Daft User - FHB - I think I have one

rik007 · 17th January 2012, 10:14

Hi, this is going to sound daft I know.... but ...

I was reading articles about those fortunate enough to have a FBH, think that sounds like a good idea. So I looked up FBH's on Ebay to see how much they might be. Looking at the photos I am sure there is already one in my car! I remember the rubber pipe work looks similar and have seen what looks like the verticle stainless steel pipe pointing down to the floor through a hole in the belly engine cover.

So ... if I have one, can anyone tell this numpty how I would make it work? When does it fire up? How would I know its working? What does it actually do (warm the engine?)? Whats the real benefit of having it anyway?

I've got a 2002 CDT Tourer Connoisseur (SE I think, as it has reverse sensors and walnut steering wheel)

Thanks,

Rich

2Diesels · 17th January 2012, 10:25

Right well if you have one it'll be bolted to the front of the battery tray & will have 2 electrical connectors in the top of it. It should automatically fire up when you start the car at temps below 5 degrees C, this acts as an auxilliary heater to speed up your warming up proccess.

If you are posh you might have a timer in the centre armrest which can be programmed for 3 runs per day & can also be overridden, this doesn't require the engine to be running & is used to pre warm the engine, this is normally fitted in conjunction with a remote plip which does the same as the override button.

rik007 · 17th January 2012, 11:13

EXCELLENT! Thanks for the confirmation!

I had a look at youtube and there is a clip of one on there, so I ceratinly have one ... which I assume is a good thing. As per you comment, I guess its to a.help the engine warm up b.help warm the passengers up and c.help with fuel economy?

As it happens I dont have the centre console controller under the armrest. I remember seeing this item in the R75 handbook. But I guess it perhaps be retro fitted as I already have the FBH?

This all explains why the car makes a differnt noise in the morning when it starts up. I makes a low pitch rumble which sounds like air running through a pipe. I can hear it inside the house. Also white smoke OR whilte vapour comes out from underneath the car just in front of the passenger front wheel. All normal I assume?

Cheers,

Rich

2Diesels · 17th January 2012, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by rik007

EXCELLENT! Thanks for the confirmation!

I had a look at youtube and there is a clip of one on there, so I ceratinly have one ... which I assume is a good thing. As per you comment, I guess its to a.help the engine warm up b.help warm the passengers up and c.help with fuel economy?

That's the idea yeah

Quote:

Originally Posted by rik007

As it happens I dont have the centre console controller under the armrest. I remember seeing this item in the R75 handbook. But I guess it perhaps be retro fitted as I already have the FBH?

It can be done as a retrofit but the proper kits are pricey

Quote:

Originally Posted by rik007

This all explains why the car makes a differnt noise in the morning when it starts up. I makes a low pitch rumble which sounds like air running through a pipe. I can hear it inside the house. Also white smoke OR whilte vapour comes out from underneath the car just in front of the passenger front wheel. All normal I assume?

Well that all means it's working, they shouldn't be particularly smokey but it's normally visible

donnylad · 17th January 2012, 14:23

after reading this i checked and realised i have one too! dont have the posh timer thingy tho :/

HarryM1BYT · 17th January 2012, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by rik007

EXCELLENT! Thanks for the confirmation!

This all explains why the car makes a differnt noise in the morning when it starts up. I makes a low pitch rumble which sounds like air running through a pipe. I can hear it inside the house. Also white smoke OR whilte vapour comes out from underneath the car just in front of the passenger front wheel. All normal I assume?

Cheers,

Rich

It should maybe produce a negligeable amount of steam, but no smoke at all. Difficult to tell the difference, because the smoke can be white like the steam - best way is to smell it. It should only produce a slight smell and only when it first fires. If that is not the case, it needs a service - see link below.

Singvogel · 17th January 2012, 16:02

Hi guys,

Re the 'posh timer thingy'.

It's correctly called a Webasto Thermo-Top Digital Timer Part No 1530

If it's correctly wired up it can do a lot more than just warm up the coolant in the engine.

It can start up the heater blower/fan, defrost the windscreen and warm the cabin too.

It works rather like a domestic central heating system.

If you press the flame button it will switch on right away and run for approx 30 minutes.

If you set one of the 3 possible timed start ups, then at the programmed time it will fire up and run for 30 minutes.

You need to have left the car having selected a temperature, a distribution level and a blower speed of course for this to happen - the thing is clever, but it isn't psychic.

You can buy a suitable timer on eBay for around £50. Watch out for the correct 12v version as these Thermo-Tops are a standard fitment in many 24v HGVs as a night heater.

Webasto's web-site gives the fitting instructions & wiring diagrams if you buy a 2nd hand one without any info.

A wonderful device - once you've experienced the timer - no more scrapers - no more chilly cabin on frosty mornings! Heaven.

I'm sure the remote control 'blip' correctly called a Webasto Telestart T70 is a clever bit of kit too - but sadly I don't have one - yet.

Cheers, Singvogel.

rik007 · 17th January 2012, 16:55

BRILLIANT !! Thanks chaps for all these posts, really apprecaite it.

This website sure is fantastic ... one of the few places where you can "Put gargabe in and a SENSIBLE answer OUT!! "

Curiously my wife drives the car more than I do, she likes it but feels the cold esp carrying our 18mth daughter to kiddie care in the morning. If I can get the heater to warm up the inside and defrost it, she'll think she's in car heaven. Even better if I can get the heated seats to work!!

Am on the look out for a decent set of beige leather memoery seats at the moment if anyone come across any. The car is new to us but at 93k the drivers seat is a bit shot. Otherwise for £1700 its a superb motor.

Cheers,

Rich.

James.uk · 17th January 2012, 17:34

I have a remote for mine, (a gift from Starman

) It allows me to start the fbh up before I go out to the car, so when I get to the car the heater works immediately coz the engines already fully warmed up.

I do have the Grey smoke when it first starts up though. And from the smell it's unburnt fuel. It is either firing up late, (oeerr) or purging after the fuel has been on..

.So I will have to get it serviced asap...

...

donnylad · 17th January 2012, 18:38

where can we get the fobs to do it then? and do they have to be programmed to the ecu or somehting?

17th January 2012, 10:14	#1
rik007 Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer CDT 2002 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cumbria Posts: 404 Thanks: 41 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Daft User - FHB - I think I have one Hi, this is going to sound daft I know.... but ... I was reading articles about those fortunate enough to have a FBH, think that sounds like a good idea. So I looked up FBH's on Ebay to see how much they might be. Looking at the photos I am sure there is already one in my car! I remember the rubber pipe work looks similar and have seen what looks like the verticle stainless steel pipe pointing down to the floor through a hole in the belly engine cover. So ... if I have one, can anyone tell this numpty how I would make it work? When does it fire up? How would I know its working? What does it actually do (warm the engine?)? Whats the real benefit of having it anyway? I've got a 2002 CDT Tourer Connoisseur (SE I think, as it has reverse sensors and walnut steering wheel) Thanks, Rich

17th January 2012, 10:25	#2
2Diesels Trader ZT 260SE, Connoisseur CDT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Ancient Shire Of Bedlington Posts: 12,597 Thanks: 68 Thanked 506 Times in 305 Posts	Right well if you have one it'll be bolted to the front of the battery tray & will have 2 electrical connectors in the top of it. It should automatically fire up when you start the car at temps below 5 degrees C, this acts as an auxilliary heater to speed up your warming up proccess. If you are posh you might have a timer in the centre armrest which can be programmed for 3 runs per day & can also be overridden, this doesn't require the engine to be running & is used to pre warm the engine, this is normally fitted in conjunction with a remote plip which does the same as the override button.

17th January 2012, 11:13	#3
rik007 Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer CDT 2002 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cumbria Posts: 404 Thanks: 41 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	EXCELLENT! Thanks for the confirmation! I had a look at youtube and there is a clip of one on there, so I ceratinly have one ... which I assume is a good thing. As per you comment, I guess its to a.help the engine warm up b.help warm the passengers up and c.help with fuel economy? As it happens I dont have the centre console controller under the armrest. I remember seeing this item in the R75 handbook. But I guess it perhaps be retro fitted as I already have the FBH? This all explains why the car makes a differnt noise in the morning when it starts up. I makes a low pitch rumble which sounds like air running through a pipe. I can hear it inside the house. Also white smoke OR whilte vapour comes out from underneath the car just in front of the passenger front wheel. All normal I assume? Cheers, Rich

17th January 2012, 14:23	#5
donnylad Avid contributor Rover 75 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Doncaster Posts: 117 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	after reading this i checked and realised i have one too! dont have the posh timer thingy tho :/

17th January 2012, 16:02	#7
Singvogel Gets stuck in 75 CDT, 1966 2000TC P6, TD4-M47 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Deepest darkest Aberdeenshire Posts: 626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Hi guys, Re the 'posh timer thingy'. It's correctly called a Webasto Thermo-Top Digital Timer Part No 1530 If it's correctly wired up it can do a lot more than just warm up the coolant in the engine. It can start up the heater blower/fan, defrost the windscreen and warm the cabin too. It works rather like a domestic central heating system. If you press the flame button it will switch on right away and run for approx 30 minutes. If you set one of the 3 possible timed start ups, then at the programmed time it will fire up and run for 30 minutes. You need to have left the car having selected a temperature, a distribution level and a blower speed of course for this to happen - the thing is clever, but it isn't psychic. You can buy a suitable timer on eBay for around £50. Watch out for the correct 12v version as these Thermo-Tops are a standard fitment in many 24v HGVs as a night heater. Webasto's web-site gives the fitting instructions & wiring diagrams if you buy a 2nd hand one without any info. A wonderful device - once you've experienced the timer - no more scrapers - no more chilly cabin on frosty mornings! Heaven. I'm sure the remote control 'blip' correctly called a Webasto Telestart T70 is a clever bit of kit too - but sadly I don't have one - yet. Cheers, Singvogel.

17th January 2012, 16:55	#8
rik007 Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer CDT 2002 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cumbria Posts: 404 Thanks: 41 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	BRILLIANT !! Thanks chaps for all these posts, really apprecaite it. This website sure is fantastic ... one of the few places where you can "Put gargabe in and a SENSIBLE answer OUT!! " Curiously my wife drives the car more than I do, she likes it but feels the cold esp carrying our 18mth daughter to kiddie care in the morning. If I can get the heater to warm up the inside and defrost it, she'll think she's in car heaven. Even better if I can get the heated seats to work!! Am on the look out for a decent set of beige leather memoery seats at the moment if anyone come across any. The car is new to us but at 93k the drivers seat is a bit shot. Otherwise for £1700 its a superb motor. Cheers, Rich.

17th January 2012, 17:34	#9
James.uk Passed Away 2002 Pale Blue. Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur auto. 170K miles Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Near the M67. Posts: 14,509 Thanks: 199 Thanked 585 Times in 397 Posts	I have a remote for mine, (a gift from Starman ) It allows me to start the fbh up before I go out to the car, so when I get to the car the heater works immediately coz the engines already fully warmed up. I do have the Grey smoke when it first starts up though. And from the smell it's unburnt fuel. It is either firing up late, (oeerr) or purging after the fuel has been on.. .So I will have to get it serviced asap... ...

17th January 2012, 18:38	#10
donnylad Avid contributor Rover 75 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Doncaster Posts: 117 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	where can we get the fobs to do it then? and do they have to be programmed to the ecu or somehting?