Fuel line connected to aircon lines?

Fuel line connected to aircon lines?

Author
Discussion

MattPlaneCrank

Original Poster:

107 posts

37 months

Monday 22nd February 2021
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Any idea what this device does? Is it a heat exchanger between the aircon and fuel and is it standard on a 4.5 Cerb?

GermanCerb

77 posts

66 months

Monday 22nd February 2021
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Cooling the fuel when Aircon is on. Don't know if it was standard but it was on mine.

Cheers
Michael

MattPlaneCrank

Original Poster:

107 posts

37 months

Monday 22nd February 2021
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That makes sense then!

Thanks

Matt

TwinKam

2,937 posts

94 months

Monday 22nd February 2021
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And on 4.2s too.

nawarne

3,088 posts

259 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2021
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Was the same on my '98 Chimaera 450.

Yep, assumption is if it's hot enough for aircon, then fuel passing through (very hot?) engine bay might star vaporising before reaching the injectors.

Nick

Mr Cerbera

5,031 posts

229 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2021
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Yup,

I have been umming-&-ahhhing about removing the Air Con for weeks now.



I don't need it personally but I worry about the fuel temp

BUT

As I don't use the Aircon, then the fuel has never been chilled, so I'm thinking that Me 'n' My Baby won't miss it.

Thoughts ? scratchchin

Robscim

792 posts

255 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2021
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It's a personal thing but I definitely wouldn't remove mine - but then I do use it quite often.

When you're stuck in traffic in 30+c heading for Le Mans, it's lovely to have the chilled air, usually with the windows down. Even more important if it's chucking it down with rain!!

It's a little luxury I enjoy - after all, the power it saps won't really be noticed!! driving

And I know it can be very hot and humid in Luxembourg, so I'm guessing you're more used to it!!

Let us know what you decide!

Cheers

Rob

notaping

253 posts

70 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2021
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The device is a cryo fuel cooler. It should be in the return line from the fuel rails to the petrol tank. It's meant to condense any vapor in the line before it reaches the tank, but will only run efficiently if the AC is switched on.

It could be replaced by an air cooled fuel cooler (small radiator), but probably not worth the bother. In any case - on the Cerb any vapor that gets back to the tank passes back out through the carbon capture can before being sucked into the inlet manifolds.

It's very rare that I have the AC on in my car and have never encountered any probs.

G.

ukkid35

6,138 posts

172 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2021
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Your A/C belt looks a little tired

MattPlaneCrank

Original Poster:

107 posts

37 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2021
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Oh yes good shout, it's rather perished and cracked on the inner surface. Just whipped it off, the tensioner bearing seems ok but it is 20 years old. Should I replace that as well do you think?

ukkid35

6,138 posts

172 months

Wednesday 24th February 2021
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I can't remember whether it's possible to press the bearing out and replace it, or whether the entire unit has to be replaced

Either way, access is so easy I wouldn't bother unless it feels or sounds unpleasant when spinning it

Mr Cerbera

5,031 posts

229 months

Wednesday 24th February 2021
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Robscim said:
It's a personal thing but I definitely wouldn't remove mine - but then I do use it quite often.

When you're stuck in traffic in 30+c heading for Le Mans, it's lovely to have the chilled air, usually with the windows down. Even more important if it's chucking it down with rain!!
It's a little luxury I enjoy - after all, the power it saps won't really be noticed!! driving

And I know it can be very hot and humid in Luxembourg, so I'm guessing you're more used to it!!

Let us know what you decide!

Cheers

Rob
Hi Rob,

Yup, as you said, it's a personal thing.
Worst jam I've ever been in was when they closed the M20 for bridge installation.
3 hours (and with newly installed ACT cooling piping yikes )

Hottest I ever got was trying to find a place to park in Monza, in Sept ,for the GP.
Water measured 102° but I still didn't put the AC on coz I always get a headcold when that throat-level ball-vent is open.

So I can survive it
and
Now that Gordon has told me that it cools the fuel in the return line then I will remove it and see what happens.

I'll 'favourite' this page and let you know how it goes thumbup

and THANKS VERY MUCH, GORDONthumbupbowbeer

drivingcloud9

p.s. Don't know when it was "hot and humid in Lux", musta been before the Russians moved in and took over the Red Light districts.


Edited by Mr Cerbera on Wednesday 24th February 11:56

MattPlaneCrank

Original Poster:

107 posts

37 months

Wednesday 24th February 2021
quotequote all
Mr Cerbera said:
Hi Rob,

Yup, as you said, it's a personal thing.
Worst jam I've ever been in was when they closed the M20 for bridge installation.
3 hours (and with newly installed ACT cooling piping yikes )

Hottest I ever got was trying to find a place to park in Monza, in Sept ,for the GP.
Water measured 102° but I still didn't put the AC on coz I always get a headcold when that throat-level ball-vent is open.

So I can survive it
and
Now that Gordon has told me that it cools the fuel in the return line then I will remove it and see what happens.

I'll 'favourite' this page and let you know how it goes thumbup

and THANKS VERY MUCH, GORDONthumbupbowbeer

drivingcloud9

p.s. Don't know when it was "hot and humid in Lux", musta been before the Russians moved in and took over the Red Light districts.


Edited by Mr Cerbera on Wednesday 24th February 11:56
If you do decide to go aircon free can I have your aircon compressor as it looks a lot newer than mine?:thumup:

Mr Cerbera

5,031 posts

229 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
MattPlaneCrank said:
If you do decide to go aircon free can I have your aircon compressor as it looks a lot newer than mine? thumbup
Hi Matt,

That Compressor has done 102K ! but has always come up with some engine cleaner and a wire brush on a flexible drill drive thumbup
I would imagine the postal costs (plus import tax on it, nowadaze) aree greater than an exchange one yikes