Hi All,

I live in Alaska and would like to drive my 2CV all year but when it gets really cold (-20C to -30C) I would really like some more heat. I use Espar hydronic heaters in my diesel mercedes vehicles but the 2CV has me a bit stumped. I do have a vintage (ie 1976) Espar B1L gas fired hot air heater I would like to use. Over the weekend, I tested the heater and it worked just fine so now how or where to install? I have scoured the board and the internet and find some references to some hardy folks in Northern Europe using these but no specifics. My options seem to be to install in the cabin on the floor under the front seat which would work but means I have to drill an exhaust and intake air hole in the floor. I could also install it under the bonnet and try to tie it into the existing ducting. This is attractive for several reasons. It means not putting holes in the floor. It would allow the heat to be directed to the very important defrosting duct. I have thought about the option to use the hot air in reverse to pre-heat the engine too but am not sure how well that would work. I hate starting the car when it is that cold and would like to warm it up like I do with my diesels but but it starts just fine. If I install this heater under the bonnet, it would necessitate another hole in the firewall to provide air return to the heater. I think the Dyane had this extra hole but I would have to add to the 2cv which I am OK with if needed. Some how, holes in the firewall are not as frightening as holes in the floor.

So if anyone has thoughts on this before I start hacking, I would appreciate the input.

Thanks for the help and the great collective wisdom here.

Adam
Anchorage AK

Hi Roverini,welcome to the forum.I can't be much help,but I would have thought fitting it in the engine compartment would be the answer.If you go to 2cv Vikings post "APUA-Help story" there are some pictures of a 2cv with a heater fitted in the engine compartment.Maybe Viking could offer some help as he has seen the car.
Good luck!

There's a pair of holes in the bulkhead of a 2cv - one each side. So you could heat the driver's side, and take the return from the passenger's?

Don´t mind the text, is says the obvious. Make the tubes edges sharp to make the air go better.

Umm, Dago...? I can't be the only one whose Finnish is a little lacking.

Fireroof coating material on.