Diesel Heater

[Hovis63]

Hi. Has anyone installed a Webasto diesel heater into a 78 (1HZ) plumbing the fuel to a T piece in the fuel or fuel return.
If so do you have any photos or can you recommend where to do the connection?
Would it be better to install a new fuel pick up into the tank instead?

Thanks

 

[Grimbo]

I would always install a dedicated fuel pick up.... for several reasons....
1 , you don't want the possibility of the heater allowing air ingress and stopping the engine or causing running issues
2 , you don't want your heater to be able to drain your tank so in the morning you have no fuel .... most leave the heater fuel pick up high enough to leave 100 miles or so of range in the tank
3 , Teeing into the fuel system provides a weak link in that system ( probably the same point as 1 above )

 

[Hovis63]

I would always install a dedicated fuel pick up.... for several reasons....
1 , you don't want the possibility of the heater allowing air ingress and stopping the engine or causing running issues
2 , you don't want your heater to be able to drain your tank so in the morning you have no fuel .... most leave the heater fuel pick up high enough to leave 100 miles or so of range in the tank
3 , Teeing into the fuel system provides a weak link in that system ( probably the same point as 1 above )

HI Thanks for your reply.

 

[uHu]

Valid points, and possibly the best solution, but,
- T-ing in on the return will not give any possibility for air into the IP in case of a leak.
- The webasto uses very little fuel.

 

[Grimbo]

T into return will only work when the engine is running though ?
I agree they use little fuel.
Is the OP planning on using it as a night heater when camping ?

 

[Hovis63]

T into return will only work when the engine is running though ?
I agree they use little fuel.
Is the OP planning on using it as a night heater when camping ?

Hi yes as a heater for camping.
Doesn't the return go down into the tank so can still siphon when the engine is off?

 

[Gr8Yota]

I had one plumbed in to my KZJ70. Yes it plumbs into the return line (this is how Webasto state to install). It uses about 1/3 litre per hour so small risk of running out of fuel. Yes it works without the engine running, that’s the whole point. The only issue I ever had with mine, used across Canada and Alaska in winter, was that the poor diesel quality caused running issues with the unit but the system never had any negative effect on the engine, fuel system or anything else.

 

[Hovis63]

I had one plumbed in to my KZJ70. Yes it plumbs into the return line (this is how Webasto state to install). It uses about 1/3 litre per hour so small risk of running out of fuel. Yes it works without the engine running, that’s the whole point. The only issue I ever had with mine, used across Canada and Alaska in winter, was that the poor diesel quality caused running issues with the unit but the system never had any negative effect on the engine, fuel system or anything else.

Thanks for that. I'll just have to sort out which is the feed and which is the return. Shouldn't be a problem, I hope.

 

[shamal]

Not sure if it is an option for you, we are going through the same dilemma and I was going to "T" into the fuel lines, but overall it felt uncomfortable. I was planning to get a long range tank to replace the rear tank on mine anyhow, so when the tank was ordered I asked them to fit an additional pickup for the heater. The new tank is 155L and replaces the stock 90L Aux tank. So over all the troopy will have 245L.

Our tank is being made by Long Range Automotive in Lillydale, Victoria Australia. I know they ship and have agents in Germany, which could be an option for you.

Cheers

Dan