Auxillary heater

I have just noticed my 2001 freelander es has the exhaust fitment for an auxillary heater under the ns front wing. Is this a standard fitment to all freelanders and also is there a unit there just waiting to be connected or what please? There are no switches inside or anything.

It's not standard but if you have an exhaust it's there. Its automatic so too warm just now, when its colder expect rattles and plumes of smoke if it works. The ceramic heater is better in my opinion.

they can be troublesome sometimes the tempature sensor goes wonky and you will get told you car is on fire thank goodness on my latest one it has not got the fbh

havent got one either, less to go wrong and faff about with.

mine was always coming on as soon as it got a bit cold outside just wasting fuel in the end I unpluged it

Temp sensor was missing on mine when bought. Cabin always cold and engine took forever to warm up. Fitted new sensor and mrs now very happy - warm car. The sound effects and stage smoke just add to the entertainment that comes with owning a fl.

The fbh is a fantastic piece of winter kit - I wouldn't be without it.

I've got the optional Webasto timer and delay start control - so it's just like the central heating in the house.

I set it for 30 minutes before I am due to set off and the car windows are complete de-iced, the cabin is warm, and the engine is up to temperature, waiting for me as soon as I sit in.

No more scrapers or de-icers for me!

Running full blast it uses approx 250ml of diesel an hour.

I know the temp sensor is none too accurate - but generally on cold starts without any timer at temps less than 5 degrees the fbh comes on automatically to get the engine up to temp quicker - which means about 5 - 10 minutes in my case.

Below zero it can come on at any time as and when needed, even during a journey.

Folks who report the fbh running all the time or not switching off when the engine is up to temp perhaps just need a new sensor.

With the timer mine works like a truck night-heater - except that it auto-shuts down after 30 minutes maximum so not to drain the battery running the heater fan.

I love / use the fbh kit so much that I fitted one in my Sprinter van, also with a timer.

Singvogel.

Think I need to do a bit more research and tracing this on the vehicle. I had one on my Range rover and as others have said I found it of great use in winter. Thanks to you all

Singvogel said:

The fbh is a fantastic piece of winter kit - I wouldn't be without it.

I've got the optional Webasto timer and delay start control

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Interesting, My '05 model has one fitted also but I've not yet experienced a winter with the Freelander.

Is there much work/expense involved in 'upgrading' it with the timer & delay?

Cheers

i would not think so ask singvogel he has done it it just costs hard earned £££££££££

Modchop said:

Interesting, My '05 model has one fitted also but I've not yet experienced a winter with the Freelander.

Is there much work/expense involved in 'upgrading' it with the timer & delay?

Cheers

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All the info is on the Webasto Thermotop website - including wiring diagrams.

They often come up on eBay for around £50 to £60

The guys on the Rover 75 & MG ZT forums are the guys to check with for DIY tricks as their cars came with fbh too. They are even into a remote control gadget to start the fbh. Too pricey for me though - but one guy has his fbh linked to a speed-dial on his mobile.

Imagine looking out the window, seeing its a frosty morning and push a button on a remote to start the heater, and de-ice the windscreen! Or phone up the fbh to switch it on

The timers are like the ones fitted in HGVs for night heaters so watch you get the right voltage - HGVs are usually 24volt.

Check it out.

Singvogel.

Thanks Singvogel, I'll do a bit of snooping

Emailed Waebasto 2 days ago about the system fitted on my 01 Freelander for some advice and this is the reply I got short but informative!

Your heater is currently set to activate when the ambient temperature is below 5 degrees and the engine is running to assist engine warm up.



There is a possibility to upgrade it to a timer so you can control it, but it does involve changing the heater exhaust for one with a silencer as you would soon annoy the neighbours with the unsilenced heater early in the morning! The upgrade kit should be available through Land Rover.




With best regards



Technical Support Team

Emailed Waebasto 2 days ago looking advice and this is the reply short but informative so thought I'd pass it on.

Your heater is currently set to activate when the ambient temperature is below 5 degrees and the engine is running to assist engine warm up.



There is a possibility to upgrade it to a timer so you can control it, but it does involve changing the heater exhaust for one with a silencer as you would soon annoy the neighbours with the unsilenced heater early in the morning! The upgrade kit should be available through Land Rover.





With best regards



Technical Support Team

engine and cabin pre-heater JEC500320
silencer JEY500010
timer IRK500020
remote control IRK500010

might help when googling

Optimus Prime said:

engine and cabin pre-heater JEC500320
silencer JEY500010
timer IRK500020
remote control IRK500010

might help when googling

Click to expand...

Thanks for the information