Esper heating systems

[RSimonson]

I have a 04. 5 and I just moved to a place where it can stay -30 for days on end. I am pretty sure the stock engine block heater wont work here. I saw some stuff about the esper systems and I like the sounds of it. I wanted to know if in this kind of system is worth it for the extra cold climate. What the actual cost is for the system normally is and where the best deal would be. How much work it actually takes to install. Pretty much I want to know whatever you guys may think is important. I think I also saw a post talking about elevation problems. I live at about 5000 feet would this pose any problems? If nothing else if you think that getting a better block heater and some other heaters would work just as well for cheaper please speak up. Thanks for any info.

 

[KBennett]

I did a search for Espar not Esper and found this:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/search.php?searchid=796652



It looks like a cool product but I have no personal experience with it.

 

[betterthanstock]

They use them on some Freightliners and others. Talk to a trucker.

 

[Nate]

It get's pretty cold here. I haven't had my truck for a winter yet, but the guy I bought it from said he had no problems with starting in the cold. We had about 20 diesels at work, 12 and 24valves and some Powerstrokes. If they were plugged in the CTDs had no problem firing up, the Powerstrokes were ok for the most part.



Don't plug them in, and the Powerstrokes would never start. The CTDs, if you cycled the grid heater 2-3 times, usually you'd be able to fire them up.



I'd suggest you put an oil pan heater and some battery heaters if the weather will be cold like that for a while. You in Alaska? or up in Canada?

 

[AGrubbs]

I've only had my truck a couple of years, nothing much colder than -5 to -10F here since then. . so can't say for sure what it would start like really cold, but

I have been thinking that it would be better for the engine to start it up a little warm. . AND I would have heat on the way home from work at 4AM in the morning!



I looked into getting one last year, but put it off due the high price, but now

I found a website that sells them, and looks like they have a better price . .

about $200 less than what I was able to find last year. .



Heater



IF I get one, I might have to see about getting someone to help me install it though, still not the best at crawling under the truck since I broke my leg about 5 months ago.





Arnie

 

[cold Diesel]

Have one on my 03. Love it Previously I would be cold for 15 - 20 minutes trying to get some heat out of motor... . while driving. It will never warm up just idling. Now it is up to temp before I fire it up. Leave the espar running while going in to shop etc, and it keeps it warm as well.

 

[Sled Dog]

I've only had my truck a couple of years, nothing much colder than -5 to -10F here since then. . so can't say for sure what it would start like really cold, but

I have been thinking that it would be better for the engine to start it up a little warm. . AND I would have heat on the way home from work at 4AM in the morning!



I looked into getting one last year, but put it off due the high price, but now

I found a website that sells them, and looks like they have a better price . .

about $200 less than what I was able to find last year. .



Heater



IF I get one, I might have to see about getting someone to help me install it though, still not the best at crawling under the truck since I broke my leg about 5 months ago.





Arnie

You think they'd offer TDR members a group buy?

 

[Larry Coursen]

Have heaters on both of my trucks, won't be without. Just great, heater my 04. 5 under right side battery, 97 on left side down by starter.

 

[RKraft]

Any of you that are running these have pictures? I work for a big trucking company and all the Freightliners in the fleet have them and they work good. I was thinking about putting one on my old truck before it was totaled out. So please if you guys have time post some pictures.



Randy

 

[BHolm]

I was probably the source of the altitude issue. One of my best friends has an Espar heater in his Ford van (Quigley 4x4 7. 3 PSD). It does not work at 9000ft or above. He had Espar refund a large portion of his money (over $500) because they could not get the air fuel ratio right for the thinner air. Unfortunately we live at 7000ft so that means there are few places where it is of any use to him.



I have had all three brands over the years as work trucks in northern Minnesota. They sit outside, unprotected all winter. It has certainly been -30 more than once and I can't recall a Dodge not starting, especially if plugged in. My '99 Ford is a tougher start and has had to be drug inside a few times.



Besides Espar there is the Webasto Blue Heat. If I had to choose one I would be running the Webasto after the fiasco my friend went through with Espar.

 

[RSimonson]

Thanks for all the info so far guys. 900$ is the best price I have seen for it yet so thats really helpful. As for a group buy if anyone want to try and get anything together I am about 50/50 on getting one. Again thanks for the info.

 

[JRuel]

My '98. 5 Cummins started at -55 Celsius once... not plugged in. I love the Cummins! I've had oil pan heaters and block heaters in all my trucks. It gets pretty cold up here. I've been looking at the Webasto Blue Heat as well. That seems like it would be great! You can't always find a place to plug your truck in. I'm really thinking about putting one in my '05.

 

[AGrubbs]

I am thinking very strongly about getting one also. . And if you are talking about the price from

the link I put out, I think if someone talked to the guy

he might be interested in doing a group buy. I don't know how much he could

come down on price, but I have dealt with him before and he has been a very

outstanding guy to work with.



Right now I don't have the spare time to work on a group buy, but I would

be interested in getting involved in one if it comes about.

RSimonson wrote -> Thanks for all the info so far guys. 900$ is the best price I have seen for it yet so thats really helpful. As for a group buy if anyone want to try and get anything together I am about 50/50 on getting one. Again thanks for the info.

Arnie.

 

[jelag]

I'm thinking of becoming a dist for Espar... . Have all the information on my desk... .



I'd be happy to support a group buy if your interested... . but I'm a few days away from making this happen... .



As I see it. . there are 2 units that will function... on is the D4 at 14,700 BTU and the other is the D5 at 17,000 BTU...



I'm looking at several for my tucks. . we used to just let them sit and run but now look for something that would save fuel.....



Anyway I'll know if a few days what's up...



Jim / Pacific Clutch & Brake.....

 

[RMachida]

I'm thinking of becoming a dist for Espar... . Have all the information on my desk... .



I'd be happy to support a group buy if your interested... . but I'm a few days away from making this happen... .



As I see it. . there are 2 units that will function... on is the D4 at 14,700 BTU and the other is the D5 at 17,000 BTU...



I'm looking at several for my tucks. . we used to just let them sit and run but now look for something that would save fuel.....



Anyway I'll know if a few days what's up...



Jim / Pacific Clutch & Brake.....

I've talked to a number of folks with the Espar units and they swear by them (not at them) I'm interested.



BTW, Jim, I sent you a PM regarding ebrake add-ons.

 

[cold Diesel]

Get the D5, not the D4. Same size and price I found. More heat from the D5 of course and its what I have on my truck and I am happy with it... . very happy when its -40*

 

[Metalaram]

espar

i had one on my 03 for two winters and never had a problem. i don't know about 7000 feet but mine worked great at 6000 feet south end of denver will get one on my 05 soon. don't be on the cheap these things are a little complicated to install. they are supposed to have a new kit that does not go into the fuel tank it taps in to the regular fuel lines (highly recommended) also get the D5 the small amount you save on the D4 is not worth it!!

 

[AGrubbs]

I really hope you can get a GB going. I am interested. The older I get, the more I hate the cold. Please keep us updated!



AG

 

[GFriesen]

My son has an espar heater that he used for 4 months on a 2001 diesel, if any one is interested I can get a price. It worked great for him. Located in Saskatchewan Canada

 

[monkeyman]

Espar

I have an Espar since last winter on my 2002. I bought one on E-bay from a guy in England and adpated it. Now my wife loves my truck. I never plug it in, I use the Espar. I use it daily when its cold out. I installed it on the passenger side inner feeder under my Scotty ll

Rick