Empty Expansion Tank and Glycol all over the driveway

cyoung

No, its tight even after I removed a clamp. There is no play in this so not sure why its leaking.

Bayliss

@Sharon_is_SAM and @cyoung, I looked at my 3020 connection at that location and it has the same amount of aluminum pipe exposed.  It could be that the rubber hose somehow got nicked/sliced during installation and/or while attaching the clamp.  Regardless, discovering the location of the leak is helpful information for the rest of us, so thanks for posting the info.

Sharon_is_SAM

@Bayliss - thanks for confirming.

ESH

Thanks, @Denny16.  You have been super helpful.  The glycol level has settled pretty close to the max and I am not currently hearing any gurgling so fingers crossed!

jimcenname

Update, on leaking automatic bleeder on my 400 after gycol service. I banged on my bleeder with a heavy tool and it seems to have worked. Tapping on the bleeder was insufficient, had to bang. After 4 days of heavy Alde use no more leaking. 

Sharon_is_SAM

Hey it worked!  Lucky you.  Now let’s see if it happens again.  We need someone to replace their flow assembly and disect it to see the workings.  

cyoung

I ended up taking one of the clamps off the hose assembly and noticed that the aluminum pipe has severely corroded and there is also a hole in it, which explains the leak. I sent Nucamp these pictures and they said it's a factory defect. I hope this is a isolated incident. Everyone keep an eye on this pipe but unfortunately you probably wont see anything unless you remove a clamp which you would only do when you replace the glycol. My dealer is ordering a replacement so hopefully they don't find any more damage.

Sharon_is_SAM

Good to know!

ScottG

cyoung said:

I ended up taking one of the clamps off the hose assembly and noticed that the aluminum pipe has severely corroded and there is also a hole in it, which explains the leak. I sent Nucamp these pictures and they said it's a factory defect. I hope this is a isolated incident. 

Me too, since I believe most of the Alde's innards are aluminum!

jimcenname

Update: After a professional replaced my glycol a few weeks ago the automatic bleeder started leaking glycol at a rate of 1 fl oz per hour. Alde sent me a replacement bleeder but before I swapped it I really beat on the malfunctioning valve, I was feeling daring since I had a spare in-hand. After 8 days of use the original bleeder is no longer leaking glycol. I will keep the new one as a spare (cost $75 with shipping). FYI, since my t@b was new, ~500 days of use, the glycol reservoir gurgled when the Alde heat ran and I didn't care since it all worked well. I reduced the pump speed to 2 from 3 and the gurgle is now quiet and the system still works well. 

Sharon_is_SAM

@jimcenname - what did you use to hammer the valve?

jimcenname

I used a large screwdriver using its plastic handle and hit it as hard as I could while trying not to damage it or anything adjacent. The mallet was too big. Initially I tapped it gently with a small wrench.

Sharon_is_SAM

Thanks @jimcenname.  I hope your luck holds out.  That valve is the Alde weak link.

jimcenname

@Sharon_is_SAM, I agree, over read enough about the bleeder to believe it's common. 

Tampakayaker

jimcenname said:

I used a large screwdriver using its plastic handle and hit it as hard as I could while trying not to damage it or anything adjacent. The mallet was too big. Initially I tapped it gently with a small wrench.

That's how you repair a HD that won't read/write.  NOTE that is a last resort, but sometimes it frees up the actuator.

cyoung

Update to my leaking Alde heater system. Got my camper back today from the dealer. They are not sure how or why this happened on a new model. The fitting was severely corroded and several holes were visible. They replaced the fitting and drained the entire system before refilling with new fluid. System was pressurized and tested for leaks. Works great now so hopefully the problem is resolved. Everything was covered under warranty and Nucamp is aware of this in case other units are affected. 

Denny16

Grand, glad you got it sorted out. 
cheers