Ardic heater

[diver22]

Hi, just cleaned and re-assembled my ardic heater (water heater type, diesel fired), switched on after bleeding fuel and water. Belched out white smoke for about five/ten minutes before shutting itself down. Any ideas what caused the smoke?. Burning chamber cleaned out whilst cleaning lots of deposits inside. Many thanks in advance

 

[MoodySabre]

Watching this thread with interest. I only ran my Ardic once at the end of last season and so much smoke came out that it set off smoke alarm in the aft cabin. The Admiral was not amused!

 

[oxman]

What did you clean the burning chamber with?

Did you try and run it again?

 

[MoodySabre]

I assume that question was for Lockin. I haven't cleaned mine yet.

 

[Oldhand]

White smoke usually means the burner in not igniting properly, fuel is being partly vapourised but not igniting. Indicates something isn't right with the glow plug, either crudded up or not enough volts getting to it, or both.

The other thing to check is the "window" for the flame sensor, if it is too dirty, the heater will assume ignition fialure and shut down even if ignition was OK.

 

[dje67]

I had similar problems with my Ardic heater. I eventually had to replace the fuel delivery pipe that takes fuel into the combustion chamber. After a long period of not being used, this had become blocked and no amount of back-flushing and cleaning would clear it. The result was that there was insufficient fuel getting to the chamber to support combustion. The heater would run for a few minutes, giving a fair bit of white smoke, then re-run through the ignition process. A new nozzle (plus new in-line filters) and a good clean of the fuel pump inlet gauze has given perfect running all winter. Parts ain't cheap!

 

[diver22]

Apologies for not responding earlier, the chamber was cleaned out using a mild caustic solution as there was a lot of gum like deposits in it. Chamber thoroughly washed out and dried. I have also tried again to restart but plumes of smoke again. Batteries were fully charged and shorepower was on at the time. New fuel filter fitted, i have a spare glow plug even though the old one was in very good condition, will give that a go and look at the nozzle. And yes parts aren't cheap i can't believe how much the glow plug was. Thanks

 

[Slowtack]

I have an Ardic, not in use and would like to know where can I get service/parts ?

 

[diver22]

I got my bits from Espar details on the net but as Ardic was taken over by eberspacher i see no reason why most eberspacher dealers can't get hold of them

 

[Leighb]

[ QUOTE ]
I got my bits from Espar details on the net but as Ardic was taken over by eberspacher i see no reason why most eberspacher dealers can't get hold of them

[/ QUOTE ]

Does this mean that an Eberspacher is a rebadged Ardic, or are they quite different?

I have an Ardic, not used it much as only had boat at end of last season, but it did work when tried out.