the lift pump.

 

My fuel basket is broken off because I removed the factory screens down there and got a little too aggressive. At  least I can catch the garbage this way into a changeable filter and not let water and junk start growing inside the tank.

 

This for guys in Redding  

[KATOOM]

"Too aggressive".....  Valid description.

[JAG1]

While working on it I did not realize how easily the fuel basket plastic would crack. I had to remove the cracked piece so it wouldn't become an issue.

[015point9]

3 hours ago, JAG1 said:

a

 

 

Quote

Since I have the big pre lift pump filter with the clear bowl on the bottom I can see what condition my fuel quality is and filter the occasional garbage out of the fuel before it gets to the lift pump.

 

I'm thinking about putting one in.  Nothing fancy, just basic fuel/water separator. 

Any recommendations on model/type and micron size?

 

[JAG1]

I like a 30 micron to take care of the big stuff and rated for the suction side of the lift pump at 90 gallons per hour. It is a taller filter so I had to put in a protection plate under it that swings away when doing service to the filter or lift pump. I like Racor brand because of the clear plastic bowl.

 

There are other filters out there cheaper that do just as good of job like Donaldson.

 

So far my Airdog 100 l/p has lasted 50 k miles holding 15- 19 p.s.i..

Edited January 8, 2017 by JAG1