How do i test to see if the diesel heater in the engine bay is actually working.

If the put the key in the ignition and then turn it to the run position (II) should the heater spark in to life if the temp is say 3 degrees ?

Does it only run when the engine is running ?

Have had a look for smoke from the engine bay exhaust, but nothing to suggest it has fired up !

I had one of these on a boat once and the heat was pretty much instant !

Should it pump hot air to the cabin ?

Not sure mine is working

How do i test it. Is there a way i can short out the temp sencing connections to try and fool it, and see if it comes on ? Andrew
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RRS HSE Lux 2011, Black and all the toys.
RRS HSE 07 TDV6, Black, Privicy Glass, Sunroof, DVD, light guards, side steps - Gone
Freelanders TD4 - Gone
Discovery TD3 - Gone
Army Lightweight - 2.5 - Gone but not forgotten
Range Rover Classic - Gone
110 County - Gone
90 Safari - Gone
Series 2A - Gone

If you get an answer, let me know as I have the same query. Unless of course its a better heater exhaust than the D4 that spews steam! Takes me a good 10mins driving before the temperature needle moves.

Dr Rick

It should be obvious

a roaring sound from the front left quarter and white smoke (more obvious when reversing slowly) coming from the left wheel arch.

You'd better check that on LHD cars the position isn't reversed BTW

Edited:

Opps Scottish flag...when I spotted 1st time my mind saw it as Norway sorry  RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI

If you look under the car by the front passenger bumper side (if that makes sense) you should be able to see the exhaust from the FBH coming down the back of the wing inner liner. I used to put my hand by the end of the pipe to see if I could feel the exhaust gases moving to tell if the heater was running. The heater runs at the same time as the engine.

FBH should come on once the ambient outside temperature is lower than 4 degrees to help warm up the fluids in the engine and the internal cabin at the same time. It doesn't work like in the FFRR where the FBH can be used as a park heat option and then the FBH selectively heats the water for the cabin heaters.

You can get various kits to have your FBH work as a remotely controlled park heater on the RRS and D3/4, but it will always heat all the coolant in the engine as well as the heater matrix making heat up time a bit longer, but also pre-heating the engine block on very cold days.

Simon

Mmmm i've always wondered about the FBH on mine. Its there, but doesn't say anything in owners manual and as far as i know mine doesnt work. Why put it there if it doesn't work!?? Or are they prone to just break down after the cars a couple of years old.

On a 2005 car it may well have a fault..

Someone on here may have a solution RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI

Of course, one can also check by driving for a few of minutes on a suitably cold morning, stopping, opening the bonnet and carefully checking for warmth from the FBH. It's obvious (without touching it!) if it's been running. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Possible cause is stored faults in the unit... you need to do a soft reset..

Read this (how to half way down thread)

http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic70917.html?highlight=fbh


 RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI

Haa typical!! The Wifes left it with the fuel light on so i can't see if the reset method works! It'll have to wait till another day.

Mine was working today, i could here it from inside but still jumped out to check.
I must say it looks odd to see smoke coming out from the front of the car, probably worrying if you didn't know what it was. 2015 Golf R DSG
Gone 2013 Mercedes C220 CDi AMG Sport Plus
Gone 2008 2.7 RRS HSE

Done the soft reset this morning. All working fine now.

felstmiester wrote:

Done the soft reset this morning. All working fine now.

 RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI

Glad I read this now as I've only had car couple of weeks and got a bit concerned when smoke started bellowing from engine bay, rung garage today about it and he basically said what you guys are saying, so I know he's not pulling my leg. When it first happened I thought car was on fire lol. Is it normal for lots of smoke or is it just cos it won't of been used for a while?

totally normal  RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI