Diesel Heater problem...

[Greynomad]

Hi all,
We have a 4YO Eberspacher diesel heater installed in Girt.
Just short of the 2yr warranty expiring, we had probs with it not staying alight. It would fire up & run for a minute or so, then shut down.
Dometic replaced the main guts under warranty (after much argument over whether it had a 1yr or 2yr warranty - but that's a story told elsewhere).
Now, a further 2 years down the track, we're having the same problem again!
Serviced by an Authorised Installer, but problem remains!
Serviceman says he's sick of the diesel heaters & their probs, & would recommend an LP Gas heater replacement. $$$!!

Has anyone else had similar probs with ANY diesel heater? Or the Eberspacher in particular?
Any suggestions?
Can't afford to just toss the diesel unit! Gotta get it working...

[JCT]

Hi,
I can't comment on the Eberspacher as I have only had Webasto.

But in the 8 years of having one on my motor cruiser in the UK ( 2 years by previous owner then 6 by me) and now having one on my motorhome for the last 3 years I have never had a problem.
Nor has it ever had need to be serviced, not even the glow lamp renewed.
It does however need to be run for 15 mins or so every month, even in summer, to stop the diesel fuel 'going off' in the unit and the feed pipe.
This I have found to be the most common cause for problems by other people.

Don't know if this will help but I personally do not agree with the service mans suggestion to change to gas because of the unit failing to stay alight.

Stay warm
Colin

[BruceS]

Bernie will offer some intelligence to this discussion soon I reckon!!
He recently had his "overhauled" by a true expert. (Planer but I suspect very similar?)

[PeterM]

Do you hear the pump ticking? Have you monitored the current as the heater goes through its startup cycle? That will give you clues about the pump and electronics working. See my discussion: http://www.manins.net.au/motorhome/air_heater.html

As Colin suggests, I recon its being starved of fuel. If it goes fully through the startup cycle and then cuts out after a further period then it has to be the fuel. That or a flat battery, but that would cause a failure before the cycle completes.

Peter

[BernieQ2]

Hi Ray , As Peter has just said check the fuel pump first the way they work is the power goes thru the ECU then to the pump then back to the ECU .
Just disconnect cable and connect 12v to the two probes on the pump wiring if it clicks its not the pump .
They all work the same regardless of brand . If you ring Graeme on 0418130971 during working Hrs and tell him of your problem he I think will either know what's wrong or at least send you in the right direction . And you can use quote my name to Graeme if you wish .
Edit: forgot to ask does yours have its own tank or plumbed to the main tank and what condition is its fuel filter .
Bernie .
I'm a satisfied customer .

[Hans]

Hi Greynomad, try the following website: http://www.letonkinoisvarnish.uk/Ebersp ... tro_1.html It has a heap of info on Eberspacher heaters......all models. I now do my own servicing......parts from the UK. I hope this helps to solve your problems. Regards, Hans

[nomads]

G'day,

Just had our Webasto serviced/repaired at Retrolooms at 42 Renver Rd, Clayton. Don't know if they do other brands but would assume they do!

Darren Helleren is the owner, he was extremely helpful and we were very pleased with the results.

Contact no is 03 85213021 or info@retrolooms.com.au.

Regards,

Ian

[T1 Terry]

Hi Greynomad, try the following website: http://www.letonkinoisvarnish.uk/Ebersp ... tro_1.html It has a heap of info on Eberspacher heaters......all models. I now do my own servicing......parts from the UK. I hope this helps to solve your problems. Regards, Hans

Wow, thankyou for that link Hans, what a wealth of information for a DIY repair, I've book marked the site on my 'puter but maybe Bruce knows how to build a thread with these type site links for a quick look up for members

T1 Terry

[Greynomad]

Our Eberspacher has a T-joint in the diesel fuel line to the engine. Fuel supply is the vehicle fuel tank. So it's not 'off' fuel.
Motor runs fine! So starvation isn't the problem.
Pump would logically be OK, as it starts & runs for a minute or so... unless there's a reservoir of fuel somewhere.
Even so, we can repeatedly start it and have it run for some minutes, which I would think should exhaust any such reservoir and eventually cause it to fail to start at all, which is not the case.
I'll have a look at the UK link this evening. This was just a quick check of responses between household tasks, SWMBO directing... ;-D

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'll follow up on those I can & report back later... C Y'All

[Wilbor]

Ray, I would replace the glow plug screen first