Mistakes were made - I almost killed my diesel heater

Summary

In this video, the creator tackles a malfunctioning diesel heater, troubleshooting error codes E8 and E10, which are fuel-related. The heater's issues stemmed from a faulty venting cap, clogged exhaust, and carbon buildup. To resolve this, they upgrade the fuel line with a new kit, including hoses, an inline filter, and clamps. They also modify the exhaust system to prevent moisture buildup. After cleaning the system, the heater is successfully reassembled, tested, and produces strong heat. Ultimately, the creator shares valuable insights on improving heater performance, highlighting lessons learned and the successful upgrades made.

Takeaways

• 🔧 The diesel heater stopped working and displayed error codes E8 and E10, both of which relate to fuel delivery issues.
• 🛠️ The creator ordered a fuel line upgrade kit from Amazon, which included nylon hose, rubber connectors, clamps, and an inline fuel filter.
• ⛽ While draining the fuel tank, he discovered a venting issue with the fuel cap—loosening the cap caused the diesel to flow properly, indicating an airflow blockage.
• 🔄 He replaced the old fuel lines and added the inline fuel filter, improving the system even though he suspected the root problem wasn’t the fuel line itself.
• 🌫️ A brittle and soot-packed exhaust pipe was discovered, revealing a significant carbon buildup that likely prevented proper ignition and created the E10 error.
• 🧹 The heater was dismantled, and extensive carbon deposits were cleaned out using a vacuum, wire brush, and gasket maker to replace broken gaskets.
• 🔥 After reassembly and priming the fuel line, the heater successfully ignited with clean exhaust output and strong heat, indicating the cleaning fixed the issue.
• 💦 The root cause was likely moisture running into a sagging section of the exhaust line, which mixed with soot and created severe carbon blockage.
• 🔨 A new installation was created: the heater was mounted higher on wall brackets, and the exhaust was rerouted to go straight down and out to prevent moisture buildup.
• 🛡️ A custom aluminum rain deflector was fabricated to help keep exterior moisture out of the exhaust pipe.
• 🚀 The final setup included both a fuel system upgrade and an improved exhaust routing, resulting in a more reliable, permanent installation.
• 📚 The creator emphasized the lessons learned—particularly about proper venting, exhaust routing, and preventing moisture accumulation.

Q & A

What were the error codes displayed on the diesel heater?

The error codes displayed were E8 and E10, both of which were related to fuel issues.

What caused the fuel flow problem in the diesel heater?

The issue was likely due to an air problem in the fuel system, as the fuel wasn't draining properly from the tank. The vent in the fuel cap was not functioning correctly, which likely restricted airflow and caused the fuel flow issue.

What improvements were made to the fuel system during the repair?

The fuel system was upgraded with a new fuel line kit, including nylon and rubber hoses, clamps, and an inline fuel filter. This was an upgrade as the original system didn't have an inline filter.

What was the condition of the heater's exhaust pipe, and why was it problematic?

The exhaust pipe was brittle and had a lot of soot buildup. The pipe's design allowed moisture to settle in low areas, causing carbon buildup. This likely contributed to the heater's failure to ignite properly.

How was the exhaust system modified to prevent further issues?

The exhaust system was modified by changing the exhaust pipe so that it goes straight down rather than dipping down and then going up. This new design prevents moisture from accumulating inside the pipe, reducing the risk of soot buildup.

How did the faulty exhaust pipe affect the heater's performance?

The faulty exhaust pipe likely led to carbon buildup in the exhaust system, which caused the heater to fail to ignite. The moisture and soot accumulation probably blocked the exhaust flow, preventing proper combustion.

What was the process for priming the diesel heater after the fuel system was upgraded?

The heater was primed by pressing the down arrow and OK button on the control panel, which allowed the system to circulate fuel through the lines and filter. This process worked as intended without any issues.

What issue remained even after the fuel system was upgraded and the heater was cleaned?

Despite the upgrades and cleaning, the heater still displayed an E10 error code and failed to start properly, suggesting that there were deeper issues with carbon buildup in the exhaust.

How was the carbon buildup inside the exhaust pipe dealt with?

The carbon buildup inside the exhaust pipe was cleaned out using a vacuum, wire brush, and some additional cleaning tools. The exhaust pipe and the associated components were thoroughly cleaned to ensure proper airflow.

What was the final outcome of the repair process for the diesel heater?

After cleaning the exhaust system, upgrading the fuel lines, and making modifications to the exhaust pipe, the heater successfully ignited and started producing heat. The repairs were effective, and the heater was restored to working condition with no further issues.