Webasto gas heater: tech-good-bad?

[GeorgeK]

I am pondering wether it is a good idea to put a webasto gas heater in my '76 Carrera.
-Is the system reliable? i.e. will it start everytime if used rarely?
-Does anyone have a comprehensive install/maintenance documentation?

The setup would allow me to remove the heating setup from the rear of the car (run headers), clean up the engine compartment a little more, and put the heating weight in front.

Good or bad idea?

[Hoffman912]

i have the colored wiring diagram for the webasto (well at least how it was wired in early 911s).

if interested i can see if i can scan it (be warned my scanner has been on the fritz lately.. dont know if it will work).

[dean]

I personally wouldn't do it. I can think of 2 reasons not to. Worse fuel mileage and something that can go boom up front. If it were me I would buy some SSI's and get good heat with a nice header design.

Dean

[GeorgeK]

Dean,
I don't really care about the mileage on this car, as it is really only a toy car for the Alps.
The Boom part is a little more worrying.
Harry, I'd love to have the diagrams Can you check if your scanner is working? Else maybe hi-resolution pics? georgek at netplus.ch

Anyone on this forum actually uses the webasto?

Keep opinions coing!

[cnavarro]

I have used both a webasto and eberspacher units without any problems. Even on extended runs (days at a time), no problems. Albeit, it took lots of work to get it that way. They have lots of failsafes, and even if something does happen, they don't go boom- they may backfire, but that's it :-)

I'd happily take a copy of a wiring diagram for the webasto, since I need to check out the wiring on my 912's webasto before trying it out.

Charles Navarro
LN Engineering
http://www.LNengineering.com
Aircooled Precision Performance

[Rot 911]

George I have been on this board for over 4 years and in that time the Webasto heater issue has been beat to death. There is not one post where anyone had any personal knowledge of a Webasto heater "going boom." They are designed with plenty of safeguards to avoid this. Not sure if you remember Roland Kunz whom I and many others on this board consider to be a true Porsche master mechanic. Here is what he had to say about the Webasto:
"Hello
The Units can be rebuild to work again and maybe you offer it on the marked to someone who needs it. If the car came factory equiped with the unit I would keep it for concours or later resale.
The webasto heater was a key part for Porsche rally victorys. And so it deserves the same respect like spoilers or dual plug ignition.
Grüsse,
Roland"

And another comment from Roland:
"Hello

You guys watch to much hollywood movies and beleive in to much bullsnow.

The first 911 S came with headers and the seperate heater in front. So Porsche could get FIA papers for that setup witch made the 911 more wight balanced and more succesfull on rallys. To shift the wightbalance even further they mountet the BN3 units ahead off the 100 L fueltanks only divided with a thin aluminized cardboardwall. I never had heard that a additional fuel heater caused any problems with fire or let explode cars.
And those things do have shorts or have burner failures and can get very hot. Only if some stupid mechanic overrides the security devices to make a cheap fix those things will start fires or can explode. But this isn´t like hollywood. It just makes a loud bang and all get filled with smoke and the smoke will press out the oxygene and so no fire will start.

It is a similar risk to have a cheap lighter in you pocket starting a fire or explosion and noone even thinks about that.
Grüsse "

Here is a diagram of the heater:

[GeorgeK]

Thanks to all for the info.
Now for the next questions:
Those who have them: I would love to get the wiring diagram for these.
Also, any pictures of them mounted in the car would be welcome. I wonder if I can remove the whole setup from the rear and use the gas heater only for those chilly mornings. I could then avoid finding the tubes 1 and 2 on the diagram above.

Keep the info coming!

[Tim Polzin]

George<

There is a wiring diagram here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911_Parts/Electrical/911_electrical_webasto_71.jpg

Tim

[ErVikingo]

I can add that my Webasto blows really hot air (specially if you consider I live in Florida!)

[adomakin]

can you buy these thing new?
I would love to know that i can get rid of all that nonsense up the back and have a blast of hot air on the screen for the cold uk mornings

Andy

[Bill Verburg]

I am pondering wether it is a good idea to put a webasto gas heater in my '76 Carrera.

I would use one if I could find one in good shape.

[klaucke]

I have a VW gas heater for a Bug (not installed), these may be more readily available than the Webasto or other Porsche heaters. I can't imagine it would be difficult to install. From what I've heard, the gas heaters in bugs really made some heat, especially compared to the heater box air flow. I've heard people say "It'll burn you right out of the cabin!"

[beamonk]

I have one but I haven't really looked at it. If anyone is interested, let me know.

[JEB]

This reminded me how much I miss Roland's posts.

It was really fun trying to figure out what he was saying.

[gregk1]

I have a wabasto heater in my 66 911 and the timer (black box) is verry antiquated the power heats this steel band up witch makes it move over an hit the switches to heat the glow plug and actavate the gas well it does't work verry well is there another timer? the heater is basicly junk with out it And George I have a heater in a parts car that mounts up by the fire wall that I would like to sell it looks to be made for a 911 email me if you want to see some pictures gregkone@yahoo.com`