Retro Fitting a webasto parking heater.

[SlidePods]

I did the exact same thing on my own van however I shy away from doing it for customers for a few reasons....
cost - sourcing the genuine ducting and steps from TPS is an expensive business and therefore bumps the price up considerably. Also the time to do the job goes up by around 30% meaning more labour charge on top of the standard price.
Strength - I have never had chance to examine the cut-out for the ducting on a factory cali (I would very much like to) to see if VW have strengthened the area at all?? It is extremely close to the lower seatbelt bolting point.
To be honest the aftermarket install works really well so I don't like to overcomplicate things.

 

[RoB5urf]

Does routing the ducting under the seat interfere with the seat slide and swivel functions?

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[owen_h]

Does routing the ducting under the seat interfere with the seat slide and swivel functions?

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

No issues at all with the seat slide and swivel. Bit of lost space obviously but that's all.
I'm told there are quite a few a/c pipes under the seat that need to be avoided when routing the ducting. Care needed when drilling the hole!

 

[MattBW]

Same here, no problems with the seat swivel, works just as it did before. Only now it has a handy foot warmer on the base

 

[Goldie]

A couple of days taking it steady, as it involves cutting holes in just the right place in the base of the b-pillar and step! As I have a Webasto coolant heater I could tee into the fuel supply for that, otherwise it involves dropping the fuel tank to install a new fuel pick-up. Fitted a remote to the Webasto while I was at it so can warm/defrost the van from the kitchen in the winter!

Hi Methley - Great Job,
I'm looking at fitting an Eberspacher and have been recommended this kit here in NZ. http://www.heatspace.co/store/p439/2.2_KW_SINGLE_OUTLET_-_PREMIUM_CAMPER_KIT_-_Eberspacher_D2_.html. and the NZ way is to do it yourself! I'm guessing you have used the same unit looking at the 801 controller.
Have you got any photos of the various stages, e.g. where did you make the holes, where did you T into the existing fuel line, did you use Eberspacher bracket or buy a VW bracket, do you have the part numbers for the bracket and the vents etc? I'm heading back to the UK in October and would like to buy any necessary parts when I'm there.
The Eberspacher was recommended as it runs slower and quieter compared to the Webasto - not sure how true that is.
If you are in the business and don't want to post details I understand, so send me a private message.

Regards

Andy

 

[methley]

Yes that looks like the same kit. Parts list for everything else I used is here. http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/14983/parts.pdf

I had to use a reducer to fit the D2 as the ducting is expecting a 90mm port on outlet the heater. You can just see it in the first photo, It's also a Webasto part.

 

[methley]

A few pics of the install...

 

[Goldie]

Great job and thanks for photos. Was it obvious where to cut, did you have templates, or did you measure carefully thrice and work out where to cut?
Step looks relatively easy, what about the pillar base?
Andy

 

[methley]

No templates, just take your time! The b-pillar vent only fits in one place on the curve, you just have to fiddle until it feels right! It mates with the duct underneath, so once you've made a big enough hole you can work out where the edges need to be cut back to.

 

[zeratul]

Is there a place where one can find detailed instructions on how to take apart B-pillars and side panels on VW T5.2? I'd very much love to have that. The pdf above does give a hint of the fixings but I have no idea where to start. I need to replace a rear speaker (or check it's connection) in the side panel on the side of the heater.

 

[SlidePods]

hi methley just looking at your install pics and it looks extremely tidy.
I did notice however that on the combustion air intake you havent fitted any kind of filter? I would recommend fitting a labyrinth seal air filter (we do this as standard in our installs just to guarantee that only air makes it into the combustion chamber). Also I noticed that there is a substantial fall on your air intake pipe, generally there is nothing wrong with having a fall in this pipe as long as you do a couple of things......
drill a 2mm hole in the lowest part of the pipe to allow condensate to escape. I realize it is unlikely that enough condensate will build up to block the pipe however without the hole any condensate only has one way out of that pipe (directly through the burner which isnt ideal) also it means if you ever drive through enough standing water you will get a head of water in the pipe which will totally flood the unit.
The second thing to do is to have the last 100mm of pipe pointing directly down so anything that makes it into the pipe will fall back out rather than straight in.
Its easy to assume that these units are behind splash guards and therefore I am being a bit precious about all this but at Slidepods we see vans with 300,000 miles on them which are incredibly clean behind the spalsh guards but we also see vans with 30,000 miles on them which have litterally inches of crud behind them. By observing little details like these you will ensure your heater performs effectively for and extremely long time.

 

[Goldie]

Hi Methley,

Got a quote from VW for all the parts for £357 which seems reasonable. I noticed that PF Jones is selling a kit for £635 which seem to be identical to the kit I was looking at in NZ http://www.pfjones.co.uk/eberspacher-airtronic-d2-kit-12-volt-with-silencer.html . The fall in the £ following Brexit means the kit is substantially cheaper in UK. They also do T5 kit for £735 whick includes bracket http://www.pfjones.co.uk/eberspacher-airtronic-vw-t5-d2-digital-controller-kit.html/

I'm inclined to go for the basic kit and ask for the REQUIRED CLAMPS, CLIPS, SCREWS, BRACKETS, T PIECES, FUSES, PLUGS, ETC and 1m LARGE & 1m SMALL CABLE TRUNKING as additional items. The alternative is to go for the T5 package and ask for the bracket, vents and hot ducting pipes to be removed!

What is your advice? Do know if the wiring loom is standard and which battery do you connect to? Obviously the Cali has a leisure battery which the T5 doesn't.

Help much appreciated - Thanks.

Andy

 

[methley]

The basic kit looks to have the parts you'll need on top of the factory VW bits. BTW, the bracket in the T5 kit is nowhere near as good as the VW original. The latter isolates the heater on rubber bushes to minimise transmitted noise whereas the Eber part is just a bent piece of metal.

Do you have a Webasto coolant heater fitted? If so you can tee into fuel feed for that otherwise you'll need the fuel standpipe kit for the fuel tank sender. If you're teeing in, then you'll also need a suitably sized tee piece for the fuel line as it's not supplied in the kit.

There are many wiring looms available, but as long as the one in the standard kit is sufficiently long enough for your needs it will be fine. BTW you may need to manually add the remote temperature sensor wire (grey) to the controller (801) if you want to use the sensor on the controller rather than the one in the Eber.

I'd plump for the basic kit plus your VW parts.

 

[Goldie]

I have a Webasto Thermo Top 5Kw heater fitted according to the plate on drivers door so will go for the T piece. Do you know the size and where to find the pipe to T into?

I've ordered all the VW parts you listed including the VW bracket So should be ready to collect when I'm back in the UK.

Which battery does it connect to?

Andy

 

[methley]

Definitely the leisure battery!

Tee piece was from Ebay. 4mm I think it was. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HOSE-WATE...hash=item461afdf2b2:m:mHzwU5BjaBGdwJR3px6_BMg

BTW check you have ordered the correct colour plastics from VW for your vehicle. The parts in the list above is for anthracite (71N suffix).

Andy

 

[Goldie]

Definitely the leisure battery!

Tee piece was from Ebay. 4mm I think it was. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HOSE-WATE...hash=item461afdf2b2:m:mHzwU5BjaBGdwJR3px6_BMg

BTW check you have ordered the correct colour plastics from VW for your vehicle. The parts in the list above is for anthracite (71N suffix).

Andy

Picked up the parts today and yes shock horror, I've ordered the anthracite. My fault entirely, although I did send UK Reg No. and VIN to the dealer. I should have checked the forum earlier for your reply, although I haven't had much chance lately on my travels.

I'm actually going to try and order the anthracite door-well for the passenger side as they are a much more practical colour. I will use the anthracite B trim as a template to cut out the vents in the existing grey B trim. On close inspection it looks like all the mouldings are the same (basic Beach/Transporter) and the vent cut outs are made in the trim for vehicles with rear heating. You can see the moulded lines for the cut outs.

Can you confirm that this part is correct? Same part number as yours, but ends in C rather than B. It fits together with the other parts, just looks bigger than the diagram.

Andy

 

[methley]

Yes that's the correct part. The section with the stickers feeds up the base of the b-pillar. Don't push it up there until you're ready as it doesn't come out again! ;-)

 

[mlacar]

Hi,

I will start mounting webasto 2000 with DIGITAL SMART CONTROLLER

So I have this kit:

Then i need all these parts from this list?

http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/14983/parts.pdf

How much aprox cost all these parts at VW?

Thank you!

 

[Goldie]

Cost me £357. I reckon you may be able to get away without buying the B-Pillar plastic trim, (make sure you order the right colour), if you have another to act as a template for the cut out. You could always try it and only buy a new one if it goes wrong .

Be interested in which fuel npipe and where you T into to pick up the fuel supply. Post a photo if you can.

Summer down here in NZ and I haven't started my install yet.

Andy

 

[rod_vw]

If anyone is doing this addition intending to use the original VW parts to fit a Webasto or Eberspacher I have the hard plastic under shield for the heater spare. It's one that I ordered for this type of fitment but never used it.
Drop me a PM if you are interested.

@Goldie you cannot 'T' into existing fuel pipe (unless you have an auxiliary water heater) as the engine feed is pressurised from the tank primary pump. You need to drop the fuel tank and fit a separate pipe into the tank unit, here in the UK a genuine Eberspacher kit is available for this complete with fitting instructions. I've just fitted mine in a new T6. If you have an auxiliary heater already fitted then you can 'T' into its feed before the metering pump for the auxiliary heater.

I use Bowers at Stoke on Trent as my supplier of Eberspacher parts, they supply a complete kit for a T5/6 currently priced at £635 for a D2 Airtronic with 801 controller or £616 for a Webasto 2000STC with basic rotary controller, other options are available. Eberspacher come with 36 month guarantee whilst Webasto come with a 24 month guarantee. See their website at http://www.bowerspartsonline.co.uk/

I've no connection with the above company except for being grateful for their excellent service.

Rod

 

[Goldie]

Hi Rod,

See my earlier post:

"I have a Webasto ThermoTop 5Kw heater fitted according to the plate on drivers door, so will go for the T piece. Do you know the size and where to find the pipe to insert the T into?"

I intend doing this in the next few weeks, but being summer here it is not top of priority list. Really keen for for someone to show me exactly where to cut and put in T-piece. The rest seems fairly simply, although involves some cutting of floor and trim.

Thanks to you an Methley for your advice.

Regards

Andy

 

[rod_vw]

Hi Andy,

I'm not too familiar with the exact fitment of your Thermo Top but it should be located below floor under the left front seat. The metering pump for it should be fixed between the heater and the fuel tank. I think the feed from the tank will be clipped into the top of the tank to its front edge. It is between the tank and this metering pump that you should fit the 'T' piece. You will find illustrations here https://ifinterface.com/prog/car/prog2/inprog.php go Free Services, Car Prog 2, then to TR (Transporter) Group 2 Picture 201-95 (That was for a 2016 model).
The two pumps are shown, one for the auxiliary and one for the air heater.

Rod

 

[Goldie]

Hi Rod,

That's a great resource. Looked up my model year and now know exactly what I should be looking for now.

Thanks.

 

[gear box oil]

hi methley just looking at your install pics and it looks extremely tidy.
I did notice however that on the combustion air intake you havent fitted any kind of filter? I would recommend fitting a labyrinth seal air filter (we do this as standard in our installs just to guarantee that only air makes it into the combustion chamber). Also I noticed that there is a substantial fall on your air intake pipe, generally there is nothing wrong with having a fall in this pipe as long as you do a couple of things......
drill a 2mm hole in the lowest part of the pipe to allow condensate to escape. I realize it is unlikely that enough condensate will build up to block the pipe however without the hole any condensate only has one way out of that pipe (directly through the burner which isnt ideal) also it means if you ever drive through enough standing water you will get a head of water in the pipe which will totally flood the unit.
The second thing to do is to have the last 100mm of pipe pointing directly down so anything that makes it into the pipe will fall back out rather than straight in.
Its easy to assume that these units are behind splash guards and therefore I am being a bit precious about all this but at Slidepods we see vans with 300,000 miles on them which are incredibly clean behind the spalsh guards but we also see vans with 30,000 miles on them which have litterally inches of crud behind them. By observing little details like these you will ensure your heater performs effectively for and extremely long time.

Hi SidePods,

good advice.
I am in the process of fitting a Eberspacher Airtronic D2 to a T5 Beach can you say where I could obtain a a labyrinth seal air filter and what the cost would be.

 

[Goldie]

Hi SidePods,

good advice.
I am in the process of fitting a Eberspacher Airtronic D2 to a T5 Beach can you say where I could obtain a a labyrinth seal air filter and what the cost would be.

Hi Gear Box Oil,

I would be interested in knowing the size of the T piece for the fuel feed (assuming you are going to tap into the Webasto Thermotop feed and not drop the tank) and whether it is a metal or flexible pipe. See my earlier posts.

I've bought this, but would like to know it is correct before I start dismantling things. https://www.butlertechnik.com/webas...ater-fuel-connector-tee-kit-8x5x8-31277b-p110

I got my parts from https://www.butlertechnik.com/d2-airtronic-t230 and the diagram shows T- pieces for 8mm and 10mm pipe. (Their website was the best one I found for the extras I needed for using the VW ducting.)

I also wondered about fitting the fuel filter, but I guess the take off is not at the tank bottom to ensure there is always fuel left for starting and driving.

Any install photos would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Andy