Thread: Anyone's fuel cooler have a thermostat and spring in the end?

Originally Posted by Designosaur

but good to know that the thermostat was redesigned out!

I'd point out the MY04 had fairly substantial changes made to the cooling system, so it isn't a matter of LR just deleting the thermostat. There was a revised cooler to radiator hose, and the radiator bottom hose was altered to include a return from the fuel cooler. This suggests that the entire coolant flow through the cooler was redesigned.

The MY04 bottom radiator hose is significantly different to the simple angled hose in the 99-03MY's:




cheers
Paul

Originally Posted by OffTrack

I'd point out the MY04 had fairly substantial changes made to the cooling system, so it isn't a matter of LR just deleting the thermostat. There was a revised cooler to radiator hose, and the radiator bottom hose was altered to include a return from the fuel cooler. This suggests that the entire coolant flow through the cooler was redesigned.

The MY04 bottom radiator hose is significantly different to the simple angled hose in the 99-03MY's:




cheers
Paul

That is interesting, I have to go to MR Auto for some hoses this week, I'll see if they can put some light on the subject. RAVE states " A 'T' connection at the rear of the cooler provides a connection for the coolant return from the heater matrix & coolant return from the fuel cooler. The 'T' connection houses a thermostat which opens at approximately 82degrees c. This prevents the cooler opening in cold climates. " Considering our climate, does this mean you can remove the thermostat? Possibly best to leave it in, I don't know their definition of a cold climate. Bob

Originally Posted by Designosaur

Pulled the fuel cooler off to fix the leaks this afternoon. When I pulled it apart on the bench there is a thermostat or something in the cap at the end closest the firewall.

Does anyone know if this is available as a replacement part, the rubber washer on the end of the thermostat is a bit knackered and there is a star washer type of clip thing holding the spring in place which has fallen apart due to corrosion as well.

Does it need the thermostat in there at all? Later ones must not have it because no one mentions it in any of the tutorials on redoing the o-rings.

Can I just leave it out?

Thanks
Bernie

Hi Bernie,just out of interest when you replaced the o-rings did you use one or two on each end? i'm doing mine next weekend some say one some say two. thanks jamie..

Originally Posted by bob10

Plate type fuel cooler? How does that work, thanks, Bob

See the attached link.
Brazed/welded construction for the D2 eliminated the O rings etc.

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_heat_exchanger"]Plate heat exchanger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Regards

Originally Posted by mrjc

Hi Bernie,just out of interest when you replaced the o-rings did you use one or two on each end? i'm doing mine next weekend some say one some say two. thanks jamie..

Hi Jamie, I used one because that was what I ordered from the bearing shop, if I had read offtracks post about doing the job before I ordered them I would have gotten two for each end, they were only about 4 bucks each.

Having said that, the second spot where you can fit an o-ring is a little bit narrower than the correct position, so it is not designed to have the two there. I wouldn't think that it would hurt though, even just to prevent the assembly wriggling around as it ages.

They went in a lot easier than than they came out after cleaning up all the silicone and adding a little bit of rubber grease!

B

Originally Posted by OffTrack

I'd point out the MY04 had fairly substantial changes made to the cooling system, so it isn't a matter of LR just deleting the thermostat. There was a revised cooler to radiator hose, and the radiator bottom hose was altered to include a return from the fuel cooler. This suggests that the entire coolant flow through the cooler was redesigned.

The MY04 bottom radiator hose is significantly different to the simple angled hose in the 99-03MY's:




cheers
Paul

Does anyone have a diagram of the MY04 coolant hoses layout please? I'm particularly interested in whether a restrictor is required for the newer fuel cooler.

I'm fitting the new type cooler to an MY00 D2. Will be using the newer hose layout. Not sure if the radiator has ever been replaced, will check what type it is when it's all apart.

I have had no thermostat in my fuel cooler for about four years with no ill effects in fact I think the car runs better without it .

Originally Posted by northiam

Removing the fuel cooler thermostat could only increase coolant flow to the fuel cooler thus cooling the fuel more.

Feel the the temperature of the filter near the tank to confirm.
Mine runs hot to the touch.
Rave states the fuel temp runs over 82c
I reckon it will be fine for a while

In Australia this thermostat could be removed as long as you don't live in very cold locations, I live in Queensland and have just removed my thermostat when replaceing the O rings. The thermostat blocks coolant flow for a period to warm up the diesel fuel which typically thickens in cold conditions, the fuel rail in the TD5 system always runs very hot so improving the flow and lowering the temps have to be a good thing in warmer climates.