As autumn is now here and temperatures are starting to drop, I thought I'd try the pre heat on my Westie today. The fob works, the fans come on and I can hear some clicking and whirring in the car. So I put the dogs in the boot and head inside for a few bits. I come back out and open the boot, the interior smells a little of diesel but I put this down to the system not being used for a while, shut the boot and head back inside.

When my son comes out his first words are "That's a bit of a problem." And he was right.

I'm afraid that's not unusual mate. Mine does it.
The element and the chamber are probably all sooted up. If you are lucky it will burn off and be OK over a few uses.
I think mine needs a new 'chamber' which you can buy seperatly.

Like this.

Click image to enlarge

I'm assuming its behind the arch liner in the left wheel well? I'm going to do some preventative rust treatment in there at the weekend so I can take a look then and see where the smoke is coming from. 2nd hand heaters are going for £90, I dread to think how much a full OE unit is.

For reference, the kit above is on eBay here

The exhaust for the fuel burning heater is down near the mudflap. It’s normal to see something from there when the preheat is running, but as to how much and for how long I’m no expert….

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

RobsterPC wrote:

I'm assuming its behind the arch liner in the left wheel well? I'm going to do some preventative rust treatment in there at the weekend so I can take a look then and see where the smoke is coming from. 2nd hand heaters are going for £90, I dread to think how much a full OE unit is.

For reference, the kit above is on eBay here

I had the arch liner off, the exhaust from the heater wasn't plugged into the unit! I don't know how that would have happened as it was quite a struggle to get the exhaust back on. I've not had the chance to check it since but could that have created the smoke and the smell of diesel? There's not much to the exhaust, though there is some sort of small box on it? Anyway, I'll try it again on the next cold morning we get and see if that's fixed it.

I know nothing about these heaters and my 07 3.6tdv8 is, I think, not fitted with one. However, in a parrallel universe, my step son has recently fitted a diesel heater as part of a camper van conversion. Boy that thing makes some smoke for a while until its warmed up but thereafter there's virtually nothing visible from the exhaust.

Chris

Agreed, that should have resolved the issue…… onwards and upwards 🤣.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Happydaze wrote:

I know nothing about these heaters and my 07 3.6tdv8 is, I think, not fitted with one. However, in a parrallel universe, my step son has recently fitted a diesel heater as part of a camper van conversion. Boy that thing makes some smoke for a while until its warmed up but thereafter there's virtually nothing visible from the exhaust.

Chris

Fitted as standard on diesels.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

^ my 3.6 had one, was mostly broken most of the time…. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

To close this out, I tried the pre-heater again today and after having relocated the exhaust, everything is now working as it should. No more smoke or dodgy smells. Its nice to have such a simple fix!