Coolant leaking from Espar

[DieselB59]

I just noticed today a small amount of coolant on the ground under the truck and when I started it and let the system pressurize, it is coming from the bottom of the Espar heater. All the hose connections are tight and no leaks appear to be coming from either them, nor from the bleeder screw. Anyone ever have theirs apart yet? I am going to end up rigging up a temporary fix so that I can pull the unit and disassemble it and meanwhile be able to drive the truck. The leak is definitely coming from the Espar and not from the engine.

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Chris Timochko
AUTO WURKS DIESEL R&D TEAM
1997 5sp 4X4, Rhino Linings, Espar Heater, A. W. D. HX40 turbo, ATS 3pc Manifold, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, A. W. D. Custom Tuned Injection Pump, A. W. D. Intercooler, A. W. D. 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, A. W. D. Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, A. W. D. 6" Chrome Exhaust System, BD No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s.
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Project U96 - 1996 3500 2WD racer. A. W. D. Marine Ultra Low Compression, A. W. D. Teflon-coated Pistons, A. W. D. High Lift Camshaft, Ported and Honed Cylinder Head, Intake and Exhaust manifold; A. W. D. HX40 Turbocharger, ATS 3pc Exhaust Manifold, A. W. D. Water Injection, A. W. D. Custom Fabricated Fuel System, Race Spec A. W. D. /BD P7100 Injection Pump, A. W. D. Custom High Flow Fuel Injection Nozzles, BD Auto transmission and Custom TC, Weld Draglites, Goodyear Eagle Drag Slicks, 5" Single Stack Through The Bed, Mag-Hytec on Rear and Transmission.

 

[illflem]

Chris,maybe the Webastos heaters are better after all,yours is the second one I've heard of that started leaking. You probably can fix it yourself by soldering,that's what the fellow I talked to that had his leak did.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Chris,

I took out my Espar owners manual. On page 16 is an exploded view of the unit. There are a few O-rings part # 20,21 or 13 could be leaking. It will be covered under Espar's warranty. But it's a PITA to pull the unit.

You could double check the 4 screws part # 32 to make sure they are tight. These hold the water pump to the outer casing. This is where the 4 O-rings are.

You can view the Espar exploded view here: http://www.espar.com/htm/tecmans.htm

Lets us know what you find. #ad

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Bill R
94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust, Autometer Pyro, Boost & Water temp gauges, Bosch 215 HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7º, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit, Scotty Air, Bully Dog Propane Injection, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Optima Red Tops, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, Espar Heater (won it!), Synthetic lubes throughout.



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 02-11-2001). ]

 

[GWS]

I watched the same thing happen to mine once as I was listening to it starting up. At first glance I thought the drops of liquid were diesel, but when it hit the snow the telltale colour was bright green. It never happened again, to my knowledge and my coolant level is ok and not diminishing. I do believe the Espar to be a genuine piece of sh_t, though, and I have yet to remedy my intermittent fault 52's. The unit works only about half the time and can't be relied upon. Espar won't send me a replacement unit because they want me to test the metering pump first. We all know how tight the working space is under there. I used to have a lot of respect for german engineering, but with my Espar kaput and the way the Daimler-Benz boys are re-engineering Chrysler into the ground, I will steer well clear of their products in the future.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Chris,

Where was the leak coming from?



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 03-16-2001). ]

 

[DieselB59]

I have yet to figure out where the leak was coming from. I was so perturbed with the whole thing that I ordered up a new heater hose from Dodge and just put the whole cooling system back to the way it was. The Espar is just sitting there on the frame with two caps on the coolant in and out ports. One day when I have time for it, I'll pull the whole thing out and pressure test it. For now, the lion sleeps.

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Chris Timochko
AUTO WURKS DIESEL R&D TEAM
1997 5sp 4X4, Rhino Linings, Espar Heater, A. W. D. HX40 turbo, ATS 3pc Manifold, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, A. W. D. Custom Tuned Injection Pump, A. W. D. Intercooler, A. W. D. 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, A. W. D. Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, A. W. D. 6" Chrome Exhaust System, BD No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s. 15. 50@97mph on Goodyear All-Terrain tires.
****************************************************************************
Project U96 - 1996 3500 2WD racer. A. W. D. Marine Ultra Low Compression, A. W. D. Teflon-coated Pistons, A. W. D. High Lift Camshaft, Ported and Honed Cylinder Head, Intake and Exhaust manifold; A. W. D. HX40 Turbocharger, ATS 3pc Exhaust Manifold, A. W. D. Water Injection, A. W. D. Custom Fabricated Fuel System, Race Spec A. W. D. /BD P7100 Injection Pump, A. W. D. Custom High Flow Fuel Injection Nozzles, BD Auto transmission and Custom TC, Weld Draglites, Goodyear Eagle Drag Slicks, 5" Single Stack Through The Bed, Mag-Hytec on Rear and Transmission. 11. 54@115mph

 

[GWS]

Too bad the Espar doesn't weigh 50 lbs. At least then it would make a good boat anchor.

 

[David_VT]

I FYI'd ESPAR on this thread's topic.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

My Espar has worked perfectly this winter. No problems what so ever. I couldn't be more satisfied.

 

[HC]

I'd just like to thank everyone for their honest and open posting on this topic. I dearly wanted an ESPAR because I often camp away from power outlets, and it would have been just soooo nice to sleep in a warm truck by opening the sliders between the cab and camper. But these threads have convinced me that with my Southern address, I don't need to add something that compromises the Cummins reliability or adds maintenance headaches - there are too many other ways to heat the camper, and the truck starts fine in cold weather, even unplugged.
That's what this board is all about - sharing info so that we can learn from others.

 

[Lug-nut]

Sorry to hear of the troubles. I have to chime in here in agreement with HEMI®Dart. I have never had a minutes trouble with my Espar. Definately one of the best additions I have made.

 

['956Wheel]

No stupid questions... right? What is an "espar", besides something that leaks and pi$$es off the bros.

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9535hundred

 

[David_VT]

http://www.espar.com if curious what it is

I am happy with mine.

I had some self inflicted problems that I fixed myself.
The range of the remote could be just a little bit better.
If you install yourself, make sure you download the most recent manual from their website to insure you have the most recent information.

 

['956Wheel]

Originally posted by Statland:
No stupid questions... right? What is an "espar", besides something that leaks and pi$$es off the bros.

Whats an "espar"??????????????

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9535hundred

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Stratland,

Its an aftermaket engine coolant heater that runs on diesel, like a little oil burner. They are expensive and take a full weekend to install. Thats why guys get so mad when they don't work right. #ad


More info: http://www.espar.com/htm/applies/pickup.htm



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 03-19-2001). ]

 

[Wheaties]

Statland,

An Espar is one of the nicest things you can do for both you and your truck if you happen to live where the weather gets cold. It is a tiny heater that runs independant of the engine using 12V and a sip of diesel fuel from your tank.

It heats the coolant and has a small pump to circulate it through the heater circuit and block. An additional 12V circuit will run the heater blower so you can defrost your cab while you warm your engine. It all runs off a 7day timer, or for extra $$ you can get a remote start.

No long power cords to the block heater, no cold cabs in winter. You can even leave it on low while you shop.

The TDR did a group purchase of them, what, a year ago?, which was a really good thing because they don't come cheap.

The other heater you can buy is made by Webasto.

So guys, please keep this thread up to date cause I want one and I need to know!!!

Matt

[This message has been edited by mwheaton (edited 03-19-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

Mike, an Espar is something you don't need in So Cal. #ad

 

[David_VT]

I may be wrong, but I think that group purchase we did was kind of a 'direct marketing' experiment on ESPAR's part.

Their sales model has been one that has distributors who do the direct sales and installation, rather than simple mail order.

It would be unfortunate if the problems seen by some only serve to encourage ESPAR to stay with the distributor routine. (i. e likely installation charges on top of purchase price)

Clearly many of us are technical enough to install the ESPAR. The problem seems to be how to get a warm and fuzzy feeling when problems start and you have to troubleshoot this over the phone.

When I started investigating the group purchase discount, I approached a local distributor but never got any satisfaction. I suspect that when Scott (i. e. Psycotty) tried prior to me, he also was trying to work a distributor. The deal seemed to come together when we got the attention of the VP of sales at the home office.

If you enjoy your ESPAR, great. If you have problems, keep after your ESPAR contacts and if they don't do it for you, escalate.

ESPAR has some very big contracts and sell into the marine, auto, small and large truck markets, etc etc.

I still think your satisfaction is important to them.

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If considering a new ESPAR, do your homeworks and find out what the local distributor will charge to install (and thus warranty) your new unit. Maybe it is not too bad???