Complete repair guide for the Winnebago Travato – Diesel Heater Glow Plug & Fuel Pump Service. Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue yourself.
Parts & Tools You’ll Need
- Webasto / Espar ceramic glow plug
- Diesel heater fuel dosing pump (12V)
- Inline diesel fuel filter
- Diesel heater LCD control panel
- Combustion chamber blower motor
- Intake & exhaust silencer kit
- Diesel fuel line silicone tubing (4mm)
- Digital multimeter (auto-ranging)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Step-by-Step Repair Guide
Step 1: Diagnose Heater Issues and Prepare
Start by connecting your digital multimeter to the glow plug terminals to verify continuity and resistance readings, which should typically fall between 0.5-2 ohms for a functioning ceramic glow plug. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and allow the diesel heater system to cool for at least 30 minutes before proceeding with any disassembly work.
Step 2: Access the Glow Plug Assembly
Locate your Webasto or Espar heater unit beneath your Travato’s floor, typically positioned near the fresh water tank or fuel tank area. Remove the combustion chamber cover by unbolting the 8mm fasteners and carefully disconnect the electrical connector from the existing glow plug.
Step 3: Replace Ceramic Glow Plug Element
Unscrew the old glow plug using a 7/8-inch socket with gentle, steady pressure to avoid stripping the ceramic element. Install your new ceramic glow plug by hand-threading it first, then snug it with your socket wrench to approximately 15-20 foot-pounds of torque.
Step 4: Service Fuel Dosing Pump System
Disconnect the fuel inlet and outlet lines from your 12V fuel dosing pump, capturing any spillage in a drip pan to prevent contamination. Replace the inline diesel fuel filter first, then swap out the dosing pump by unbolting its mounting bracket and reconnecting the new unit with fresh 4mm silicone fuel tubing.
Step 5: Inspect Combustion Chamber Components
Check your combustion chamber blower motor for debris, carbon buildup, or corrosion, cleaning gently with a soft brush if necessary. Verify that your intake and exhaust silencer kit components are seated properly and that no gasket material is deteriorating or blocking airflow.
Step 6: Verify Control Panel Operation Settings
Reinstall your diesel heater LCD control panel and navigate through the diagnostic menu to confirm that all sensor connections and fuel delivery parameters are registering correctly. Check that the panel displays proper voltage readings and that there are no error codes related to the glow plug or fuel pump circuits.
Step 7: Test System and Monitor Performance
Reconnect your negative battery terminal and initiate a full heating cycle, listening for proper ignition sequence and observing that the glow plug cycles on for 5-10 seconds before fuel injection begins. Monitor the exhaust outlet with your hand for warm air discharge, and use your multimeter to verify that voltage to the glow plug drops to near zero after the ignition phase completes successfully.
Recommended Parts
| Part | Link |
|---|---|
| Webasto / Espar ceramic glow plug | View on Amazon |
| Diesel heater fuel dosing pump (12V) | View on Amazon |
| Inline diesel fuel filter | View on Amazon |
| Diesel heater LCD control panel | View on Amazon |
| Combustion chamber blower motor | View on Amazon |
| Intake & exhaust silencer kit | View on Amazon |
| Diesel fuel line silicone tubing (4mm) | View on Amazon |
| Digital multimeter (auto-ranging) | View on Amazon |