A self contained fuel heating apparatus for the heating of fuel for an internal combustion engine to raise the temperature thereof prior to the passage of the fuel into the engine for combustion. The fuel heating apparatus includes a tank defining a chamber having cooling medium inlet and outlet means to allow circulation of heated cooling medium in the chamber. A portion of the fuel line passes through the chamber where heat is exchanged from the cooling medium to the fuel prior to combustion. An auxiliary heater unit maintains the fuel and cooling medium heated in the chamber when the engine is not in operation to facilitate starting of a cold engine once again.