Anyone have an Espar or Webasto heater? - Diesel Forum

zeegs · 12-19-2008, 05:00 AM

I've been looking into getting either an Espar or Webasto heater. I've heard that there is problems with the Webasto for the 2008 GM's and possibly the Ford's as well. When you start the truck after the heater has brought the engine up to operating temp, the engine throw's a code. Apperantly the computer doesn't think the engine should be warm yet. A buddy of mine with a new GM has been talking to Webasto about this and apperantly they're working on a fix but don't have one yet. I havn't heard of any problem with the Espar unit's though, a consultant I worked with had one on his new GM and didn't mention any problems with it.

Does anyone have either of these systems on there 6.4L? Or have any past experince with either one? If so, wich one do you prefer?

Steenhard · 12-19-2008, 02:24 PM

I'd be interested to hear some input on these too. I've been considering something like this, but have yet to pull the trigger. I like the concept, but am a bit hesitant since it runs off of the truck battery. I thought I had seen something like this, but runs on 120V a/c...

Anyway, speak up if you have used one of these!

zeegs · 12-20-2008, 12:45 AM

I've been told that they have voltage protection on them that will shut it off if the battery voltage starts to get too low. My buddy's (who was looking in to these as well), has a nabour with the espar and he says he has no problem starting the truck after two hours of running the heater.

**Djanzen** · 12-21-2008, 09:36 AM

let me ask you this question? What is the differences between the espar heating the engine and lets say you drove down the road for an hour pulled into a service station shut it off, go inside grab a coffee and start it back up after two minutes. the temp would be up normal operating . the computer does not throw a code. I don't think that it is the espar causing this problem, more likely the unit is not wired correctly. I have one of these in my truck and it is awesome -40c start the truck and in two minutes everything is warm. I even hooked a relay into the heater fan on low to warm the interior.

zeegs · 12-22-2008, 12:10 AM

That is the first question I came up with as the situation made no sense to me. But apparently it is a problem, at least with the Webasto units (i've heard nothing about the Espar). And it's not just a one dealer problem. My buddy has called around to many dealers in Calgary and or surrounding area and Webasto themself, and they all said the same thing, no go for the new chev's and maybe the ford's as well.

Is yours an Espar or Webasto?

Charlie · 12-22-2008, 12:55 AM

I have 2 Webastos on my 05 Unimog U500 camper and I love them. I've heard from people that have dealt with both that Webastos are noticeably more reliable. In particular the igniter pin (glow plug) on Espars can be problematic.
The 9kw Webasto hooked to my engine is factory installed by Mercedes so not only does it not throw error codes when operating normally but can be troubleshot using the dash information system and/or with my Star computer.
The 5kw unit for the camper is completely separate from the engine's cooling system.

Charlie

zeegs · 12-22-2008, 01:57 AM

Charlie- How long have you had them? And have they required any maintenance?

coronas · 12-23-2008, 01:10 AM

Yes I am in Alberta and with this cold snap
I have been using this Espar heater and it has been giving me codes(check engine light on) DCT code P0196 Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Range/Performance.Not sure if any harm is being done or if just setting off code.I take truck into ford tomorrow to see if it is trouble

**Djanzen** · 12-24-2008, 10:32 AM

I think I know the reason for the codes on these new trucks.
1. the new trucks computers monitor both coolant and oil temps
2. when the espar or webasco warm the coolant and not the oil as much the computer on start up see's a drastic difference in temp
3. then it throws a codes thinking that the oil temp sender is not working properly .

hydraco 1 · 01-05-2009, 05:58 PM

I have two Espar heaters and have installed many, one on my wifes 04 Excursion and one on my 2000 F250. The only problem i have ever had was not running them in the summer to get some fresh fuel to them, pop the line, run the old fuel and they start no problem. You only need to run them 30 min and thats enough to start a cold truck. A silicone heating pad on the oilpan is the only other good winter item i recomend. Some guys call that a Alaska pad? Install silcone hose on Espar installs, dont use the hose they send you.

Charlie · 01-05-2009, 10:44 PM

I've had the truck/camper with Webastos since summer 06, this is my 2nd winter in Alaska with them so far. Of course I don't heat the camper in the winter but the 9kw for the engine/cab has worked perfectly in the winter.

Charlie

Kemper-fi · 01-06-2009, 10:40 AM

I have a 2008 F-350 6.4L, and just had the Espar heater installed at the end of December. I have used it several times with no major issues. There are no codes being thrown either. After having it run for an hour prior to starting the truck, the engine is warm enough that the glow plugs do not come on when you go to start. I got mine installed at Calgary Fleet outfitters, and they did a good job, and were quick. The only issue I have is that I wanted to get the remote start for the heater, but there was an issue in getting it to work with my truck. I am not sure why, because I would think that starting the heater via remote, or manually would have nothing to do with the truck, but according to the installers, this is a common problem with the '08 Fords. Has anyone else heard of this issue?

Pyro Heat · 11-20-2009, 01:23 AM

I haven't had any problems with my Espar and I use it daily. I also have friends that use them and we all love them! That's what I would go with, but I'm starting to install them on customer vehicals now so I'm kind of biased! Where are you from?

MobileComfort · 12-28-2009, 02:27 PM

A little late here I guess but I'll clear up the trouble code issue.
It will come on if the ECM sees more than a approx. 50 degree delta between the air intake temp, coolant temp and on some models the oil temp as well. But this is only after it has sat for 8 or 10 hours. The ECM knows that after sitting 8 or 10 hours the two or three temps should be the same.
Webasto has a time-delay relay that will delay starting of the heater while it cycles the ignition signal to the ECM to negate the cool down issue.

I worked for Webasto tech department for years and started my own business selling them so I have a bit of experience.

skidsteer.ca · 01-01-2010, 02:23 PM

Where is the prefer ed place to mount one on a 09 f350? My buddy bought a webastos and is looking for a place to install it.
I have 2 Espars. One mounted permanent on my log loader truck and the other installed in a small tool box with a 6 litre fuel cell. I hookup wires to the battery and quick couplers to the cooling system, set the timer and walk away.
Battery draw and fuel consumption are minimal, the unit could heat the engine multiple times without starting the engine and it would still start just fine.
The only b!tch I have is the timer stores 3 run times but, but you can't set it to run them consecutively. So if you don't get to work Monday morning, the heater can't be preset to run on Tuesday and Wed too.