Webasto Heater

D

Discovery

New member
https://youtu.be/Z8z2ZmDtgnY

Do anybody ever installed one in a gasoline 4runner?
They are pretty common in the trucking world and also in Europe with smaller diesel car.

I spent about 1-2h per day in my truck on idle just to run the heater when it's -20c (-4f).
Also did some car camping in the winter.

Tried propane heater but they create alot humidity and electric heater will kill the battery in no time.


I know they exist in gasoline version but never seen one installed.

What do you guys think about it?
 
Register to hide this ad
Discovery said:
https://youtu.be/Z8z2ZmDtgnY

Do anybody ever installed one in a gasoline 4runner?
They are pretty common in the trucking world and also in Europe with smaller diesel car.

I spent about 1-2h per day in my truck on idle just to run the heater when it's -20c (-4f).
Also did some car camping in the winter.

Tried propane heater but they create alot humidity and electric heater will kill the battery in no time.


I know they exist in gasoline version but never seen one installed.

What do you guys think about it?
Click to expand...

Hello,
I had such a heater on my previous car.
Good and useful addition. But for the runner I could not find a Climatronic chart and this heater is electrically connected to it.
Camping would be good, but the original battery will not be able to work for more than a couple of hours.
Because it consumes electricity in addition to the heater and the climatronic fan.
And the heater has a system that monitors the battery voltage and if it starts to drain below 11.3 volts the heater stops working.
If you have questions about how it works, I will answer you for 10 years I have used this model.
here are my topics on the subject


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...use-4runner-2016-limited-europe-bulgaria.html


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...p-start-long-range-remote-engine-starter.html
 
Discovery said:
What do you guys think about it?
Click to expand...


Do you want the entire vehicle (engine and cabin) heated or are you fine with just the cabin being warm?

I think you’d be better off with an air heater rather than the coolant heater in the video. The coolant heater uses more energy (fuel & electricity) whereas the air heater uses less as it isn’t heating the engine block or running your blower motor.

I have an Espar D2 (essentially a diesel-fuelled 12 volt furnace) in a Sprinter van and that thing pumps out heat. It can warm up and keep the van interior at 20*C even in the winter. The van is insulated but otherwise empty so it’s a lot of air to warm up. The gasoline equivalent would be the Espar B1LC.
 
96r50 said:
Do you want the entire vehicle (engine and cabin) heated or are you fine with just the cabin being warm?

I think you’d be better off with an air heater rather than the coolant heater in the video. The coolant heater uses more energy (fuel & electricity) whereas the air heater uses less as it isn’t heating the engine block or running your blower motor.

I have an Espar D2 (essentially a diesel-fuelled 12 volt furnace) in a Sprinter van and that thing pumps out heat. It can warm up and keep the van interior at 20*C even in the winter. The van is insulated but otherwise empty so it’s a lot of air to warm up. The gasoline equivalent would be the Espar B1LC.
Click to expand...
Yes, the air heater, couldn't find a video of it.

The engine heater version would be awesome to have but much more complex to install.

How user friendly the espar kit is? Did you do the installation yourself?

Never saw a gasoline heater operating, I wonder how safe they are. Fuel burn but gas explode...

[MENTION=170144]evgeniml[/MENTION] I don't get why webasto heater aren't popular on car in Canada/USA but they are offered as option at European car dealership on many models.
 
Last edited:
I installed a Webasto gas heater in my Ford Transit camper. Easy install, and it has been great.

My only regret is that I didn't get the controller that has a remote! Sure would be nice to turn it on from bed in the AM. Instead, I usually pop out of bed for a split second when I wake up in the early AM, go back to bed for a bit, and wake up to a toasty van.

Kept it on all night at a low level once, just to see. Insignificant use of battery and gas; they're efficient.
 
Discovery said:
Yes, the air heater, couldn't find a video of it.

The engine heater version would be awesome to have but much more complex to install.

How user friendly the espar kit is? Did you do the installation yourself?

Never saw a gasoline heater operating, I wonder how safe they are. Fuel burn but gas explode...
Click to expand...


There are a lot of well-documented installs on the Sprinter Source forum and on YouTube ( https://youtu.be/urSoTDy-pnc is a good one). Sprinters are a pretty easy vehicle to install as they are designed with these types of heaters in mind. I installed mine over the course of a week and could do another one now in a day.

Putting one in a stock 4Runner could be tricky simply due to the size of the unit and the external piping requirements (combustion air intake, combustion exhaust, fuel line). It wouldn’t be too hard if you had a permanent drawer system in the back that could contain the heater and allow you to install it right on the sheet metal floor. You would also have to drop the fuel tank to install a standpipe to siphon gas out of the tank.
 
96r50 said:
There are a lot of well-documented installs on the Sprinter Source forum and on YouTube ( https://youtu.be/urSoTDy-pnc is a good one). Sprinters are a pretty easy vehicle to install as they are designed with these types of heaters in mind. I installed mine over the course of a week and could do another one now in a day.

Putting one in a stock 4Runner could be tricky simply due to the size of the unit and the external piping requirements (combustion air intake, combustion exhaust, fuel line). It wouldn’t be too hard if you had a permanent drawer system in the back that could contain the heater and allow you to install it right on the sheet metal floor. You would also have to drop the fuel tank to install a standpipe to siphon gas out of the tank.
Click to expand...
Didn't realize the exhaust/gas pipe was right under it. I was thinking about hiding the unit it the jack compartment. I will take some measurements before getting too excited.

Yes, I already have a goose gear plate in the back. Only a fridge slider , no drawer... Yet
 
Last edited:
Discovery said:
Didn't realize the exhaust/gas pipe was right under it. I was thinking about hiding the unit it the jack compartment. I will take some measurements before getting too excited.

Yes, I already have a goose gear plate in the back. Only a fridge slider , no drawer... Yet
Click to expand...

Keep us posted. Especially if you do the Webasto version...
 
Just an FYI, I talked with a Webasto Rep and a local vendor - The model they recommended was a Thermo Top C (12v Gas) P/N 5010202A

All was looking good until the vendor got back to me on the price, not installed - just for the kit is $1457.52. while I like the idea ,that price is a remote start installed + $1000 in fuel and wear and tear replacements.

If you are in a line of work/climate where you are idling for long periods it would make sense but if its just to warm the truck up in the driveway I have a hard time justifying that over a remote start - its less wear and tear as the motor is already warm but unless you start it every day in sub zero temps and plan to keep it for 500k+ miles I don't see there being value.

......I still want one, but not at that price point.
 
Any update on this?

I’m use to a webasto but since I left Europe I was living in sunny states so there was no need, now it looked like it could happen that I’ll move north and I couldn’t see myself without.
Yes it isn’t cheap in the beginning but on a long term it save you money, cold start will be something in the past since they not only heat the cabin, the engine get warm too.
I can’t see that installation is a space issue, i seen all kinds of smaller vehicles with a installed webasto gas heater. Unfortunately the 4runner isn’t on the european market so there will be no specific installation kit.
 
jhguth said:
how do they heat the engine too?
Click to expand...

It heat up the coolant which is pumped tru the little coolant circle, warm water flows around engine and bring heat into the heater core as well so in combination with the vents it warm up your cabin.

That’s the reason I love that thing, no suffering with ice cold temperatures nether for me or the engine, otherwise there would be way cheaper solutions!


Thought that there is maybe a kit for european models like the Hilux or Land Cruiser which could be similar but as I check it out it appears that the only comes with Diesel engines.
 
Last edited:
jhguth said:
oh it's a coolant heater, i thought webasto heaters were just air heaters
Click to expand...

I think the air heat is a newer thing, pretty much invented for newer Diesel engines since the run pretty efficiently and don’t deliver a lot of heat loss.
I remember that f...g vw caddy with the little diesel that I have to drive for work in -6 i let her scream in high rpm for a long time and even on the autobahn I did shift higher then the 3 gear... she doesn’t warm up because the was no manufacture installed air heater in her.
 
Matze said:
I think the air heat is a newer thing, pretty much invented for newer Diesel engines since the run pretty efficiently and don’t deliver a lot of heat loss.
I remember that f...g vw caddy with the little diesel that I have to drive for work in -6 i let her scream in high rpm for a long time and even on the autobahn I did shift higher then the 3 gear... she doesn’t warm up because the was no manufacture installed air heater in her.
Click to expand...

the air heat isn't new, they get used in camping type vehicles
 
I had Webasto heaters in two Jaguars and loved them.

They are essentially a little gas (or diesel - depending on your engine fuel) engine not much larger than a starter. They get plumbed in to the coolant lines and all it really does is heat up the coolant and - when hot - turn on the inside fan.

Mine were in the 80's in Germany so they just had timers (no remotes) that would turn the system on at a preset time. Now, you can get them with remotes and even apps for your phone.

"The little engine that could" uses about a gallon of gas for 24 hours run time. You can get the either as a generic install or for specific cars. VW and MB integrate them directly into the climate control system.

Because they are so efficient and produce very few emissions, they can be used in semi closed environments.
 
Anyone ever try one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JB7QZWZ/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A16Q4TFOMCO1A&psc=1

5KW 12V Diesel Air Heater 10L Tank LCD Thermostat Monitor + Remote Control + Silencer for Bus Van Boat Trucks

I spend a lot of time with my GF camping in the PNW in the back of my 2011 Trail. I'd really like to solve a few problems with this.

1. Condensation (builds up a lot in winter due to closed windows)
2. GF has poor circulation and has trouble staying warm.
3. Don't want to run engine to heat the compartment

I've seen guys put this in their westfallas and with the fuel tank can be very efficient. We have a very comfortable set up besides the heat, condensation issue.

I'd like to know where I could mount a 5L fuel tank safely and this unit. I'm thinking of putting the unit in the empty space passenger side where most put a aux batt or air comp. I'm not convinced to do this yet but I'd really like some input. As it stands I'd even consider a quick connect for the fuel so I'm not carrying it all the time.

I hear these things work wonders and are very efficient. I heard one story say he could run this thing on low 24hrs a day for like 7 days with a 10L tank so I'm thinking of purchasing this and a smaller tank since I don't need it 24hrs a day.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 461 (members: 4, guests: 457)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,308
Messages
3,554,057
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top