Winter heating solutions for Defenders / Series
For Petrol and Diesel Models
We all know that the Land Rover heater was not the best, and here in Canada the Kodiak was available for the 2a but there was nothing for the S3 or Defender.
Yes, we have heard the joke about carrying a wood stove in the back, but we require something more practical!
We have had some success with Defender heaters in 300 Tdi by simply removing the radiator fan and flushing out the heater core or replacing it with a new one. My yellow 110 had a very nice heater and is adequate after a run of 10 mins or so.
I don't know if it is just me, but I tend to find Right Hand Drive Defenders have far better heaters than LHD. I did fit a new heater to a LHD HS2.8 conversion and it was a real leg burner - the HS2.8 seems to have better circulation around the block. (Another reason to fit a HS2.8!)
After working with a local supplier of Eberspächer products, we have come up with two solutions for your winter woes!
Eberspächer block /coolant heaters
For independent block heaters the Eberspächer Hydronic D4WSC is a fantastic solution!
For more technical info click here
When it was -22C (-8F) the heater raised the coolant temperature to +80 C in around 5-6 minutes - hot enough to start without glow plugs, and much hotter than a block heater.
This clever unit has an inbuilt fuel pump so it is all in one compact unit, it also has an inbuilt pump to circulate around the heater too, so when you jump in you car the heater is instantly hot!
With 2 automatic heat settings this unit can be run all night (although it does not need to) and it is set so that the coolant temperature will not raise above the opening temperature of the thermostat - so no heat is wasted going into the radiator.
Easy to fit by a competent mechanic - however if you are fitting both the cab heater and coolant heater, you have to fit an auxiliary line to the fuel tank as you can only tee into the main fuel line for one heater. (We can supply suitable tank pick up pipes, but this will require the tank to be removed - remember this is only if you fit BOTH cab and block heaters together - one heater on it's own just taps into the main fuel line)
There are Eberspächer options such as timers and remotes
And did I mention how cheap they are to run? Around 1/3 of a litre per hour!
We are working on a Britrest remote unit to start this heater and other accessories - watch this space! (It works well! Tested today 30/12/04)
Interested? Contact us today by email britrest@britrest.com
Eberspächer Cab Heaters
Ok, so the engine is hot - but the inside is like a fridge!
Solution? Eberspächer Airtronic D2!
For more technical info click here
We found the best place to fit this heater is in the seat tool box - you have the choice of pointing the heat forwards or backwards - in the County Station Wagon it may be best to fit pointing to the back.
If you have no rear A/C unit fitted, then a box can be inserted in the wheel arch and the heat ducted to the front.
It can be a problem with any Defender where to mount the heater for the best all round use - seems to look big from the outside, but as you know once inside the Defender space is limited.
An easy installation, however if pointing backwards you have to cut through the steel seat box and the toe plate for the mid row of seats - this can be tricky as there is not much space to work - but it is worth it!
The heater has options of a remote and a thermostat - so you can leave it over night and it will maintain a constant temperature, or using your remote, switch it on from the comfort of your home and in a few minutes the interior will be toasty warm!
There is a programmable timer, but our opinion was that it was expensive and fiddly to set.
And did I mention how cheap they are to run? Around 1/3 of a litre per hour!
And if you don't believe me here's a customer opinion:
Interested? Contact us today by email britrest@britrest.com
All Eberspächer products can be ordered Diesel or Petrol fueled
Block heaters
After a lot of searching we have found suitable block heaters for all older series and for the newer Defender diesels
These heaters go direct into the water jacket - not the bottom hose with is very inefficient - so bad we will not sell them
Made in Canada, tested by us!
Comes with manifold gasket ( for the series and none Tdi diesels) as access is limited, so the best way to get at them is by removing the manifold
Range of engines and suitable heater
Series 1, 2, 2a, 3 with screw in heater = BRHTR01 $99.95
Defender 2.5/ 2.25 diesel / petrol = BRHTR02 $99.95
Defender 300 / 200 Tdi = BRHRT03 $174.95
Prices in Canadian dollars
Interested? Contact us today by email britrest@britrest.com
Britrest tip for removing the old screw plug!
Warning!
Only do this under controlled conditions - make sure anything combustible is removed or covered! - keep a fire extinguisher on hand
When the manifolds are off and all fuel lines plugged, arrange some tin sheets around the plug to protect the wiring, starter and bodywork
Drain off any coolant by the block drain - this may be plugged so remove it completely and poke around with a bit of wire.
Using an oxy - acetylene cutting touch, melt out the plug!
It is in aluminium so melts easy and well before the cast iron - you don't have to melt it all out, but allow it to cool and you can spin the mangled lump out - takes seconds and leaves clean threads.
Use 3 - 4 turns of plumbers thread tape around the block heater and screw in tight.
Manufactures numbers used for reference only
Prices, availability, specifications, and applications subject to change without notice
Copyright © 2008 [Britannica Restorations]. All rights
reserved.
Revised: May 31, 2008
.