[Steamboater]

Totally slacked this summer and didn't start. Been trying to fire it up this week but my pump isn't clicking, unit is trying to start, blowing air etc. Checked fuse panel but nothing blown. Haven't pulled apart yet.

Anyone deal with this? Seems strange pump would go out over the summer.

 

[RidingRoadsAndTrails]

Did the heater put up any error codes?

I would check the electrical connection on the pump itself is properly clicked into place. If that is OK, I'd disconnect the electrical connector and check the voltage on the connector to the pump with a multimeter to see if the heater is trying to activate the pump. If you see voltage on that connector and the pump is quiet, then likely the pump has failed.

I recently started mine after not running it all summer and fortunately for me, it fired right up.

 

[Steamboater]

Yeah I get the P00012a which is fuel supply / pump but I also get that same error along with others when it fails and shuts off.

Connection at pump seemed solid, couldn't pull it off by hand. Will start checking voltage tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[gregoryx]

Try a factory reset. I know that doesn't make sense... but it's resolved issues for us (and others) in the past. 🤷‍♀️

 

[RidingRoadsAndTrails]

Try a factory reset. I know that doesn't make sense... but it's resolved issues for us (and others) in the past. 🤷‍♀️

Just curious, what issues have you seen resolved by this? I haven't run across this as a solution before, but I can add it to my troubleshooting guide if it will help others.

 

[Steamboater]

Skied Abasin this morning and wish I had it for my pup first thing but wasn’t too cold especially once sun came up.

Got it working this afternoon finally but not sure exactly what the issue was

Tried the reset, no luck

Unplugged pump wire and tried to check voltage but unit won’t even try to start when pump is disconnected so figured that was verification of power to pump

Took pump off and let some fuel drain out

Replaced fuel filter in pump (forgot I bought a couple) it looked yellow but filter seemed ok

Put it back together and finally started ticking on first attempt.

Took 3 or 4 tries and fired up

Now I have to go back and do the standpipe install and redo the lines before it gets too cold.

Thanks for feedback!

 

[gregoryx]

Just curious, what issues have you seen resolved by this? I haven't run across this as a solution before, but I can add it to my troubleshooting guide if it will help others.

Any error code we've encountered so far has been cleared with a factory reset. I think we did this two times - maybe more? - before diving into codes that presented as pump or fan errors. My best-guess is some errant input data causes the code; but if they don't return (for months or ever) then it was likely an errant input data issue, not really a fault as logged.

 

[slembatical]

So got a Transit this spring. Installed an Espar M2 B4L. Used the factory aux output from the tank. Worked. That was at 600ft elevation.


Started using the heater this fall and was having trouble starting at altitude. About 6000ft was my cutoff for reliable starts. It would make a pretty loud woomp woomp noise during startup. Louder than at lower elevations. and still worked fine at lower elevations.


Then I found this thread. And consensus seemed that I should install the Espar standpipe. So I did that yesterday. And I’m currently in Colorado at 6700ft. And it still doesn’t work. I see gas going through the line. It seems to get further into the start process than before. But will eventually shutoff with the same error codes.


Now I’m curious what to try next. Ski season is here and I’m feeling pretty annoyed with this Espar. What do you all think? Should i try replacing the pump? It still clicks fine but maybe it was just not up to snuff from the beginning? 🤷‍♂️

 

[brío]

First thing to try is to service the heater. All those old failed starts probably built up a lot of soot.

 

[RidingRoadsAndTrails]

Have you inspected the fuel line for cavitation bubbles on startup? Cavitation is more prevalent at altitude. The fuel line connections, if they are not butted right up against each other can add to the cavitation.

Fuel pump angle must be within spec.

I don't think we've solved this by replacing the fuel pump. I do have a spare that I used to rule that out for my issue. If you are near Evergreen, you are welcome to try it.

 

[simple]

I've never been able to get that noise to go away at high elevation. Heater still works right? It's just noisy? Never starts first try either. Did you try the backpack trick I posted a while ago?

 

[ArgonautVans]

Where’s your fuel pump mounted? What Angle? Is it near any heat sources?

 

[gregoryx]

So got a Transit this spring. Installed an Espar M2 B4L. Used the factory aux output from the tank. Worked. That was at 600ft elevation.


Started using the heater this fall and was having trouble starting at altitude. About 6000ft was my cutoff for reliable starts. It would make a pretty loud woomp woomp noise during startup. Louder than at lower elevations. and still worked fine at lower elevations.


Then I found this thread. And consensus seemed that I should install the Espar standpipe. So I did that yesterday. And I’m currently in Colorado at 6700ft. And it still doesn’t work. I see gas going through the line. It seems to get further into the start process than before. But will eventually shutoff with the same error codes.


Now I’m curious what to try next. Ski season is here and I’m feeling pretty annoyed with this Espar. What do you all think? Should i try replacing the pump? It still clicks fine but maybe it was just not up to snuff from the beginning? 🤷‍♂️

Def curious if you disassemble to do maintenance whether the failed starts have caused / contributed to a build-up on it. 🤔

Or if the, "block the output," trick helps?

And a "factory reset" for sure.

It still seems crazy what a breadth of experiences everyone has had with these things.

 

[slembatical]

Ok, sorry been away from the van for a bit. But today got back to work on the heater (BTW I'm still trying this at 6800 ft)

I did all the maintenance described in this video:

• swapped out the fuel filter (which didn't seem dirty at all)
• opened up the heater and cleaned things out (didn't seem sooty)
• replaced the ionizer screen.

Then I also did a factory reset.

started the heater, took a couple tries to get the fuel back in the line and get the bubbles out. But I did get it to run. Even got it to run for a full hour with me sitting there.

Then I thought I would try an overnight test (set a temp, and set it to infinity time) and see if it was still warm and not errored out in the morning. But I just went out last thing before going to bed. It had errored out. (standard P000129, 8, 12a stuff). Based on the run hours timer it seemed to have worked (turned on and off to meet the thermostat set point) at least a few times and for a couple hours over the course of the afternoon.

I immediately tried to get it started back up again. Failed twice, early in the startup process (inside 3 minutes).

So now I'm off to bed.

Have you inspected the fuel line for cavitation bubbles on startup? Cavitation is more prevalent at altitude. The fuel line connections, if they are not butted right up against each other can add to the cavitation.

Fuel pump angle must be within spec.

I don't think we've solved this by replacing the fuel pump. I do have a spare that I used to rule that out for my issue. If you are near Evergreen, you are welcome to try it.

My van is parked on semi steep driveway currently, but my iphone level says the pump is still at 25ish°. Inside spec. And if I can't get anything else to work I may take you up on that fuel pump to see if I can rule it out. Also, when I'm working on it tomorrow, and if it starts failing again, I'll keep an eye on the cavitation. In my mind I feel like once I get it to work for a while, and haven't moved the van or anything it should just keep working. But that is maybe a bad assumption.

I've never been able to get that noise to go away at high elevation. Heater still works right? It's just noisy? Never starts first try either. Did you try the backpack trick I posted a while ago?

Heyo, I think I must have missed that backpack trick you mentioned reading through this massive thread. But I'll give that a try tomorrow.

Where’s your fuel pump mounted? What Angle? Is it near any heat sources?

My fuel pump is mounted on the drive side of the fuel tank, and toward the front of the vehicle a bit from the standpipe. It is hanging off one of the frame members, and there is not really anything around there.

Def curious if you disassemble to do maintenance whether the failed starts have caused / contributed to a build-up on it. 🤔

Or if the, "block the output," trick helps?

And a "factory reset" for sure.

It still seems crazy what a breadth of experiences everyone has had with these things.

Yeah, so the fuel filter looked clean. And there wasn't really soot that I saw. The atomizer screen had a little rainbow-ish tint like it had been heat treated. But that is the only sign of wear I really saw.



Thanks all for your help, thoughts and questions. I'll try another factory reset, and this "block the output" trick to see if that changes anything.

 

[DrkGrn]

Whenever my espar "wont work" I have cleared the error codes and / or pulled the breaker for a full "reboot" and it has come back to life. I usually have to do this more often early in the winter ... after which it seems to work better for the remainder of the season. I'm mainly using it at 7000ft elevation for the last 3 seasons, no problems beyond what i stated above.

 

[slembatical]

Ok, so some followup and real world use.

After my last post I tried making the outlet vent smaller. I wanted something permanent, and reliable. So the backpack method temporarily in front of the output vent during startup wouldn't cut it. Instead I covered the whole outlet with foil heat tape. And then cut a hole in the middle, restricting the outlet to about 1.5". The heater started just fine. But after a bit (20 minutes) stopped and gave me an overheat error. Good to know that exists. Then I tried about a 2.5" hole. That still started the heater just fine and ran indefinitely. Hooray! (don't quote me on the 2.5", if you want to know I can go out and measure it exactly and snap a picture)

Also, not saying factory resets don't help, but I waited to factory reset until after I confirmed the above made a difference.

I suppose this gives some additional credence to the theory that there is some sort of heat sensor that isn't getting triggered enough during startup when there is too much airflow. My heater is under the passenger seat and I have about 6" of pipe straight to the outlet vent.

Ok so some real world use:
I have now had reliable starts and extended (multi hour) runs up to 8000 ft! I'll report back as I get higher. When I set the thermostat to infinity duration at night when I go to sleep it mostly runs all night doing its thing. Turning on and off as it fluctuates around my thermostat set point. But then a few times early in the morning (5, or 6am) it has failed to start when trying to cycle back on. However, after it errors out (same P000126 errors) I start it again and it works fine. So 🤷‍♂️. I'm OK living with this behavior. As other than that it has been starting and running 100% of the time.

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.

 

[brío]

But then a few times early in the morning (5, or 6am) it has failed to start when trying to cycle back on. However, after it errors out (same P000126 errors) I start it again and it works fine. So 🤷‍♂️. I'm OK living with this behavior. As other than that it has been starting and running 100% of the time.

Just to be clear:
When you got the P000126 codes, did it attempt the normal 3 restart attempts before quitting and you then had to manually restart it?

 

[slembatical]

Just to be clear:
When you got the P000126 codes, did it attempt the normal 3 restart attempts before quitting and you then had to manually restart it?

I'm half asleep when this happens. So I can't attest to all the failures. But this morning it tried twice on its own, and then I had to manually start it. Also, the "normal 3 restart attempts" is not something I have ever experienced. I don't know if it is a newer controller or setting I'm missing. But mine only ever attempts twice.

 

[wayneIII]

Long thread... I ended up ordered a webasto air top. Are the recommendation in this thread (small diameter gas intake straw) only for espar, or for all gas heaters? I know they are finicky. Just want to make sure its installed correctly the first time. cheers.

 

[RidingRoadsAndTrails]

Long thread... I ended up ordered a webasto air top. Are the recommendation in this thread (small diameter gas intake straw) only for espar, or for all gas heaters? I know they are finicky. Just want to make sure its installed correctly the first time. cheers.

This recommendation would be for any gasoline heater.