smelly heater

[jeffh]

hi
if any one can help i have got a s type 2.7 diesel 55 reg when i start up from cold and put the demist blower on very strong smell comes through the air vents and smoke from under the bonnet when i switch off it stops start back up without blower on ok
many thanks
jeff

[J44EAG]

The diesel has a separate diesel fired heater similar to cabin heaters found in boats and lorries. Eberspacher is a commonly found unit in the marine and heavy transport industries. Effectively they are a blow torch in a box. Until they get up to a decent operating temperature, they tend to belch partially unburnt diesel fuel fumes.

The 2.7 Jaguar has a system for cabin heater which is similar to the above. This is needed around town where the engine itself being diesel, tends to run at a rather lower temperature than a petrol powered equivalent. In order for there to be an acceptable cabin temperature, Jaguar installed the above type of system to cover temperature short fall on diesel models.

Smelly diesel fumes on start up and smoking from the unit is a well known characteristic. Inevitably it is difficult to keep the stink out of the car on start up. The effect is reduced upon driving the car as quickly as possible thus getting away from the fumes which accumulate around the car if left to warm up when stationary.

If fuming cannot be lived with, then possibly some servicing may be needed.

The golden rule with such heaters is to keep fuel fresh and devoid of any possibility of water content in the fuel. Burning a "wet" fuel mix will tend to make the heater carbon up easily. The secret is to periodically dose the fuel with a fuel dryer additive available in small bottles from motoring outlets. The additive allows moderate amounts of water to molecularly combine with the fuel and allow combustion to take place without the heater unit carbonating. Carbon in bulk will lead to a heater coking up and will then increasinglyrun rich as the correct proportion of fuel/air mix deteriorates. Black smoke indicates a very fuel rich mixture and a heater that badly needs a clean out and service.

Another thing can affect heater performance. Short journeys will do the heater no good at all. It will tend not to reach temperature and an incomplete warm up process will be interrupted. So best advice would be to get the car properly hot before switching off.

Servicing and best advice on this Jaguar heater is best obtained from a Main Dealer, Independent operator of specialist diesel heater service outlet.

Hope that helps.

Mike

[jeffh]

hi mike
many thanks i will look into that i have got a jag man round the corner from me he is very good
jeff

[dhdove]

Mmmm

Re: smelly heater
The diesel has a separate diesel fired heater similar to cabin heaters found in boats and lorries. Eberspacher is a commonly found unit in the marine and heavy transport industries. Effectively they are a blow torch in a box. Until they get up to a decent operating temperature, they tend to belch partially unburnt diesel fuel fumes.

Lovely

I never did like oil burning cars and this on a recent Jag just reinforces my view.
TonyS

[raysearles]

Never had any problems with fumes of any sort in my 56 reg diesel S Type Sport, nor in the XF, nor in BMW 320d, or the Merc 280D or the Audi A6 TDI or the Skoda Superb 2.7TDI .... there's nothing wrong with diesel cars - I have more problems with petrol fumes in my E Type. All modern cars need to be looked after and serviced properly a 55 plate is now nearly 9 years old and there are probably good reasons as Mike has highlighted why fumes are a problem.....

[jeff1954]

Hi jeffh
You are a lucky man to have your Fuel Fired Heater to work (they can be very temperamental)
Iv,e had my car 5 years now and only had the dam thing fire up twice.

Jeff