Espar issues...

Is it webasto brand? Was it smoking out of exhaust?
They need to be serviced, clean carbon, change glow screen mesh.

 

Sound like it lost flame.
Happens sometimes. Wind hits just right.
Shut it down for 15 minutes, then try and fire it.
If it will not stay fired, you may need to service the unit.
If you start it, get out and look at the exhaust line, heavy smoke says it has gotten crudded up inside the burner. Best is to just do an overhaul on it. Kits are cheap.

 

run it super hot for a while, like in the 90s so it can cook itself clean, mine sometimes "loses flame" if it's only putting out a whisper of heat and it's windy outside. I don't know how a glow plug can lose flame but idk.

 

It gets carboned up and vent hole gets clogged up with carbon. Here's link on how to service it

 

Which model is the bunk heater

 

That video in post 6 is what fixed mine when it repeatedly "lost flame". My espar has a screen that gives a code. I was able to buy an atomizer screen and an igniter at a close by thermo king. I likely did not need the igniter, but you need to remove the igniter to get the screen out. You will need a set of pic tools to get it out, needle nose pliers worked for me. It was not easy to get out. Also bought small pipecleaner like wire brush to clean out inside there the best I could, like he does in the video. I bought some that are used for cleaning guns (I guess) from canadian tire.

Buy the 12mm slotted socket or make your own. You can't get the igniter out using pliers or any other tools without cutting the wire and now you need an igniter. That is how I got mine out after saying I am not idling and I am not freezing anymore either so a new igniter it is. The new one is just as tight as I could get it in there with the needle nose pliers and it works fine. The igniter was expensive, like $200. Atomizer screen not expensive maybe $20 ? I don't remember. If you have had the unit for several years, it might need total take apart and rebuild to clean the carbon that will build up in the burning chamber. Mine hasn't done this yet so I haven't been forced to learn how to do that. I am considering buying a 2nd unit so I can swap it out then rebuild/clean the carboned up one in my garage in the summer time. I am tired of paying people to do tasks that really aren't all that complicated and I can do them on my own. Sort of enjoy fixing things too. When I get it right and it's actually fixed...lol. Don't go in my garage and find the vw jetta that is...fix one thing...find another issue...fix that, find another....I'm about ready to drag that car into the street, pour gasoline all over it and light that F-er on fire. My caddy should be in there for the winter.

 

Carbon is the problem most likely could be that the fuel filter is dirty and needs to be replaced turn the heat to maximum let it run for an hour. A burn out the carbon if you need screen twenty bucks guns with an install tool if this is being done in the cold make sure you have a windows open because it will get hot in there