If this happens frequently, wouldn't it be a better option to put some sort of inline shut off valve than to risk damaging the fuel line with vise grips?
Absolutely, that would make sense! We haven't done that because this shouldn't happen under normal use. In our case, the problem became more frequent until we had the furnace serviced. In retrospect, we should have serviced the furnace at the beginning of the winter. We've since added a swivel pads vice grip to our toolkit for if/when it happens again, but we will take the first appearance of white smoke to mean that it's time to service the furnace again!
Awesome, glad it helped! Just a heads up that for us this was an early warning that the furnace needed to be serviced. If this problem keeps occurring, it might mean it's time to get a service done.
I'll admit that I don't know enough of how the furnace works to give you a good answer there. Seems reasonable though - I think the reason why I got the white smoke initially was unburnt diesel getting pumped in while the furnace was failing to ignite due to elevation.
Curious: What was happening before the white smoke? In my 18/19, the furnace was just blowing cold air, then I noticed the smoke. Jim Rixon got right back and suggested I send the unit for service. Good video on removal, and self servicing the unit. Both above my pay grade. Any suggestions for service in the New England region? Looks like this line pinch procedure is a good short time fix. Just trying to understand what the problem was associated with the white smoke. Thanks
Blowing cold air and the white smoke came at the same time, though from what I understand it's possible to have your situation where the white smoke doesn't happen immediately. It seems like that's a pretty solid indication you need the furnace serviced! We're spoiled and have Rixens in the neighborhood, but when we were on the road I got recommendations for places that service diesel trucks as a lot of them have similar diesel furnace setups. I'd give Rixens a call and see if they have any recommendations of people in the Northeast to take your van. Good luck!
To be honest I don't have a great estimation on the total hours, but our van was used for weekend duty last winter and this winter for full-time storm chasing, so it's been on for quite a bit! We haven't had to service the furnace yet. I'm imagining that when we have to replace the atomizer screen, I'll move it to the engine bay for easier access in the future as well as free heat from the engine!
If this happens frequently, wouldn't it be a better option to put some sort of inline shut off valve than to risk damaging the fuel line with vise grips?
Absolutely, that would make sense! We haven't done that because this shouldn't happen under normal use. In our case, the problem became more frequent until we had the furnace serviced. In retrospect, we should have serviced the furnace at the beginning of the winter. We've since added a swivel pads vice grip to our toolkit for if/when it happens again, but we will take the first appearance of white smoke to mean that it's time to service the furnace again!
Had the same problem. I can't believe this worked - but it did.
Awesome, glad it helped! Just a heads up that for us this was an early warning that the furnace needed to be serviced. If this problem keeps occurring, it might mean it's time to get a service done.
10 star tutorial.
Thanks!!
I’m having the same problem. I guess it’s flooded and poor air flow due to carbon buildup?
I'll admit that I don't know enough of how the furnace works to give you a good answer there. Seems reasonable though - I think the reason why I got the white smoke initially was unburnt diesel getting pumped in while the furnace was failing to ignite due to elevation.
Curious: What was happening before the white smoke? In my 18/19, the furnace was just blowing cold air, then I noticed the smoke. Jim Rixon got right back and suggested I send the unit for service. Good video on removal, and self servicing the unit. Both above my pay grade. Any suggestions for service in the New England region? Looks like this line pinch procedure is a good short time fix. Just trying to understand what the problem was associated with the white smoke. Thanks
Blowing cold air and the white smoke came at the same time, though from what I understand it's possible to have your situation where the white smoke doesn't happen immediately. It seems like that's a pretty solid indication you need the furnace serviced! We're spoiled and have Rixens in the neighborhood, but when we were on the road I got recommendations for places that service diesel trucks as a lot of them have similar diesel furnace setups. I'd give Rixens a call and see if they have any recommendations of people in the Northeast to take your van. Good luck!
Assuming you were pinching the fuel line before the fuel metering pump?
Correct!
Just came from instgram! 😊
👌awesome!
How many hours total do you think that you have ran your ESPAR?
Has it ever needed service that you couldn’t do yourself?
To be honest I don't have a great estimation on the total hours, but our van was used for weekend duty last winter and this winter for full-time storm chasing, so it's been on for quite a bit! We haven't had to service the furnace yet. I'm imagining that when we have to replace the atomizer screen, I'll move it to the engine bay for easier access in the future as well as free heat from the engine!