Webasto Heater - Error Code - No Flame Formation

[Smokeyham]

Hi,

I have a webasto diesel heater that was installed on my 2012 R29. I am doing the Great Loop (currently in Alton IL) and have a fault that keeps on flashing ("F01 No Start (after 2 attempts to start)/ No flame formation").

Upon advice from the factory I have tried numerous resets (have power on, pull out fuse, wait 20 seconds, reinsert fuse), but the fault keeps on coming back. So far, I have not been able to find anyone who works on Webasto heaters.

We will be anchoring out as we move further south, and with the cooler weather coming I am very keen to get this resolved.

Does anyone have any experience with this fault or any other suggestions? There is fuel in the tank, and the valve for the fuel is turned on.

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[baz]

The Fault Code table states for F01...

Switch off the heater for at least 2 se­conds.

If the fault cannot be rectified by the measure described, contact your Webas­to service workshop.

Not much help, but that's all I could find out.

 

[Smokeyham]

The Fault Code table states for F01...

Switch off the heater for at least 2 se­conds.

If the fault cannot be rectified by the measure described, contact your Webas­to service workshop.

Not much help, but that's all I could find out.

Thanks...... I tried contacting Webasto, unfortunately they could not provide much help. I am hoping somewhere on the Great Loop I will find a technician that speaks Webasto

Here is the information that Webasto provided:

Hi there,
Thank you for your message.
The heater has attempted to start but failed. You have three possible problems:
1. Incorrect voltage / Not enough power to ignite fuel and power-up system
2. Fuel is not reaching the combustion chamber
3. Air intake blocked and no ait reaching combustion chamber
If your heater pumps fuel, you could have combustion chamber flooded with fuel and ignition is simply not
possible. To check that, simply remove glow pin and if you have a strong smell of fuel, you will know the root
cause then. This would mean the initial start-up was incorrect or incorrect voltage.
To check if fuel is traveling through the fuel line, look for small air bubbles.

 

[knotflying]

How empty is your fuel tank? The pickup tube is much shorter than the one that fuels the engine. On my R-27 if I have less than 36 gallons of fuel my Wabasto looses prime and once I have fuel I have to do a master reset at least 5 times before prime is established.

 

[Smokeyham]

How empty is your fuel tank? The pickup tube is much shorter than the one that fuels the engine. On my R-27 if I have less than 36 gallons of fuel my Wabasto looses prime and once I have fuel I have to do a master reset at least 5 times before prime is established.

Thanks for the response. I have had a full fuel tank when I have been working on this. It was suggested to me that eight resets would solve the problem. I did the reset eight times and while the system resets, it then goes right back to fault mode after a short period. :cry:

 

[knotflying]

Is pump ticking? And can you loosen output side to see if fuel is being pumped? It could also be a clogged and dirty glowplug.

 

[knotflying]

Is pump ticking? And can you loosen output side to see if fuel is being pumped? It could also be a clogged and dirty glowplug.

 

[johnbenj]

I am bumping this thread because I am receiving the F01 and F02 (FLAME FAILURE) errors now for my 2021 27OB.

Where should I start? Are there any specific advice for this make/model that aren't covered in the previous comments?

thanks!
john

 

[Ralf H]

Hi all,

The issue may be that the unit is throwing the error code due to being carboned up from premature shutdown. The unit needs to be properly shut down by turning off the unit via the controls and allowing the unit to completely go through the shutdown process until it turns itself off. If the unit is turned off prematurely by shutting off the house power, for example, it will not be able to shut the burner down and allow all residual fuel to be burned off, thus carboning up the unit and causing non-start error codes due to fuel and air delivery issues. The only way this can be resolved is to take the unit to a Webasto authorized shop for inspection and repair if necessary. Hope this helps.

Thank you,

Ralf

 

[knotflying]

Adding to Ralph's comments, It is good practice to let the unit run at full power every once in a while so that any buildup is burned off.

 

[ALICE J]

Last summer while in Maine, I too had a similar problem. Even though I had taken apart the heating unit and thoroughly cleaned it and it ran for about a month it started giving me error codes. I contacted Sure Marine and they said it would be two to three weeks turnaround for repairs. I opted for a new heating unit to be sent, figuring that since I did not know where I would located, the cost of a marina slip for three weeks, shipping issues, and unknown issues on the Wabasto and its age.
New unit arrived in three days, installed and enjoyed the glorious heat for the remainder of my Maine explorations. 😀

 

[Chimo]

Is pump ticking? And can you loosen output side to see if fuel is being pumped? It could also be a clogged and dirty glowplug.

I agree, this does sound like a fuel flow problem. Listening to the pump tick and checking for fuel flow are great first steps. When did you last change the filter in the black box that contains the fuel pump? If you picked up some dirty fuel at some point that is a small filter and will plug easily.

 

[SJI Sailor]

Wanted to add one more possibility, which happened here. We had disconnected the fuel lines to the black pump box, in order to get access to the front of the engine (forward bilge pump repair). After reconnecting, Webasto would not star ang got the 5 short + 1 long code.

I figured it was due to the loss of prime in the fuel line from being disconnected. Solution was to wait until the codes stopped, then repeat the process. On the third try, it started up fine.

I know this is different from the cases above, but thought I'd mention it for posterity in this thread.

 

[johnbenj]

Wanted to add one more possibility, which happened here.

Ah, thanks for the bump to this thread. I've been meaning to update all that I SOLVED the problem.

When I changed out the first Webasto fuel filter I noticed gunk and what I thought was water in the fuel. I put a new filter in line and started the heater over and over and over agin until it locked out. I removed the fuel filter and saw a lot of water in the fuel.

I decided to use an additive (see picture below) and let it sit for 24 hours. Tried starting the heater the next day and on the third or fourth try it actually stayed lit for 15 minutes. The next time it ran continuous without fail.

Since then I've run the heater for 2 hours without issue. I have about 2 gallons of diesel still in the tank which I am trying to work through since pumping or siphoning the tank proved to be difficult and luckily unnecessary.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[SJI Sailor]

Glad you solved it and thanks for adding the solution and recommendation!

 

[knotflying]

Just to clarify, does your heater draw off the engine fuel tank or does it have its own small tank. If it has a separate tank it is good practice to use additive regularly if you do not use the heater much. On my other boat I was able to empty the tank and would put fresh fuel in at the beginning of each season.

 

[johnbenj]

Just to clarify, does your heater draw off the engine fuel tank or does it have its own small tank. If it has a separate tank it is good practice to use additive regularly if you do not use the heater much. On my other boat I was able to empty the tank and would put fresh fuel in at the beginning of each season.

On the 27OB models the heater has a separate 5gal diesel fuel tank. I assume all the NW edition outboard models do

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[j&lgray]

This may not be helpful for your situation:

We have had issues with the heater due to lower voltage. The glow plugs, pump and start-up sequence needs amps. Our lesson: start it when on shore power or after the engine is running and the alternator is putting out the max amps (usually about 1400 rpm's).

I have also helped a tug owner on their heater and found the intake air duct had separated from the housing.