Strange Diesel Heater fault

[rcx132]

I have two Chinese Diesel Heaters in my garage. Both heaters are mostly independent with separate blocks, pumps, exhausts etc, but sharing a fuel tank and power supply. Today both displayed an E10 error, which is a general starting error. I noticed the fuel pump icon on the LCD, but the pumps weren't making their usual noise. Testing with a 12v LED across the pump terminals, I see flashing as the heaters attempted to pulse the pumps, but there was no response from either pump. Both heaters were working last week. I tried a different power supply but that hasn't helped.

Is it just coincidence that both heaters developed the same fault at the same time, or am I overlooking something?

 

[not done it yet]

Is it just coincidence that both heaters developed the same fault at the same time, or am I overlooking something?

I very much doubt it. Check the common items - most likely the power supply. Try with a simple DC supply - a suitable 12V battery, as they are designed for.

 

[Johnnybravo]

I’ve run both of mine from a power supply for years with no issues. Only thing I do once a year is change the gauze filter on the glow plug. Not that either ever throw error codes, but you can see they don’t fire up like they should

 

[Barking Mat]

Definitely investigate power supply first.

Two to fail at the same time ?

What make and model ?

 

[m_c]

Give the pumps a gentle tap with a screwdriver/hammer handle when they're trying to run. It's not unknown for them to stick if not used for a while, and a gentle tap often knocks the piston free.

Also double check you have got them mounted at the correct angle, as the piston does rely a fair bit on gravity to return.

 

[jsf55]

How cold was it in the garage ? do you think the diesel might have been too cold too run properly ?

 

[rcx132]

Check the common items - most likely the power supply.

I checked the voltage. I then tried a different power supply, didn't help. I then bench tested the pumps, one works intermittently. I'm also monitoring the power supply voltage on the LCD display. Not sure what else I can test on the power supply.

Definitely investigate power supply first.

Two to fail at the same time ?

What make and model ?

One was Vevor, the other K Calory I think. After buying I took them both out of their chassis' and wall mounted the units. I threw away the original chassis so I'm not certain which is which now.

Give the pumps a gentle tap with a screwdriver/hammer handle when they're trying to run. It's not unknown for them to stick if not used for a while, and a gentle tap often knocks the piston free.

Also double check you have got them mounted at the correct angle, as the piston does rely a fair bit on gravity to return.

Ah tapping the pumps is a good idea, but it didn't work :/ I have the pumps facing upwards at 45 degrees so that they can self bleed.

How cold was it in the garage ? do you think the diesel might have been too cold too run properly ?

Good suggestion, it was about 8 degrees I think, so should have been ok.

I've replaced both pumps and the heaters are working. This is all still strange but I'll keep an eye on things and see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for help as always.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Hope someone can help with this?

Went out to the cave this morning to fire up the heater in advance of going out later. All seemed normal so back indoors for coffee to allow the shed to warm up. When I went out later, all was silent and the heater wasn't going - was running but no heat. I then discovered it had run dry.....

Filled with fuel and it started as normal but cut off soon after, showing the error code E-8 which the 'manual' [a joke right there ] attributes to air or a blockage. I've now got the unit on the bench and there looks to be air in the supply pipe, up near what I take to be the pump.

Is it as simple as disconnecting the pipe near where it enters right at the bottom [pre burner?], supplying power to allow the pump to push fuel through, then reversing the assembly procedure? Apologies for what sounds like a simple/obvious solution, but this is the first problem I've had with the heater in the years I've had it, so have never had occasion to investigate the entrails.

 

[qwakers]

just run it through prime a couple of times. and make sure the outlet of the pump is pointing up, at least 45*. there will always be some air in the pipe though.

oh and its a pulse pump. think like a linear actuator with a diaphragm on the end. supplying power will just throw the rod out, you have to pulse it to make it work if supplying power manually.

 

[Misterg]

s it as simple as disconnecting the pipe near where it enters right at the bottom [pre burner?], supplying power to allow the pump to push fuel through, then reversing the assembly procedure?

It's simpler than that:

Turn it off, turn it on again and run it through another start-up cycle. Repeat as necessary

(Works for the Chinese ones, but genuine Eberspachers can lock out with too many failed starts)

 

[jsf55]

Top of the utube list

 

[qwakers]

it can be slightly different depending on the controller fitted.

 

[fizzy]

Hope someone can help with this? View attachment 427226

Went out to the cave this morning to fire up the heater in advance of going out later. All seemed normal so back indoors for coffee to allow the shed to warm up. When I went out later, all was silent and the heater wasn't going - was running but no heat. I then discovered it had run dry.....

Filled with fuel and it started as normal but cut off soon after, showing the error code E-8 which the 'manual' [a joke right there ] attributes to air or a blockage. I've now got the unit on the bench and there looks to be air in the supply pipe, up near what I take to be the pump.

Is it as simple as disconnecting the pipe near where it enters right at the bottom [pre burner?], supplying power to allow the pump to push fuel through, then reversing the assembly procedure? Apologies for what sounds like a simple/obvious solution, but this is the first problem I've had with the heater in the years I've had it, so have never had occasion to investigate the entrails.

Just needs to be primed as already mentioned.

 

[fizzy]

I have two Chinese Diesel Heaters in my garage. Both heaters are mostly independent with separate blocks, pumps, exhausts etc, but sharing a fuel tank and power supply. Today both displayed an E10 error, which is a general starting error. I noticed the fuel pump icon on the LCD, but the pumps weren't making their usual noise. Testing with a 12v LED across the pump terminals, I see flashing as the heaters attempted to pulse the pumps, but there was no response from either pump. Both heaters were working last week. I tried a different power supply but that hasn't helped.

Is it just coincidence that both heaters developed the same fault at the same time, or am I overlooking something?

Water in fuel possibly?
Diesel can also go waxy in cold weather. I run my on neat Kerosene. One of my heaters had over 5000 hours use no problems at all - until a mate put 25L of bleach into the fuel tank by mistake

 

[qwakers]

curious. what damage could bleach do? i know its corrosive but a new pump, fuel lines, vaporiser and a clean of the burn chamber should have it working ok again....?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Diesel can also go waxy in cold weather.

Mine runs on central heating oil,

 

[fizzy]

curious. what damage could bleach do? i know its corrosive but a new pump, fuel lines, vaporiser and a clean of the burn chamber should have it working ok again....?

Possibly - but these things are so cheap I just bought another. Got plenty of spares. The exhaust pipe had corroded onto the outlet though so not a good sign!
These heaters pay for themselves in less than a month compared to the cost of electric heating.

 

[rcx132]

Two new pumps have suffered the same issue. I did some more experimentation today and it seems that @m_c was right, the pumps perform better when pointing upwards and gravity can help the piston down. And warming the pumps up gets them going. It's only 5 C today, you'd think they'd be more resilient.

Checked the supply to the pumps with an oscilliscope to check that's ok. The pulses show on the scope as very "dirty", ie not a nice square or sine wave, but they do get the full 14v even under load.

Just looked at cost of German dosing pumps to avoid future problems.... £130 !

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Mine runs on central heating oil,

Just got one for the landy, hoping it will burn jet A-1 as I’ve a good supply of it!

 

[Nomad]

I had this last year and found the menu to prime it then it fired up ok.

@jsf55 gives a great video to show what's needed just be aware yours might need a different sequence of buttons. Hope it helps