Alternative Booster Heater

[Chrispb]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cold-water-Heater-Booster-heater-heater-for-cooled-Vehicles-12-volt-Version-/381572848581?hash=item58d7839bc5:m:mhxPVVEgH2llG6rHr7dgDrA

Have just fitted one of these to a 2004 Diesel Focus, my grandson was complaining about the warm up time a similar problem that the diesel galaxy has.
My point is although the heat output is lower than the normal diesel booster heater it is a reasonable priced alternative to buying a new diesel booster.

To fit one of these kits you would also need at extra cost (about Ã,£15) cable and hose adaptors that are not supplied.

Instructions are supplied albeit wiring diagram is in German but it's really easy to follow.

[Mirez]

KIA use those on most of their diesel range, they do work although as you say the output is much, much less then the Eperspacher one fitted as standard (800W vs 5000W). I would have through that it's not really up to the job on the much larger galaxy and twin heat exchanger but I could be wrong...

[johnnyroper]

I wonder what the glow plug life expectancy is considering the amount of work they will do on cold winter mornings?

Saying that on the conventional boost heater does the plug run all the time or is it only to start the burn then switched off?  On rail vehicles the webasto and eberspachers use igniters instead of glow plug and once it is burning the flame sensor switches spark off.

[mike wilson]

All mkIV diesel Mondeos have a supplemental air heater.  This operates on cold days only (below 6degrees, I think) and is glow plug based.  Hot air out of the vents in no more than three minutes.  Mine is still working fine at ~140,000miles.  Don't the Galaxys have something similar, or is that role taken by the Eberspacher?

Having said that, with an EGR blank, the motor takes ~8 miles or 10 minutes to budge off the stop of the temp gauge.  The above might speed that up.

[Chrispb]

KIA use those on most of their diesel range, they do work although as you say the output is much, much less then the Eperspacher one fitted as standard (800W vs 5000W). I would have through that it's not really up to the job on the much larger galaxy and twin heat exchanger but I could be wrong...

You may be right Mark the galaxy cooling system is much larger than a focus, was airing on the side of better than nothing.

[johnnyroper]

All mkIV diesel Mondeos have a supplemental air heater.  This operates on cold days only (below 6degrees, I think) and is glow plug based.  Hot air out of the vents in no more than three minutes.  Mine is still working fine at ~140,000miles.  Don't the Galaxys have something similar, or is that role taken by the Eberspacher?

Having said that, with an EGR blank, the motor takes ~8 miles or 10 minutes to budge off the stop of the temp gauge.  The above might speed that up.

The tdi Galaxy relies on the eberspacher to speed up the heating of cooling system.

That's good going for the glow plugs to still be operating given the work they will do in colder temps.

[mike wilson]

I suspect they don't get red hot, as there is no burning or "hot metal" smell. 

So I had to go and look...

I've always parroted the "glowplug" line - it doesn't look much like a glow plug to me.
http://eucatparts.com/?action=cat_ford_part&s_id_part=1253824&s_id_model=130&s_code_image=G016276401

[johnnyroper]

That's very similar to what my old 406 hdi executive had its just an electric heater element fitted downstream of heater fan.
I always knew when it was on not just because of the Luke warm air but the load on alternator also.

[Chrispb]

I wonder what the glow plug life expectancy is considering the amount of work they will do on cold winter mornings?

Saying that on the conventional boost heater does the plug run all the time or is it only to start the burn then switched off?  On rail vehicles the webasto and eberspachers use igniters instead of glow plug and once it is burning the flame sensor switches spark off.

Time will tell how long they last, there is a thermoswitch in the kit which kicks in at 70 deg, also supplied is a small rocker switch which can be used to isolate for the summer months.
This switch can be run back into the car or mount it next to the fuse and relay in the engine compartment or where ever practical.