I am a full-time caregiver and cannot go out on narrow boats or take van trips or do major tech improvement projects. So thank you very much for letting me and others tag along with you and enjoy the ride. 😀

Your short reference to needing some space in your own head and not feeling like being chipper on camera stuck me. I know you like to guard your privacy and I wouldn't expect anything else, but I wanted to wish you and your family the best that this year can bring. A quarter of a million of us have benefited by sharing your adventures! Thank you for taking us along.

The next video has a cold open with John covered in black soot, hair partially burnt: "I was right to worry."

I've watched box sets where I've not been as bothered by cliffhangers! 😩

You left us on quite a cliffhanger! "Will it start? Will it catch fire and blow-up? Will he even worry? Stay tuned! " fantastic idea with the syringe.

It appears that you’ve done a marvelous job. I can’t imagine ever tackling something like that on my own. Kudos to you! -US watcher

Very entertaining video... Loving your humour... The closing comment of "I suspect I will worry!" Had me in fits of laughter 😂

Now who could have guessed that watching someone put a fuel filter in a diesel line could be so entertaining? Always a pleasure, David! You are welcome to drop by my KZfaq window any time! No need to knock; just come right in and make yourself at home!

"I suspect I shall worry." That made me laugh!

You just didn't want us all hearing you swear a blue streak, lol. Congrats on finishing it David.

Most portable fuel containers don't come with a gasket on the fuel cap, so they tend to leak if not tightened super tight. You maybe able to take the cap in to your local parts house and fit one. You also could buy a piece of gasket material and cut one yourself. 😊

Scheherazade comes to mind ...1001 nights replacing the diesel heater 😉

I was just getting into the swing of this when you ended and made us wait until the next episode - cruel 🙂

That was, as ever, entertaining! Oh no, I’m going to have to wait. Given I’ve not heard of any one blowing their van up on the news, I’m assuming it worked successfully. 😅

Superb filming and commentaries David No corners cut Very professional

As always enjoying your videos. (This is Teresa McKelvey) today I have you on in my yarn shop. I get to knit while watching. Thanks for sharing your videos with us all.

David, either replace the cap on your fuel tank with one that has a vent screw built in (like an outboard motor tote tank) or cobble together a hole in the cap with a hose coming out of it vertically (like you did for the fuel pickup tube) and put a fuel filter (like the one you put in the line) right at the furthest end of the hose and clip it to the top most part of the fuel tank compartment. The fuel filter actually allows air in but stops fumes coming out. It is a 4wd trick known as a breather extension....for axles and gearbox vents so they don't suck water in when the axles and gearboxes are rapidly cooled when submerged crossing rivers. With this you don't need to remember to open/close any vents, nor worry about pinholes allowing stinky diesel fuel to seep out.....

That looks all very tidy and professional. Can’t wait to see the start up video (who needs Star Wars, when you’ve got this kind of action!) Thanks for sharing and let’s hope 2023 will be a good’un

David, has the fuel tank got an air valve in it? If not its going to stop working isn't it?

Don't forget that your tank needs some kind of vent during operation to prevent a vacuum from forming. However, that also means the vent could leak. Unless you fiddle with opening and closing the vent as needed when the heater is running. Also, remember that even a small amount of diesel fuel can spread out to make it look like a much larger amount that it actually is. And the stuff never really dries up or evaporates on its own. Messy stuff. But also much safer than petrol.

What a cliffhanger can’t wait until the next one. Happy new year

David your solution looks tidy and safe. This, from a former aircraft mechanic (retired). Enjoy the benefits of your labours in 2023 and beyond old chap. Cheers.

My goodness David, the Labors of Hercules took less time and effort.

You're such a tease... making us wait for the rest of the video! 😂

You'll need some sort of vent on the diesel tank to let the air in as you pump the diesel up. The cap on that can is designed to seal completely so either the can will start shrinking or the pump will reach its limit and not pump any more fuel to the heater. The caps that come with the ready made heater tanks have a vent seal in them to allow air in but no fuel out. You could of course loosen the cap slightly when using the heater but sooner or later you'll forget to tighten it before you drive off 🙂

"Oh no - you can't leave it like that Mr Roy", exclaimed Basil, as our leader left it on a cliff-hanger, once again. Grrrr. Happy new year, and have a great 2023.

From Deb Sims…David you are an amazing and brave DIYer; taking on all sorts of projects I’d be very leary to try. I’ll stick to watercolor painting, jewelry making, sewing clothes and the occasional curtains, knitting sweaters and socks…and leave you to the daunting narrow boats and vans.

You are granted absolution, 3 hail Mary's and 2 stations of the cross. Most entertaining , thank you for sharing. Only worry when you see flames.

I suspect I shall worry. lol perfect ending!

The syringe was very clever.

Such a simple bit of duct work. The installation in my boat has lots of turns in it. But because where it is mounted there is a 10' run of ducting 7' straight with a 3' length in a 90 degree turn into a T junction. And 18 hole saw cuts latter I was done. Planar here in Canada had their own inline fuel filter which I did have to purchase separately.

Another interesting vlog! Those types of in-line fuel filters should be readily available at any auto parts store. The inlet side of the filter should feed into the body of the filter, the pump side should draw from the center of the filter element.

Getting the pipes on... Lubricate. Here I'd use a few drops of diesel. Progress. Waiting for the finale!

Hi Dave, hope your quiet time proved useful and you head is clear for 2023. Can't wait for some more of your adventures. Stay safe mate, and take care of yourself.

Well done David. If we don't get a part two, we'll know something went wrong! We do enjoy your videos, so take care. And a Happy New year to you.

Wow what an ending !!! 😲

Good work David. Re mice. Don’t use foam, they love it and will chomp through it. Using the existing screw holes use a bit of silicone and an old soup tin lid. Drill holes on lid walk a bead of silicone and crew down. 👍

I've been using a diesel heater for a few years now and on most of the instrument panels I have come across especially on newer models there is a primer mode to take fuel to the burner before you switch it on. I also have the exact same van only in Peugeot and to be honest it can be too warm sometimes but better than being freezing cold up here on the furthest northerly coast in Donegal Ireland lol. I haven't finished my conversation yet because I live in the van but some great ideas for me to think about for the future

David: You gave us a genuine 'Cliffhanger' episode. Well done. Happy New Year

Great job. Looks neat and tidy. You’ve clearly thought a lot about how you were going to fit it 👍

Replacement air in the tank? Can work better for a longer period of time. That is, when the pump sucks diesel, it doesn't suck the tank into a dent.

my experience, diesel leaks ALL THE TIME!!! there is pretty much no cap, seal, grommet that will stop diesel. just slows it down.

I'm pretty sure the filter guidance applies more to a lorry with a big tank that accumulates debris over time. Knowing you, your 5L tank will not be allowed to get dirty!

A small syringe? hahahah. You wouldn`t like the dentist if he was describing that as small as he bears down on you.

Truly hilarious David on how you put your humor into all your daily routine. Thank you for making me laugh, try to be safe and Happy New Year.

Another Oscar nomination video!! Thanks David.

Best wishes for the New Year. When someone says they needed to be in a place to clear their head, I expect that they are in a bad place, I hope things will be better for you.

This is truly gripping and I have bought popcorn for the firing up (pun intended) video.

Great to see another update, David. I hope that whatever was bearing down on you during the fitting (which is of course none of my business!) has passed; you certainly seem your usual self in this video anyway. Thoroughly enjoying this channel which I've followed since the beginning. Best wishes. 🙂

Well done, David for having a go yourself with a wiser route. All appears safe and OK to me

What a cliffhanger to end on

We have similar heaters in the carriages of the narrow gauge railway i volunteer on here in Lakeland. Yes they can tend to smoke on initial ignition can appear alarming.give it a few moments and it will clear.If it doesn't we switch off give it 5 and fire it up again normally does the trick.

I'm usually only in the habit of positive comments and encouragement. But as I expect, you've found the tick of the fuel pump not silent and likely annoying you already. (some fixes on the internet) Also, get a proper diesel tank. Secure it in the event of a roll over accident, and the tank breather doesn't leak on the flames ..... Happy New Year .

Looking forward to see it in action.

A real nail biter David. Nice cliff hanger to insure our return for the outcome.

Glad to see you had the first aid kit handy when lacerating the fuel hose!

As the saga continues, everything is looking as it should, given a couple of thoughts, with a bit of adjusting here and there to suit man's conscious mind. At the end of a tedious task, all is well and running as it should. All the very best to this new year David. 🖖

Chipper, cheery, chappie! Love it!

Wow! This was quite a complex task, good on you David. Having said that, sorry for saying, but you could make thrilling and engaging even the explanation of how to open a drawer!

Btw, the way you’ve got it positioned. It will probably prime itself without the extra effort. When you start it, you’ll see the diesel make its journey through the pipe work so you’ll soon know if it’s not priming. The diesel pump changes tone once the diesel reaches it. You’ll soon work it out and it’ll become second nature

If you can, put some steel wool in that hole, too- mice can chew almost anything- but they can't chew steel wool b/c of the sharp metal threads.

Yaay, a new video!

The heater in previous works van (eber spach thing) was always having problems sucking water into it. Killed it on several occasions. I asked if they could mount the one in new van differently so to protect it from puddles etc . The guy insisted they never had anyone else complain . So I suggested putting it into the van instead of under it.. I was told they never put them under always inside so I sent them to look where it was and sure enough it was under the van. The best bit was the guy who fitted it under the van was the one who said we never fit it there. Tip don't have the air intake too low it could make for an expensive aqua vac. Ps short videos are OK. Please not to long on the cliff hanger. Also please don't start the 2 second scene changes.

A real cliffhanger. What could possibly go wrong ? 🤠

Happy new year David. Now you're leaving us dangling, waiting for the next episode.🤣

Omg , I let out a little gasp at the idea of having to wait . !!

Happy new year!! My wife and I enjoy your videos. We look forward to your new videos but watch re-runs of your older videos every night while she gently drifts off to sleep. Thank you.

Spit on the rubber pipe internally so it pushes on better

HAPPY NEW YEAR DAVID. May you stay safe and healthy and looking forward to more great videos in 2023.

I admire your determination for getting the heater sorted out. Looking forward to seeing it in action, while you’re camped at a sweet spot out in the country.

Wooo.. this is .... a cliff hanger... LOL. Great vlog. Fun.. just mind you don't cut yourself!

Good job David! Hope you are OK mentally though. Sounds like you had a bit of a wobble! Happy new year!😀

NO-OOH: A CLIFFHANGER!

I'm pleased to see you went for a Planar heater rather than Chinese. I have both (and have previously had an Eberspacher) - the Planar is much better built - I think you will be happy with it; we have had one in our van for 4 years now. Which controller did you get? Hopefully not the PU-22 which was completely un-fathomable. I swapped it for a PU-5. So much easier (just a knob for temperature and on / off buttons!)

The uk might be different but here in the us you can absolutely use dyed diesel in a heater like this, but given the small amount of fuel involved it probably isn't worth the bother unless you are at a fuel station in a rural area that happens to sell it anyway. If you wanted to go that route you would probably want to fit something like a 20 liter tank to minimise the amount of time you spend going out of your way for heater fuel. That might make sense if you were say living out of the van but for something actually used as a recreational vehicle like your van its probably not worth the bother.

That whole you want to fill use steelwool mice dont like that but filler of any sort they will chew through it.l know because I'm an avid viewer of van lifers so beware of using the wrong thing you don't want mice or worse . Good luck and may this new year be good to you

Oh you stinker ...Here I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see the start up...😆 WELL im waiting??? Thanks David..always a pleasure to see you at work..😊 I guess I must be one of those possible overexcited viewers..😳🥰

A cliffhanger! I hate those! Well, as long as we don’t have to wait until 2025 for the next episode…

I absolutely love your videos your personality is awesome. Hello from Louisiana.

Love it, just love it. Can’t wait to see what happens next xx

You are a very talented man David. Well done. Look forward to next instalment. Thank you.

It is always a pleasure when you show up David. You bring a smile to my face. Happy New Year!

If your diesel heater tank doesn't contain baffles (it will slosh around and leak) get some FIA Compliant Blue Foam (Diesel) and cut it into small 5cm cubes and feed it into the tank, it is 98% air and will only reduce the tank volume by a tiny fraction, they use it in go-kart tanks to stop sloshing & leaks.

Can't wait, hope the next video comes fairly soon. Good luck!

David like I did you might be better off installing a proper small 5L fuel tank as they come with strong lids with air inlet valves. TanksDirect are one place but there are others. I think your can will leak plus it might crush when fuel is drawn out.

What a cliffhanger! 😅

Happy new year brother and hello from Detroit Michigan USA

Should of finished with an Eastenders “Duff Duff Duffffff” 😂

For priming the pump. I think I would figure out a way to temporarily pressurize the jug - maybe with a rubber bulb setup like on outboard boat motors, or a turkey basting syringe.

Happy New Year David! Thanks for the update. Hopefully your installation will go well but, since this is your first install of this type of Heater, some follow up refinement is usual necessary, along with some choice words of encouragement to the hardware. When slipping two hoses together, I use a thin layer of silicone grease at the mating point, which helps quite a bit, especially if one of the hoses is rubber. This grease is sold at hardware stores in the plumbing section. If both hoses are plastic, heating the outside tube with a heat gun, makes the tubing much more flexible to slip together. In priming, it would be best (assuming you can fit the syringe in the area) if you draw from the hose where it attaches to the heater. That way you remove as much air as possible from the fuel line. On those fuel filters, the inlet side supplies fuel to the outside of the filter element paper cylinder. On heat producing devices, in order to prevent fighting convection, I like to mount hot air piping upward to an above vent and the opposite for the cold air side. Although there may be enough fan forced pressure with this unit to eliminate this as a problem.

Great video, so looking forward to the startup. Regards the old vent hole you need to seal, measure what diameter you need and pop into a local laser or water jet cutter, they'll do that for a few quid and even put in the screw holes for you to secure it down, will look a pro finish then. I can't wait to see some road trips and camp outs this year. Happy New Year chap.

Happy new year David, great way to start the new year,a cliffhanger 😮

If you look at the silencer you will see one side has a small indent in the side with a small hole ...this is the hole for moisture and should be facing down.

Would a fuel purge bulb fitted on the fuel line be any good at drawing the fuel from the tank? Just a thought. Good vid.

May you do well in this new year on your path through life, I'm rooting for you ☺️

cliff hanger !!

Hope you enjoy the new setup! Looks great.

The smallest drop of diesel spilt will expand over something as smooth as the fuel can like a demon. It is a form of lubricant for the pump and the pump on the diesel engine itself, so slippery. The seal on the cap might not taken the form of the can yet either adding to your worries. Best place for the heat outlet is where you have it, low down as hot air rises. The exhaust can get hot alright. I've seen many a melted fender on river cruisers moored close together and one near the heater exhaust. Doesn't half pong. Enjoy it , they give great heat.

Oh yea new video nice to see you are doing well

Hi David : just a thought , why not run ( if possible) another heater output hose to the diagonal cornor from the existing heater outlet. Might assist in heat distribution in the van. Excellent work .