Espar revisited

[Wheaties]

Stan,



It sounds like I learned that the factory pickup (good term for it) is definitely the way to go. I think my point is, I learned this the hard way and would like to keep others from making the same mistake, especially since I reccommended it in the first place!



Make no bones about it, I am a staunch advocate of the Espar heater. I think it's a fantastic addition to the truck, turbine whine and all! It's good for the engine, and my toes don't mind it at all. I actually used my window scraper once this winter. I have no preference for the D4 kit over the D5. Heck if I had known that the D4 kit cost 50% more, I might have gone with the D5 and scrounged the parts, it has more heating capacity.



Matt

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Espar leaking

Found a drip under my Espar heater this afternoon. It's coolant. I hope it's a loose bleeder or hose but I doubt it. Appears to coming from the body of the pump. I would like to get under there and give it a good look over..... but it's too damn cold.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Bill: Is your Espar mounted with the 2nd Gen specific kit?



I wonder if salt got in there and rotted out the boiler... ?



I knew I didn't like that location for many reasons... .



Matt

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Hey Matt,



Yep, It's the kit for the Dodge Ram. It seemed like the road salt was not really getting to it. I looked it over each spring.



It's frustrating because it has to happen at the coldest time of the year. I have no garage either.



I hope it's not the same leak as Chris had. It probably is.



Link: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5596&highlight=Espar+leak



Fluid leaks bug the hell out of me.

 

[Wheaties]

This weather seems to be bringing leaks out everywhere. Bill if you can find a garage to work in, get the Espar out, and bring it inside. Mine lost the glow pin a week or so ago, and I only just got it working again.



Good luck with the leak!



Matt

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Bill: Let us know how it works out... .



Maybe someone will volunteer their garage for a few hours...



MTY

 

[Alaskaskiff]

I had a coolant leak on my espar last year. It was coming out through the seam in the side of the case and dripping down from the bottom. It was caused by worn o-rings where the coolant pump fits up to the boiler. Easy fix, other than getting it out of the truck. I took the time to install ball valves in the coolant system, so I could more easily remove the unit when necessary.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Uhhhh, HEY BILL, YOOOO HOOOOO... need a warm garage!!!

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Thanks for the offer Torque , but it seems the leak has stopped. Has not dripped anything for a few days. I am surprised.



Alaskaskiff,



I think the leak is the same as yours. It looked like it was coming from the side of the case too. I will pull it out this spring and fix it or send it to Espar for repair.

 

[gregdoerfler]

i would say that it is your o ring leaking,i had to change my glow pin on mine and i seen they were leaking a little inside of mine when i tore it apart. i would change them my self if i were you. and if your heater is 5 years old i would change the glow pin also while you had it out.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Hey Guys,



Where did you get your Espar Parts? Directly from Espar or another place?



I think the O-Rings are bad. I had a leak from the body of the heater. I might as well replace the glow pin while it's out too.

 

[gregdoerfler]

i dont think you can buy them directly from espar, but if you goto there site and fond the closet dealer to you to call, only problem with that is they dont seem to update there site and some are not dealers anymore. i use mark lenchney(sp?) in central pa, i can get the number if you want, he is real helpful to me.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

gregdoerfler,



Does $60 sound right to you for 2 O-rings and a glow pin?



I thought it was high.

 

[gregdoerfler]

the o rings were only about 50 cents but i about fell off my seat when he told me the price of glowpin im just guessing but i think it was somewhere around there.

 

[OTRPU]

Well I decided it would be too much fun to install myself, had my DOC in Angola, IN do it. Gosh it was great since I live in the truck a good portion of the time. Someone earlier said not enough heat. . . mine, (D-4), will drive me outta the sleeper if I leave it on too long. Just got used to having it and wouldn't you know the damn glow pin blows with me the other side of the States in Oregon. Had to run the Cummins for heat till I got back to Angola. But had WiFi Internet so got ahold of Espar, found a dealer and had the pin dropshipped to Indiana DOC. Part was there when I arrived, he threw it in and I'm on my way. . . happy as a lark. A week of warm nights later the dam thing croaked again. GPS located Interstate Diesel, a dealer on my route. They trouble shot and determined the Controller was DEAD. $400 bucks and a week away. Had them order it in and I'd pickup next time I came through. They wanted too much to remove the unit and swap out the controller so I took it back to DOC in Angola. He's busy, I'm sorta a pain showing up before he opens and truck sitting in front of his favorite lift, so he fixed my real problem and said later for the heater. That's ok, it's time to switch to short sleeve shirts now anyway and wouldn't be using the heater till next season. I figure bout August I'll start bugging him to fix it so I'll have it for winter for sure. Very BIG difference when you live in the truck in the winter compared to running the Cummins. I've had terrible things happen while sleeping and leaving the truck running, not even counting the fuel expense. In case you're feeling sorry for me having to purchase the glow pin & controller don't think you need to be. . . he sorta gave the the ESPAR Hydronic D-4, had it laying around from a take-off some guy selling his truck and moved away and can't locate him. Wish I could. . . I'd ask him if he needs the remote anymore or if I could have it, left it in his truck. Guess I'll quit looking a gift horse in the mouth.



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Cheers,

Steve J

 

[HEMI®Dart]

OTRPU,



I feel your pain. My Espar is starting to give me problems too & I am getting aggravated.





Hey Guys,



My Espar won't fire and it's giving my Fault 41.



Espar says it's a break in the water pump. It could be the water pump or the wiring or the controller has "given up it's ghost".



I pulled it out and replaced the O-rings on the water tank (they leaked) and put a new glow pin in. When I had the Espar out I bench tested the water pump and it worked fine. I think I was getting Fault 41 this winter. I thought it was because the pump was probably dry.



I check the wiring and couldn't find anything wrong.



The Espar tech said to put juice directly to the water pump from the connector that plugs into the timer/controller. Has anybody had to do this and what wire or number did you put juice to? I have the schematic but it's confusing.



I don't want to pull this thing out AGAIN.

 

[Wheaties]

Yea, my water pump went last winter too. I hate to tell you this, but the wires he's talking about are in the heater. You'll have to take it apart to get to them.



I had mine apart and touched 12v to the pump and it ran, but kind of buzzed as it spun as if the bearings were shot. Once I replaced it, I haven't had a problem. The pump was pricey, and it looked to be unique to the Espar, so I don't think you could find one off the shelf to replace it.



Good luck,

Wheaties

 

[HEMI®Dart]

You were right Wheaties about testing the water pump only. It can't be done through the harness. It looks like I will have to drop it and order a new water pump.