Freelander 1 FBH Running Constantly?

Hi all,

I've been using my mum's '05 Freelander TD4 HSE quite a lot lately. The fuel burning heater has started coming on as normal since the winter started, however it never seems to switch off, even after a couple of hours running it will still be going.

From the research I've done, it seems to suggest that it should only run until the engine is up to temperature - is that correct?

The car is drinking diesel at the moment and I wondered if that could be the cause. It's using more than my 300tdi!

I would say that the temperature gauge never gets to exactly half way - it stops just before. So I will be replacing the thermostat when it's warmer outside. I just wondered if this could be a cause?

So really just wanted confirmation of whether it should be shutting off when the car gets to operating temperature?


Thanks in advance.

The FBH is under the control of the external temperature sensor and the ECU feed. If the outside temp is below 5°C, it will cycle on and off. It has its own thermostat too, so cycles on that, in much the same way as a domestic heating boiler. It is actually just a tiny oil fired heating boiler. The amount of fuel it uses is dependent on the coolant temperature. It has the ability to control output, based on coolant temp. In normal use, should use no more than 500ml per hour.
If it's running when the outside temperature is over 5°C , then the sensor is suspect.

It could be that the PCB board if faulty, this can make it run even when the temp is not below 5ºC I had this trouble with mine and I have disconnected the fuel to it for now, not ideal I know but I need to get the PCB board off to a chap we use on the R40 forum, French Mike.

Thanks both. I'll keep an eye on it to see how it behaves.

I don't think it comes on above 5c, but it certainly seems to run all the time when it's below 5c, even when the car has warmed up - maybe it is cycling on and off as you say

jbenekeorr said:

Thanks both. I'll keep an eye on it to see how it behaves.

I don't think it comes on above 5c, but it certainly seems to run all the time when it's below 5c, even when the car has warmed up - maybe it is cycling on and off as you say

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If it's below 5°C then even when the engine is up to temperature, the FBH will cycle on and off. It's been designed like that to maintain heater output. It really doesn't use that much extra fuel as it's probably only running at 50% output. Full output consumption is about 500ml per hour. 50% output is about 250ml per hour, which is nothing by comparison to the engine's fuel usage.

Nodge68 said:

If it's below 5°C then even when the engine is up to temperature, the FBH will cycle on and off. It's been designed like that to maintain heater output. It really doesn't use that much extra fuel as it's probably only running at 50% output.

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Ok - so it's not really going to cause any noticeable difference in MPG.

Thanks!

jbenekeorr said:

Ok - so it's not really going to cause any noticeable difference in MPG.

Thanks!

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I use my FBH as a parking heater when it's below about 5°C. I have a remote that heats the engine and interior. That, combined with normal FBH function, drops my MPG by about 1Mpg in winter. So not really noticeable tbh.

Nodge68 said:

I use my FBH as a parking heater when it's below about 5°C. I have a remote that heats the engine and interior. That, combined with normal FBH function, drops my MPG by about 1Mpg in winter. So not really noticeable tbh.

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That would be so nice! I didn't realise you could get them on a remote. I presume it's a rare option which is hard to find and mega expensive these days?

I'm not sure what the poor fuel economy is down to - runs like a dream, just like it always has!

jbenekeorr said:

That would be so nice! I didn't realise you could get them on a remote. I presume it's a rare option which is hard to find and mega expensive these days?

I'm not sure what the poor fuel economy is down to - runs like a dream, just like it always has!

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It was an expensive LR option or aftermarket kit.
However I installed my own remote control for about £40 all in. Mine also activates the interior fan to heat the interior.

Low outside temperature will increase fuel consumption anyway. But just how much down is the fuel consumption?

Nodge68 said:

It was an expensive LR option or aftermarket kit.
However I installed my own remote control for about £40 all in. Mine also activates the interior fan to heat the interior.

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Nice,

Is there a guide anywhere? That would be so nice to have.

jbenekeorr said:

Nice,

Is there a guide anywhere? That would be so nice to have.

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Not that I know of. I just sat down with the wiring diagram and made it work. It was surprisingly easy to rig it up.

Nodge68 said:

Not that I know of. I just sat down with the wiring diagram and made it work. It was surprisingly easy to rig it up.

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Cool, I may well give that a go.

Should probably sort the leaking sunroof, broken window regulator and two door lock springs on my Discovery first