Espar Hydronic 5 Coolant Heater

[Doonz]

Hi guys,

I spoke with a local shop about getting one of these units installed. Here is the reply I got when i asked about putting one in my truck along with the install.

"Good Day Doonz my name is **** with **** We do not do the blowers with the Hydronic 5 as there have been issues with the damper door . however most customers don’t want them as you get heat right away when you get in the truck and turn blowers on cab gets warm in no time."

Does anyone know why or what the problem is with the damper and why they wouldn't do it?

[Alberta Advantage]

I seem to recall you're from AB. I looked into putting an Espar or Webasto into my truck and after talking with shops that sold both as well as the Ford dealership, I was more or less told to save my money since it doesn't get nearly cold enough in the city to utilize either system. They said that the PTC supplemental heater option I have on my truck decreases the time it takes for the truck to heat up already. They also said that since I have access to electricity for the block heater, overnight, and since the batteries and glow plugs are in good/normal operating condition, there would be no problem with the truck turning over in -40*C or colder temperatures even if I let it sit a couple days. If you're really concerned, I'd look into an oil pan blanket/heater. Just some food for thought before you drop a few grand on one. Granted, I do have an Espar in the work truck/van but the Dodge Sprinter didn't come with a block heater so an Espar was necessary/a standard factory feature on it.

[Doonz]

Originally Posted by Alberta Advantage

I seem to recall you're from AB. I looked into putting an Espar or Webasto into my truck and after talking with shops that sold both as well as the Ford dealership, I was more or less told to save my money since it doesn't get nearly cold enough in the city to utilize either system. They said that the PTC supplemental heater option I have on my truck decreases the time it takes for the truck to heat up already. They also said that since I have access to electricity for the block heater, overnight, and since the batteries and glow plugs are in good/normal operating condition, there would be no problem with the truck turning over in -40*C or colder temperatures even if I let it sit a couple days. If you're really concerned, I'd look into an oil pan blanket/heater. Just some food for thought before you drop a few grand on one. Granted, I do have an Espar in the work truck/van but the Dodge Sprinter didn't come with a block heater so an Espar was necessary/a standard factory feature on it.

Yeah. I work up around the FMM area and as well as I'll be heading to zama then onto yellowknife this winter season....

Im going to FREEEEEEZZZZEEEEE. Ive had trouble starting my gas job at around the -40 mark so i was thinking in conjunction with talking with the other guys in the area and this would be the best solution. Keep the motor warm and the inside of the truck hot. And plug ins aren't available.

I was just more confused about the whole not tying it into the blower part...

[Alberta Advantage]

The reason for not installing the blower/fan is because most people value a warm engine over a warm cab. With the blower, you're channeling/splitting warm air between the engine and cab. The cab is essentially warmed first and then any extra warm air is circulated to the engine. If you don't run the blower, 100% of the warm air is in the engine compartment. Not sure where you called but I get my Espar serviced/tuned for winter by Polar Mobility. They have branches in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer.

[Doonz]

Originally Posted by Alberta Advantage

The reason for not installing the blower/fan is because most people value a warm engine over a warm cab. With the blower, you're channeling/splitting warm air between the engine and cab. The cab is essentially warmed first and then any extra warm air is circulated to the engine. If you don't run the blower, 100% of the warm air is in the engine compartment. Not sure where you called but I get my Espar serviced/tuned for winter by Polar Mobility. They have branches in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer.

Heh that's who I talked to.....

[Doonz]

So after talking with a bunch of installation places I have figured ford spent too much time turning the Climate controls into Fort Knox,

Gawd I wish i had done more research prior to buying this truck.

[Painted Horse]

I can't speak for the -40 stuff. But I spent the winter in the -25 and never had a problem. My truck was outside at night, not plugged in. When I would hear my neighbor out trying to start his truck, I would hit the remote start button on mine and hear it immediately start. Mine was on the default setting where it ran for 5 minutes and turned off. If I had not walked out the door in that 5 minutes, I would hit the remote a second time.

Usually when I got out side, The windshield was melted off and the cab was starting to warm up. It takes a while to warm up all the cab after a long cold soak. And I can say that even with some 30 minute hiway drives. The truck never really came up to full operating temp during the drive. When I pulled into the parking lot, it would kick up into fast idle to continue trying to warm up. 65 mph on the hiway with no load is only 450° F EGT temps. Put a trailer behind it, climb some grades or faster acceleration and you will get the EGTs up around 700-800° and it would warm up faster.


But it never had trouble starting at -25°F. It was never plugged in, My truck bought in Utah, doesn't even have the block warmer, I did run synthetic oil last winter and I did use Opti-Lube XPD winter formula fuel additve for the anti gel. I did not cover the radiator. I do have the rapid heat option on mine, that 1500watt elements doesn't over come the cold soak very fast, but it does work on the frosted windshield.

[AllGo'N'Show]

I have been debating this as well and still thinking about going forward on it. I know another guy with it on his 6.0L and he loves it in the winter.

[AlbertaStroker]

I've got a used Espar D5wsc for sale if there's anyone interested

[AllGo'N'Show]

Tempting.... did you install/remove yourself?