fuel heater question

[otterdriver]

My fuel heater element wire has separated from its base mount. I know a new one is about 60 bucks, which I don't have at the moment. Can I just unplug it for the winter, and repair it when I have the money? Temperatures out here in Eastern Wa. are generally in the low teens/ single digits .. or am I just looking for trouble??! Also, what sort of longevity are we seeing for a well maintained PSD with NORMAL usage? 400K??+ Chris

[donald lorbeske]

yes you can unplug it make sure your bowl is clean of any geled dirt i had one go out and it arced on the bowl wall and i unpluged it about a year or so later i blew a hole in the bowl from corrosion

[Jessiah]

I think I would replace it. If you really can't afford it I would run an anti gel additive in the fuel. and I would make it a habbit to keep it pluged in at night. I believe the heater is in the fuel bowl to keep the fuel from gelling and cloging up the injecters.

[builtnotbought]

Mine was also separated from the plate and all i did was solder it back at its place with a little torch and lead solder and it seem to work ok !

[otterdriver]

Thanks for the reply!! I will keep this one in mind for a later repair!! Chris

[Gruss]

Mines been unplug since I got the truck. It's not needed unless the temps get below 0 for extended periods of time.

[Deeno]

I've heard that the 7.3 can go upwards of 500,000 miles if maintained properly. Hope so. Mine only has 115,000