T6.1 diesel heater install
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Hi everyone,
Hope I can ask this question on this thread as it's been a great read - recently spoke to someone about getting Eberspacher Diesel heater installed in my T6.1 which I will get in a few months here in Australia and they seemed to think that the best place for it was under the passenger seat within the van rather than under the van which is what I was suggesting is most common and recommended.
Can I ask why the preferred location seems to be under the van? Planning on driving my new rig in rough grated dirt roads a lot so would putting under the passenger seat if there is room would provide some additional protection long term?
Thanks in advance.
John K.
Hope I can ask this question on this thread as it's been a great read - recently spoke to someone about getting Eberspacher Diesel heater installed in my T6.1 which I will get in a few months here in Australia and they seemed to think that the best place for it was under the passenger seat within the van rather than under the van which is what I was suggesting is most common and recommended.
Can I ask why the preferred location seems to be under the van? Planning on driving my new rig in rough grated dirt roads a lot so would putting under the passenger seat if there is room would provide some additional protection long term?
Thanks in advance.
John K.
I think most people opt for external as that’s where they come factory fitted. Diesel heater manufacturers recommend or would prefer them to be fitted internally which in larger vans or boats isn’t an issue.
I’ve compared mine which is internally mounted to a friends which external and there’s not a noticeable difference noise wise.
The only other reason I can think of is space but as every van build is different that may not be an issue.
Some have their leisure batteries and electronics under the drivers seat so the only place to fit their diesel heater is under the van which is where I have my diesel heater fitted.
John.
John.
That was my point hahaI would like to see one installed under a boat's hull!
Hi John, We have a T6.1 in Australia too. We considered the passenger seat but there are a lot of main wire looms and fuses and connectors under there, whereas the Drivers seat had more space and only our trailer detection control unit in there. We decided not to install externally due to having already travelled the gravel outback and forded some water crossings in WA. So we did a self-install under the drivers seat and while we lost some "storage" space we also feel comfortable that the heater is best protected. Our Lithium leisure battery is elsewhere so the space was available. I have attached some images of our install. I did add an extra silent block to the install for the diesel pump (even thought the autoterm is meant to be the quietest) and also used a large diesel heater exhaust grommet in the aluminum heat shield rather than use the OEM opening to provide further support to the exhaust pipe on our wonderful corrugated gravel roads in Oz, plus an airfilter on the air intake. Built an outlet box to provide direction around our cabinets. works well and very happy with the install. See some images below.
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Thanks so much - extremely useful!
Off topic - but how do you cook in your van by the way?
We went simple with a Dometic/Origo 3000 spirit stove (but no longer in production). Serves our purposes well - inside and outside. We are not dedicated foodies and even at home are largely salads/pasta/rice and simple dishes, so didn't opt for diesel or induction. The burner is in a pull out draw just above the fridge in the image above, next to the pull out "pantry".
My Webasto is under the driver's seat, that's where my convertor puts them. Been fine these 4 years.
Hey all,
So I have a heater here to install under our T6.1 and want to start with the fuel line. Should be an easy job due to the extra outlet on the fuel pump housing.
What's holding me back here is the plastic shielding under the van which looks like a nightmare to remove if you want to do this at street level. There are plenty of videos of underside installation but none that shows how to remove the panels. There may be a dozen or so bolts and I don't even know where they are so I'm thinking about spending some money and let my local garage do it.
Can someone tell me if it is indeed a crappy job or are the fasteners for the panels in "easy" reach?
Still a bit new here, so here's the van
So I have a heater here to install under our T6.1 and want to start with the fuel line. Should be an easy job due to the extra outlet on the fuel pump housing.
What's holding me back here is the plastic shielding under the van which looks like a nightmare to remove if you want to do this at street level. There are plenty of videos of underside installation but none that shows how to remove the panels. There may be a dozen or so bolts and I don't even know where they are so I'm thinking about spending some money and let my local garage do it.
Can someone tell me if it is indeed a crappy job or are the fasteners for the panels in "easy" reach?
Still a bit new here, so here's the van
only 8-10 fasteners, can't remember exactly, combination of 10mm bolts and push on star washers - washers are just wound off the threaded stud and pushed back on. Just get the front wheels up on ramps and you will soon see.
Sounds do-able, thanks.
If I can do it with my arthritis it should be a doddle for someone younger and fitter.
Lol. I still remember working on my minis in the 90's. Was so sick of it at some point that I bought a Honda and the only maintenance that it took was fueling it in time. I did mount a rear view camera and a lithium battery to the van but that's all well above street level.
Don’t forget to say hello in here:
Hello from the Netherlands
Hi all, I'm new here. I am Walter from the Dutch Amsterdam area. Driving my 3th Transporter. A brandnew T6 highline DSG, LWB, full factor options in Mohave beige. Running my own T6 page on Facebook: Volkswagen T6 fans Cheers!
Yes, I did my T5 on the road, with a wheel up on the kerb and various ramps. Easier if you get a crawler board.
Second time round I managed to hire a vehicle lift which did make life more comfortable.
Second time round I managed to hire a vehicle lift which did make life more comfortable.
Deffo easy job to do. Combination like previously said of 10mm and star washers (mind your fingers). Just unwind the star washers with the help of a screwdriver or pliers.
Then you have to lower your fuel tank a little on the rear and middle straps. I removed the rear strap totally and loosened the middle one, i may have slightly loosened the front one also. That gives enough access to cut the nipple on the top of the tank and to fit the diesel heater line to.
I did mine on my driveway on a set of ramps bought from Amazon, quite good as they were a good height.
Hope that helps you @Paulb_
Then you have to lower your fuel tank a little on the rear and middle straps. I removed the rear strap totally and loosened the middle one, i may have slightly loosened the front one also. That gives enough access to cut the nipple on the top of the tank and to fit the diesel heater line to.
I did mine on my driveway on a set of ramps bought from Amazon, quite good as they were a good height.
Hope that helps you @Paulb_
