Avensis Power Heater

[valentinc]

My 2004 d-4d Avensis has a power heater button, next to the mirror button. The manual describes the power heater as some kind of separate "engine", which has its own exhaust. When you push the button it takes about 70 secs for it to get started. When it does start, you should hear a noise and maybe feel some smoke. Oh dear!

I went to the dealer service workshop and asked one of the guys to tell me more about it. Oh well, they were impressed about my reading of the manual but seemed to have no clue.

This will be the first winter with my Avensis and we sometimes have -20 Celsius in Romania. Has anyone used this Power heater during the winter? I mean REAL winter not the kind of late autumn that you get in the UK :o) Any hints from Scandinavian members?

[Airbag]

The real answer is I don't know, but my boat had an Eberspacher cab heater fitted, it ran on diesel, was a cylinder about 30cms long and 10-15 cms diameter. It blew warm air into the cockpit and was great. Took about 90 secs to start working. My partners 4 tonne van also had one. Could this be similar?

[BIONIC]

quick answer is it reverses your aircon so that it creates heat instead of cold

[matty2767]

so do you have to have your aircon on?. it doesnt mention that in the manual. just the heat is max and temp is less than 8.

[BIONIC]

so do you have to have your aircon on?. it doesnt mention that in the manual. just the heat is max and temp is less than 8.

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No just the power heater only realy works when the engine is stone cold

[dawesy]

yep its a small diesel fueled heater unit only fitted to models going to cold climates. workes the same as a night heater on an hgv

[BIONIC]

yep its a small diesel fueled heater unit only fitted to models going to cold climates. workes the same as a night heater on an hgv

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NO it is not it works of the aircon gas it reroutes the gas bypassing the condenser in the front of the car in this way it creates heat . think how much heat fridge at home puts out put your hand behind it when its been working hard theres quite a bit off heat there all they have done is expand on that theme. Next cold moring you get set the heaters and blowers to max switch the power heater on and go and feel the aircon pipe going in to car and see how warm it gets

[Steinar]

yep its a small diesel fueled heater unit only fitted to models going to cold climates. workes the same as a night heater on an hgv

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NO it is not it works of the aircon gas it reroutes the gas bypassing the condenser in the front of the car in this way it creates heat . think how much heat fridge at home puts out put your hand behind it when its been working hard theres quite a bit off heat there all they have done is expand on that theme. Next cold moring you get set the heaters and blowers to max switch the power heater on and go and feel the aircon pipe going in to car and see how warm it gets

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Y`re rigtht, but still wrong :) . Your description is the normal system that reverses the AC. But the D4-D cars going to areas with colder climate (as Norway) is originally fitted with an Eberspaecher Hydronic system. This is an diesel fueled heater (5 KW) that heats the engine coolant.

This morning it was -17°C and I can promise you - WE DESPERATLIY NEED IT.

When not using it at these temperatures the engine will barely reach its normal working temperature while driving to work (40 km). And then its the comfort inside the car.

The original system its a simpel version that only can be run when the engine is running, but can be expanded to a complete system with timer and remote for heating up before starting the car.

www.eberspaecher.com/en/heiz/tech/wheiz/wheiz.htm

Best regards

Steinar

[Stevet555]

With the cold snap we have had in the UK, anyone used their power heater....

anyone in the UK with a power heater that works ???

or do we just get the pretty light :)

does it just help the cab maintain a dectent temerature, or does it heat the air before the engine has warmed up ?

[matty2767]

yep i have been using it as described above. ie blowers on full, take the auto off and temp on hi. then press the button. warm (ish) air is blowing within about 1min 30 secs

well i have been driving in my shirt (setting off at 7am) minus 4 outside and other people are togged up so it must be doing something