Webasto condensation or something worse?

[bitbaltic]

I’ve been on the boat for four nights out of the last six. The boat has a bog standard webasto heater, which in the ten years I have owned the boat, I have very rarely (in fact almost never) used and, sorry to say, in consequence have never serviced.

it’s been cold on the boat these nights though so it has been run every night (four out of six nights) aboard.

each night I’ve run it for about 4 hours.
The first two nights it briefly pumped out white smoke for about 20-30 seconds, three or four times during the four hour run, but not at startup; just at random times during those nights.

the last two nights it has performed faultlessly with no white smoke.

1) is this condensation in the webasto?

2) is this sucking up bits of bug from the diesel tank (I dont have any reason to believe there is bug otherwise)

Advice appreciated.

(Should have put this in PBO not scuttlebut but never mind)

 

[Adios]

There should be a fuel filter which would stop the inevitable bug. If its running ok the filter isn't blocked but no harm in finding it and looking.

They tend to get smokey when they are coked up, if the diesel isn't fully burning its white smoke you get. If it smoked a bit after a long period of not using it then cleared and has been fine since I wouldn't worry about it. As far as I know there's not a half service you can do, just wait until its smoking regularly then send it off for a full service.

Anyone know if there is a spray that could be useful as a maintenance effort? EGR cleaner maybe? I think i'd worry that anything like that would just dislodge gunk and maybe make a full service be needed sooner. Not sure.

 

[lustyd]

but not at startup; just at random times during those nights.

Assuming it's like an Eber they start and stop during operation so there's not just one "startup" event as far as the diesel is concerned. Given that the purpose of the heater is to cool down the chamber and deliver that heat to your boat, it's effectively a diesel engine cold starting once an hour or so. It might need a clean, and you'll have all summer to forget that fact before you next use it

 

[pvb]

White smoke may be caused by unburnt fuel. It could be that the heater is losing its flame, and that it then restarts automatically and burns off any fuel which was in the exhaust. Probably wouldn't hurt to service it.

 

[Clancy Moped]

Is the outside exhaust a flat one or with a little 90° angled pipe?

 

[SaltyC]

When mine starts, I get white smoke from the exhaust (condensation / dampness evaporating?) after 5 minutes it disappears, I can't say I have noticed whether it is worse 'my first visit or each day' ( ask again next Wednesday)
I seem to remember from the manual Webasto's 'Do not need Routine Maintenance'? However DO NOT run at low heat, if the cabin gets too hot turn off then turn back on - a recommendation from Webasto at SBS - low firing rates burn out the gauze. When I assessed the fuel consumption I just slid the Hatch open - sorry to the Environmentalists but consider the environmental damage of extracting the minerals for a new burner gauze, manufacture and transporting.

 

[pvb]

However DO NOT run at low heat, if the cabin gets too hot turn off then turn back on - a recommendation from Webasto at SBS - low firing rates burn out the gauze. .

Depends on which model of Webasto heater. My AirTop Evo drops back to a real tickover once the cabin is up to temperature, and will stay like that for hours, whisper-quiet and just trickling warm air in.

 

[penfold]

The white smoke is fuel vapour, as long as you're getting heat and it goes away after a minute or two there's nothing to be concerned about.

 

[bitbaltic]

Thanks all, very helpful.

 

[bitbaltic]

Is the outside exhaust a flat one or with a little 90° angled pipe?

it’s the little angled pipe

 

[Clancy Moped]

it’s the little angled pipe

Ok, then no rainwater in the U bend just inside causing white smoke/steam on start up....

 

[bitbaltic]

Ok, then no rainwater in the U bend just inside causing white smoke/steam on start up....

Probably a spider or two...

 

[pvb]

it briefly pumped out white smoke for about 20-30 seconds, three or four times during the four hour run, but not at startup;

Ok, then no rainwater in the U bend just inside causing white smoke/steam on start up....

I'm confused...

 

[Clancy Moped]

I'm confused...

Mine was a flush at an angle on the transom, it would gather a small amount of rain water, on start up it would turn to steam, hence white smoke. I used to put a bung in for the summer or when out of use.

 

[seafox67]

Mine was a flush at an angle on the transom, it would gather a small amount of rain water, on start up it would turn to steam, hence white smoke. I used to put a bung in for the summer or when out of use.

That's a great and simple idea! and the first time I have heard someone using a bung! I installed my webby a few years ago, however I did not put a drain hole in the exhaust U bend for fear of gases escaping into the boat! I have wondered during the long summer months if things would find there way down into the exhaust!

I guess there is no potential long term damage sealing the exhaust when not in use! (Just need to remember removing the bung before use)!