Webasto Airtop 2000 ST - good money after bad?

[max-VW]

Hi all. I have a Webasto fitted (I think it's about 10 - 15 years old) on my T5.1 - was working fine last summer but failed to start in the winter. Finally got round to attempting to sort this with my son (underneath!) as my mechanic could not help - as a fuel issue was suspected b y Butler Technik we have removed the pump to test via a direct connection to 12v and it seems to have failed as making no noise bar a faint hum and not test-pumping. Is it worth trying a cheap eBay-Amazon special pump to see it if fixes the heater before going for an OEM pump?

Original installer has also T'd into the engine fuel feed which I understand is not ideal.

Not sure (and probably answering my own question here) but given the age, the failing controller display etc I might be better to cut my losses and just install a new Autoterm.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Errrr...... The pump does not work like that. If you are lucky you may have got away with not burning the pump out doing that! The pumps work on pulses from the ecu.

When was the heater last serviced?

Have you got a coolant heater fitted also - looks like it. If so you can tee into the fuel line for that heater which I suspect yours is.

How did Butler Technic make the diagnosis - do you have the test print-out?

My first thoughts are that the burner pad is coked up. I can offer an diagnosis/overhaul for £60 for pump and heater.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

 

[max-VW]

Thanks very much. Yes, it's a factory California (aftermarket diesel heater install by previous owner) so has the winter engine heater from factory I guess.

I have read a long older topic with your very useful input on fuel line installation - the correct way by dropping the tank and a stand pipe into the sender unit - and when people have teed into the feed to the engine fuel pump that this is not a good idea for various reasons. TBH in all likelihood I will install a new heater for many reasons but are you saying however, it is OK to tee into the diesel line to the factory auxiliary engine heater?

EDIT: looking at the pic I'm guessing (my son was under) the VW engine heater is on the extreme right with part of a Webasto label - so that is indeed the feed into that they have teed into? And there are none of the downsides doing this compared to teeing into the engine fuel supply?

 

[oldiebut goodie]

I very much doubt that there is anything wrong with your heater other than needing a service, especially if it hasn't been done since installation. I wouldn't waste money by installing a Putin's special. I wouldn't be surprised if your heater has done less than 1000 hours. You can expect 30 years plus out of a Webasto, especially with the low usage rates in most campers.
Do you have the diagnosis report from Butler Technik? This would tell me what the situation is with the heater.

 

[max-VW]

Hi, no - my mechanic spoke to them and I believe it threw up a controller (ECU) failure/fault code. And from speaking to them myself the technician also suspected fuel pump issues. Additionally the display on the timer/control unit has all but disappeared. Given all this and the cost of having it inspected plus potentially various new parts to an ageing unit what I don’t want to do is end up paying 2/3 the cost of a brand new all round set up.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

So it hasn't been diagnosed at all! It is only a 5 minute job to hook it up to a computer and get a diagnosis report.