auxiliary heater - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

airbus · #1 12-14-2005, 11:09 AM

Why is it impossible to find a diesel operated auxiliary water heater like an Eberspaecher or Webasto in the US. Are they illegal for some reason? In my opinion there's nothing better you can do to your car in the winter, and it's comfy! I have a gasoline operated auxiliary air heater in my vanagon, so why are there no aux water heaters?

boneheaddoctor · #2 12-14-2005, 11:42 AM

I think it has to do with the fact most Americans live is single family houses and have garages..while thats fairly rare amoung Europeans....therefore the electric ones are common here.

airbus · #3 12-14-2005, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I think it has to do with the fact most Americans live is single family houses and have garages..while thats fairly rare amoung Europeans....therefore the electric ones are common here.

OK, and what do poeple do who have to drive to work and park their car where there is no power outlet anywhere close? I had a very hard time getting Bessy started after work last night. It's the B20 I guess, so I could really need some extra heat.

#4 12-14-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbus

OK, and what do poeple do who have to drive to work and park their car where there is no power outlet anywhere close? I had a very hard time getting Bessy started after work last night. It's the B20 I guess, so I could really need some extra heat.

What kind of temperatures are we talking about? It sounds like you may have other reasons for hard starting. Does it start OK on "real" diesel in cold temperatures? What type/weight oil are you running?

boneheaddoctor · #5 12-14-2005, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbus

OK, and what do poeple do who have to drive to work and park their car where there is no power outlet anywhere close? I had a very hard time getting Bessy started after work last night. It's the B20 I guess, so I could really need some extra heat.

well that explains thier absense in availibility....you definately know that one size does not fit all....all the more reason to keep a tip top battery adn make sure everything is in adjustment....

or you can get a small portible generator...find a manner to premanently attach a heavy chain to and an hour or two before its time ot go home take it out of trunk..fire it up chain it to the tiedown loop these cars have and plug in the block heater...works in fairly safe areas.....not if you park in high crime zones however.

airbus · #6 12-14-2005, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

What kind of temperatures are we talking about? It sounds like you may have other reasons for hard starting. Does it start OK on "real" diesel in cold temperatures? What type/weight oil are you running?

Last night we were in the lower teens, days are in the 20's. I'll fill it up with regular diesel when it's empty, it hasn't been that cold yet since I have my diesels. Preglowing it for 2-3 minutes usually helps, it's just extremely rough and smokey for the first couple of minutes. I'm using regular 10W-40, nothing fancy and expensive. Glowplugs are fairly new Bosch.

boneheaddoctor · #7 12-14-2005, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbus

Last night we were in the lower teens, days are in the 20's. I'll fill it up with regular diesel when it's empty, it hasn't been that cold yet since I have my diesels. Preglowing it for 2-3 minutes usually helps, it's just extremely rough and smokey for the first couple of minutes. I'm using regular 10W-40, nothing fancy and expensive. Glowplugs are fairly new Bosch.

Try synthetic oil......it doesn't get as thick in cold weather making for easier cranking.

#8 12-14-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbus

Last night we were in the lower teens, days are in the 20's. I'll fill it up with regular diesel when it's empty, it hasn't been that cold yet since I have my diesels. Preglowing it for 2-3 minutes usually helps, it's just extremely rough and smokey for the first couple of minutes. I'm using regular 10W-40, nothing fancy and expensive. Glowplugs are fairly new Bosch.

First, I would check the glow plugs and make sure they are all working (don't just go by the light). Your rough starting sounds like one or two bad GPs. I've also found that Mobil 1 5W40 makes a big difference in cold starting. I'm assuming your valves are adjusted and your battery is in good shape.

airbus · #9 12-14-2005, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

First, I would check the glow plugs and make sure they are all working (don't just go by the light). Your rough starting sounds like one or two bad GPs. I've also found that Mobil 1 5W40 makes a big difference in cold starting. I'm assuming your valves are adjusted and your battery is in good shape.

Yep, battery is good, glowplugs are good and the trouble really starts only when its below -let's say- 25F. Above 30F everything is fine. What also points towards the B20 is, that both cars do the same thing, at around the same temperature and the valves on the 300 were recently adjusted. I'll try that Mobil1 5W40 at the next oilchange. (Too bad, I just did them both...)
Thanks!
And I still want one of those heaters!!! (There's a used one out of a 240D for sale in Austria, but it's 320 EURO...)

SirNik84 · #10 12-14-2005, 01:34 PM

how can you test your glow plugs to see that they are still good. i'm having similar rough starts, not a big problem living in CA, but still anoying.

airbus · #11 01-06-2006, 10:58 PM

I found it

:
http://www.espar.com/
They're probably quite expensive though

.

whunter · #12 01-06-2006, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbus

I found it

:
http://www.espar.com/
They're probably quite expensive though

.

You need to read this thread:
Keep your blood pressure and heart medication handy when you do read it.

Engine Heater ideas
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=85227

airbus · #13 01-08-2006, 04:11 PM

1000 bucks, hm? *****. Maybe I can get one cheaper across the pond. Maybe I can even get my daddy pay for it, as a combined birthday-christmas-whole-family-gift or so

I just love the idea. I think there is nothing better you can do for your diesel.

Matt L · #14 01-08-2006, 04:35 PM

I wonder what the option costs, where it is available. The factory setup is better, but probably costs more than a grand.

I'd really like a diesel-powered heater, and may get an Espar. It would be very nice to get in a warm car when leaving work in the evening.

Heating the coolant in the engine would help a lot, but better yet would be to also turn the climate control on a half hour or so before I leave, simulating the factory setup. Does anyone know if there is a way to put the N22 in REST mode using the wiring inside the dash?