Problem with a Diesel Heater

Hi johno,
Hubby has been looking at these heaters.
We have an 11' van. I worry about them under the bed,therefore the indecision & looking at many types for a long time.

When he looked at this Planner one he was told by a reliable source that they were just as good as the more expensive ones.
However, when queried on faults he was told that if you run them on low for a certain time that they will soot up & have to be taken apart & cleaned.
He isn't here but if there is any thing different I'll let you know.

Take care, safe travels. Ma.

Old or new?....does it have a thermostat in the setting dial that is near the heat output at all?.....anything near the air intake that could cause it to shut down?

Johno59

You probably have a PLANAR diesel heater. What does the purchase docket and label say?

Can you relight it soon after it stops?
You mentioned plenty of heat but how did you work out it doesn't reach max, perhaps it detects the intake air is hot and shuts down the unit, so no need to keep running.
If left switched ON does it restart by itself at a lower temp in the van? or are you turning it off before the thermostat detects the fall of temp inside. Does it restart?

If it gives plenty of heat, then it would indicate plenty of fuel, you can't get hot with not enough fuel input, but there may be an air bubble in the system which develops and travels to/through the pump. That might only happen when the pump is running because of the fuel line allowing air IN during fuel flow, ie faulty hose fit to plastic line.

I am surprised you didn't protect the intake cold air hose with a stone shield!

As we spend a bit of time on dusty roads, we block the exhaust pipe under the van with a Wine cork, just while we are travelling. It keeps dust out of the system. And when the van is standing unused for a while we keep the cork in to stop wasps and other critters from building nests in there. BUT remember to remove said cork before turning the heater on.

This is advice we were given on another forum.

You may also find that the heat exchanger fins inside the unit are covered in fluff picked up by the cabin intake and stuck to the heat exchanger fins, this will cause the heater to detect an overheat situation and shut down.
The top cover of the heater unclips and you can access all the top side without removing the heater. A bit of compressed air and a vacuum might remove the rest.

Another possibility, I have experienced is the breather hole in the fuel tank being blocked.

I dont know its the oldest problem in the book in the cold weather diesel fuel waxes up that is the wax in the fuel goes hard and blockes the filter I live in Oberon NSW and our fuel is called Winter fuel that is it is it has a addertive in it the stopes the fuel from waxing up so when you are in the cold and you want to use the deisel heater makes sure you have winter fuel in your vehicle and you heater
Terry

We had some dramas with our diesel heater a few weeks ago. The fuel pump developed a slight air leak, just tiny bubbles of air being sent down the delivery hose. After a while all those little bubbles made one big bubble and the heater would shut down.

I contacted the seller and got a new pump sent out. Bobs your uncle now. Working like a charm.

At Blackall the other morning it was -3 outside and 22 inside.

It might be worth uncovering your fuel hose and checking for bubbles

Cheers Greg

Did you fix the problem & if you did, what was it?