Espar Heater Install on Shadetree Mechanic

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Did anyone catch Shadetree Mechanic today? I happened to have TNN on and was pleasantly surprised to see it featured Sam's '97 Dodge Ram again.

They covered the installation of an Espar heater, and talk about a neat little package! It is smaller than I pictured it, and mounts nicely to the frame, It's fueled by a line straight to the tank. If I understood correctly, the unit is inline with the heater core supply hose, and the built-in pump circulates heated coolant through the core. It heats the coolant to 175F, and the system activates the heater fan to warm the cabin. The combustion unit even has a small air inlet pipe, and about at 1" exhaust pipe with a mini muffler! Sounded like a little jet motor when running. They didn't elaborate at all about how much it would warm the engine, but it certainly must since the coolant circulates.

Installation looked pretty straightforward, except you have to drop the tank to install the pickup line, as well as install the program module in the cab.

I have looked at the Espar site before, but seeing this unit on TV really showed how nice of a setup it really is.

The main thing I'd question is what sort of maintenance this thing requires, how reliable it is, and what would be a typical life expectancy. I doubt they're very cheap!

Vaughn

BOMBin' and DROOLING over the ESPAR HEATER


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1998 3/4T Quad Cab 4x4, 24-valve, 5-speed w/3. 54 rear, White over Driftwood, Fog Lamps, Air Dam, Agate leather with most options.
Bosch RV Injectors
245/75/16 Kelley Safari MSRs on M/T Classics, DeeZee running boards, diamond tread bedrail & tailgate protector.
56,250 miles (1/23/00)

 

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I caught the last half of the show. Took a trip to the coast and didnt get my TT cleaned up fast enough to catch the first half. I would check on the access above the tank and pull the box off instead of dropping the tank. You can unbolt,unplug and lift the box in 1/2 hour. I wonder if Sam is coming to MM. Id like to see his truck up close. Kinda nice to get paid and work on your own rig at the same time. #ad


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1999 2500 Cummins w/4spd auto,Quad Cab,SWB,4x4,Flame red ,all options less leather and radio controls on steering wheel,OEM color matched runningboards,DeeZee bedrails painted black,Power Vision Mirrors,OEM ventshades,Oem sill covers,OEM underrail bedliner

 

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I must say I just don't see the need for it. My Y2K warms up in about five minutes even when it is 5 to 10 degrees outside, less if I turn on the seat heaters.

One strange thing I noticed is Sam mentioned letting your ruck idle for 30 minutes and it not getting warm. Last I heard, you weren't supposed to let your truck idle more than a few because it would not maintain proper combustion temperature and diesel would leak past your rings causing accelerated and premature wear of cylinders.

Michael

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'00 Black Sport 3500 4x4 QC, SLT+, 6-Speed, Camel Leather, Trailer Tow Group, Camper Special Group, 3. 54 LSD
'96 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Special FLSTN
'99 Wells Cargo 2-Place Cycle Wagon 12' x 7'




[This message has been edited by mkubacak (edited 01-31-2000). ]

 

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mkubacak,

I think Sam was saying IF you idled a half hour it wouldn't warm up, he wasn't saying he did that, nor was he suggesting it.

My temp comes up reasonably fast, but I tend to leave the heater off for a while so the motor warms up quicker. I do this since I do a lot of short trips where it barely has time to warm up before I shut down. I think the heater would be great for this type of driving.

Even though the temp gauge may come up within a few miles, the engine is far from being warmed up. The sensor for the gauge is near the thermostat, where the warmest coolant would be. In cold weather it takes quite a while to heat the engine and oil up entirely.

Vaughn

 

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Right on Vaughn, I taped the show, watching it later after I got up. Awesome product! I was very interested in purchasing this product for my Ram when I first saw their ad. in the TDR however, it seemed somewhat cost prohibitive at $1500. (parts only. . without the trick remote Sam had, that is an option). Living in Western Washington I was (and still am) trying to somehow justify the expense for this unit, as the somewhat temperate weather won't really take full advantage of this device. One feature I really like about the Espar Hydronic heater is the ability of the system to defrost your windshield/windows, at the same time warming the engine for a "warm" start up. #ad


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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (Black) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights and Super White bulbs, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, "Scotty Air System", Hitco/Geno's exhaust blanket, Femco/Geno's EZ Drain oil pan plug, and Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system.

'00 Polaris 6x6

[This message has been edited by John (edited 01-31-2000). ]

 

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shadetree's link http://www.shadetreemechanic.com/previouseps/st8_24.shtml
A good link to info on the espar: http://infomatch.com/~roton/espar.htm
A better link to info on the espar: http://www.espar.com/htm/applies/pickup.htm


I am seriously considering this for my RAM in Northern VT. I am seeing the block, battery and cab electric heaters on my electric bill, and it is not going to take too damn long to justify the ESPAR.

Yep, at -30f actual, these trucks have a real hard time getting comfy. They work but who knows what it is doing to the guts of a 35K rig on a daily basis.

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99QC4x4SB5SPD Van Aaken coming, we are going to the BOMBING range soon #ad


Green Monster's cyber garage

[This message has been edited by David_VT (edited 02-01-2000). ]

[This message has been edited by David_VT (edited 02-01-2000). ]

[This message has been edited by David_VT (edited 02-01-2000). ]

 

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It would be neat to see Sam Memmelo post questions & answers @ the TDR website. #ad
. Maybe he`s too busy? He writes for the TDR. We would be one up on the "other" Diesel websites having a celebrity on the board. #ad


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Signature went with the "crash". . out in cyber space somewhere...

[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 02-01-2000). ]

 

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Sam, are you out there somewhere reading these?

 

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The Espar episode on ShadeTree Mechanic will be repeated next weekend, April 29& 30.
I`m gonna tape it #ad

 

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Hemi-
Thx for the tip. I might as well tape it too, might need it someday. #ad

 

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Making my own video today when I install mine... #ad