Aux Heater Install

[DavidB8]

Well since I am going to be focusing on this for some time I thought I would log it in here on it's own thread.

There are a lot of parts involved in this install and more than I could ever create a parts list for so hopefully just some basic guidelines will help for those that decide to attack this later. I've already run into parts issues but that all part of an install like this.

The start has been rough, ETKA didn't show mounting bolts so those got missed. Thanks to some hunting by my partner in crime he found the battery uses the same bolt size so I have stolen 2 of those to get it in place so I can start while I order the bolts. Seems we have an extra line coming from the back of the car so all the fuel line holder I have (3 line) are not big enough. I found 4 line available for the A6 so emergency diverted but another delay. So far missing one other nut but who knows what else will surface.

So with the bumper off, wheel wells removed, lights off and the guards all removed from the passenger side the install can commence. This would be a lot easier on a hoist but I have the front on stands for the time being.

Here are some pictures of the unit in place to give you an idea of where it is and whats involved.

[Stubek]

Good luck on this David.

[hender]

winter must be coming in

PS. Who IS this partner in crime you always speak of...?

[NPuter]

winter must be coming in

PS. Who IS this partner in crime you always speak of...?

I believe the partner in crime is TR464

[Highlander1010]

This is quite a project it appears. What is the intended outcome of the Aux Heater?

[DavidB8]

This is quite a project it appears. What is the intended outcome of the Aux Heater?

Not sure I understand the question. It would be to have an Aux Heater working in the car :)

If your not familiar with the Aux Heater it is a factory option not available to a lot of the world. It is a gas powered heater. It can be started either timers from the car menu which you can set date and times as well as run times or it can be triggered by remote which Audi claims can work up to a KM a way. The factory remote utilizes 2 way communication so you know the status of the heater when you attempt to start it.

It uses it's own fuel lines and pump and integrates into the factory cooling system. When activated it heats up coolant and circulates it with it's own pump. The car then engages the interior AC controls to heat the inside of the vehicle. Allowing you to heat the inside of the vehicle and defrost your car. The unit monitors both battery level and fuel level to determine what it's start and run capabilities are. Think of it as a remote start on steroids. The difference is it's not performing a cold start on your engine saving engine wear and run time on the engine.

[brainpan]

Can't wait to see this installed and to see how long/cost it involved. Would be great for those awful winter mornings. Ive been involved in swapping one of these out of a mobile crane, and it was quite the job, could only imagine the work involved on the audi. Best of luck David!

[DavidB8]

Well besides mounting the unit and doing the wiring you have to run a new fuel line to the unit from the gas thank, replace or retrofit the fuel pump for the new line. Install a new fuel metering pump under the car. You have reconfigure pretty well the entire cooling system as well as install the remote receiver.

If I had a hoist a couple specialty tools and a second set of hands I would say you can do this in one day with a lot of preparation work done ahead of time. Realistically though probably two good days. Total cost would run between I'd say $1000-1500 depending on ebay and so forth.

[DavidB8]

Well it took some pain but the fuel pump is out. Wow what a hassle that was.

There is a big union nut that holds the pump in place I would guess about 5-6" across. Without the proper tool I took to a screw driver and hammer and started tapping it around the edges to get it loose. The first few inches took almsot an hour and it has to do 2 full rotations. So based on some advice I sprayed some lubricant around the edge and started at it again tonight. At first same progress then slowly it started spinning more and more and finally OFF!!

I'll take some pictures of the pump later. I need to drill out the dummy spout and install a pick up tube for the new fuel metering pump for the aux heater. This little mod will save me about $400 over buying a new one. Thanks to Webasto for figuring out the mod for their aftermarket unit and my trusty translator for the parts and translation to make the change. The change is slightly different for diesels and gasoline as the tank depths or pumps are slightly different.

There are still some big hurdles to cross but every step is one bit closer.

[Highlander1010]

Sounds like a very worthwhile project in the frozen tundra of the North. Good luck sir!

[DavidB8]

Quick update. Sortta.

Nothing is ever easy when you're the first to try and do something that's for sure. I got lucky that TR decided to do the same mod after I bought my Aux unit so I got a lot of hints and help that way. However there are some differences between the Euro Diesel and the CAEB 2.0T that we get.

First snag was the extra fuel line running to the front making it necessary to find different clips for the fuel line for the Aux heater, now it's the cooling system.

The 2.0T without the Aux heater has an extra valve installed that opens and closes to alter the flow of the coolant. I got stumped when I can across it until the final call was I had to remove it. I had to remove the valve system and the vacuum actuator that controls it. leaving a few small loose ends to take care. One is seal off the plug that control the valve and the other to fully remove the vacuum line that controls it. Neither a big deal but something else to deal with.

So for the most part the entire cooling system is done except for topping up the fluids. Fuel lines shouldn't take any longer than a couple of hours once I get the parts I need. Then finish the wiring and I'm done. Doesn't sound like much but there is a lot of work to do to get the car back together.

I hope to hell all the coding takes. Wont know until I'm done. I did research in advance though, there is only one module for this engine world wide so I shouldn't have to worry about compatibility like other components in our cars. Of course figuring out the coding is always fun ;)

Thats it for now. I may take a video when there is more light to show the new cooling setup.

[DKA4]

Mmmmmmm remote start on steroids :)! Nice work David. Look forward to the video and your testing of the remote functionality of a KM away :D.

[DavidB8]

It's cheating up here. A lot less Radio interference. I better get new remote batteries so it can hit it's maximum range ONCE.. I love the up to specs on items.

[DavidB8]

Video as promised of the coolant routing. Not all cars have the extra valve I had to remove so it was a bit of a surprise and a bit more work but not the end of the world.

Here you go.

[Speycaster]

Wow, David, you are incredible. Just the thought of all the fabrication involved makes me cringe. You are the Audi master!

[mage0608]

Another very useful mod for AUDI fans in Canada, David is king. But I have a question, since this aux heater only generate heat but not electricity, any one know that how long the battery will last in a cold weather to power the blower in the AC system and it still has enough engergy to start the motor? and how fast this aux heating system warm up a freezing car?

[DavidB8]

Well run times can be altered by the unit and I think the normal is 15 minutes. The unit heats up instantly and works as furnace if you will. I can't imagine it takes very long to warm the car.

I would think the battery health would be better if you have your rear seat down so the battery can warm up thereby increasing it's voltage output as the car warms. It's no secret battery levels drop as the battery cools.

Just so you know, the unit has 2 safe guards built in. From the Audi manual:

• The auxiliary heating/ventilation will not switch on if the fuel in
the tank has reached the reserve zone.
• The auxiliary heating/ventilation will not switch on if the battery
charge level is low.

Something cool as well is you can actually use the unit when the car is running to help provide heat faster to the vehicle. Also really good for when your driving on the highway at extreme low temps as the car has a hard time maintaining any real heat.

[mage0608]

now I want one too xD.....

[DavidB8]

Oh my... May god be with you on this one. Of course it's always easier after a few others have figured out all the tricks and catches.

[wrclaguna]

What works stood ?

[RHead]

Hi. Is anyone able to code vcds following setup ??

Now aux heater is heating engine and inside.
I want to choose warm only engine.

[Ijiin]

i have aux heater from the car was new. i only thought it would help for a faster heat up in the coupe when the car was already started. it only takes like a minute before i feel the heat from the AC.
did not know it could be timer based as well. gotta look through the menus again to see what i can find. winter has already come in Norway so this could be very useful for me :D

im glad i found this forum. so much useful info i'd never think of.

edit :

just got the complete list of stuff i have in my car. and there is a electric aux air heater in my car but it does not have the option to set it when parked or with a timer. anyone know what i have to do to enable that ? only option i have for now is auto and off. so im guessing im missing something. been searching and searching but as of now i don't really find any difference in the one i have and those with a timer on.
guess i have to call the local audi dealer again. think they're tired of me by now :P

[gab696]

Interested to retrofit the OEM auxiliary heater on my S4 B8. Can someone help me to compose the parts "shopping list" ?
Thanks !

[CanadianLurker]

Oh my... May god be with you on this one. Of course it's always easier after a few others have figured out all the tricks and catches.

Now that you've run this for a few winters, how's it worked out? Any issues/regrets? Would you do it again in your next car?

I'm interested in this for my Q7 TDI and just started researching it.

[treginginco]

Now that you've run this for a few winters, how's it worked out? Any issues/regrets? Would you do it again in your next car?

I'm interested in this for my Q7 TDI and just started researching it.

Doesn't your Q7 already have one? My VW Sportwagen had an electric aux heater ---- worked great.

[CanadianLurker]

Doesn't your Q7 already have one? My VW Sportwagen had an electric aux heater ---- worked great.

Looking to upgrade to have timer and remote functionality. Nicer luxury to have the hehicle already warm before you get in. I'd prefer not to get remote start if this Webasto is a feasible alternative.

[TDIaholic]

Ther parking heater is a much better alternative than remote start. This way your engine will be warm when you start the car instead of trying to remotely start a car in frozen temperatures, which wears down the engine.