Diesel Forum Forum for Diesel engine vehicle related discussion
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

heater booster system, why?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old May 10, 2007 | 12:48 PM
  #1  
seahonu's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
2015 GLK 250 BT
heater booster system, why?

I'm still getting to know my 05 E320 CDI. I noticed reading in the Operators Manual of this heater booster system to provide cabin heat before the engine is warm/hot. Why is it only on the diesel that have this feature, heater booster system? Is it because diesels are more efficient and thus put out less "waste", ie. heat in comparison to gas/petrol engines? Meaning less "waste" would be less heat generated, ie. insufficient for heating the cabin?
Reply
Old May 10, 2007 | 05:18 PM
  #2  
lkchris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
A gasoline engine burns a 14.7-to-one air/fuel ratio at all speeds.

A diesel air/fuel ratio varies with engine speed and at idle can be as much as 150-to-one. Not much fuel burned equals not much heat.
Reply
Old May 10, 2007 | 09:27 PM
  #3  
240D 3.0T's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Federal Heights, CO
1982 300D VNT, 1980 240D 3.0T, 1982 300TD
Modern diesels are very efficient and put little heat into the coolant.

VW TDI's with the Pumpe Duse engine actually have glowplugs in the coolant to get the engine warm faster.
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 12:12 AM
  #4  
seahonu's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
2015 GLK 250 BT
Wow, I hadn't realized how efficient diesels are! Learn something new, esp. about the diesel fuel to air ratio. Cool!
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 02:24 PM
  #5  
cdiken's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
2005 Carlsson CD32 E320 CDI Inline-6
You answered your own question

Motor takes a long time to warm up.


The instant heat is nice. Even though the gassers warm up faster, even they don't warm up as fast as an electric coil.....ironic that the MB diesel drivers actually get hot heat before gas engine drivers.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 07:28 PM
  #6  
harkgar's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
question

Originally Posted by cdiken
Motor takes a long time to warm up.


The instant heat is nice. Even though the gassers warm up faster, even they don't warm up as fast as an electric coil.....ironic that the MB diesel drivers actually get hot heat before gas engine drivers.
If it takes so long for diesels to heat up in the winter then the A/C should be really cool in the summer, right?
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2007 | 02:44 PM
  #7  
erh7771's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by harkgar
If it takes so long for diesels to heat up in the winter then the A/C should be really cool in the summer, right?
I wish...the AC cooling quickness depends more on the size of the compressor etc.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2007 | 04:46 PM
  #8  
lxl_Jeffro_lxl's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,493
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
1987 E300 TD
Mine doesn't take long for the AC Temp to cool down, usually around 1 minute.

Winter time, it takes about 5 minutes of constant driving to get it around 80C
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 23, 2007 | 06:25 PM
  #9  
harkgar's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Originally Posted by lxl_Jeffro_lxl
Mine doesn't take long for the AC Temp to cool down, usually around 1 minute.

Winter time, it takes about 5 minutes of constant driving to get it around 80C
Can you explain why the air-box and filter is on the passenger side and the intake manifold on the driver's side in your car? It seems a very convoluted way to route air into the engine.

I noticed the same in my CDi. Should the intake not be as short and as cool as possible?
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2007 | 06:27 PM
  #10  
harkgar's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Originally Posted by lxl_Jeffro_lxl
Mine doesn't take long for the AC Temp to cool down, usually around 1 minute.

Winter time, it takes about 5 minutes of constant driving to get it around 80C
Your car is pristine. It is a keeper.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2007 | 06:29 PM
  #11  
240D 3.0T's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Federal Heights, CO
1982 300D VNT, 1980 240D 3.0T, 1982 300TD
Originally Posted by harkgar
Can you explain why the air-box and filter is on the passenger side and the intake manifold on the driver's side in your car? It seems a very convoluted way to route air into the engine.

I noticed the same in my CDi. Should the intake not be as short and as cool as possible?
It's because the intercooler passes from the turbo (passenger side) to the intake (drivers side). The intercooler is what cools the air after the turbo heats it from compression.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2007 | 10:44 PM
  #12  
harkgar's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
It makes sense now

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T
It's because the intercooler passes from the turbo (passenger side) to the intake (drivers side). The intercooler is what cools the air after the turbo heats it from compression.
Do you have a photo of your intercooler?
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2007 | 11:07 PM
  #13  
240D 3.0T's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Federal Heights, CO
1982 300D VNT, 1980 240D 3.0T, 1982 300TD
Originally Posted by harkgar
Do you have a photo of your intercooler?
Here ya go. I've improved it, especially the cosmetics, since these photos were taken.
Attached Thumbnails heater booster system, why?-1.jpg   heater booster system, why?-2.jpg  
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2007 | 07:40 PM
  #14  
lxl_Jeffro_lxl's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,493
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
1987 E300 TD
Originally Posted by harkgar
Can you explain why the air-box and filter is on the passenger side and the intake manifold on the driver's side in your car? It seems a very convoluted way to route air into the engine.

I noticed the same in my CDi. Should the intake not be as short and as cool as possible?
Well, my car is a turbo diesel....so I'm assuming that the intake is on the passenger side of the car so it has room for the airbox and the turbo. Then the boosted air goes through intercooler piping near the bottom of the front bumper and then to the other side into the intake. So it seems very like a very reasonable design.

Originally Posted by harkgar
Your car is pristine. It is a keeper.
Thanks
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2007 | 10:44 PM
  #15  
harkgar's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
You should design cars for MB

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T
Here ya go. I've improved it, especially the cosmetics, since these photos were taken.
Mr. 240 D,

That is amazing! The intercooler is sitting right behind that large MB grill ready to be cooled. Nobody can see it either and cosmetics is not a problem at all. Jaguars of the same vintage, especially the V-12 engines were boiling over all the time.
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2007 | 10:46 PM
  #16  
harkgar's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Originally Posted by lxl_Jeffro_lxl
Well, my car is a turbo diesel....so I'm assuming that the intake is on the passenger side of the car so it has room for the airbox and the turbo. Then the boosted air goes through intercooler piping near the bottom of the front bumper and then to the other side into the intake. So it seems very like a very reasonable design.



Thanks
Can you see your intercooler from under the car? I cannot see mine. Is yours similar to 240 D's modified engine?
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2007 | 10:48 PM
  #17  
gtl diesel's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: San Diego County
1980 MBZ 300SD, 03 Audi A8, 97 Volvo 960
Originally Posted by cdiken
Motor takes a long time to warm up.


The instant heat is nice. Even though the gassers warm up faster, even they don't warm up as fast as an electric coil.....ironic that the MB diesel drivers actually get hot heat before gas engine drivers.
Not always. I have driven Volvo's for the last 30+ years. On the coldest winter day -in New York City- it never took more than 3 or 4 blocks of driving before heat started to come through. No other car I have ever owned (and I've owned about 100 of them) has ever done this.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:08 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE