Hello all. We have a new Rapido c86 fitted with a Truma combi diesel heater which is very noisy especially at night. This is our first winter trip (near Montpellier). I think the fuel pump must be integrated in the boiler housing. Has anyone had a similar experience or solution? Look forward to any news
Noisy Truma Combi Diesel Heater
- Thread starter Donric
- Start date
What type of noise is it making ?
The fuel pumps tend to make a clicking noise whereas the combustion fan usually sounds more like a "jet" engine ?
The fuel pumps tend to make a clicking noise whereas the combustion fan usually sounds more like a "jet" engine ?
We have the Truma Diesel heater/boiler in our C86. Not found it particularly noisy. Can hear the fuel pump clicking.
Its fixed to the underside of the motorhome , directly below the boiler.
Its fixed to the underside of the motorhome , directly below the boiler.
Definitely clicking or more like a soft thumping sound while in operation
Ok thanks . I will have a look under the van in the morning. The sound is a soft thumping and is annoying in the day and worse at night. Some folk recommend rubber mountings
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If it's the pump, then it just has to be installed wrong. If they are installed correctly, there is barely any sound inside the van. For a while I had an old Transporter in which I installed one of those cheap chinese heaters and that proved my words exactly. Got in a bit of a hurry during the build and installed the pump "just somehow", and the ticking inside was obvious. Later we tested it with a friend, lifted the van up and my friend held the pump so that it didn't touch anything and the fuel lines also were completely free. Almost no sound inside the van while the pump was free from everything. When he let it go and it slowly returned to the position (to which the lines took it when they "bent back" all the ticking came back.
In our new van (2024 Hymer) we have Truma D, the fuel pump isn't isolated/sound proofed in any way, it just hangs under the van and only seldom have I heard the ticking. The weather needs to be windless and the heater in very slow power/blow to just slightly hear it inside.
Other than that, I think at least the new Truma D (with round exhaust, came late 2023 I think. The earlier has that boxy exhaust) is quite noisy when it's keeping our PVC at ~21c if the temperature outside is lower than -5c. The sound at that situation is maybe even more than our previous gas Truma 4kw at full power. Still, absolutely wouldn't revert back to gas as D is so much easier in the winter.
BUT! While writing this, I remembered something the original poster might have meant with the thumping sound! At very low power setting (like in the autumn when the heater is only barely heating) I've had the same thumping, and from day 1 I always thought it's the exhaust making the sound. Haven't really looked in to it, but I know the thumping and this is what I've been thinking about it.
Maybe next time go outside and listen to the exhaust. And do you have the old or the new Truma D (round/boxy exhaust)?
In our new van (2024 Hymer) we have Truma D, the fuel pump isn't isolated/sound proofed in any way, it just hangs under the van and only seldom have I heard the ticking. The weather needs to be windless and the heater in very slow power/blow to just slightly hear it inside.
Other than that, I think at least the new Truma D (with round exhaust, came late 2023 I think. The earlier has that boxy exhaust) is quite noisy when it's keeping our PVC at ~21c if the temperature outside is lower than -5c. The sound at that situation is maybe even more than our previous gas Truma 4kw at full power. Still, absolutely wouldn't revert back to gas as D is so much easier in the winter.
BUT! While writing this, I remembered something the original poster might have meant with the thumping sound! At very low power setting (like in the autumn when the heater is only barely heating) I've had the same thumping, and from day 1 I always thought it's the exhaust making the sound. Haven't really looked in to it, but I know the thumping and this is what I've been thinking about it.
Maybe next time go outside and listen to the exhaust. And do you have the old or the new Truma D (round/boxy exhaust)?
Thank you very much for the video. I have just found the fuel pump under the van and it looks much the same as your own, with my hand on the pump I can even feel the 'thumping'! In spite of the van being this years model it looks as though a modification will be needed. My first call will be with the dealer then we shall see what next. Once again many thanks
Just for clarification, not my video, but just came across it few days ago and thought it might help. In any case, good luck and hopefully you will find a solution to deaden your pump.
Many thanks for your helpful reply. The exhaust is the latest round one (the van is a 2025 model) and i have found the fuel pump underneath the van beneath the boiler. The problem is definitely with the pump. I will be contacting the dealer as soon as poss.
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In my previous van I had the pump mounted outside the van as far forwards as I could get it and the bed was at the back of the van with my head by the back doors and despite all of that, the pump still irritated me.
Some pumps are quieter than others and there are lots of people doing weird and wonderful things to dampen the sound. This is a rabbit hole I've been down because they're like water torture for me. Drip, drip, drip...
The good news is that this particular rabbit hole led to a solution.
I first heard of James Browning Smith's silent pumps from this David McLuckie video:
James hand assembles these in his shed and I found him a lovely person to deal with. Just remember that he's not a business with a website etc however he does offer a 12 month warranty on them.
The video is quite old and the pumps keep being tweaked and refined and there are different models available depending on the size and shape of enclosure you need. There's even a 'marine' one which is IP65 rated and made from cast aluminium etc... You might find videos highlighting a 'siphoning' issue if you mounted the pump above the heater but that's been resolved now.
They are a long way from cheap but they are excellent. I paid about the same for the pump as I did my Maxspeedingrods heater to give you a broad idea.
With your ear right up to it you can hear it, but it's quieter than the air that comes out of the heater. It's been a game changer for me.
It also has a priming button that just pumps fuel straight through at great speed so even with a long fuel line it's all primed in seconds rather than minutes.
I did check with James that he was happy for me to share his email (it's in the video anyway but it felt courteous to ask him) so if any of you would like to find out more about the current options / pricing then you can reach him at jamesbrowningsmith@yahoo.co.uk
I'm nothing more than an extremely satisfied customer but if you have the budget and can't stand the ticking then this is definitely the best solution I've found out there.
For the heater nerds out there it's also fully compatible with the Afterburner (which is on my shopping list)
Some pumps are quieter than others and there are lots of people doing weird and wonderful things to dampen the sound. This is a rabbit hole I've been down because they're like water torture for me. Drip, drip, drip...
The good news is that this particular rabbit hole led to a solution.
I first heard of James Browning Smith's silent pumps from this David McLuckie video:
James hand assembles these in his shed and I found him a lovely person to deal with. Just remember that he's not a business with a website etc however he does offer a 12 month warranty on them.
The video is quite old and the pumps keep being tweaked and refined and there are different models available depending on the size and shape of enclosure you need. There's even a 'marine' one which is IP65 rated and made from cast aluminium etc... You might find videos highlighting a 'siphoning' issue if you mounted the pump above the heater but that's been resolved now.
They are a long way from cheap but they are excellent. I paid about the same for the pump as I did my Maxspeedingrods heater to give you a broad idea.
With your ear right up to it you can hear it, but it's quieter than the air that comes out of the heater. It's been a game changer for me.
It also has a priming button that just pumps fuel straight through at great speed so even with a long fuel line it's all primed in seconds rather than minutes.
I did check with James that he was happy for me to share his email (it's in the video anyway but it felt courteous to ask him) so if any of you would like to find out more about the current options / pricing then you can reach him at jamesbrowningsmith@yahoo.co.uk
I'm nothing more than an extremely satisfied customer but if you have the budget and can't stand the ticking then this is definitely the best solution I've found out there.
For the heater nerds out there it's also fully compatible with the Afterburner (which is on my shopping list)
Clive Mott
Funster
We are on camp in Spain. Another coach built has moved into the next pitch but pointing the other way, consequently their van is about 1M from ours. The flue of his heater is directly facing us and roars on and off all night waking us up. We are plugged into the hookup and the 1KW setting of our heating keeps us snug at night once the blinds are down. No noise generated. Diesel heaters do make more noise and smell than gas heaters as the fuel is pumped through a small jet to make a mist that is then lit by a glowplug. When speccing a new van think of more than just yourselves.
- Oct 5, 2021
- 227
- 302
- Funster No
- 84,657
- MH
- dont own one yet
I think more vans are going to have diesel boilers in future because of both the convenience (being able to heat out of main fuel tank) and issues being dependent and/or getting LPG.
I wonder if there'll be another swing back to gas if e-vans become viable, maybe in 10-20 years? Viability could be achieved either with a new generation of batteries or by beating diesel to death with enough legislation
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We are very happy with our C86 and I am sure you will be too. The 9 speed auto with the 140hp is surprisingly a pleasure to drive
- Oct 5, 2021
- 227
- 302
- Funster No
- 84,657
- MH
- dont own one yet
Thats what we have coming. We are unbelievably excited. Kids on Christmas Eve.excited
Hi Donric
I'm just in the process of fitting a Truma 6Kw diesel heater in our van, and I think you'll find that the fuel pump is situated (or should be) under 2 meters in length from the fuel tank. I am fitting mine under and along the chassis (with any luck) tomorrow.
It does say in the instructions that the fuel pump should not be any further than 2 meters from the fuel tank, hence, they come with a 6-7 meter electric cable to plug into the fuel pump and run with the fuel line to the heater.
If you go onto "Jacksons Liesure" site and click on the Truma heater, scroll down and you will see a link for fitting instructions. Just scroll through the instructions and that might give you a better idea of where things should be positioned in and around your van.
It may be worth having a look underneath to see where your pump and fuel line has been situated!
I hope this helps with your "noisy pump" issue.
Good luck.
Billy
P.S try this link
Truma D4E Installation Manual
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