Member Since: 01 Aug 2015
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 147
Determining if I have a burner issue?
Hello all,
I've recently installed an FBH controller - this revealed that my FBH is an unreliable starter - despite having removed it from the car and cleared out the well for the burner earler in the year.
At that point I used carb cleaner and a toothbrush to get the muck out, and the FBH ran for a couple of instances without issue - this was before warmer months set in and the need for FBH was reduced.
Fast forward to winter months, and with the controller installed; the issue of unreliable starting is highlighted again, I decided to use Mr Muscle and a plastic brush as my cleaning method, and got the well almost entirely clear of any carbon desposits. On reassembly, the FBH fired up first time without issue, but is again exhibiting the same issue of no/unreliable start.
With WTT software I can see resistance value changing on the glowplug, the FBH coolant pump is running, the fuel dosing pump can be seen/heard running. When there's a no-start, you'll see smoke from the exhaust, and you can hear the combustion fan ramping up - but it's as if the burner is blown out by the combustion fan - after which it goes in to cool down mode and shuts off.
Other thing's I've noticed; when the FBH does run - after 30 mins operation I only get a small increase from stone cold on the dash cluster - say around 15 - 20% towards halfway on the gauge; is that normal, as I would have thought it would be close to the halfway mark at the point it ceases operation, if the burner is in good shape?
Also, I can see a scorch mark on the exterior of the ceramic part of the burner assembly, just above where the glowplug is pushed in; I think this is probably related to some liberal carb cleaner/starter fluid use during diagnosis .
Is this a case of having to strip the FBH again to remove absolutley all carbon deposits in the well, or does it point to a 'weak' burner (if such a thing is possible)?
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12th Dec 2018 1:25 pm
B3aker
Member Since: 07 Mar 2017
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 12
Having the same issue as you by the sounds of things. So would be interested to see the outcome of this.
One thing I will say is that when ran up with the Software it won’t fire up on standard Parking Heater setting, But will fire up on the EOL version of the setting.
Any suggestions.....
8th Jan 2019 12:13 pm
jonathanrichards
Member Since: 11 Jan 2018
Location: Hull
Posts: 152
I suggest you bite the bullet and buy a replacement burner. I’ve just fitted one and it’s like having a new heater.
9th Jan 2019 10:56 pm
B3aker
Member Since: 07 Mar 2017
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 12
Where abouts did you get yours from? If you don’t mind me asking....
10th Jan 2019 8:04 am
jonathanrichards
Member Since: 11 Jan 2018
Location: Hull
Posts: 152
My what???
10th Jan 2019 8:27 am
jonathanrichards
Member Since: 11 Jan 2018
Location: Hull
Posts: 152
Oh burner! Yes, LRParts.
10th Jan 2019 8:27 am
B3aker
Member Since: 07 Mar 2017
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 12
Thank you! Not too badly priced on there either, well from what I thought they’d be!
10th Jan 2019 8:50 am
jonathanrichards
Member Since: 11 Jan 2018
Location: Hull
Posts: 152
After fitting a new one to my D3, I feel I’ve joined the fraternity of Discovery’s with working burners. At last...
10th Jan 2019 9:02 am
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18573
Best price will be from Dan at Duckworth Parts - most other online parts sellers will be full retail price.
Clicky: duckworthparts06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
10th Jan 2019 9:20 am
B3aker
Member Since: 07 Mar 2017
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 12
Think I got to the bottom of it...... Helps if I’d have read the 1533 timer manual fully... Doh!!!
17th Jan 2019 7:31 pm
ianm27
Member Since: 02 Jun 2016
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 2154
Solution of last resort - read the manual Uncle Ray's spare wheel protector
Limo Tint
Blackvue front & rear dashcam
Cruise control switch pack
Bodsy's remote for FBH
18th Jan 2019 12:44 pm
kayble
Member Since: 01 Aug 2015
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 147
I took the FBH off the car again earlier in the week - can now get the FBH off the car and stripped on the bench in under 20 minutes!
This time, I stripped the burner down - and found what is likely to be my long term issue:
Click image to enlarge
Not the best pic, but you can see that a part of the burner cup appears to be missing - the section that would be directly below the glow plug. I think it should be a solid cup with a full lip right the way around, without a cutout under the glow plug.
I say long term issue, because whilst I was there, I cleaned out the inside of the top ceramic burner housing; this is where the fuel delivery pipe comes in from the top. It went from this:
Click image to enlarge
to this:
Click image to enlarge
just used mild agitation with a small plastic brush, and some carb cleaner to get rid of the crud, with a quick toot of carb cleaner down the fuel delivery pipe as well.
Put it all back together and the FBH now runs every time without fail - despite the damaged burner cup - and now with negligible amounts of smoke. I can only assume that there was some crud in the top of the housing that was preventing the fuel getting down in to the cup - and what little was making it, before this strip down, was getting blown out of the damaged bit of the cup by the combustion fan.
Long term, I need to source a replacment burner that has an undamaged cup - new from Land Rover will probably be the way to go - but for the moment, it's now working!
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