DaveM Posted December 13, 2003 Report Posted December 13, 2003 after speaking to an ex Ford technician on friday, (now independant because they don't pay enough !), he said that the aux heating 'turbine' roar on start up and switch off is normal. He said that the reason that some people would not hear it is because the pumps are prone to seizing up altogether ! and as there are no obvious effects on engine performance, (apart from taking it longer to warm up), people don't realise that the unit is not functioning. mine seized up two weeks ago,... so alas no impressive roar when it starts up. Quote
DaveM Posted December 13, 2003 Report Posted December 13, 2003 oh and by the way, yes, the 98/99 V6 has this aux heater as well as the Tdi motors cheers, Dave Quote
seatkid Posted December 14, 2003 Report Posted December 14, 2003 I have a 99 110 Tdi. Despite the recent freezing weather, I neither hear the ticking nor the turbine noise. Does this mean that the booster/aux heater isnt working, or was it only fitted to the later models? Simon re: ticking noises from auxilliary heater see Ford Technical service bulletin no. 97/1996 -Ticking noises from the PATS module in low ambient temperatures only affect diesel models - comes from the diagnostic link between heater and diagnostic computer - fix involves cutting and insulating a cable - shouldnt affect Ford vehicles built after 16.05.1996 although my 98 Seat suffers from it - guess Seat and Ford dont talk to each other. If you keep your car in a warm garage, it can take 30 minutes or more before the booster heater cuts in and only then if the ambient temperature is consisently low (< 4 deg) and/or your coolant temperature is low. So you may not hear the ticking/turbine noise on a short run. Quote
Guest elj Posted December 15, 2003 Report Posted December 15, 2003 Well folks, I said it is Ford's responsibility to fix ticking noise coming out of the auxilliary heater, and I was right. Eventually, I got the answer from Ford's technical support, it is: TSB 55/2003. I quoted this number to the dealer, they ordered the parts in, replaced them and the sound has gone, even in the coldest days. This was done only a week ago and it seems ok, but I will keep an eye/ear on it and hope that is the end of it. Good luck Quote
JToh Posted December 31, 2003 Report Posted December 31, 2003 Adding to the debate, got a June 2003 TDi Auto which, for the past few weeks, have been churning out white smoke from a separate pipe underneath the near-side middle seat such that I have had cyclists and pedestrians coming to my car window and complaining. Bit like having barbecue smoke. RAC bloke reckons that this is perfectly normal especially if the car has been left outside for a while and condensation (?) has built up. I explained that this does not happen during the summer. White smoke disappears after engine has warmed up! Thinking of taking it into the dealer to have it checked out. Living in South London, I am getting strange looks from people whenever I am on the road and the car hasn't warmed up. Can anybody help or suggest a remedy?? Cheers Quote
Guest SA Intruder Posted December 31, 2003 Report Posted December 31, 2003 What you describe is normal. Quote
seatkid Posted December 31, 2003 Report Posted December 31, 2003 Can anybody help or suggest a remedy?? The white smoke as everyone calls it, is just steam (albeit with a dash of diesel fume to give it a smell when it first starts up). It the same as comes out your exhaust (more noticeable on petrol models) - formaed from condensation in the cold air which turns to steam in the engine. Because it comes out at the side of the vehicle - most people think something is wrong - it is normal.The aux heater only works in cold weather - read the thread to understand the aux heater fully. Quote
Jim Posted December 31, 2003 Report Posted December 31, 2003 Reading this thread has eased my worries about what the racket (jet engine noise decribes it well) coming from underneath my Galaxy. Produces a very audible drone when running, even noticable within the car without the CD player on. I guess you put up with it or move to a warmer climate! Quote
JToh Posted December 31, 2003 Report Posted December 31, 2003 Thanks for all the advice! Still concern as the "white smoke" is very noticeable both stationary and on the move until the engine is fully warmed up. Read several comments from other members that this requires a trip to the dealer and possibly fitting of a new part. Don't want to waste time if this is normal although I must say very unusual characteristic!! Would welcome more info on this! Quote
Tigger Posted December 31, 2003 Report Posted December 31, 2003 yes I wish there was a switch you could turn it off with. Of course the ticking comes in as well. I looked in the wheel arch at the back and the amount of moisture around the lining? it was dripping. Even on a long run it still seems to be on the outside air must keep it on as well! Don't think it will win many design awards! Quote
Guest The Doctor Posted December 31, 2003 Report Posted December 31, 2003 So are we now saying that the faimilar ticking noise on the aux heater represents some kind of equipment failure and needs fixing, or is this ticking completely normal and shows the aux heater is working properly. A bit confused, sorry. In need of clarification. Quote
seatkid Posted January 1, 2004 Report Posted January 1, 2004 So are we now saying that the faimilar ticking noise on the aux heater represents some kind of equipment failure and needs fixing, or is this ticking completely normal and shows the aux heater is working properly. A bit confused, sorry. In need of clarification. As far as I can see, the ticking noise is quite normal and is caused by some electrical quirk of the design. (I thought it might have been a spark plug) However, because of the number of complaints by customers concerned about this noise, various modifications are available. Unless your car is under warranty though , it will cost you a lot to have these modifications done. My (TDi) cars have always "ticked", its only really noticeable when idling without the radio on etc. (It tells me when the aux heater is turning on.) I dont worry about it. To boost the effectiveness of and to avoid excessive use of the aux heater, and particularly because I regularly travel to climates where -15deg C or less is not uncommon, what I have always done is to lag the underbody coolant pipes using central heating 22mm pipe foam insulation (the thinner variety ). This stops the large area of pipework losing a lot of heat in the airflow under the car, (and even worse when its wet). I find that even in the coldest weather in the UK, the aux heater will only come on for a few minutes. It also stops them get grubby and perished from the salt. Perhaps I will post a few pictures if I can get around to crawling under the car.. :rolleyes: Quote
Guest Turbo Posted January 1, 2004 Report Posted January 1, 2004 You all seem to live in a relatively mild part of the country.I live in Carlisle and it seems to be somewhat colder up here. I discovered that on my `99 Tdi Galaxy there are two ice alert symbols on the dash. One comes on at +4c whereas the other comes on at 0c. Well the readout was on -2 at the time but at about one o`clock in the afternoon it did hit -1c. That was Monday and Tuesday and the aux. heater was on too. I wondered what the clicking sound was at first...... Quote
Tigger Posted January 2, 2004 Report Posted January 2, 2004 So if I go to my ford dealer and complain will they do anything? You say there are some mods that will help? Thanks for any info. Quote
seatkid Posted January 2, 2004 Report Posted January 2, 2004 if its bothering you, do what elj did (see his earlier post) Quote
grifjl Posted January 2, 2004 Report Posted January 2, 2004 Seatkid - that 22mm pipe idea sounds great. I'm going to do this first thing tomorrow am. Guess you can only do the two long straight lengths of pipe? Quote
seatkid Posted January 2, 2004 Report Posted January 2, 2004 As promised I crawled under <_< for your benefit and took some amateur snaps.I used the thinner foam (wall thickness about 1cm) from Focus DIY, the thicker stuff is too big to fit. It came in a pack 5 one metre lengths pre slit. It doesnt quite cover the rubber hoses which are about 25 mm but the metal pipework is smaller. On the long runs underneath I just snapped it on (with the partly open slit uppermost sitting against the floor) On the kinky bits used a couple of small tyraps. You can do most of the pipework if you try hard enough but keep it away from that aux heater exhaust, (might be a fire hazard). Even without tyraps most of it stays on - Used for seven years on 2 vehicles without probs. tech info: Climaflex 22-9 ODP-ZERO Right, how do I post these jpg files then? :huh: Lets try this... Quote
seatkid Posted January 5, 2004 Report Posted January 5, 2004 Did anyone post this? TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN No.118/2000 Car and Light/Medium Commercial 19.10.2000 Section: 412-02 (34) Model: Galaxy with 1.9 TDI engine with booster heater or auxiliary heater, built from 27.06.1997 to 10.09.1999 (build code VR to XJ) Markets: All Subject: Dense black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe of the booster heater Summary Should a customer exprtess concern about black smoke coming from the booster heater. the probable cause may be: 1. Brief, light emission of smoke during start-up and after run of the booster heater (approx. 10-20s). Cause: One off emission of black smoke resulting from the design of the booster heater. No further action required. 2. Light emission of smoke at low ambient temperatures and high humidity. Cause: If white smoke appears at the exhaust pipe when the vehicle engine is running, then water vapour is the cause. No further action required. 3. Thick, continuous emission of grey smoke. Cause: Booster heater metering pump is faulty. Excessive deposits in the burner of the additional heater. Burner is over saturated with unburned fuel. Remedy: Install a new booster heater metering pump and, if necessary, a new booster heater. Quote
rwtomkins Posted January 5, 2004 Report Posted January 5, 2004 Can anyone supply the text of TSB 55/2003, the bulletin referred to by elj? I'm amazed to hear Ford's offering a fix for the ticking noise. I think I might go for it since my gal's under warranty - but first, does anyone know what the fix is? Quote
dfh101 Posted January 8, 2004 Report Posted January 8, 2004 Sorry to but in lads, I never knew these vehicles had extra heaters, Was this an extra as I have a 2001 sharan 115pd carat and I dont think I have one of these heaters and cant remember seeing it on the spec list or options list. Many thanks Derek hughes :huh: Quote
Guest SA Intruder Posted January 9, 2004 Report Posted January 9, 2004 All diesels after 1997 have booster heaters. The auxiliary heater (a different animal) is an option, not generally taken in the UK. The booster heaters are generally Webasto or Erbacher supply Quote
Guest T120 Posted January 9, 2004 Report Posted January 9, 2004 rwtomkinsNot got 55/2003 on my TIS only goes as far as 2002, I would also be interested in a copy please. Quote
Jeff115 Posted February 19, 2004 Author Report Posted February 19, 2004 Sorry to revive this well-discussed old chestnut but am looking for the fuse number and position for the Booster / Supplementary Heater - I recall that someone advised disconnetion by this means. On a pleasant and still morning it's like the 'arrival of the Daleks' with all the vapour from the Booster Heater exhaust and the smell of un-burnt fuel brings many a nasty glare from pedestrians! Later,J. :blink: Quote
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