380. Webasto Thermo Top C Repair - 12V Diesel Water Heater

For some while, my water heater had been working intermittently and then stopped altogether. I decided to investigate, disconnected it, and then removed it from its awkward position in the engine bay. With help from a fellow boater, it was dismantled, examined and the fault was found to be a worn-out burner and defective glow plug. This is not an instructional video, but I do give a step-by-step account of how we went about replacing the burner, refitting the heater and getting it operational.
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Пікірлер: 91

  • @ColinBenbow
    @ColinBenbow5 ай бұрын

    nothing ventured nothing gained - well done Alan

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you Colin, it’s very satisfying to do jobs like this.

  • @hughcarson6837
    @hughcarson68375 ай бұрын

    Well done Alan, could watch you work all day hahaha

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks Hugh, I wouldn’t choose to work all day😀

  • @paulturner7837
    @paulturner78375 ай бұрын

    Im not a fan of DIY Alan, that’s only because I’m not very good at these things though. I did find this interesting and very enjoyable to watch. It’s great that you replaced parts,cleaned and refurbished your unit and not just bought a complete replacement. How fulfilling it must have been when you remembered the reset process to finally get it all working properly. Peter was very kind to offer his help and expertise. Well done both of you 👍 have a great weekend Alan

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Paul, thanks for watching and commenting, it is very satisfying to do a job like that and if I feel capable, I’ll tackle most things. Pete is always willing to help fellow boaters. You too have a great weekend, cheers 🤠

  • @davidsedlickas8222
    @davidsedlickas82225 ай бұрын

    Alan you keep on giving Absolutely brilliant vlog on tackling a tricky job Very well done to you for being brave and undaunted. This work will be saved in my archives for future reference not necessarily for the instructional content but for your tenacious " can do attitude"

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi David, how very pleasing, I’m glad you enjoyed this episode. It’s really a straightforward dismantle and re-assemble job with a few niggly issues thrown in. I was glad we had a good outcome. All the best🤠

  • @Rovinman
    @Rovinman5 ай бұрын

    Well done Alan ! You have now entered the Hallowed Halls of "Fixers"" It seemed straight-forward anyway ! Now all you have to do is walk up to a Radiator, touch it and say, ""Ooh OW ! that's hot"" Do you do call-outs now ? I clean my bolt threads with a small tooth-brush sized wire brush ! Head of the bolt in the jaws of the electric drill, spin it, and apply the necessary force with the wire btush and good old WD 40 / Brake cleaner. Bravo Alan, and Thank you Peter as well, for the Technical, {and human}, Support ! Stay warm ! Stu xx

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Many thanks for your great comment Stuart. We shouldn't have separated the burner housing from the combustion chamber, as apparently there's no spares kit for the four screws and rubber seal. The screws were partly eaten away and very delicate, you certainly wouldn't want to be over enthusiastic in cleaning them. I'll do repairs overseas, if the client pays my travel and accommodation costs te he. Cheers, all the best.

  • @Rovinman

    @Rovinman

    5 ай бұрын

    @@MyNarrowboatVenture Ha ha ha ! Ill have to arrange that. We live by a large lake 7k x 3k 'ish it's only about 2 metres deep so a canal boat would fit in nicely ! It's used as a reservoir, but it's classed as a Marshland {Google - Kumphawapi Nong Han Lake and see}. Stu xx

  • @getubelogin
    @getubelogin5 ай бұрын

    I have also got a Webasto themo top C heating system on my boat, three pierces of information I collected over the years, one the unit should service the unit every 2 or 3 years, two you can diagnose problems on these heaters by connecting diagnostic equipment to them this is done usually at the start of any service and three they do not work very well with thermostats because if they run for less than 30 minutes the burner does not get hot enough to burn off all the carbon produced so it gradually builds up! Still well done for attacking a really difficlt job, it was very brave of you!

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Geoff. Thanks for watching, commenting and the advice. There is no thermostat on my system and I never turn it off within half an hour for the reason you state. I’ve had the boat for 6 years and never had a problem until now. I don’t have diagnostic software but now know someone who has. I just approached it as a dismantle and re-assemble and it’s pleasing and satisfying that all went well. Cheers

  • @ronlandry1352
    @ronlandry13525 ай бұрын

    Thank you, Allen . . . from Wilmington, Delaware, USA

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Cheers, thanks for watching.

  • @grahamhall8249
    @grahamhall82495 ай бұрын

    Well done Alan. I must say, doesn't it give you a nice feeling of achievement when you do jobs like this, that you've never done before.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks Graham, I agree I get a lot of satisfaction from doing this sort of job for myself.

  • @neilmurfet3392
    @neilmurfet33925 ай бұрын

    Informative vlog...The end result looked great, All the best, Tricia and Neil....

  • @alandavies964

    @alandavies964

    5 ай бұрын

    Many thanks Neil and Tricia, glad you found it of interest. Cheers

  • @user-lu1ys3fp3z
    @user-lu1ys3fp3z5 ай бұрын

    Excellent video Alan, we know who to call for Webasto repairs at the marina 😂

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Many thanks, beware though, you haven’t asked my hourly rates 🤠

  • @markmatlock2001
    @markmatlock20015 ай бұрын

    Great job, Alan. I'm enjoying the revamped channel and look forward to more videos

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you Mark for your appreciation. Cheers

  • @ronald4792
    @ronald47925 ай бұрын

    Hi Alan Another great job done👍👍👍

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Many thanks Ronald.

  • @sandyprosser805
    @sandyprosser8055 ай бұрын

    Well done Alan a good team effort, interesting to watch and see it work. Have great week 😊

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you Sandy, have a lovely weekend 🤠

  • @RobertBrann
    @RobertBrann5 ай бұрын

    You did a marvelous job on your heating system, keep up the good work By for now😊

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much Robert, good of you to say.

  • @nonasilvester565
    @nonasilvester5655 ай бұрын

    Hi Alan just watched yourWebasto vlog and would like to say how well you explained the procedure. As an amateur like me it’s always a bit daunting before starting a job like that . A few years ago we had a Makuni heater which was always a pain until I stripped it down and re built it myself. Really glad it all went ok.well done. Ps we watched it from the comfort and warmth of our lounge at home 😅 see you soon Chris Silvester narrowboat Kagran round the corner in the marina 👍👍

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Chris and Nona, great to hear from you. It was actually relatively straightforward, dismantle and re-assemble with a new part. Apparently, we shouldn’t have separated the combustion chamber and burner housing, no spares available. The 4 bolts holding them together had been eaten away and were very delicate but they went back in without bother. See you next time you visit. All the best 🤠

  • @michaelhiggins7365
    @michaelhiggins73655 ай бұрын

    Well done Alan. I especially enjoy watching DYI repairs, please keep them coming. I suspect when you installed the water lines, there was air present in the system, and it took a few start attempts to purge the air.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks Michael, that's right there was air in the system, which were expecting and got sorted quickly.

  • @sandsmarine2791
    @sandsmarine27914 ай бұрын

    Great Video ! Clearly explained and executed . Definitely need the heat this weather.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    4 ай бұрын

    That’s very kind of you to say, thank you.

  • @IJ_uk
    @IJ_uk4 ай бұрын

    Its very satisfying when you have worked on something like that. Rather rhan just knowing that the heater is hidden out of the way and the basics of how it works. You know in detail anout the individual components, its condition and how it all fits together.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    4 ай бұрын

    I didn’t really understand how it worked until I dismantled it and put it back together, a fairly straightforward job in the end, but still a worrying one, as I separated the burner housing from the combustion chamber and shouldn’t have done !

  • @groutmanalan5156
    @groutmanalan51565 ай бұрын

    Another great vlog, Alan, well explained. Glad you (and Pete), got it sorted. It would have cost loads if you had to get someone in to do it.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Many thanks, kind of you to say. If I feel capable, I’ll get on and do a job, it’s very satisfying.

  • @christopherbutler7588
    @christopherbutler75885 ай бұрын

    Glad you got it going in the end well done to you both 😊

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you Christopher 🤠

  • @lynettecoates4272
    @lynettecoates42725 ай бұрын

    Hi Alan, wow what an achievement and a pat on the back for Pete to come and lend a hand. A tricky job to do on your tod and reassurance from another boater is just the ticket!! Just out of interest what would have been the cost to have bought a whole new unit had you not had the confidence and petes support to have tried yourself?? A well deserved pint afterwards!!! A brilliant interesting vlog. Xx

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Lynette thanks for watching and commenting. I believe cost new is about £1500 but I have seen my type of of heater on offer for £1000. I've seen second hand ones offered between £500 and £800. Then of course there are reconditioned heaters and parts. I've used an original Webasto part in my repair. I'm glad you enjoyed this vlog, all the best, I hope you and Lester are keeping well.

  • @Kat69nh
    @Kat69nh5 ай бұрын

    Hi Alan. GG says woof. Hope you weathered the storm

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Kat. The other night was the worst ever, Storm Jocelyn. I’m sure Reggie says woof woof.

  • @MrOVERANOUT
    @MrOVERANOUT5 ай бұрын

    It would have been so much easier to have bought and fitted a new one. But that's not your way. So well done on refurbishing the old one and getting it to work again. 🎉

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Harry, easier yes, but have you seen the prices of a new one! It’s very satisfying to do it yourself. All the best.

  • @paulsharman

    @paulsharman

    5 ай бұрын

    Um, Considering the cost of purchasing a new unit against what Alan paid for the parts and a learning experience. Me thinks Alan got it right.🙂

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    @@paulsharmanThanks Paul, I think so too.

  • @MrOVERANOUT

    @MrOVERANOUT

    5 ай бұрын

    @@paulsharman I totally agree. All I was suggesting was that it would be easier to buy a new one, which it would. But, as I said, it's not Alan's way.

  • @Roamingthecotswolds
    @Roamingthecotswolds5 ай бұрын

    Nice to see another video Alan

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Many thanks, hope you enjoyed it.

  • @StevesRepairs
    @StevesRepairs5 ай бұрын

    Thanks Alan, that was very interesting and it looked like you did a great job, proof of the pudding as they say it's working well. Take care and all the best. Stevie

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Stevie, thanks for commenting, it was very satisfying to get it done. Cheers, have a great week.

  • @robtheplod
    @robtheplod2 ай бұрын

    Very interesting Alan, take care!

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    2 ай бұрын

    Many thanks Rob, all the best.

  • @dand5593
    @dand55933 ай бұрын

    Glad that you managed to fix and also find some help. Quite expensive that part.... Regarding the power, those 5kw are managing to heat the boat? Be safe, healty and all the best! The sping is here, soon no more heat needed :)

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks Dan, it's remarkable how well it heats the 4 radiators in my boat. The weather is improving and Easter is now upon us, one of the earliest for a long time. All the best.

  • @martinworrall5888
    @martinworrall58885 ай бұрын

    Good job Alan, looks like you need a bit of painting in the engine bay haha 👍

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks Martin, I did one half, some years ago ut access on that side is not easy, I'm more concerned with the external appearance. Cheers

  • @martinworrall5888

    @martinworrall5888

    5 ай бұрын

    @@MyNarrowboatVenture 👍

  • @garylydement5020
    @garylydement50205 ай бұрын

    Amazing what I find interesting to watch

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    I'm glad you enjoyed it Gary.

  • @stevehoare6378
    @stevehoare63785 ай бұрын

    Evening Alan, bravo sir! Many wouldn't have attempted such a complicated repair, so hats off to you and your neighbour, job well done. Fascinating to watch you do it. Hope you're staying toasty warm in this awful weather. Really enjoyed watching...🍷🍷

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks Steve, it was fairly straightforward to dismantle and re-assemble, and satisfying. I’m plenty warm thanks. Cheers🥂

  • @brodie2711
    @brodie27115 ай бұрын

    Thanks for that one, Alan. I'm always impressed with the technical and mechanical skills of others, probably because I'm so bad at it myself. All the best my friend. Stephen

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Stephen, many thanks, it was a fairly straightforward dismantle, repair and refit job. Messing around with the screw holes took a while though. I hope you're keeping well, all the best.

  • @narrowboatlongpod4176
    @narrowboatlongpod41765 ай бұрын

    I've repaired an Eberspächer but not a Webasto. My current boat has a Webasto, so will probably have to do it one day. The problem is that these diesel heaters are really designed to pre-heat lorry (and car) engines. They ideally run at full power for a short time and don't enter the low power cycling mode. Using them as domestic central heating boilers on a thermostat is not particularly good for them. We normally use the multi-fuel stove (coal is our fuel of choice) to heat the boat but do leave the Webasto on a frost stat when we leave the it. The Webasto is also useful for heating up the boat on cold spring mornings when the stove is not really required. It can also be used to heat water without running the engine (and not on shore power) but, again, this is not its ideal use.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Pete who helped me, has worked on Webasto air tops, they are different to the Thermo Top models. I'm not technically minded, so can't really comment on the comparison of the two. It was a straight dismantle and re-assemble. I use my Morso Squirrel stove, but the Webasto is good for cold mornings, as you say. Thanks for watching and commenting.

  • @kenn879
    @kenn8795 ай бұрын

    Well done Alan and your helper, if you don't try, you don't succeed. Success gives you confidence. One tip, whenever I dismantle something I'm not familiar with,I photograph before I renove anything, I then have reference when replacing. Keep warm.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you Ken. I do exactly the same, take loads of photos, always have. I’m plenty warm, thanks for commenting. Cheers

  • @colin125gwr
    @colin125gwr5 ай бұрын

    good job keep warm the weather is awful feed up with all this high winds must be bad on a boat

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks Colin, the other night was the worst wind I’d experienced on the boat - Storm Jocelyn.

  • @jamesmowthorpe9614
    @jamesmowthorpe96145 ай бұрын

    well done Alan for tackling a complicated job like that. excellent work

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    That's good of you to say, thank you James.

  • @johncollins2966
    @johncollins29665 ай бұрын

    Nothing more satisfying than doing a job and it all working at the end. Great results. 😊😊

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you John, I do find it satisfying and now I have a better understanding of how it works 🤠

  • @umbertoyltp
    @umbertoyltp5 ай бұрын

    Brilliantly filmed, and a very comfy reward after completion! Enjoy the fruits of your team efforts Alan. ❤

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you Umberto, good of you to say. I have a better understanding now of how the heater works. Cheers

  • @anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204
    @anfieldroadlayoutintheloft52045 ай бұрын

    good vid on chanel kedep up tbhe good vid nice work thanks lee

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks Lee, good of you to say.

  • @niallgalway8083
    @niallgalway80835 ай бұрын

    A video well worth having, will save many a person a fortune of €'s or £'s. Well done on renaming the channel, think it was a good decision.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Niall, thank you for commenting, I always say it’s not an instructional video but if it can help others, all to the good. Several viewers have said they have a Webasto and it might be of help in the future. I’m glad you like the new name. Cheers

  • @castingshadows282
    @castingshadows2825 ай бұрын

    Great job Alan, although it did look complicating at the start, it become apparent that it really was a doddle once you had everything in order. (Well I think it was) I was amazed at the price tbh It almost made me cough on my chicken sandwich. Maybe this time around you wont leave it to long to inspect and give it a once over as you would a gas heater boiler. And the extra pair of hands came in use too. Well done Peter. 🖖👍

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    It was really a straightforward dismantle and re-assembly. I don’t feel there’s anything to inspect, it is to my mind a case of, if it’s working leave it alone. Used heaters are £500 to £800. There are copy parts available cheaper but I prefer original 😀.

  • @castingshadows282

    @castingshadows282

    5 ай бұрын

    @@MyNarrowboatVenture Fair comment, but still, surely economical in the long run to keep it well maintained, don't you think? Quite a hefty price for something so small, and used too, wow.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    @@castingshadows282I can’t really see what can be serviced. The glow plug is a replaceable item but you know it might have failed when the heater doesn’t work. I don’t have any diagnostic software to check anything.

  • @bobt3374
    @bobt33745 ай бұрын

    Hi Alan. Well that was an adventure & good to watch also good for you as that is another learning job for the future if needed. Nice to have someone experienced helping you. well done with the video. Take care.🍻

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Hi Bob. Thank you, I certainly have a good understanding now of how the Webasto works. Thanks for your comment 🤠

  • @bobx2387
    @bobx23875 ай бұрын

    Well done Alan for being brave enough to attempt the job even with help. So glad that you persevered. Feeling miserable at the mo. We sang at a local Wassail and I managed to catch Covid. Had so many plans including a concert at WZ Church this coming Sunday but we may have to cancel. I have never ducked out of a booking in all my singing years... Wassail, Bob and Helen.

  • @MyNarrowboatVenture

    @MyNarrowboatVenture

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you Bob, I'm sorry to hear you've got Covid, I still hear of people getting it now and again, trouble is if you're in a group, you don't know what the others may have been up to. I'm still wary of groups in some circumstances. Sorry you might have to cancel your singing engagement and hope you're soon feeling better. All the best to you and Helen.

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