[simple]

Big thanks to the folks who figured out to go through the sending unit and not the factory aux location.

We replaced the previous pick up line with the straight one from esparparts.com and put it through the sending unit. Got heat pretty much immediately at 9,600 the other night.

I'll quit bitching about Espar software/hardware if it works well through the winter. Cheers

 

[brío]

In case anyone needs further convincing that tube diameter matters:
I once had a diesel Espar D5 that was installed by an upfitter. It never worked worth a d*mn. I chased the issue for a year and finally took it to a professional. He took one look at the setup and said "That tubing is way too big. Won't work. He tore it out and replaced it with real Espar fuel line. Instant fix, with zero problems ever since.

 

[[email protected]]

I'm having the same Espar M2 B4L heater problems at elevation. Works great below 5000', struggles at 7000' - spits and spudders a lot and barely runs, at 9000' it wont run at all. I'm Taking my Transit in to have the 2mm standpipe installed as per the Esparparts.com Tech. R. Lawrence suggests. Taking the van in next Thursday. Who knows.....I hope this helps.

 

[RidingRoadsAndTrails]

Let us know where you end up putting that standpipe into the tank!

My heater installation has been complete for a while now and it works great. Just some extended test runs so far as the weather is just now about to turn cold. Here are pics of the standpipe install location in the fuel pump:

 

[gregoryx]

I'm having the same Espar M2 B4L heater problems at elevation. Works great below 5000', struggles at 7000' - spits and spudders a lot and barely runs, at 9000' it wont run at all. I'm Taking my Transit in to have the 2mm standpipe installed as per the Esparparts.com Tech. R. Lawrence suggests. Taking the van in next Thursday. Who knows.....I hope this helps.

Having just done the install, it's not nearly as bad as it might sound. I detailed it step-by-step in this post.

Haven't finished the install yet; but if all you need is the standpipe...

 

[curmudgeon]

Nice work. I bought the standpipe based on this thread. Pending my van to get built.......

 

[Cody's Transit]

The nut in the picture goes on the inside of the tank. You have to remove the fuel pump cover. Not as big a job as it seems, I have dropped the tank ot 2 previous vans and replaced the pumps. Hey, if it's too easy there is no fun in it!

Just a side note, be careful where you drill the hole in to the fuel pump. I drilled mine in the wrong spot and couldn't get the nut and washer on all the way from underneath causing my check engine light to come on cause the hole wasn't air tight, I had to plug the hole and re do. I cut the aux pick up flush and drilled my hole there and that fixed my problems

 

[OldMadBrit]

Possibly a dumb idea, but what about turning it on at home when you are ready to start the trip and just leave it on until you get home?

I realize that it is sort of a band aid approach.

FWIW, I tried that with my Webasto and it errors out and shuts down at freeway speeds. I'm assuming it doesn't like the turbulent air around the combustor inlet and/or exhaust.

 

[curmudgeon]

I drove with my gas Espar running in my previous van all the time. Didn't seem to be an issue.

 

[Cody's Transit]

Just a side note, be careful where you drill the hole in to the fuel pump. I drilled mine in the wrong spot and couldn't get the nut and washer on all the way from underneath causing my check engine light to come on cause the hole wasn't air tight, I had to plug the hole and re do. I cut the aux pick up flush and drilled my hole there and that fixed my problems

FWIW, I tried that with my Webasto and it errors out and shuts down at freeway speeds. I'm assuming it doesn't like the turbulent air around the combustor inlet and/or exhaust.

FWIW, I tried that with my Webasto and it errors out and shuts down at freeway speeds. I'm assuming it doesn't like the turbulent air around the combustor inlet and/or exhaust.

FWIW, I tried that with my Webasto and it errors out and shuts down at freeway speeds. I'm assuming it doesn't like the turbulent air around the combustor inlet and/or exhaust.

I never had it error out. Just give me 2 codes. 1 was to check my fuel cap, my transit doesn’t even have a fuel cap. And the 2nd code was the evaporative emission control system ran a test and my pressure was off. Once I plugged the hole and re did it to where the nut and washer go on right. I cleared the code and everything’s been good since.

 

[OldMadBrit]

I never had it error out. Just give me 2 codes. 1 was to check my fuel cap, my transit doesn’t even have a fuel cap. And the 2nd code was the evaporative emission control system ran a test and my pressure was off. Once I plugged the hole and re did it to where the nut and washer go on right. I cleared the code and everything’s been good since.

I meant that my Webasto will error out if I attempt to drive the vehicle at anything over about 15MPH with the heater running. This may not be the case with an Espar

 

[Cody's Transit]

I meant that my Webasto will error out if I attempt to drive the vehicle at anything over about 15MPH with the heater running. This may not be the case with an Espar

I haven't drove with my heater on yet, I don't see a need when I have my heater going up front.

 

[OldMadBrit]

I haven't drove with my heater on yet, I don't see a need when I have my heater going up front.

I agree, I was responding to someone else who suggested it as an option.

 

[TrevMetz]

Hey All! I finally got around to swapping the pickup tube this past weekend. Here's some pics for anyone else needing some guidance. I also put it in the sending unit. Used a magnet to find the exact spot from the underside of the unit to know where to drill in the top. Worked like a charm.

One thing I'm happier about and slightly concerned is the straw is much longer than the aux tube. I actually had to bend the bottom of the straw so it could fit into the tank so it will run me almost dry if I let it. Positive side to that is I will have heat even when I'm down to below a quarter tank of gas which was a PITA last winter making sure I always had enough gas for heater to operate.

I haven't had a chance to test it at altitude and will once ski season rolls around but I have faith. Happy drilling!

Drilling...

You can see where and how it sits on the top...

 

[RidingRoadsAndTrails]

The length of the standpipe was decided by Espar to work in any fuel tank, it is not specific to the Transit. It is up to the installer to trim it to be the correct length for the vehicle it is being installed into. Leaving the standpipe to its full length leaves you open to running your fuel tank dry and/or picking up debris that may accumulate on the bottom of the fuel tank. I trimmed mine to be about the same depth as the aux pickup.

Being that you already installed it, I'd just be very mindful to not use the heater if the fuel tank is below 1/4 full.

 

[gregoryx]

Agreed: it is supposed to be cut. Not sure bending is a good idea. 🤔

 

[Functional van]

So I installed a Espar B4L in my 2020 transit, under the passenger seat and have a problem with the heater starting when I am at elevation.

I live in Boise ID, at around 3k feet elevation, when down here in the valley my heater starts 99% of the time without issues. When I travel to my local ski area around 6800K feet the heater NEVER starts first try and generally will take around 30+ minutes of trying to get the thing started. Once it does starts at elevation, it will run absolutely fine stopping and starting. When I got back down in elevation it also will always start fine, and then back up to elevation I again have the problem.

Ive completely taken apart the entire gas line from the pickup in the tank all the way to the heater, ensuring rise, fittings, etc are perfect... still have the same problem of getting it started at elevation.

Heatso has been sorta OK to work with, but I feel like they dont really know either. They will be sending me a new ECU (when they get them in a couple weeks).

Has anyone had this problem, is there a trick to getting it started I could use until i get the root cause sorted?

Appreciate any pointers!

I owned a B5 espar hydronic heater and went through challenges at high elevation as well even though it was not in need of an altimeter. After troubleshooting it with Rixen Enterprises, it seems it was a combination of a failing ECU, air leaks from the Factory auxiliary port elbow, and an altimeter. I purchased my unit from Rixens in 2017 and wow am I glad I did as they worked with me throughout the various issues.

I ended driving down to Sandy, Oregon and although they got my old heater working, we decided to upgrade to the S3 gasoline. Much quieter, wifi diagnostics on your phone that tells you in realtime the components operational parameters. The diagnostics are actually proprietary to Rixens as they are the experts in all sorts of airtronics and hydronics.

On a side note, if you want to determine if you need an altimeter. The next time you are at high elevation, get under the rig and have someone turn your furnace on, then very gently increase the angle of your fuel pump to lean out combustion. Hope this helps

 

[wayneIII]

Im about to pull the trigger on a 2022. I have the Auxiliary fuel port extension line 63F currently in my order, but plan on putting the espar in my van. From reading this thread (and others), I would not even be able to use the auxillary fuel port extnsion line with the espar, correct? Ie, save my money and don't order this option?
thanks

 

[RidingRoadsAndTrails]

Im about to pull the trigger on a 2022. I have the Auxiliary fuel port extension line 63F currently in my order, but plan on putting the espar in my van. From reading this thread (and others), I would not even be able to use the auxiliary fuel port extnsion line with the espar, correct? Ie, save my money and don't order this option?
thanks

I'd agree that you'd be better off not getting the extension and instead installing the Espar standpipe and fuel line.

 

[Cody's Transit]

Im about to pull the trigger on a 2022. I have the Auxiliary fuel port extension line 63F currently in my order, but plan on putting the espar in my van. From reading this thread (and others), I would not even be able to use the auxillary fuel port extnsion line with the espar, correct? Ie, save my money and don't order this option?
thanks

Save your money on the aux extension, It’s way bigger than 2mm fuel line needed. Order your heater from esparparts and it’ll come with the pick up straw