Fitting Eberspacher between front seats?

[jamiehamy]

Hi all,

Going to fit my Eberspacher this weekend and planning on fitting it between the front seats. I prefer this location as it's a dead space that is only used for junk (I have the 3 seats), it will keep any noise further away from the sleeping area and easier to have air directed either into the front cabin or through the bulkhead.

To maybe save me time removing the fuel tank and so on at the weekend, does anyone know if there is enough clearance underneath to route the exhaust? Or of any other reason this is not a good idea?

Thanks folks

[Hacksawbob]

Its ver tight in there clutch pipe, brake pipes, hb cable, gear linkage. Im not sure how hot it gets but itll be near petrol tank? Theres the tank breather pipes as well which are rubber

[jamiehamy]

Hmmm, wasn't sure where they ran under there, good point. Not too bothered about fuel tank as it's diesel anyway, would jsut ensure that the exhaust was not rubbing against the tank and put some heat shield.

Maybe just have to drop the tank and see...

[Oldiebut goodie]

Most ridiculous place that you could think of, fuel lines/vents will be too close, you will not be able to have the continuous drop on the exhaust pipe, the exhaust will most probably contact some part of the fuel tank/body with underseal etc. leading to fire risk as the exhaust gets very hot especially at the exit from the heater. Saying that you are not too worried about the fuel tank as it's diesel is crazy!
Contender for the Darwin Awards if you fit it there.

[Hacksawbob]

Well you wouldn't be cold!
Under rear bed is usual. Although i have a vague recollection of the passenger footwell being used by someone?

[jamiehamy]

aha, fair enough In fairness, Eberspacher are the ones that place the fuel intake and exhaust within an inch of so or each other. Wasn't aware the the exhaust has to be a vertical drop, although I've not been through the install guide yet as only got last night. Had planned using p-clips to route it out then down backwards with some standard exhaust heatshield protecting it. Maybe scrap that idea then.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Exhaust isn't a vertical drop - just a constant drop otherwise condensation can build up and if you have a loop it could block it. You cannot p-clip the exhaust to the bodywork as the underseal could catch fire! It needs hanging away from the bodywork. The fuel inlet on a heater derives cooling from the combustion air inlet which cools that area.

The bulkhead under the glovebox was used - I can't remember who did it but that was a compact model that was used. Not all models take kindly to being mounted sideways so would need to be checked in the manual.

[jamiehamy]

Well I had a good look underneath today and probably be going with original plan. Will be far forward enough to be well clear of the fuel tank. Even with that, the tank is a good bit lower so no risk of any contact whatsoever. Still need to confirm a couple of things, but now I've checked, don't think i'll be getting any awards for stupidity :p. Been through the Eber kit and the silencer has a mount that keeps it clear of any paint/underseal which will be ever present no matter where i mount it.

[jason k]

My tuppence worth.

If major converters ie westfalia etc could have safely fitted one up front and gained valuable storage space in the rear don't you think they may have done so?

Knowing the state most tanks and fuel lines have been in on most t3 I have come across there's no way I would fit an eber there.

[jamiehamy]

No, i doubt it. Probably one of the main reasons they didn't fit one there is that it's liable to get trodden on as people move from the front of the van to the back as it would be right in the middle of the passageway. I still have the bulkhead in place and 3 seats across the front. One of the recommended fitting places on the install manual is that very place. Not that it makes s difference because it's not going to be near the tank, but my tank is more or less brand new

[jamiehamy]

Well that's it all fitted and working. Absolutely no inherent risk of fire the way it's mounted - clear of body/chassis with the Eber bracket and no-where near fuel tank or brake/fuel lines. Install location is perfect for us as we're only losing'dead' space under the seats in the front, and also gives the option of heating either the front cabin or the rear without ducting all over the place.

Looking forward to our trip at Hogmanay, the colder the better

[Hacksawbob]

Canyou post a few pics of it?

[Ian Hulley]

Our's is fitted in the bottom of the kitchen block, blowing into the 'load space' .. one of the benefits of having a homebrew interior.



The fuel is in a 200 x 200 x 300 2.6 gallon stainless tank fitted in the area at the bottom of the rear vent, where a diesel starter battery would be. It's filled through a pipe opening in the rear vent.

Ian