Webasto problems

[Larry H]

Hi all, I am having some problems with my Webasto heater on my ‘new-to-me’ 2014 R-27.

The fuel tank is approx 1/2 full according to the fuel gauge on the Volvo panel, and the Garmin shows 46 gallons. The boat is on the trailer and is close to level.

The boat is plugged in and the battery charger is on, batteries at 13 volts.

I set the Webasto control to med heat and the temp knob in the dotted line area. I pressed the power button and the heater started up. I could hear the fuel pump ‘ticking’. After a short while hot air came out the vent.

After a couple of minutes, the fan sped up to a high speed and the heat stopped.

The green light was flashing 5 quick and 2 slow. From reading the service manual, I think this means ‘flame abort’. I have repeated this scenario several times, always ending with the green light flashing.

I have removed and reinstalled the two fuses located in the helm electrical area, no change.

When I water tested this boat, the heater worked. The boat was then trailered about 250 miles.

I looked in the round hatch under the step inside the door and saw a black box which must contain the pump and filter.

What is the procedure to change the filter?

If the heater needs service, how is it removed from the boat?

Thanks for any help.

 

[knotflying]

Larry,

On my boat if I get below 40 gallons of fuel the heater won't work. The pickup tube just does not go down far enough to get fuel below that level. From the symptoms it sounds like that may be your issue, not necessarily the filter or unit. Changing the filter won't hurt. It is in the black box. Once you run out of fuel or change the filter it may require several try's to get the fuel to the unit. After several times of trying to start you will need to do a reset. This is done by removing the fuse and then reinserting it.
The Wabasto is relatively problem free, but there are a few things to follow. Before shut down run it at full heat. This burns off any built up carbon. If you can run it at a higher heat it is better to avoid carbon build up. Opening the windows to expel the excess heat works. And as always knowing at what level your pickup will no longer work is important for future reference.

 

[Chimo]

This happened after we had owned our new tug for about a week. Same flashing, same frustration. At that point it occurred to me to turn on the engine battery switch. The fuel pump ran and (surprise!) the heater started without problem.

May not be your problem but it's worth a try.

 

[Larry H]

Chimo,
Thanks for the suggestion, I checked and my engine battery switch is on.

Knotflying,
I have added 25 gallons of diesel and the gauge shows 3/4 tank or 75 gallons. No joy from the heater.

Factory Support,

What is the procedure to remove the Webasto from the boat? Where is the access to the heater?

I am going to take the heater into Sure Marine for a checkup.

 

[NorthernFocus]

If you're sure that it is indeed starting and then shutting right back down it sounds more like a problem with the flame detection than a fuel issue. In which case, yes it needs attention by a technician unless you are fairly handy working on stuff. You can make sure it's not a fuel problem by hooking it up to a temporary fuel supply on the inlet of the pump.

Removing the heater is pretty straight forward(assuming you can get at it). I've got an older model so not sure if anything has changed in the wiring. But there should be a couple of connectors in the wiring harness(one for power and one for controls) to unplug. Then there's the fuel supply tubing, one or two hose clamps to remove the hot air duct(larger) and combustion air(if it has duct hose attached), and a couple of bolts to remove the unit from the mounting bracket. The unit only weighs a few pounds and is easily handled.

I see you're in the Seattle area. If you trailer the boat and don't want to pull the unit yourself you can probably drag the boat down to Sure Marine and have them do the whole job.