Eberspacher BA6 Gas Heater

[bugfil]

I have a 78' Champagne edition Westfalia Type 2 and this week I decided to get the auxiliary heater running again. I had not used it for somewhere around 15 years and it would not fire up. I figured I would need to dig in to all the unattended parts to get it going again. I first checked the fuses and the safety switch under the dash, all good. I then removed the belly pan and decided before I removed the whole heater to access parts I would tap the fuel pump with a wrench to see if that would free it up and get it working. Unbelievably, I tried starting it again; immediately the pump started clicking and the unit fired right up!
I just wanted to share my success with the Samba and the VW bus community and say thanks for the many posts I read through before working on the heater.
This bus has AC, aux. heater, and cruise control(installed later) and it all fits in the vehicle nicely, if anyone has any questions about an original bus with these features installed I may be able to provide pictures of the way things were installed when new.

[busdaddy]

Good job
If that braided fuel line leading to the pump is still 15+ years old you'll want to swap it out for fresh, especially if you've ever used fuel with any Ethanol in it.
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[rsbadura]

Hello Phil,

[germansupplyscott]

Amazing and great that the BA6 works, well done. The BA6 is an awesome heater, very powerful and the way it's integrated with the stock heating ductwork is really beneficial.

And that's a crazy set of features for an old Bus.
_________________
SL

[dodger tom]

from from one ‘78 ce2 owner to another,

vw made a splash/rock pan for that heater. you might ask avery’s, busted bus, busco, way out, etc, if they have one. they were way more common in canada, so you might check there, too.
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled.

[Slip356]

I understand all Canadian Westys had gasoline heaters, kinda funny as they wouldn’t allow propane stoves.
Tom, how’s the accident repair coming on your CEII?

[bugfil]

Hi guys,
Good points to consider from you all.
Busdaddy, there is one hose I haven't replaced, the one that goes from the hard line to the glow plug, it looks like it may still be the orig. hose. I'll need to pull the unit down to access the connection at the glow plug, darn, I was hoping not to have to remove or partially remove the heater from the bus.

Tom, thanks for the info. I do have the splash pan, just have it off while I work on the heater.

Scott, you're right, these heaters are amazing.

rsbadura, my ac has the rear condenser coils mounted on the drivers side and the dryer is mounted to the body inside the drivers front fenderwell inside and slightly rearward of the shock absorber. This looks like the opposite of the drawing you sent.

[/quote]

[Slip356]

78 stock Canadian Westy with the gasoline heater. It always worked perfectly for over 15 yrs. Lately I’ve noticed the light in the dash switch does not come on. Tested the bulb and it’s good.
Any advice on where to look now?

[bugfil]

Hi, I have not had any real experience with trouble shooting the heater because mine started working with a simple fix. I wish I could be more help. There are people much more experienced than I am withe the BA6 heater, maybe on of them will chime in with an idea.

[busdaddy]

There was a dedicated BA-6 repair thread here somewhere, for now start with the manual: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1977eberspacher_ba6_repair_manual.php
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

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[Slip356]

Tks Bus Daddy, I reviewed the repair manual but didn’t see anything about the pilot light is the dash switch.
As stated, my BA6 heater has always worked for the last 16 years and puts out lots of heat. It’s just the light in the dash switch that stopped working recently even thought the heater continues to work. Again I tested the bulb which is good.
Looking for advise on how to repair.

[rsbadura]

[raymino]

I think I remember that there were two ways to wire the light in the BA-6 switch. One way the light comes on when the vehicle lights are on. The other way the light comes on when the switch is pulled out.

Be sure to flip over the triple relay in the driver's footwell to keep it from getting filled with water in case of any leaks.

_________________
'79 Westy Headflow Masters 2.0L FI
'87 GTI 16V Sold!
'06 Jetta 2.5 Package 2
'71 Super Marine Blue

[Slip356]

Thanks Raymino,
Normally when I use the gas heater I’m driving and most always drive with lights on.I think I’ve run the heater a couple of time with the engine off but a long time ago.
I’ll be at my bus today and try the switch with the lights on. Not aware of pulling the switch out, will try that.
I normally push the switch in and rotate clockwise to set the full run time.
Oh, by the way it’s -12 F here in northern WI and my bus is tucked away in my heated shop, only to reappear when the snow and road salt is gone in the spring.

[raygreenwood]

[Slip356]

Well, I tried the switch, lights on lights off, engine running/ shut off. Heater started but no dash switch light. Other dash lights all came on as normal.
I’ll need to check under the dash for a loose wire at the switch and also at the unit in the footwell ahead of the foot pedals.
But I did find a pair of gloves in the buss that have been missing for a while!

[busdaddy]

I see a separate ground for the light on the wiring diagram, look for a brown wire.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

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[Slip356]

I will try that,I have been under he dash a bit ago so might have dislodged a wire. Thanks
Bus Daddy.