Interior Diesel Heater Install

Bush Man

New Member
Apr 30, 2019
3
5
3
Central Coast
My new diesel heater install. Thanks to Billrw136 for the heater.
The chinglish instructions led me to put the pump in backwards but otherwise although fiddly quite easy. I decided to go with a Jerry can in the front box rather than the bigger slimline tank as it didn't fit where I wanted it to go.
The main unit is under the bed heats well and is quiet.
Thanks for everyone else's install photos as it made it easier.
 

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Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
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Looks tidy, you won't regret it thats for sure though you may want to do something else with the fuel tank, they can get a bit pongy and they do require a vent, air replace fuel used, so it will weep.......
 

Bush Man

New Member
Apr 30, 2019
3
5
3
Central Coast
Looks tidy, you won't regret it thats for sure though you may want to do something else with the fuel tank, they can get a bit pongy and they do require a vent, air replace fuel used, so it will weep.......
Thanks Drover I will keep a close eye on that. I was suspicious that I may have to mount it outside later but thought this would be an option to try first
 

Disco Duck

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2017
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Adelaide South Australia
We bought a Chinese diesel heater for our van and it came with a semi clear white plastic tank which I mounted on the drawbar, behind the stone guard. It worked very well
Over the summer I left the tank about three quarters full of diesel and just covered the tank to keep the sun off it.
The result was that the diesel must have gotten gummy in the fuel lines and stopped the little pump from working. When I drained the fuel and had a look in the bottom of the tank, it looked as if the bottom had a lot of brown muck stuck to it. There was also brown stuff stuck to the side of the tank.
My question is, does anyone else use these tanks and if so, where do you mount them on the Expanda.
Is there something I can add to the diesel to stop it getting like this, without losing the lubricating properties of the diesel for the little pump ?
 

Glen Bundesen

Active Member
Jan 12, 2014
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Perth WA
It would installed about a year now. No - I haven't had it full all the time. Used it mid last year and just recently over the long weekend.
 

Disco Duck

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2017
311
581
93
Adelaide South Australia
That might be the secret to the whole thing.......to have it mounted in the dark ?
I have ordered a 5 litre tank so there isn't so much fuel sitting around when it isn't being used. I just have to fill it up a little more often but it still takes quite a while to use 5 litres so that shouldn't be too bad.
 

Glen Bundesen

Active Member
Jan 12, 2014
336
212
43
Perth WA
We had a metal tank on the prev van and had no problems with it being mounted on the back bumper.
I just didn't want this plastic one in the open!
 

Drover

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Nov 7, 2013
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I have a plastic tank fitted but try to keep my tank full and run it for 30 mins every month or so, plastic or steel makes no difference, I have a vinyl cover for it for sun and cold protection.

I would say you have a fungi in your tank this, is a bug that lives in the water in your fuel, more likely condensation has given it a home, all fuel tanks get condensation when sitting idle, thats why like water tanks leaving them full help prevent this.............. What you will have to do is empty the tank ideally a steam clean but a good soak and clean in bleach may help, refit when dry fill it up with fuel add some Diesel Algi Cleaner, Penrite, LiquiMolly have products, throw that in the tank and give it a run, that should clean the crap out of the lines, may be a good idea to get a new filter while your at it, they are cheap as chips at Autobarn/Supercheap.

Dont forget to clean your cap and give it a splash with the Algi cleaner, Algi growth in diesel/aviation fuel lines is a big problem with some underground lines and tanks being closed and sealed up from contamination so keeping the tanks full, run regularly to keep the collected water from building keeps it at bay, even an empty tank will allow it to grow from the condensatation and fuel residue....... Same applies to all vehicles........ This has nothing to do with fuel waxing.
 
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Disco Duck

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2017
311
581
93
Adelaide South Australia
Sounds like good advice Drover, thank you.
I might just paint the tank black as well.............it seems the darker the tank, the less the problems ??
From now on it will be filled and contain anti fungal stuff. We'll see how that goes.
Thanks all
 
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Drover

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Nov 7, 2013
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The fungi doesn't care if its plastic, rubber dark or light it will grow in underground tanks ................ milky diesel means moisture........changing the dinky little filters is the thing which is forgotten one of these little buggers or similar is what i use..
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/ryco-ryco-fuel-filter---z675/337903.html

Just give it a run every month or so keeps everything nice and blows the bugs out of the exhaust ........ I also fire up my Vast system to keep it logged in, I fitted an old sat dish on shed roof which the van plugs into so I can keep it tuned and when we head off make sure the Foxbox is sorted without having to stuff around setting up a dish.....................
 

Disco Duck

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2017
311
581
93
Adelaide South Australia
Hey Drover
I bought myself one of those Ryco filters that you mentioned.
There are no arrows to show flow direction. (well they are made in China) so am I right in assuming the end with the gap and the least amount of filter medium should face the direction the fuel is coming from ?
 

Drover

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Nov 7, 2013
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I think I had the same thought, I'll have a look in the morning but I think your right.
 

Crusty181

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Feb 7, 2010
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Mentone, VIC
Hey Drover
I bought myself one of those Ryco filters that you mentioned.
There are no arrows to show flow direction. (well they are made in China) so am I right in assuming the end with the gap and the least amount of filter medium should face the direction the fuel is coming from ?
Id run it into the filter from the open end, outside the strainer so you can see any build up otherwise any gunk will be inside the stainer and you wont be able to see when its picked anything up