Bought a 52 plate transit about 2 weeks ago,has an airtronic heater installed in the back ,don't know iff it works of not,don't even know how to test it in case I blow it/ my van up,I've had an obvious googling surf on the subject but really need someone to look at it,iff it's connected to my fuel tank is it going to be a ball ache to take out,I'll be looking at removing it as I won't be needing it so this will probably turn into a for sale thread,also has a digital clock like press button thingy in the cab for it,any thoughts are welcome?
Im assuming you mean soe kind of Eberspacher disel heater.
They are superb bits of kit. cost an arm and a a leg to buy and another leg to fit.
I bought one for my T4 but didnt use it much, so moved it to my Landrover and have just wired in a remote really and it's brilliant.
There's a good market in them. But dont be hasty.
Yes it's an eberspacher either d2 or d4,am I making a mistake by taking it out or will I find much use for it,might be handy when I go biking in the winter and want to get warm quickly after a tide,or I could sell it on and buy a new frame,how can I test it?....thanks for the reply.
Somewhere there will be a switch marked 'on' Try that 🙂
I asked for that
I know these things inside out having repaired a few.
First is to try it - it [i]might[/i] fire up okay! You wont cause any damage or set fire to anything.
Firstly make sure the van is at least 1/4 full of fuel and set the temp/fan speed on the display, the heater 's fuel pump should now start ticking (underneath the van mounted at 45degrees ish). Keep an eye on the Airtronic exhaust - if it puffs white smoke out and the ticking stops then the glow plug mesh is clogged and ignition hasn't happened.
If the fan on the Airtronic unit starts running then check for heat - if it does fire then whack it on full belt and leave it running for an hour.
I'm guessing the van is an ex BT or Network rail / crew/mess van? If so the thermostat/controller will have a 1 hour cut off built in - cannot be bypassed unless you change the controller. If it has a rheostat (dial turny thing with 1 to 4 on it) then this 1 hour timer can be removed.
If the heater dosnt fire up at all then it'll probably need the mesh replacing and probably a good de-cokeing. The heater plug either needs the correct Eber spanner/tool or one can be made with a deep reach 12mm socket and a slot ground in the side of it.
Remove plug then mesh with needle nose pliers - if really coked up then consider unbolting the whole unit and stripping the heat exchanger apart to de coke.
There's also a small filter on the fuel pump itself which may be clogged - depends if you see white smoke on failed ignition - no smoke=clogged filter.
You can buy a mesh/filter/heat exchanger gasket kit on ebay for £20 ish.
If you're anywhere near Rossendale I can have a look at it.
I'd keep it - they are perfect for leaving running whilst your out riding as they use hardly any fuel but the van is toasty warm when you come back.
I have a non Eber 7day timer (ebay £5) wired into mine that fires the heater up at 6.00 & 16.30 for an hour Monday to Friday so the van is nice and warm/de-iced in the winter months.
I'm up in clitheroe not far so I could pop over to you that would be grand,Sounds like you know your way around it,yes it's an x bt van.
I shall email you and arrange,iff I get to know my way around it I might keep it.
Have a read here;
Espar=Eberspacher
BT vans deffo had the 1 hour timer.
They cost a fortune - lucky you 🙂
Turn the temp up with the arrows. Push the button with a horizontal line and some wavy lines rising about it (bottom right?)
It should spool up, do some ticking and when its operating it will sound like a mini turbine.
If it keeps cutting out, check the outlet isn't blocked (as it overheats) and 1/4 tank of fuel. Then just keep turning it back on, if not used the fuel runs back, and it takes an age for them to prime themselves. Many of my colleagues have given up after two attempts and given up as its 'broken' but they usually just need some persistence!
Sounds like I've been blessed with it then,and to think I was going to tell someone to take it out and keep it,thanks for all the info,now I know a lot more about it I'm more comfortable with knowing it's there.
They are ace - I have one ( DC1 ) in my Defender, with a remote control. Wandering outside to a pre-warmed car as there is snow all around and your neighbours are scraping ice off their windscreens with their credit cards is priceless. 🙂
I can imagine,will be nice getting back from a freezing cold ride and sit in the van to warm up.
