manifold heater

[wb1895]

I'm sure this has been covered in previous threads and I really dont want to show my ingnorance to the deuce but,

How exactly does the manifold heater work and when should I be using it?

Also how do I know when it is working?

Like I already stated above I did a search on this subject and did not find the info I was looking for.

I should be getting home from Iraq in a few months and would like to know the proper operation of the manifold heater, so I dont break my new toy.

 

[cranetruck]

It's sometimes difficult not to repeat answers, but asking and answering "live" is what a forum is all about IMHO, so let's see, the purpose of the intake manifold heater is to warm the air and promote ignition at very cold temperatures. Should never be needed above 20°F and with good batteries, probably not above 10°F.
Fuel from the engine injection pump at about 35 psi, is boosted in pressure by the "flame heater" pump to about 90 psi and an ignition module continuously sparks the flame heater spark plug to ignite the vaporized fuel within the intake manifold.
One drawback is that it uses air when in operation and should only be used while cranking and intermittently. Another drawback is that you don't really know that it's working. I made an optical sensor to give an indication that there was fire, but that's another story...

 

[broman78]

thanks for the heads up

 

[GoHot229]

Crane truck has said it all, ...heres what I do....push the start button, hit the toggle for 1-2 seconds, let off of the toggle, still cranking....typically it will fire, sputt sputt, run , die. Then I repeat as the first time. In the worst of cold, it takes about 8-10 times to catch it and run.....BUT DONT REV IT! also it takes a fiew seconds between shots for the oxygen/air to return to be able to have ignition of the fuel blast in the manifold heater unit. Mind you this was last year, this year brings some time under my belt to the ectricities of MY unit.

 

[wb1895]

Thanks!! Its always great to get quick simple answers. I can truly say that SS is a godsend when it comes to needing information. Once again thank you.