Eberspatcher Woe

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chas

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Can anyone help me with an Eberspatcher problem? I have one fitted but no documentation. So far I have used it about twice a season and it has always started and produced heat. Yesterday it did not. On its control there is a numbered dial (presumably a thermostat), a switch with "Vent" (which works), "Off" and "Heat", and a red an a green light. When I switch on, both red and green come on, with the green going off after a second or two. The red stays on for about 15 - 20 seconds and then goes off as well. I can hear the fan starting. No heat! The unit itself is right up under the cockpit coaming and a bit difficult to get at.

Has anyone any idea what is wrong? Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

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You dont say which model you have. You can down load a manual from the American Eberspacher web site. It is www.espar.com.
I had same problem and it can be one of 3 things that I am aware of, but an expert might tell you different.
First is there enough battery power. the glow plug take a big current, try running your engine so battery is being charged whilst you attempt to start it.
Second check electrical coonections, particularly the main supply.
There is a thermostatic cut out which on my DL3 is under a grey grommet on the top of the unit. Check the electrical connections. This was the fault on my unit, clean up connections and away it went.
Is the fuel pump pumping?
Thats the end of my list but you should download the manaul for the nearest model to the one you have as the diagnostics seem to be similar for all the models I have looked at.
I am an Accountant so dont rely upon my thoughts unduly. If you can get on of the clever electrical people to answer you rely upon their words of wisdom not mine. I am only telling you what I did.
Good luck
Paul

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Sounds like low voltage...

Most likely cause is low voltage. As Paul suggested, running the engine whilst trying to start the heater will boost the supply voltage. If it still doesn't start, and if the pump is clicking normally, I'd look at the glow plug next. And it's certainly worth downloading a manual.

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If on south coast central call Krueger of New Milton, Hampshire.

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Re: Sounds like low voltage...

Yes almost certainly lack of volts, try starting it again with your engine running, I bet it will start!

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Could now be \"locked out\"

The control unit inside the heater has a "memory" of faults and failed start attempts. It only allows four failed starts in a row before it "locks" and then will never start until a special diagnostic unit is connected and the unit reset.

If it doesn't start with the engine running, as others have suggested, I would contact your local Eberspacher service agent and ask them to take a look, the diagnostic unit will tell them why it failed to start. I've just has my Airtronic D2 serviced (£118) during which they found the tiny fuel filter in the metering pump was fairly clogged up - worth a check yourself. Once the union is undone its a tight push-fit, you may need a self-tapper of the right size to get a grip on it to pull it out. A new one is about £4.

Good luck,

Jerry

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My eberspacer worked fine untill end of season then same symptoms as you lights fan running etc but no heat ? It was on my list of things to sort over winter, However i found that during removal of old fuel tank that eberspacer pick up only dipped half way into tank ( only had quarter Tank of fuel ) thinking that lack of fuel was the problem i waited until new tank fitted, filled with fuel and bingo problem gone ?

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I had a similiar problem and found that it was caused by the fuel filter on the inlet to the fuel pump was blocked. This is a tiny inline filter that you wouldn't normally be aware of. If you take the pipe off the inlet to the pump you will find the filter on the pump side. They costs a couple of quid.
Hope this helps

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Many Thanks....

....to all for your helpful suggestions. I hope it is just the voltage or filter problem. I dont think it is lack of fuel as my tank is virtually full. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is nothing more serious!

Hopefully I can get out tonight and have a closer look.

Thanks again

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Re: Many Thanks....

Just one point. For what it is worth, Eberspacher at LBS told me that I should fire up the heater once a month, whatever the weather. I notice noone has mentioned that you must turn of the heater, then wait at least 5 minutes before taking d.c. power off the heater. If you take off the power, the fan will stop and local overheating will occur.

<hr width=100% size=1>Black Sugar - the sweetest of all
 
Re: Many Thanks....

Chas without going through all the posts I risk repeating this. On the unit there is a reset button if at some time you have removed the power before it has shut down this button will need resetting this is an overheating safety switch(I think) its under a large rubber gromet it just need pressing aand should then work, it will not work if the supply of fuel is turned off, but the vent side will work as this is just the fan blowing cold air, also I believe the unit is voltage sencitive if the volts drop too low it cannot light up and will not run. It also sugests that you should run it on full heat frequently when running on LOW, apparently later models than mine have a timer that does this automaticly Mine has given me great service for 10 years and has had no attention in that time. I guess I should not have said that as its sure to go wrong now, I do have a small problem in that the heat control does'nt work some times so it runs High most of the time I guess the thermostat must be faulty.
Regards Mike
www.sailiingforfun.co.uk

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Re: Many Thanks....

Thanks - I will try to find it. I still have not got the thing running - I have checked the pump, which seems to be working but to get at anything else, I will have to remove the unit. Maybe a job for next winter!

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Don't wish to be depressing but I had a similar problem last year. I removed the whole unit and took it to an Eberspacher agent (look in Yellow Pages under air conditioning services) and they found that the electrical control unit was completely corroded internally and beyond repair. A replacement was £273.00 but everything worked well the last time I tried it - last October, so I will have to try it again now.

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