Do you have the fault codes?
The pump being too high was my problem as heat collected under the van aggravating the cavitation. Moving the pump to an area with more airflow cured me of my problems.
Espar B4L Heater not starting at Elevation
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The pump being too high was my problem as heat collected under the van aggravating the cavitation. Moving the pump to an area with more airflow cured me of my problems.
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The air in the fuel lines happened while driving the van. The heater was not running. If the heater is that tempermental I'm surprised they ever are reliable.
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The fault codes are the usual unable to start, 12a, and cut off due to insufficient temp, 128, 129.
I just posted a write-up consolidating my heater troubleshooting saga with info from Espar support, this forum and a couple other sources.
If you are interested, you can check it out here: Espar Heater Installation and Troubleshooting - RidingRoadsAndTrails
I'm open to feedback (negative or positive) on the write-up.
My heater starts first try every time and runs until I shut it off. I've tested it up to 11,000 feet in elevation (Juniper Pass) and have not had a single issue since moving the fuel pump to an area with better airflow.
Thanks again to all the folks on this forum for the help along the way!
If you are interested, you can check it out here: Espar Heater Installation and Troubleshooting - RidingRoadsAndTrails
I'm open to feedback (negative or positive) on the write-up.
My heater starts first try every time and runs until I shut it off. I've tested it up to 11,000 feet in elevation (Juniper Pass) and have not had a single issue since moving the fuel pump to an area with better airflow.
Thanks again to all the folks on this forum for the help along the way!
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And a SAGA it was. I am on a similar quest and I hope your write up will lead me in the right direction. I am just getting in communication with Mike from Espar so I think I have finally found someone with the Knowledge and interest to find the solution. Your write up is fantastic. I'm sure many will benefit from your efforts. Thank you, Scott
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RRandTrails, Thanks for the write up. Nice job. I still havn’t been able to test my heater at altitude since having the new Espar straw put in. I’m hoping for the best.
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So Mike says I should have 4x1.25mm fuel line (thats 4mm OD, 1.25mm wall thickness, 1.5mm ID) on the output side of the pump and 4x1mm (2mm ID) on the input side. Since it sounds like your heater runs perfectly, I'm wondering if that's your fuel line setup? The parts breakdown calls for 2mm ID all the way, but then Mike probably knows better.
I think I am having a temperature related issue but not like yours. When it's cold outside (20-35F) the heater fails to run. I run 3 start cycles. No joy. I start the van and warm the interior to 60-70F and the heater starts and runs fine. I have run this trial 4 times with same outcome every time. Same 12a and 128,129 codes. I suspect the combination heat sensor is bad or it's not making good thermal contact with the heater. Or the ECU is not programmed for the correct temp to keep running. But just had the ECU flashed in Canada. Mike says the temp sensors never go bad and it appears to be tight it the recess it sits in. I'm waiting on a new sensor.
I did have the benefit of my issue being consistent and easy to reproduce. Here is a pic of my fuel line, this is what came in my kit.
Mike told me that they only have 1 version of the firmware in Canada which is the M2 B4L, so if they flashed in Canada you can expect it to be the correct version for this heater. Only Germany has the other versions and they apparently won't release any other versions to Canada.
Have you done the diagnostics for the temperature sensors using the -XS2 connector wires on the EasyStart Pro wiring harness? My results were inconclusive, but I'm chalking it up to me being a spaz. It would be interesting to see if you get different results when the van is cold vs when the van is warm.
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Did you use the same 4x1.25mm on the input as well?
I did a resistance check on the combo sensor but it was at ambient temp in my shop so seemed to be in the ball park but couldn't check at operating temp (which is?). So yes, inconclusive.
Yes, my kit came with 1 long piece of fuel line, so that is what I have on both sides of the pump.
I suppose you could try to change out the heater side first to see if you get any improvement since the supply side will be a pain.
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Got my fuel line and combination heat sensor from Esparparts. One small problem...they sent me 4x1mm which is not what I ordered. Sent several emails to both [email protected] and Mike with no joy so far. I phone ordered the fuel line with Ray and explained that was the size Mike recommended. I hope to get my heater working before summer.
That's a bummer. I did find Ray a little frustrating to deal with but in the end he made everything right for me, except for lost time and shipping costs. You do have to call him to get his attention, he did not respond to any of my emails.
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I got the correct fuel line from Heatso in 4 days and cheaper. Still no response from Esparparts. What are the chances of a refund, ha?
When all else fails, a credit card dispute is a wonderful tool that gets the attention of a vendor.
Not likely the issue... but are you set up to use the internal temp sensor (default) or have you set it to be the Easy Start Pro internal sensor?
Got this from someone else here:
To open the workshop menu, select the Settings menu (gear Symbol) and then hold the BACK button (arrow back) pressed for longer than 2 seconds while the clock symbol under the gear wheel is flashing.
Scroll to option - CONTROL SENSOR. Select Control unit
Scroll to option - INDICATOR SENSOR. Select Control Unit
Confirm by pressing the operating button.
Attachments
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I am using the Easy Start Pro internal sensor. Not sure how that would have an effect on the failure to run when it's cold inside the van?
Also not sure what you are referring to as "not likely the issue"? Fuel line ID?
Would be interested to hear your analysis of the issues.
Thanks
Only thinking about your observation that it is functioning differently when the van is cold versus warm. Made me wonder which sensor was in use. I know ours was set to the default (not the Easy Start Pro unit) and it made it act strange - including an "over heat" thing at one point.
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My understanding is the only way the ECU decides if the heater is getting correct fuel quantity and firing properly is by the combination hi/lo sensor on the heater. If it doesn't reach a certain temp in a certain time frame it shuts down and throws a code saying it didn't complete the start cycle and why.
@Airweld Sorry to hear about the troubles.
First off what is the 'landscape' of the install. How long is the run from the tank to the pump, Pump to the Heater. Is the pump oriented in an up tending direction, where is the pump, where is the heater. Was a razor knife used to cut the hard plastic fuel line or sidecutter pliers. What standpipe was used and how deep does it going into the tank. Is the fuel line firmly butted up to the input and out sides of what it is pushing fuel through. (Apologies if these were already covered in your build)
Second and generally speaking, I am confused on the fuel line descriptions .
a) Our install used the 4x1.25 for both intake and delivery side. (Heater under passenger seat)
b) There are a number of other folks in the forum that got the 4x1.25 fuel line in the espar kit from espar of Michigan and their systems are working fine
c) The description of a 4x1.25 really has got me confused "4x1.25mm fuel line (thats 4mm OD, 1.25mm wall thickness, 1.5mm ID) "
c.1) I concur that it is 4mm OD. At least that is what I measure.
c.2) However, (There is that darn however;-) Using a collection of small drill bits to test the ID, I could not get a 1.47mm bit into the tube. If I try really hard I can get 1.37mm drill bit into the fuel line. (I don't have a 1.25mm bit handy.) From where I sit that would lead me to think that the tube ID is 1.25mm +/- some tolerance. (not the 1.5mm)
c.3) This is splitting hairs, literally and figuratively and it does cater to my overthinking these things but what is the ID supposed to be on the 4x1.25. I always assumed 1.25. Anyone else take some measurements?
d) This is rhetorical but do these new observations indicate that the manufacturer has updated guidance for the 'Benzin' heaters on the ID of the fuel lines for the input and output side of the pump?
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First off what is the 'landscape' of the install. How long is the run from the tank to the pump, Pump to the Heater. Is the pump oriented in an up tending direction, where is the pump, where is the heater. Was a razor knife used to cut the hard plastic fuel line or sidecutter pliers. What standpipe was used and how deep does it going into the tank. Is the fuel line firmly butted up to the input and out sides of what it is pushing fuel through. (Apologies if these were already covered in your build)
Second and generally speaking, I am confused on the fuel line descriptions .
a) Our install used the 4x1.25 for both intake and delivery side. (Heater under passenger seat)
b) There are a number of other folks in the forum that got the 4x1.25 fuel line in the espar kit from espar of Michigan and their systems are working fine
c) The description of a 4x1.25 really has got me confused "4x1.25mm fuel line (thats 4mm OD, 1.25mm wall thickness, 1.5mm ID) "
c.1) I concur that it is 4mm OD. At least that is what I measure.
c.2) However, (There is that darn however;-) Using a collection of small drill bits to test the ID, I could not get a 1.47mm bit into the tube. If I try really hard I can get 1.37mm drill bit into the fuel line. (I don't have a 1.25mm bit handy.) From where I sit that would lead me to think that the tube ID is 1.25mm +/- some tolerance. (not the 1.5mm)
c.3) This is splitting hairs, literally and figuratively and it does cater to my overthinking these things but what is the ID supposed to be on the 4x1.25. I always assumed 1.25. Anyone else take some measurements?
d) This is rhetorical but do these new observations indicate that the manufacturer has updated guidance for the 'Benzin' heaters on the ID of the fuel lines for the input and output side of the pump?
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