What Causes a Diesel Heater to Shut Off After a Few Minutes?
2 Answers
Diesel heaters shutting off after a few minutes can be attributed to the following reasons: Diesel Fuel Gelling: If No. 0 diesel is used in sub-zero temperatures, the diesel may gel. Once gelled, the diesel naturally cannot power the diesel heater. Fuel Pump Damage: The fuel pump is responsible for pumping diesel into the heater to enable its operation. If the fuel pump malfunctions, the diesel heater will not work. Severe Spark Plug Carbon Buildup: If the spark plug has severe carbon buildup, it may prevent the diesel heater from igniting the fuel, causing the heater to shut off on its own. Precautions: The exhaust pipe of the diesel heater should be kept away from the cabin to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. When in use, do not completely close the windows to maintain airflow between the interior and exterior and prevent poisoning.
Last time when I was working on the heater, it often shut off after a few minutes, mainly because the fuel line was clogged or the fuel pump was aging, causing poor fuel delivery. Diesel engines rely on a steady fuel supply to operate. If there are impurities blocking the fuel line, it might start initially but shut off once the fuel runs out. Additionally, it could be that the spark plug fails to ignite, or the temperature sensor misjudges overheating and automatically shuts down. I'd suggest you first check if the filter screen is clean and whether the fuel pump pressure is sufficient. Avoid tampering with it yourself to prevent damaging the electrical circuits. Regular maintenance of the fuel injector and fan is crucial; otherwise, you might suddenly lose heating on a cold winter night, which could be unbearable. Such issues are common in older machines, so early inspection is key to preventing further damage.