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Some things to look for.

Yahoo Message Number: 76992
Hello Everybody,

We just got back from our first outing in 2012. The day before we left as I was doing my usual inspection of the coach checking the tires, fluid levels and the million other things, I noticed that the whole right side, passenger side, fiberglass over the axle and tag was loose and could pull out a couple of inches.
after further inspection I discovered that all the 1/8" steel rivets in the frame of the LPG door had broken and there was only one little screw in the bottom corner about 1/2" out that was holding the thing together.
I drilled a couple of the holes and put in bigger 3/16" pop rivets in four holes on each side and then put 1/8" steel in the rest of the holes.
Then I decided to check my other doors. found the Hydro Hot door, drivers side, was missing all the rivets on the rear side so I did the same to that.
I rechecked after 600 miles down the road and again when I got back and they were all there so I am assuming that fixed the problem. Don't know why the originals broke to begin with.
My Hydro Hot overflow tank level was low, but the tech said it might be after all the air burped out when he changed the level switch, so I filled it to the appropriate level. I looked at it again down the road and noticed it was down about 1/2" so I topped it off. Checked it again the next day and it was down about 1/4". I started looking for leaks. I haven't found any. Is this normal? The level didn't drop the rest of the trip.
Also discovered that the heat pumps don't work when it gets to be 20 degrees outside. Glad I have heated tile floors. They heat the coach up so fast then just us the Hydro Hot to maintain. Wish I had the two electric element Hydro Hot so that I didn't have to use Diesel. We were in a resort next to a wall and had to hear that thing cycle all night long to run the heaters.

Mark and Helen Surber
07 Intrigue 530 45' 12162
C13 Cat Allison
06 Rubicon LJ

Re: Some things to look for.

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76994
Mark, I have to add hydro hot fluid every now and then. I've never found a leak and have no idea where it goes. I used to worry about it, but I don't any more. I carry a gallon of it with me and add it when needed.
Thanks for the heads up on the doors. I'll check mine this afternoon.

Dan 06 Intrigue 11936

Re: Some things to look for.

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76996
Heat pumps normally work 6 degrees above freezing in my experience. Some of the hoses installed by CC were green in color and are known to be permeable, allowing the antifreeze to escape slowly. I have found the older the system the evaporation becomes almost negligible. I did have a leak in the plastic drain fitting. Its a common problem. I popped a bunch of rivets on my 98 Allure and did the same fix. If you cover the front window with Aluminum insulation inside at night you will reduce the cycling of your Aqua hot by 1/2!
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Some things to look for.

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76998
On the Hydro Hot system ... I had Carrier and Sons go through my system because it seemed it used lot of anti freeze fluid. It turns out that Hydro Hot has a couple of fittings made of plastic that over time will leak (and mine were leaking). It was a cheap design and these fittings should have been made of brass. Hydro Hot actually had a recall on one of the fittings that they did not tell anybody about. They would replace them on Hydro Hot's dime if they were contacted. These days Hydo Hot is in bad shape and barely hanging on. I had Carrier & Sons replace the fittings (each was over $100 each), with brass fittings, and now I do not go through a lot of anti freeze fluid.

Rick Barnette,

Fulltiming in a 04 Allure, 31018

Re: Some things to look for.

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 76999
Right after we purchased our '04 Allure we noticed we were losing coolant. My DH found the leak. In the bathroom along the outside wall underneath the window there is a compartment where wires go from front to back of the coach. There was a screw down thru the wood that was too long and punctured the hose that carries the coolant. Just a pinhole causing a leak but over time made us have to add coolant. Problem solved.
Lonny & Diane
'04 Allure 33'
#31065

Re: Some things to look for.

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77008
Mark

I have to add about 1 quart of fluid about once a month when it is being regularly used i.e cold outside. The system has been checked up and down by a couple of the better Hydro Techs out there and can find no leaks. The upgrade to the brass fittings has also been performed which did reduce the useage.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348
 

Re: Some things to look for.

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77009
I also add a quart every month or two and have gone over the system from stem to stern and no leaks. Maybe the exchanger is leaking and it is coming ot the exhaust bt there is no steam or moisture in the exhaust pipe. I have decided it is more economical to keep adding a gallon or two of boilerfreeze a year than continue the search.
Marc Sommer

05 affinity #6429