Heated Fuel Filter

This author chose to use the inexpensive yet very effective Volkswagen oil cooler as the Flat Plate Heat Exchanger (FPHE). This setup costs about $30.00 and gets the job done. You will have to resource the oil cooler from an early four cylinder Jetta found at any U-pull-it / junkyard. Make sure you grab the piece of threaded pipe going from the oil filter to the housing. Then go to Jegs.com and purchase the PermaCool part# 1719. Go to Napa and get fuel filter #1275 $18.19



VW oil cooler


A similar setup


Mount your new filter head in a convenient location close to the injection pump as it will be after the hose in hose setup coming from the tank. Splice into the heater hose before it enters the heater and route it to the (oil cooler/FPHE fuel heater) the hose exiting your FPHE will T into the hose in hose coming from the veg tank.

If you are confused read the above a couple more times and create a diagram. Contact me if you have questions by commenting on the post.

DIY Homemade Heated Fuel Pickup

This tank leaked If you do cut a whole in a tank put a cork gasket down upon reassembly.

Paying for a hotfox or other heated fuel pickup is worth it in my humble opinion.

It's corny and cliche but had to paint the veg tank green.





Making your tank should be straight forward.


Chose to use the stock fuel tank location for the vegetable oil tank. International offered the 33 gallon tank as an option. after acquiring the tank note the size of your fuel pickup lid. The Scouts was small and impossible to use with copper tubing so I cut a big whole and an even bigger piece of steal to cover the whole for a lid.

This is the tubing bender to use:


Drill holes that are 1/3ish larger than the outside diameter of the 3/8 copper tube. After the final test fit build a lip of epoxy around the copper tubing:



Another picture with the epoxy in place.


My setup leaks because I only used RTV. Get yourself a thick cork gasket and put RTV on one side.

Test that your sending unit works with the gauge.

Oil Collection Methods

Getting oil should be relatively easy and inexpensive.
The method for collection is situationally dependent. Some Restaurants store their oil inside. Some put oil back in 5 gallon containers (easy), but if they are not used to this it will be difficult to persuade them to change habits. Rather than changing habits one should make the best of what situation they are dealt.

Ideally you can pick up the container and if need be provide an empty container of the same size.
If you have a pick up or a hitchable vehicle this image below is an easier option for transporting heavy 55 gallon barrels.


If you have to suck the goop out of the barrels either because the barrel is behind fence or fill in your reason here________ then the image below is the tool that you need. This pump is a tuthill. Do a google search and pick your favorite vendor.



These are the best for starting with quality oil, and keeping water out of the fuel.

Google Ez strainer, and or go to Fryer to fuel

They are reasonably priced but get you on shipping costs.


These are the best thing since sliced bread. The best method for filtering vegetable oil and the restaurant does it for you.