Eberspacher heater

[grumpyoldgit]

I got my van last summer. Most things work but I have never seriously looked at the Eberspacher to see how I get it working. There is an on/off switch on the wall and the unit is underneath the rock and roller. There is a sticker which says the type is B1L.
If I switch it on at the wall and then move the thermostsat round it eventually pumps cold air. It does not heat up at all.
I am not really DIY. Is there anything simple I can check or should I leave well alone and get a garage to look at it?

[gsmoke]

First thing is see if the eber's petrol pump is working.
Check under van, you should be able to hear it ticking as it pulses the petrol through.

[grumpyoldgit]

Yup. Switched it on so the fan goes then crept underneath. There is definately a clicking noise.

[T'Onion]

try it with the engine running.

make sure that the exhaust is clear ,and the intake isn't blocked
if it hasn't been run for a long time chances are the petrol will need time to pump into the unit.
You may need to switch it on and let it go through its program a few times , make sure that the thermostat or restat is turned to the hottest position.

[grumpyoldgit]

Started the engine as suggested.
Switched on the Eber and just let it run.
Noticed that a rubber thingy on the side got hot.
Cycled through several times.
Problem is that it will not go at all now.
Have switched everything off, waited for quite a while and switched on again but nothing.
Got underneath and no clicking either.
The rubber thingy that got hot is now quite cold.
Have I deaded it?

[T'Onion]

Did the fan kick in ? will it still blow cold air ?

[grumpyoldgit]

No. It won't blow air at all now.
The box on the wall works but not the fan.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Try disconnecting ALL power to it for a minute to try to reset it before trying again.

[grumpyoldgit]

I have disconnected power and reconnected again as recommended. This has reset the heater so that it will blow air again.
The air is still cold. To be absolutely acurate when the air starts blowing it is cold. The rubber thing on the side then gets quite hot and the air gets slightly less cold if you see what I mean. After a couple of minutes it still cuts out.
Underneath I can hear the clicking of the fuel pump.
I have tried it with the engine off and the engine running.

[Oldiebut goodie]

It may take a dozen or so start up attempts to get an uninterrupted flow of fuel and also ensure that you have good 12v supply as the heater is trying to start - if the voltage drops due to a weak battery when starting it will automatically shut off. Keep a multimeter on the connections to check.
Once you get it running make sure that you run it at least once a month to keep it in running order.(manufacturers recommendation).
My webasto will not give out a lot of heat at present and soon shuts down due to the high ambient temperature even with the thermostat cranked up full.

[stubeedoo]

is it a petrol or diesel heater????

[grumpyoldgit]

It's petrol. I have tried to start it loads of times now but the blower cuts out after a few minutes.
I don't think the unit itself can be firing up as the air never gets warm.
I can hear the clicking of the pump.
A rubber thing on the side gets hot after a while.
Not really sure what to do next. I am wondering whether these heaters are a bit specialist and I need to try an Eberspacher agent. The nearest is in Swindon, about 30 miles away.

[Rozzo]

take the spark plug thing out and wire brush it clean,, its almost there as its doing everything that it should but not firing up. make sure the exhaust and inlet underneath are both clear as if it senses resistance to the combustion air flow it will not light. also check the voltage at the eberspacher end of the wiring as anything less that around 11.5 and it will not fire up.
you could also take the tiny fuel pipe off underneath and see if there is actually any petrol coming along it when the pump is ticking but obviousley be careful where the petrol goes
good luck with it as it seems to be almost working.

[grumpyoldgit]

Thanks. I will give it a go.

[Oldiebut goodie]

is it a petrol or diesel heater????

The clue is in the model no. - b (for benzine)1L

As Rozzo says ^^ (glow plug) - that appears to be working though as I presume that is where you are feeling the heat.
Have you had a smell of petrol from the exhaust at all?

If you pm me your email address I can send you a copy of the manual for the B1L if you want.