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Funny odor when running Webasto
We were running the Webasto early this morning and noticed an oil odor after it ran for about 20 minutes. It was producing heat, but the oil smell was concerning so we shut it down and vented the coach. It was 24F outside. Any ideas as to what the cause could be? We had the Webasto serviced by Marathon in Coburg last year and we do not use it very much. We have a Marathon H3 #586.
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13 Replies
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Tad, best run the Wabasto monthly when in use, when in storage, in the winter, spring, summer and fall. I learned that lesson at ETLC when several parts were in need of replacement due to lack of use.
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I am not good at this but have to reason things as they happen to me. If you cannot determine a leak exists in the “piping” of the heat exchange units inside the coach, (strong smell test) and if you do not note a leak on the ground or at any point adjacent to the Webasto unit in the bay… the scent may be from something that has attached itself to the unit’s piping inside of the coach.
I admit, it should not smell like diesel if that is indeed the smell. Nonetheless, the smell should not be from a monoxide origin unless the fumes are entering through some unknown source. The heating of the fluid is external to the fire source which vents its fumes directly down and through the exhaust system.
Did the exhaust smell come back into the coach due to winds, etc?
Since you have not used this unit for a long time, I would run the unit while closely observing any source of continuing smells inside the coach. It may clear up….
There are a large number of guys that can help more than this but at 24 degrees, I would give it a try or run my engine for heat if I did not have any electric heaters to use until you find the issues.
Sorry I can not help more.
Pres
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We have the potential for various smells, all of which mean something. For your Webasto my guess is you have a closed exhaust that routes the exhaust fumes to the rear or side of the coach. Unless there is both an entry point for exhaust and winds to direct the winds into the coach my guess is that might not be what you smell.
One odor I would expect would be an odor of coolant (anti-freeze) because if there is even the slightest seepage of coolant from a connection or leak in the heat exchanger that odor can be expected.
Diesel fumes inside the coach are a reason to be cautious.
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Antifreeze has a distinct smell, do you think that’s what your smelling even though you said oil? Try to determine if the smell is coming from just one of your heat exchangers, maybe something has ended up laying on or near the heat exchanger causing the smell.
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Could Marathon possibly have oiled the interior heat exchanger fan motors. Don’t know if you have used it since it was serviced or if you have those types of fan motors.
The motors in my old CC were sealed units with no need for oiling while the fan motors in my 07 Marathon are the 4 inch computer type fans.
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Two thoughts relatively cheap and easy: Change the fuel filter, a five or seven dollar risk. And change the nozzle, about a thirty dollar risk.
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Not running the Webasto Burner once per month or more is a sure fire way of creating problems starting with smells, then vapor or smoke and finally faulting.
The diesel on the stone filter of the nozzle starts to congel after about a month of non-use. In six months it may be completely clogged allowing no fuel flow.
So if you are stored for the winter for some months and not stopping by to run the burner, plan on burner service at the beginning of your spring travels.
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Rudy: When we run the Webasto every month, how long should we run it for?
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You folks on PC are so helpful! Thank you. We did not realize we had to run the Webasto so often but I’ll add it to my maintenance routine.
We will run the Webasto on a warmer day when I can leave the door and window open to see if the smell dissipates on its own. In the meantime it has warmed up and we have electric heat.
I also spoke with Leon at Marathon who suggested it could be a fan causing the smell (bad bearings).
It was not a coolant smell and I have not had to add coolant – the level is fairly stable. It was not a diesel smell either. The smell was most noticeable in the Salon. I’ll look for anything resting on the plumbing in the bays and listen to all the fans to see if any are making any additional noise.
How does one know if the coolant circulation pump for the Webasto system is operating? I assume the Webasto plumbing is different from the plumbing for the cab/Prevost dash heat. I know they both use engine coolant, right?
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If while using the Webasto you are getting heat out of the heat exchangers then your circulation pumps are working.
If the pumps were not working you would not get any heat from the heat exchangers and also if you had no coolant circulation the Webasto high temp limit thermostat would shut the unit down.
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If you can reach the circulation pump, put your hand on it’s motor when it should be running.
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Dick,
Three to five minutes puts new diesel on the nozzle which is the intent of running once every month. If cold outside, one heating cycle is enough.
Burner comes on responding to a call for heat and then cycles off having heated the coolant to temp is a heating cycle.
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Thank you Rudy, I was not aware of a monthly exercise routine of the Webasto either. It will be done now.
Mark
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