Any one know who may be able to look at problem with a diesel heater. I am moving North inland towards Injune from Roma. The self diagnosic is telling me either no ignition or no diesel getting through, but I have no idea what to do about this anyway, and I am freezing!! Has not worked now for two weeks.
Have been looking on the way up but only ones I see are either on coast or Sydney so far miles away from me. appreciate any advice.
Welcome to the gang Vonjean, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I did notice you have actually been around for a while though.
With your heater which I agree would be most important out there in inland areas of QLD. Maybe you got a bad batch of diesel or there might be a little water in it causing the problem. My thought would be drain the diesel and refill with a fresh batch. Sorry, but that is about all I can think of as I have a gas heater in my aluminium tent.
Keep Safe on the roads.
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Just been reading a thread on the Kimberley Owners forum where they talk of "waxing" of the diesel fuel in cold weather causing a problem with their heaters and HWSs. A few on the forum state that they use a small amount of kero in the diesel tank when they move from warmer climes to the extreme cold. Below is one comment.....
Hi all,
It's the time of year when those from warm climes may encounter diesel problems if they head south and inland.
I added 250 ml of kerosene to our diesel tank yesterday and today the temperature is 2 degrees and falling. (Along with the odd flurry of small flakes) ;D
This thread (ie the posts above) is worth a read if you aren't aware of "winter" diesel.
Cheers,
Tony
Please note that they are talking about diesel heater and their diesel tanks that supply fuel to the diesel cooktop in the Kimberley, not their vehicle.
Hope this helps.
Bob
-- Edited by Brownie2 on Saturday 25th of June 2016 09:53:06 AM
A couple of documents I found on the web on "Winter Diesel". The "Caltex" document shows the regions & months for different blends on page 2. (Same as the one Garth posted - just a bit clearer.) The "BP" document suggests using a blend of 5% kerosene on page 2. Rob * Diesel Winter - Caltex FAQ.pdf (267.17 kB - downloaded 28 times.) * Diesel Winter - BP 2005.pdf (74.66 kB - downloaded 25 times.)
-- Edited by Brownie2 on Saturday 25th of June 2016 11:29:40 AM
-- Edited by Brownie2 on Saturday 25th of June 2016 11:30:10 AM
If your travelling in the areas in Aus that get down to very low temps or below freezing, you need to use winterised diesel. Thats usually what you get at the servo's in those locations, but if you filled you heater tank in a coastal area for instance, it is most probably not winterised.
If thats the case, it will wax up in the cold and block the filter and fuel pipe. So they will need to be pulled down and flushed clean with some Kero. You can winterised the diesel with some kero or just tip the few litres from the heater tank into your vehicle and top up both with winterised fuel.
Thank you all so much for the advice you all gave, regarding my heater. The deisel used in the heater comes directly from the motors deisel tank.(for the people who thought it had a separate tank) so as Inland sailor suggested I probably already have winterized fuel(?)
I also read on line to clean the fuel filter, but dont know where these things are, or how I do so.
Birdy, how did you bled the system? Do you think I could do this myself? Not that crash at mechanics but willing to give it a go!
just listening to news, temps expected to drop around me next few days brrrrrr
Vonjean
Thank you all so much for the advice you all gave, regarding my heater. The deisel used in the heater comes directly from the motors deisel tank.(for the people who thought it had a separate tank) so as Inland sailor suggested I probably already have winterized fuel(?) I also read on line to clean the fuel filter, but dont know where these things are, or how I do so. Birdy, how did you bled the system? Do you think I could do this myself? Not that crash at mechanics but willing to give it a go! just listening to news, temps expected to drop around me next few days brrrrrr Vonjean
Hi vonjean,
I suggest you do not have winterised fuel just because you might have filled up at a cold area, it will be a singed pump. Of course I don't know that though. Winterised fuel is usually added kero to stop waxing up your fuel filters.
You have a fuel filter at the diesel heater and I would check that first. If it starts after a clean that's the problem. I would try some rags with boiling water first though, you are only re-liquiding a bit of wax in the fuel.
I don"t have a diesel heater so not sure if it can be insulated.
If you had an external heater tank it is recommended to put in a litre of kerro to 10 litrs diesel, it also stops bugs in the hot areas up north. But once again, I have never had to do it.
Do not be tempted to use a flame....
Funny thing diesels, we were 5 vehicles in the high country once, freezing cold and only one would not start. We poured boiling water over the fuel filter and away she went.
Once again thanks all for the trouble you took in trying to help. But guess what, as have been trying out this heater each morning in the hope it had somehow fixed its self (!) or perhaps the last lot of diesel had made it okay.
This morning it started to blow out black smelly smoke, as I was camping completely by my self, not annoying anyone else just let it smoke, thought at least it looks like it ignited, and low and behold it started to heat up and after few minutes guess burning crap away, it went. IT is making popping sounds but hanging in there. It was -1 this morning so am very happy. Perhaps the threat of me getting underneath and fiddling with it made it work?
DUNMOWIN, I actually looked for an authorised Webasto dealer in Tasmania to service it before I left May 2016 the only person near Hobart who had a vague idea, told me, may as well get another heater, not Webasto, the ones he sold(!) as it would cost $650 to get serviced, thought he was talking through his bum, so came away without the service, it was working okay anyway then. I had a little trouble last year when away, and thought it probably was in need of a service as never had anything done to it in five years. Perhaps in September when nearer the coast on way home will look for Webasto agent.
Cheers my friends!
vonjean
Vonjean I find it is best to run the heater for 30 mins or so every couple of months when it isn't being used in warmer weather.
Most problems seem to be caused by not enough power to the heater from the battery or fuel gelling in very cold weather. Check fuses and electrical connections as they need a good power source when starting and cycling on and off.
Also make sure the air intake and exhaust for the heater are clear of mudwasps and cobwebs etc as if either are even partially blocked it might not start.
