heater

U

UncleRichie

New member
I have a wallis heater and it will not start up I can hear the pump running but it does not seem to pick up any diesel Is there a way to force a little bit of diesel up to it ,it has been setting for a while . I have been starting it on and off but this time I let it set longer then normal . Its sounds like there is a check valve that is stuck shut.
Thanks Richard
 
I just installed an Espar that has a clear fuel line, so I can see exactly what the pump is doing. Before the installation, I purchased a little priming bulb used on chainsaws, weedwhackers, etc. I thought that it might come in handy for priming the Espar, but it wasn't needed. They are about $2 on Ebay. With my clear fuel line, I could see any bubbles and when the fuel was approaching the heater.

I think that the Wallas operates like the Espar in that the pump is actually a dosing meter rather than more common fuel pump. The dosing meter determines the fuel amount, there being no further carb or injectors. What that means is that, unlike a chainsaw, if you prime the heater, you will be putting fuel directly into the burn chamber. From what I have read, it's almost always too much and it either floods or creates a scary over fuel condition that will finally calm down. Be prepared.

In reading trouble shooting threads on the Espar, I learned that when the dosing pump ticks it quickly pulls a drop from the tank. That momentary vacuum on the tank side of the pump is enough that it can suck in a tiny bubble of air under a hose clamp even when the downstream connections are normally tight enough that there is no fuel leak. When the tiny bubble then enters the dosing pump it creates further starvation problems. Weird physics.

Mark
 
Let us know what model it is so folks can give the best advice. Also, consider calling Scan Marine to let them talk you through your troubleshooting options. They have been very helpful to many of us.

M-F, 9-5 except major holidays. Their toll free number is 1-800-606-6665. Talk to Mike in service.

Greg
 
Sorry Richard... I have no specific insights into the issue you are experiencing.

However, please note that the folks at SCAN Marine were always extremely helpful in my previous experiences dealing w/ them when we had our 2008 Venture 23' which we just sold last year.

While we had our C-Dory I had to call them twice for what turned out to be fairly simple matters (luckily for me since my hands-on tech skills are woefully lacking). In both cases they patiently talked me thru getting to the bottom of the issue.

The 1st problem was resolved by my merely unplugging and re-plugging in the unit (it had experienced some kind of electrical glitch) and the 2nd time involved me having to order a new On/Off Switch assembly from them. The point I am trying to make is they were extremely helpful for me and I have seen others say good things about their interactions w/ their tech support folks also so you might consider contacting the experts directly to ask them about your issue.

You can see the SCAN Marine website which even has a picture of a C-Dory on it's home page at http://www.scanmarineusa.com/. Click on the "Support" tab and you will have access to their contact info including being able to do an Online Parts and/or Service Inquiry if you so desire.

Alternatively, if you prefer NOT to do this online their contact info (as per the website) is as follows:

Scan Marine
2144 Westlake Avenue N, Suite D
Seattle, WA 98109 USA
Phone: 206-285-3675
Toll Free: 1-888-606-6665
Fax: 206-285-9532

Good luck w/ getting to the bottom of your problem sir!

Take care,
Dan, Tanya, and Hannah now on Echo (a Ranger R-27)
 
I cracked the "B" nut at the combustion can, pinched off the vent hose and squeezed the bottle until fluid starts to come out. Retighten "B" nut without relieving pressure and it should work. Mine was installed in 2008 and never used until 2015 and got her to fire up with that method and lots of trial and error!

Good Luck!

John
 
Be sure that all of the nuts on the fuel line are tight. There is one by the pump, which often comes loose, which is like a compression fitting on the fuel line. If you get a bubble in the fuel, you can follow it up to the top to be sure the fuel is moving up.

The pump is a solenoid type. Each "click" is a motion of the cylinder plunger by the solenoid. If you hear the clicks the pump is running. It will slow as it picks up the fuel.

I have put slight pressure on the vent line, to help to push fuel up the one on the first start up, on a system which is first starting or not having been used for some time.

The system has to be reset if it fails to ignite after 3 trials. The reset is accomplished by removing the fuse at the battery, or point where the primary power comes form.
 
Also make sure you have a nice strong battery. The Wallas stoves are ridiculously sensitive to voltage with the result being that everything seems to be going well at startup but the thing just doesn't light.

There should be a flashing light somewhere but they're not that bright so can easily be missed.
 
What Williwaw said. But not just voltage, amperage as well. I had symptoms similar to yours a couple of years back. I took voltage readings everywhere I could and kept getting the required 12+ vdc. I then discovered I had corrosion on the stove main lead at the battery switch. That was enough to cause a voltage drop when the stove was trying to start up, so the glow stick--or whatever it's called--couldn't get hot enough to start the fire.

My house battery is an AGM that sits on the shelf directly below the stove, so I wired directly to that and, voila, I had heat.

Just something to think about.
 
"There should be a flashing light somewhere but they're not that bright so can easily be missed."

That red LED is beside the "on-off" rocker switch. It should flash on start up, after you turn the switch to on, and it will also flash on shut down from the time you hit the switch to "off" until the stove has shut off and cooled down. You want to be sure that the system has power (12VDC) on until that light goes off.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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Only problem I have ever had with my stove was waiting to long to use it and losing the prime. I get the fuel tank vent hose handy and start the stove, then blow in the hose enough to make the tank pressurize, then pinch the hose and watch the fuel get pulled up by the pump. Squeezing the tank helps. Don't blow too hard or squeeze to much :oops: never mind how I know :D
The only time that wasn't the problem, I had to clean the legs of the fuse in the lazarette. Scrape the fuse with a knife and bingo!
 
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