Webasto coolant heater

EDIT: I’ve got the webasto system installed now just waiting on a aux diesel tank so it’s on pause until I’m able to hook up the fuel line. But the coolant side of things is all hooked up and appears to be working well with the truck

I’ll leave this thread here for others if they are interested in this sort of thing

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So I’ve had a hell of a time finding info on this so I guess that’s when you create a thread.

I’m planning on installing a webasto coolant heater on my 3rd gen Tacoma. Already have the unit in my possession. But I’m having a hard time figuring out which coolant line/lines to hook it up too? My understanding is there’s two plastic units above the water pump that are your inlet and outlet point in the engine block (please correct me if I’m wrong). Ideally id like coolant to come from one end of the engine through the heater and then continue into the other end of the engine.

It’s just a bit of a maze of hoses and very tight to see where things go so I’m hoping someone on here might have some experience installing one of these on the 3rd gen. Or maybe someone could explain to me how the coolant system works and maybe recommend a way to go about hooking it up.

Thanks in advance!

 

Way cool!. I also have been looking into this on and off for the last couple years. I’m really interested to know if you got it up and running? Any info would be much appreciated. I drive up to Alaska every winter for the last five or six years this last trip Definitely took a couple years off my truck. Hit -60.! No fun trying to get my truck started in the morning with just a block heater.!

 

Is this working well for you? Colder than a witch's tit here. Doesn't look hard to duplicate your setup. @White_Truck

 

Unlikely we will hear from @White_Truck, hasn't been seen here since early March.

From a quick search: These heaters burn diesel as a fuel and need 12VDC control power to run? Much like the air heating furnaces that are becoming popular as space heaters. I'm not in a cold enough area to warrant this but find it interesting.

 

Interesting choice. I’ve only ever seen electric hose heaters. Honestly the aftermarket block heater that slips into a cavity under the engine has been plenty sufficient for me down to -20f

 

Yes these units are called parking heaters (standheizung) in Yurp. Found in VWs/BMWs etc. above a certain trim level. Small boiler and circulation pump. The one pictured is probably out of a VW.

You can buy them on ebay modified (brain damaged) so that they are not expecting to be integrated through CANbus. I have the impression you have to keep them powered and switch them on and off with another signal because they need to be shut off in an orderly way otherwise they fill with soot. Shouldl be easy to control wirelessly, e.g. bluetooth, mesh network (e.g. MQTT,) etc.

Diesel has 30% more energy density but it's a second tank you have to fill. I'm not sure it's a good idea to mount a gasoline appliance/tank on the nose of the truck.

I was looking for a 220 V electric one but they seem not common.

 

I’m not sure I see the point for 99% of people. Even at -50°F my gas engines have started with no plug ins. With the standard plug in heater (block/coolant heater, oil heater and battery heater) I’ve never had a problem with gas or diesel engines down to -60°F.