[Bazz99]

Part #1 of the install -

After watching hours of video on YouTube and reading forum posts I wasn't too confident I could to this myself!! I plan to use my van mainly for skiing so I definitely needed a heater in my van. I live at about 5,500 feet and my local ski resort is Mt Rose and the parking lot is at about 8,300 feet so I was concerned about the high altitude issues.
The unit I bought was the Espar B4L M2 gas heater and it has a high altitude kit built in so no adjustments needed. I got it from Heatso and it arrived fast and packed very well. However, it did get held up in customs for a few days. I got the kit and easy start controller for $1,360 including shipping. It looks like the price has gone up a little?

Espar / Eberspacher Airtronic B4L M2 (Petrol) 12v (4kW) Heater Kit - NEW ECU's

The powerful 12V Eberspacher B4L is a versatile and well-optimized heating solution for petrol-fueled motorhomes and trucks, reliable and easy to install.

www.heatso.com

I had originally planned to install it under the passenger seat but after doing a little more research I ended up installing it in the middle of the van by the driver's side wheel well. Unfortunately, I had already installed my flooring so I had to cut out an area because I wanted to mount it on a flat surface so the air intake and exhaust hose were both located on the outside of the van for obvious reasons.

Cutting the holes took some time to make sure it would fit properly, everything lined up great and now it was time to install the air intake and exhaust hoses. It's a tight fit but overall it went together well. The other advantage of installing it where I did there's a lot of room to install the hoses and the exhaust hose is not right next to the door.

I put some blue tape over the fuel line because I didn't want to get any of that caulking stuff on it and I wasn't going to be dropping the gas tank for a few weeks till I drove it down to empty!!

Overall, everything went well but it did take a full day doing the install and attaching the hoses.

 

[Bazz99]

Part #2 -
My van has the 31 gallon tank and I had to drive it for a few weeks to get it down to empty. I ordered the auxiliary fuel port valve from my local Ford Dealership part number CK4Z- 9B210- A
Removing the gas tank was easy, I just used a couple of boxes to support it and gradually lowered it to the ground, I didn't disconnect the gas line going to where you fill the tank. Once the tank was lowered I could actually see the top of the tank and I located the dummy valve and removed it. You have to slide back the yellow part and then squeeze in on the sides to release it, it took me a few tries because I didn't want to break anything!! It's the yellow valve.

I lowered the tank onto some leveling blocks and some 2x4s, it worked fine.

The fuel port is located right in that round cover, it's easy to spot

Here's a picture of it removed.

This is the new fuel Aux valve with a hose attached, it just snaps in and you'll hear it click when you push down on it.

I dropped the tank by myself but a helper would've definitely made it a lot easier especially when you're re-attaching it.

 

[Bazz99]

Part #3 - Installing the fuel pump.
This part was rather easy. I did it a few months ago and as I recall I had a larger hose coming off the Aux fuel port and I used a reducer to bring it down to a size that would attach to the fuel pump. I didn't use all the different sizes they have in the kit. It seemed ridiculous switching sizes a few different times. I bought the hose and reducer at a local auto parts store.

The fuel pump has to be installed at an angle pointing up.

I tried to make a of of the connections in my garage in stead of under the van.

Attaching the fuel line to the Espar unit

That's the reducer I used from the Aux Fuel port to change the hose size to fit the fuel pump.

I wrapped all the hoses in a wire loom and zipped tied it securely.

 

[Bazz99]

Part #4 Completing the install
Last week I got the electrical system installed. It was now time to see if I installed everything correctly a few month earlier!!
The Espar comes with an inline fuse kit, I didn't use it, instead I used the fuses at my fuse box. I hooked everything up and I got an error message on the Easy Start Controller saying "H1 Fuel Supply or Pump" , I recalled that when I ran the wire to the fuel pump I wasn't sure if it connected correctly. I re-inserted the wires into the little box and this time they clicked into place and I could actually see the tips of the connector. I plugged it back into the fuel pump and the Espar started pumping a ton of heat!!

This is where I inserted the fuses

 

[Bazz99]

Part #5 Conclusion

I didn't think I would be able to do this install and was very concerned about this heater even working. But overall it really wasn't to hard with the help of some good YouTube videos!! These are the video I found the most helpful.

This was my favorite and the one I watched the most and during my install,

these are also very helpful too,

I'm sure there are many more good ones on YouTube..................

Looking back at the install, I think installing it where I did makes it very close to the gas tank and not a long run for the fuel line or the fuel pump and that could be why I didn't have many issues with it working correctly. I also like having the exhaust on the other side of the van away from the door. Good luck on your install and I hope this might help just a little bit on your install!!

 

[dbf]

Thanks so much for your efforts in making this video! I am just about to install my Espar gas heater. This 4,000 Btu unit is huge and will not fit under the Transit passenger seat because the box under the seat does not have a straight side in the back! So, your mid-van install is where I also will put the heater. Your close ups of the gas tank where very helpful.
Glad it's working! 4,000 Btu is an overkill....but Espar don't make a 2000 Btu model.

 

[going4speed]

It does have a low heat feature. Not sure the BTu output but you can keep your hand in front of the vent in that mode. The other mode is more hotdog cooking temperature.

 

[natecostello]

This 4,000 Btu unit is huge and will not fit under the Transit passenger seat because the box under the seat does not have a straight side in the back!

This is the first I've heard of this. I thought several folks had installed this heater under the passenger seat. Is it tight, or a no-go? Please confirm so I can factor this into my planning.

 

[CincyBearcats]

This is the first I've heard of this. I thought several folks had installed this heater under the passenger seat. Is it tight, or a no-go? Please confirm so I can factor this into my planning.

I can confirm that it’s tight but will actually fit under the passenger seat of a 2020 Transit. I helped a friend with the installation over the weekend. It helped to completely remove the black seat base via four large torx screws. For the hot air outlet, we used a Diablo hole saw to cut the appropriate size hole in the seat base. We placed the hole as close to the bottom edge of the seat base as possible. A short, V-shaped section of the included duct (1/2” on bottom, 3” on top) was used to mate the hot air outlet to the seat base. The cylindrical section of the collar for the directional vent fitting had to be cut down severely.

 

[going4speed]

You dudes have talent to pull that off. That is a tight space. Congrats.

 

[dbf]

I stand corrected. Sorry. Too tight for me to try. The open space under the van near the gas tank was too inviting.

 

[going4speed]

How is that high temp silicon holding up around the exhaust tube? I figured, when I did mine, that the temperature would be too high for the silicon.

 

[dbf]

I haven't done the install yet, but knowing a bit about sealants...I see that you can buy them from 500F to 2000F.
Maybe the barbeque/fireplace version would work. Found this:
"3M Fire Barrier Sealant" , 2000F"

 

[going4speed]

Another thing for consideration would be the ease at which that sealant can be removed. At some point the heater may have to come out for maintenance/repair.

 

[ctguy2001]

Lot's of Espar happening here. I just finished my install last night on a 2020 AWD. Yes, it fit under the passenger seat but barely. Had to vent the warm air out into middle (see pic). But the real challenge isn't under the seat, it's under the van. The space underneath is super tight (see other pic). Took a long while getting everything connected under there. It's do-able but barely. Overall, very pleased with the outcome and the Heatso kit. It only took 2 start cycles to get the fuel line primed and the heater working (I've heard 4-5 tries is typical). Connecting the gas tank was easier than I expected. Having a near empty tank is a must. Also, I used a car jack as per some online advice and that worked well in supporting the tank. Looking forward to field testing it. Carbon Monoxide sensor on order (thinking that's a must).

 

[going4speed]

CO meter is a must but the great thing with these is no combustion gases have good access to the interior

 

[CincyBearcats]

How did you drill the two holes at the bottom of this photo partially overlapping the flange of the boron steel support beam. We tried drilling in the exact same place. Drilling from the inside of the van with a cobalt drill bit, the drill walked away from the boron steel, resulting in an oval-shaped hole in the much softer steel of the floor. We had to file through the boron steel. Despite numerous attempts, we just couldn’t convince the drill to stay in the right location.

 

[ctguy2001]

How did you drill the two holes at the bottom of this photo partially overlapping the flange of the boron steel support beam. We tried drilling in the exact same place. Drilling from the inside of the van with a cobalt drill bit, the drill walked away from the boron steel, resulting in an oval-shaped hole in the much softer steel of the floor. We had to file through the boron steel. Despite numerous attempts, we just couldn’t convince the drill to stay in the right location.

I used a carbide bit and that did the trick. It wasn't easy. Nothing about this install was easy (dropped more than a few f-bombs). Hopefully you have yours sorted out. Also, I found that the you tube video from "Seven O Savage" to be invaluable for the Espar electrical set-up and the video series from "Cargo Van Conversion" to be excellent for the Transit aspects of the install (despite the fact that he is installing a Webasto). Good luck

 

[Steamboater]

Part #3 - Installing the fuel pump.
This part was rather easy. I did it a few months ago and as I recall I had a larger hose coming off the Aux fuel port and I used a reducer to bring it down to a size that would attach to the fuel pump. I didn't use all the different sizes they have in the kit. It seemed ridiculous switching sizes a few different times. I bought the hose and reducer at a local auto parts store.
View attachment 141988

The fuel pump has to be installed at an angle pointing up.

View attachment 141989
I tried to make a of of the connections in my garage in stead of under the van.
View attachment 141990

Attaching the fuel line to the Espar unit

View attachment 141991
That's the reducer I used from the Aux Fuel port to change the hose size to fit the fuel pump.

I wrapped all the hoses in a wire loom and zipped tied it securely.

@Bazz99 ; do you remember the correct fuel hose size from the tank adapter and also then to/from fuel pump and heater? Need to pick some up tomorrow. I have several reducers I bought as well but also don’t want to use blue line with Espar if possible.

 

[Bazz99]

@Bazz99 ; do you remember the correct fuel hose size from the tank adapter and also then to/from fuel pump and heater? Need to pick some up tomorrow. I have several reducers I bought as well but also don’t want to use blue line with Espar if possible.

Sorry I don't remember the size, I just took the Auxiliary fuel port to a local Auto parts store. Trust me, buy an extra 3 or 4 more feet than you think you need! Good luck on your install!