Fuel overheating issues solved

[Storer]

As many of you will know I had a rather unfortunate arrival at the Great British Welcome at St Saturnin, Le Mans a couple of years ago when I had to be pushed into the show. Spending an hour in the traffic at 35 deg outside, the fuel got to 66 deg, it coughed and cut out. It was obvious why. After a couple of hours wandering around the show she had cooled down and fired straight up.

I have tried various ways of trying to solve the problem. None successful, until today.



I know I am not the first to try this but I have tried pretty much everything else so I know what doesn't work.

A quick test run has seen the fuel temperature start at 11 degrees and never moved from that temperature. It would normally be 20+ after a short run. My driveway is 600m long and stones so I go down it at tickover in first which sees the cooling fans kick in by the time I park up. Still 11 deg fuel temperature.

My fuel pump is an Aeromotive A1000 so moves a lot of fuel unless one of these is fitted.

Worth thinking about if you are starting from scratch or having hot fuel issues.


Paul

[huzilulu]

Paul

Nice find! I looked up the details and have some question for you:

The write up indicates that this controller can serve 'as' the regulator - did you leave your regulator in place?
What psi are you running the regulator and FOD at? Same or set a little apart?
And since the regulator returns the excess fuel back to the tank, are you running the FOD as a 'return' system?

Thanks!

[xrtim]

Fuelab also do a variable speed electric pumps controlled by the regulator, just fitting mine now, its a really compact pump and one wire to the regulator from the pump for variable speed mode so easy to fit

[deadscoob]

How much of the problem was caused by the pump, and how much by heat soak Paul?

[Ult-Jim]

Hi Paul, interesting. It may be a stupid question, but where and how do you measure the fuel temperature.
Ult-Jim.

[Graham-P]

Found this interesting article Fuelab seems to have covered the problems we have with saddle bag tanks, if starting from scratch. Aeromotive if you're already up and running......or Pauls solution with FOD....

[Graham-P]

Ult-Jim said:

Hi Paul, interesting. It may be a stupid question, but where and how do you measure the fuel temperature.
Ult-Jim.

I believe Paul uses his SPA oil temp sender in a spare port in the pressure regulator.

[mt308]

Fitted this last year following big problems with overheating fuel.

No problems since. Interesting the pump draws 2-3 amps most of the time whereas it was at 10 amps constantly before. Even under load i cant get it beyond 5-6 amps.

Mark

[Storer]

Ok, a few answers.

Graham is correct, my Aeromotive pressure regulator looks like a Christmas tree with both a pressure and temperature regulator on it. Fuel temperature is displayed on my SPA dash

I have obviously retained the regulator (at least for now) and it is set at 59psi. I have not changed any of the factory settings on the Fuel-on-demand (FOD) controller so it is set to a maximum of 75psi (which the regulator then dumps 6psi). I am running the FOD as a closed system as if I do decide to remove the regulator I will make a manifold for all the sensors.

I will look to adjust things when I get a bit of time. I suppose I was being a little cautious and changing the least amount in case it didn't work.

It was Mark's experience that gave me the confidence to spend over £300 on it.

I think using this type of controller and maybe their in tank pump in a new build would remove fuel temperature/evaporation as an issue completely.

If the fuel entering the rail is cool then heat soak should never be an issue.


Paul

[MarkWebb]

How long have I been going on about this! At last you guys are catching on!

[Storer]

MarkWebb said:

How long have I been going on about this! At last you guys are catching on!

We are all old gits, so bound to be slow to take things up!


Paul

[deadscoob]

I'd be really interested in seeing a list of everyone who has had the issue and the setup, exhaust, number of pumps, pump manufacturer etc etc.

I've not had the problem, was at Rockingham last August when t was about 30 degrees all day, car was going round all day, then drove home without a murmur.

Does everyone affected use aero motive pumps for instance?

[Storer]

deadscoob said:

I'd be really interested in seeing a list of everyone who has had the issue and the setup, exhaust, number of pumps, pump manufacturer etc etc.

I've not had the problem, was at Rockingham last August when t was about 30 degrees all day, car was going round all day, then drove home without a murmur.

Does everyone affected use aero motive pumps for instance?

If you are belting round a track or travelling at main road speeds there is/was no issue. Sitting in traffic for an hour is when the problem arises.
It is the fact that the fuel is being pumped through the pressure regulator (both the pumping and the regulation add heat to the fuel) and not then being utilised by the engine, but going back for 'another go round' is the issue. The bigger the pump capacity, the bigger the issue.

Paul

[845ste]

for me the problem is the type and placement of the exhaust systems, especially those who have the kat.
my pumps are located down behind the cab, and the heat goes upwards.

even in traffic my pumps are always cool to the touch. and I've never had any problems, even in August ... but I have no mufflers

[MarkWebb]

Having spent 6 years wondering about this. I conclude that there are so many things that can cause & affect this that you should just think yourself lucky if you don't get it! But if you do there is a solution and although a little pricey it is the best way to go because you can spend literally years going round and round in circles. Retrofit in tank pumps are a good place to start!

[F.C.]

deadscoob said:

I'd be really interested in seeing a list of everyone who has had the issue and the setup, exhaust, number of pumps, pump manufacturer etc etc.

I've not had the problem, was at Rockingham last August when t was about 30 degrees all day, car was going round all day, then drove home without a murmur.

Does everyone affected use aero motive pumps for instance?

I had this problem with Aeromotive pump fitted.
Nothing since fitting a pair of 0044's.

[GTRMikie]

I don't have any fuel heating problems, because I'm running a stock 355hp ZZ4 HO engine (more than enough power for me). Do factory built cars, including the EVO, have this problem? One must assume not. Therefore, why not stick with the factory fuelling set up?

[845ste]

reading all posts, you have made me worry.

in these months I have completely disassembled my gtr for a complete restoration and various modifications.
so I'm still thinking about putting a small cooler with the fan in which water passes (apart circuit, disconnected from what cools the engine), to cool the fuel
.
what do you think?

[F.C.]

845ste said:

reading all posts, you have made me worry.

in these months I have completely disassembled my gtr for a complete restoration and various modifications.
so I'm still thinking about putting a small cooler with the fan in which water passes (apart circuit, disconnected from what cools the engine), to cool the fuel
.
what do you think?

Sounds like an unnecessary and potentially dangerous idea to me.

The FOD above seems like a winner.

[BogBeast]

I would submit that if you suspect you have a fuel temp issue its probably best to measure it first.

To that end I would ask:

How hot is too hot?
Where should you measure it?
What should you measure it with?