Club 80-90 Forums

ok guys i`d like your opinions on heating options for my syncro westy.
i`m looking for a heater that can be run long term and keep the van warm in sub zero conditions.
it already has a petrol webasto block heater as it has a petrol engine and i`ve been thinking of fitting a eber diesel air heater.
what i`m thinking is, will the diesel in the heater tank freeze and would i be better off fitting a petrol eber or even a gas blow air heater.
i`ve had gas freeze up on me before and it wasn`t nice.

is it true that the westy gas tank has a anti freeze heater built in to it?

thanks santa claus.

Diesel will certainly freeze and so will butane. Not sure quite how low propane will go but if you mean below -10C I'd fit a petrol one.

Actually thinking about - I wouldn't go

Propane is good to -42 before it won't vaporize. Butane stops vaporizing at 0. Diesel depends on what temp it is blended to be used at. With proper blends it's good to -40, but if not, it will start jelling around -10.

1664 wrote:Diesel will certainly freeze and so will butane. Not sure quite how low propane will go but if you mean below -10C I'd fit a petrol one.

Actually thinking about - I wouldn't go

With the addatives they put in todays diesel it won't freeze until -18, and we run coaches to the Alps without any problems..

the blend/additive is done different in different climates and seasons. If you fuel in the summer, it has nothing added for cold weather.. or if you fuel in a warm climate. If you try and use a summer/warm climate diesel in - temps it could jell/cloud on you and not work. Clouding is when wax starts forming .. which plugs filters.. and can happen above 0 in some grades of diesel Some grades are good to -40 before additives are needed. http://www.promiles.com/PhaseTech/Default.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Google is your friend if you need more info.

thanks for the info guys, i`ve heard the army used to mix petrol with the diesel to stop it freezing, do you think this would be viable and does anyone know if it settles out and separates or will it stay mixed even if the van stayed static for a couple of weeks.

Do not mix petrol and diesel! They burn totally different. You would be creating a bomb.

Use Google to find the information you need. Using Google is not rocket science!

Why don't people search a little to find what they need instead of expecting everyone else to answer everything for them?

lloyd wrote:
Why don't people search a little to find what they need instead of expecting everyone else to answer everything for them?

It's called being friendly

have you thought about a ebber pre heater ? pre heats the engines coolant and uses the heater matrix in your van .
you can get them very cheap off ebay . it would also help with starting and wear and tear.
also you could mount the diesel tank in the van to help with filling and freezing ,

i think this is what he has allready Mark but not sure.

..lee.. wrote: it already has a petrol webasto block heater

Lee is it the one fitted behind the RH side rear tail light?

Does it heat the engine coolant and turn the windscreen fan on after 10 minutes of it running and then runs for a further 40 minutes before turning itself off?

i wouldn't get a propex for a syncro as the exhaust tube inside a tube set up is difficult to plug when wading through water or deep mud.

jed

sounds like a seperate heater matrix is what you need, you can buy them from kit car firms etc. plumb it in to the water system on the van and the fan to the leisure battery and you'll be laughing, alternatively you could put a small radiator in the back.

thanks for your comments guys, with regard to the webasto block heater does anyone know if they can be wired safely to run continiously as if this can be done an extra heater matrix and fan in the rear would be good i think.

lloyd i dont know if you intended to come across the way you did but if by me using the forum for what it is intended. ie contacting people with similar interests and hopefully learning something along the way offended you then you need to lighten up mate.

lee.

lee,
I don't mind answering questions. Take a look at my post history and you will see I answer many questions on many subjects. Did you look at the link provided for properties of diesel vs temperature? Any diesel you buy is fine for the climate it is sold in. Winter diesel is good year around, but summer diesel may wax/jell in colder weather.

A little knowledge is a great asset when formulating questions mate.

I was not trying to offend you, and if I did, I apologize.

yes lloyd link and views appreciated thanks. a concern of mine is that because the engine is petrol i would have to have a secondary tank for a diesel heater and therefore may end up with summer diesel in it come winter time. easy to drain i suppose and fill with winter diesel before a winter jaunt but drawing on more experianced winter campers opinions it may have been the case that sticking with a petrol heater more sensible and a lot less work for me anyway as its allready a petrol van.

saying that it may end up being converted to diesel anyway so thats not the main concern. i feel its good to banter things about a bit as ideas often spring up that hadn`t crossed your mind.

not having a lot of time to work on my own projects means getting it right first time helps a lot and the idea of adding to the preasent system would save me a lot of money also, saying that whether we could get it to stay on and regulate the heat all night is another thing. jed thanks for the tip on the propex, getting this wrong could be an expensive mistake as none of these heater types are cheap.

thanks again lee.

lloyd wrote:Do not mix petrol and diesel! They burn totally different. You would be creating a bomb.

Use Google to find the information you need. Using Google is not rocket science!

Why don't people search a little to find what they need instead of expecting everyone else to answer everything for them?

Funny. My 1979 VW Rabbit (Golf) owner's manual actually tells you to mix one part gasoline petrol to 5 parts diesel and has a chart for winter use.