Torpedo Heater Help? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Graplr · #1 11-17-2008, 12:20 PM

So I picked up a kerosene/diesel torpedo heater for free last spring off of craiglist. The guy was originally asking $40 or something for it, but I started asking him questions about how well it worked and he said to just take the thing as he wanted it gone. He said it ran rough and was given it by someone else and didn't know much about torpedo heaters.

I don't remember the brand but it is white and probably 10+ years old. Off hand I want to say it is a 40,000 btu? It is smaller. My roomate has a large one on wheels. This one just has a handle.

I took it home and tried to fire it up. Didn't want to fire but the motor worked. I took it apart and the spark plug was dirty, really dirty and wasn't directly in the spray. So I took it out and cleaned it. I also cleaned everything else off. Put the plug back in positioning it correctly and left the cover off and it fired up. Thought cool and put it into storage until about a week ago.

When I tried it, I got it to fire up easily but only with the cover off. It runs and kicks out heat just fine, but the fumes burn my eyes. I was using it in my closed garage and I noticed the fumes accumulating quickly. So I shut it off and opened the garage door. It really wasn't too cold anyways, just right around freezing.

(I've lived in MN my whole life. 40F means I don't need a jacket.)

My first thought is fuel. It had fuel in it when I got it and I haven't added any or drained the tank. Any good ways too clean it out?

Any thoughts?

I thought about putting it in the diesel section since it runs on diesel, but figured I better be safe and post it in the OD

.

dynalow · #2 11-17-2008, 12:54 PM

Man,

I don't know about using it in a closed enviromnent. You aren't going to breathe too well for too long, imo. Sitting behind a bus at a red light is more than I want to be exposed to.

Also, be careful where you are using it.
A neighbor of mine (NJ State trooper

) had a kerosene heater in his garage last winter and damn near burned his house down when he loosened a pressurized gas line on his Harley. Torched his garage pretty good and he suffered severe burns to his hands. Needed a bunch of skin graft operations, but is back to work.

Medmech · #3 11-17-2008, 01:00 PM

You have to play with the high and low pressure adjustments on the back of the unit, IMO Kerosene heaters are simply a PIA and propane is superior.

Graplr · #4 11-17-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynalow

Man,

I don't know about using it in a closed enviromnent. You aren't going to breathe too well for too long, imo. Sitting behind a bus at a red light is more than I want to be exposed to.

Also, be careful where you are using it.
A neighbor of mine (NJ State trooper

) had a kerosene heater in his garage last winter and damn near burned his house down when he loosened a pressurized gas line on his Harley. Torched his garage pretty good and he suffered severe burns to his hands. Needed a bunch of skin graft operations, but is back to work.

I used my roommates all last winter in a closed garage. Worked great, but his was brand new and we used only K-1 kerosene.

I'll try not to spray any gas on the heater!

Graplr · #5 11-17-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer

You have to play with the high and low pressure adjustments on the back of the unit, IMO Kerosene heaters are simply a PIA and propane is superior.

The adjustments are only for the flame/blower adjustment though correct? That wouldn't cause the fumes to burn my eyes, would it??

I do agree with you on propane heaters being better, but these are what I have and I'm not spending the money for a new one!

mpolli · #6 11-17-2008, 03:47 PM

These things have a vane type air pump to run the syphon nozzle. I know that they wear out because they sell rebuild kits in the hardware store for them. Does it look like it has a lot of wear? There is a guy in PA I think who advertises that he works on them. He used to advertise on Ebay. I talked to him once, he was very nice. But I don't remember his name unfortuntely.

Medmech · #7 11-17-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

The adjustments are only for the flame/blower adjustment though correct? That wouldn't cause the fumes to burn my eyes, would it??

Not unless you have your face in front of it, treat it like a Claymore "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" and you'll be fine.

Graplr · #8 11-18-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer

Not unless you have your face in front of it, treat it like a Claymore "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" and you'll be fine.

Exactly what I was thinking. I didn't have my face in front of it and my eyes were getting affected and fumes were quickly filling the garage.

Seems like it must be the fuel. I'll dump the tank, see if I can't flush it with a small amount of biodiesel I have on hand and refill it.

Graplr · #9 11-18-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpolli

These things have a vane type air pump to run the syphon nozzle. I know that they wear out because they sell rebuild kits in the hardware store for them. Does it look like it has a lot of wear? There is a guy in PA I think who advertises that he works on them. He used to advertise on Ebay. I talked to him once, he was very nice. But I don't remember his name unfortuntely.

The outside really shows wear (rust and such), but the inside seemed okay after a good cleaning. It works fine when the cover is off (air supply problem? I'll mess with the adjustments) so I know it is getting fuel.

The main issue is the fumes I'm getting. I know this is not normal. Leaning towards a fuel issue.

Chad300tdt · #10 11-18-2008, 10:12 AM

I bought a used one at Home Depot and was told that the fume level depended on the type of fuel you use.

They said diesel was the worst and the fuel they sell in the quart size cans was the best. Kerosene at the pump (K1) was the best cost effective fuel.

I use K1 and I can only leave the heater on for 10-15 minutes at a time or my garage gets filled with fumes. I have a 2 car garage that is poorly insulated with plenty of "ventilation" and it still fills with fumes.

Graplr · #11 11-18-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

I bought a used one at Home Depot and was told that the fume level depended on the type of fuel you use.

They said diesel was the worst and the fuel they sell in the quart size cans was the best. Kerosene at the pump (K1) was the best cost effective fuel.

I use K1 and I can only leave the heater on for 10-15 minutes at a time or my garage gets filled with fumes. I have a 2 car garage that is poorly insulated with plenty of "ventilation" and it still fills with fumes.

That makes sense Chad.

But, I thought that K1 was the stuff that Home Depot sold on the shelf? That is what I used last winter in the bigger heater and let it run for hours with no fumes building up.

I didn't think kerosene at the pump was called K1. Apparently I'm mistaken.

Chad300tdt · #12 11-18-2008, 10:37 AM

The pump at my filling station says K1 right on it. The guy I was talking with at the Home Depot said that K1 at the pump isn't as clean as the stuff in the cans at the store. That's the reason for the cost difference according to him. It sounded reasonable to me.

I've always used kerosene from the pump ever since I was a kid and we had the wick type kero heaters to supplement winter heating.

KarTek · #13 11-18-2008, 10:41 AM

Seems to be running too rich since it performs better with the cover off. I would think that would contribute to the fumes.

mpolli · #14 11-18-2008, 12:26 PM

I think if you want low fumes you have to run Kerosene only. Here is what it says on one torpedo heater site:

"(Use of diesel fuel will result in a noticeable odor and could require additional fuel filter maintenance. Also, use of diesel fuel in extremely cold temperatures may require additives.)"

Graplr · #15 11-18-2008, 12:41 PM

Thanks guys. I'll drain the unknown fuel and add kerosene and see what happens. I'll play with the adjustment to see if it will work with the cover on.