Eberspacher heater

[Grazzer]

Hi all,

Had this van approx 6 months...she has an original Eberspacher petrol heater and although everything seems to work I can't get any heat out of it. Has anyone got a bus fitted with one of these and how effective is it? Are they best left alone and not used or can they be safe etc?

Mines a US spec 1970 Westy with a Dormobile roof and the heater is model number BN4

 

[noddy]

Are you pulling the plunger that should be on the drivers front seat pedistal. This open the thermostatically controlled plate in the ducting.

Does the heater exhaust get hot?

 

[Grazzer]

Thanks Noddy! Er :? m, no - didn't know that was there - I'll try it and let you know how I get on!

 

[Grazzer]

OK, tried that, ran it for 5 mins approx, fiddled with temp pull button, but still no heat... and the pipe doesn't get warm.. Any other suggestions?

 

[noddy]

Could be a few things, but sound like you are not getting any combustion

Fuel pump not working, Has a set of points which operate the pumping, could be badly set or bad earth at the pump.
Blocked injector jet, under top cover fuel pipe goes to it, there is an integral filter.
Glow plug not working, again under top cover, not sure how you will check this
Spark plug not working, also under top cover.
Metering pump not working or set way to lean

take a look at this there are other manuals in the same area I assume you have a BN4 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/bn4troubleshooting.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If your close pop round and I will try to help.

 

[Grazzer]

Thanks Noddy, I've printed off the service manual - amazing!! Thnaks so much for your help, I'll let you know how I get on!

 

[noddy]

No problem

Just not your fuel pump is likely to be the earlier type that the one shown in this manual.

If you have a dig round the net you will find other manuals for the BN4, there are a few on the samba and some others here and there on the web if you get stuck I will try and dig out the links.

Just one thing to note, the metering pump diaphragm will be very brittle take real care if you making any adjustments to the metering pump. I split the one on mine and it took a while to find a replacement, they do turn up on the samba.com from time to time.

 

[VWsArent4Hippies]

Where is it mounted on the bus?

 

[Loxy]

No problem

Just not your fuel pump is likely to be the earlier type that the one shown in this manual.

If you have a dig round the net you will find other manuals for the BN4, there are a few on the samba and some others here and there on the web if you get stuck I will try and dig out the links.

Just one thing to note, the metering pump diaphragm will be very brittle take real care if you making any adjustments to the metering pump. I split the one on mine and it took a while to find a replacement, they do turn up on the samba.com from time to time.

There's a guy on volkszone (deejay451 iirc) that can supply diaphragms and/or repair these heaters if you don't want to do it yourself.

 

[rev-al]

Hi - if I can jump in. I have one in my '70 crew cab. I printed those manuals too and read up on it.
Then I removed my heater and set up a mobile test bench in the garage. I stripped down the heater once I'd discovered there was no fuel being pumped, therefore no combustion. I traced the fault back to the bi-metallic switch, which was in the 'open' position with a little corrosion causing insulation + allowing no current to pass. Once this was carefully cleaned up I connected everything back up - and this time could hear the clicking of the fuel pump.
The heated took some time to fire up -I primed the 'cylinder' with neat fuel through the spark plug hole and it went immediately ! Blew smoke all over the place as it had been standing unused so long.
I recommend you clean the spark plug and re-gap it. (The glow plug doesn't contribute to my heater firing - it goes immediately from the spark).
It's wise to run these heaters regularly - even when the weather is fine - I've found that (like any combustion engine) if it's left idle for months on end - It won't run nicely on that cold day you need it.

N.B - I always keep a fire extinguisher handy - although these heaters are very well engineered - they are obviously very old now. Check all your fuel lines and connections are sound.
Hope this helps.
Good luck