Club 80-90 Forums

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this question. Mods please move if necessary.

We have a 1989 Syncro Tristar that came from Sweden. It has the Webatso DBW46 diesel water heater. Currently the timer is disconnected but we have the unit. Everything else is present.

Question: Are these worth having? Is it worth the time and effort to make it work?
While cleaning up our new purchase my partner discovered the heating unit covered in dust and the pan under it filled with 1-2 inches of silt.
There are service manuals available online, and some replacement parts ($$$). But is it worth the effort and money? Or should we just strip it out and have one less thing to take care of?

Thanks for any insights!

i'd use it if i had one, for a tdi they are great. A AAZ heats up VERY quick so maybe isnt needed as much. A great thing to have though and use as a parking heater, i suppose it comes down to how knackered it is.

Thanks Lloydy,
We have decided to take it out since the wire harness behind the timer is missing. PO took the timer out and installed a plate to cover hole and then left the timer in the map box. Not sure why they didn't leave the harness.
Anyway, we need some advice about stripping the water hoses out. There are two hoses to the heater, where they interconnect to the rest of the cooling/heating system there are a couple one way valves. We're not sure the best way to deal with removing the hoses without just cutting and plugging. (would like to save the hoses as they are NLA, in case of reinstall)
The hoses we would like to pull are marked with red X.
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1155283.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, can you tell us what the item circled is?
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1155284.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is the heater.
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1155285.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;