Fuel Cooler (BMW OEM)

[txtorquemade]

Dem strange Germans. WTF were they thinking?

[b*saint]

They prob all get high on gasoline then get to the engineering.

[NigelStu]

Resurrecting this old thread, since last night I had the same WTF moment... But also had an interesting thought...

Now, what if the supply side ran through the cooler instead of the return? Any benefit of cooling the fuel before it got to the injectors? Or would any (probably negligible) power increase be negated by the fact the A/C pump would be running?

[Mike]

My e46 323i has something called a 3/2 way valve, that actually sends fuel back to the tank, right after the fuel filter. Same principle, gotta keep that gas from warming up.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AM33&mospid=47718&btnr=13_0737&hg=13&fg=10

[call me jack]

Resurrecting this old thread, since last night I had the same WTF moment... But also had an interesting thought...

Now, what if the supply side ran through the cooler instead of the return? Any benefit of cooling the fuel before it got to the injectors? Or would any (probably negligible) power increase be negated by the fact the A/C pump would be running?

if any thing the cold fuel might give you less power, since it will be more difficult of it to atomize (ionize?) with the hot air.

[RainierHooker]

^ exactly, you would want to do the exact opposite. Warming to fuel would lead to better atomization out of the injector and therefore lead to a more efficient and powerfull burn.
Case in point: many jet engines have a 'liquid to liquid cooler'. Essentially it is a radiator with tiny fuel lines running though a larger oil case. The fuel on the way to the injectors cools the oil while at the same time being warmed by the oil which is on its way back to the sump.

[dsobering47]

Correctness everywhere. Fuel system cooler to prevent vapor lock.

[payney8]

^ exactly, you would want to do the exact opposite. Warming to fuel would lead to better atomization out of the injector and therefore lead to a more efficient and powerfull burn.
Case in point: many jet engines have a 'liquid to liquid cooler'. Essentially it is a radiator with tiny fuel lines running though a larger oil case. The fuel on the way to the injectors cools the oil while at the same time being warmed by the oil which is on its way back to the sump.

um what? so why do many race cars/ drag cars run nitrogen coolers in their fuel lines? do you know petroleum chemistry at all?