Peterbilt 579 Smartair system

Does it use a diesel esbar heater? Check the glow plug and screen.

 

I would like to know if you can find anyone who can fix them..
Dealers around here can change parts but can't diagnose.
No esbar on the one next to me.
I do know that you must use them high dollar gel cell batterie's.

 

Install a diesel bunk heater. Electric sucks at making heat efficientally

 

All Pete’s with Smart air use an Esbar for heat.

If the system runs, try running some kerosene thru it overnight. Disconnect the fuel line at the tank and just dunk it into a gallon jug of straight K1 kerosene. See if it stays running. May take a couple start up cycles.

Replacing the glow pin and inlet screen are also good advice.

 

Ive found with that type of bunk heater the number 1 issue is no one runs them over the summer. So the fuel sits there 6+ months and goes bad in the lines and ends up clogging stuff up. If it wont run at all you may need to service the unit and have everything cleaned. As a rule its always good to run them for an hour or so every month just to get the fuel to move. Especially if you use biodiesel. That stuff is natorious for destorying filters if it sits long enough.

Checking for bad fuel fouling things up is usually the fastest and easiest thing to rule out.

 

I just drove a 2021 t680 with the espar,it had been sitting a long time.It was a little noisy for the first hour but settled down and ran great after that.I found out if I turned the ign key on or opened a door,the heater would automatically shut down.

 

With an Espar I’ve found that setting the thermostat to 90 or better right when you turn it on helps it to fire better, and I let mine run for a few minutes maxed out like that before I turn it down to a lower temp.

 

No doubt I have done the same thing. I also start mine once every couple months as well for a couple minutes just to keep it running true. Also run fuel additive and I believe it helps keep it clean as well but that is me hoping I think. Ha Ha Just started it up last night and it took a few minutes to kick in all the way. These heaters can run me out of the truck pretty fast even on low.