Glycol leak from clear tube front driver's side

geekmama

I have a 2018 320 CS-S. I got it in 2017 and have used it regularly every year. I always do the blowout method of winterizing and have never had a problem or put antifreeze in the ALDE system. This year I started camping and after a couple of trips I noticed glycol leaking out of the clear tube in front. I know it's an "overflow" tube so I wasn't too worried initially. This last time I went camping in June the leak just continued the entire trip and it wasn't slow. It seemed to be coming out as fast as it could get through the little tube. I turned off the ALDE and survived without hot water (no need for heat in June).

I got home and bought more Glycol and poured in a little and then ran outside to check the tube. It just leaked out everything I put in immediately. I've put my hand on the bottom of the space where the tank is (behind the toilet) and it's dry. I took pictures of all the tubes and they seem fine. I am trying to get an appointment with the local t@b dealer to get the entire thing flushed as regular service and so they can look at this leak but it'll be months since they're so busy.

Does anyone have any ideas about this? I called Creed and he couldn't think of anything. I read everything in this forum but no one seems to have had the same kind of problem. In my mind I can't figure out why all the liquid in the tank would be leaking directly out the overflow tube. I have not had the system flushed and filled every two years like you were supposed to because I didn't know. I'll start having that done now.

ScottG

I'm less familiar with the layout of the CS-S, so I don't know exactly which tube is which or where they exit the floor. However, what you describe does not jive with leakage from the overflow tube, as that comes out of the top of the expansion tank. 

The only other tube that might be leaking glycol is the one connected to the automatic air bleeder assembly. On mine it's a black tube (see below) but models may very. The float valve in the automatic air bleeder has been know to stick from either malfunction or from improper installation. If that happens, glycol can bypass the valve and leak from the tube. 

Some people have been able to unstick the bleeder valve by tapping on it with hard object. You also want to make sure the valve is level--unlike the one shown in my photo.

 

geekmama

The tube I'm referring to is outside the T@B. I have to look under next to the front left stabilizer. I did try both knocking the yellow metal thing (bleeder assembly I think) and making sure it was set to a level of 2 or a little lower.

That's exactly why I'm confused. My problem doesn't really seem "possible". I'm missing something. If the bleeder assembly is stuck would it actually leak ALL the contents of the tank out?

ScottG

It would probably empty the expansion tank, since the tank is higher than the bleeder. From your original post it wasn't clear how much was actually leaking out, or whether it stopped at some point.

Is there any way you can trace (by sight or feel) the tube in question and determine exactly to what it connects?

geekmama

This is the tube that it's leaking from. It's the front left next to the stabilizer. I can see what I think is it behind the toilet but I can't follow it further. The entire tank empties and quickly. I only put a little in this morning to test and it leaked right out.

Do you suggest I hit the bleeder assembly harder? Maybe I need to do more than a tap?

ScottG

I don't have a CS-S so I can't say for certain what that tube is, but given the location and appearance I would certainly guess it was the Alde expansion tank overflow. However, that gets us right back to where we started, and still makes no sense...

Hopefully an Alde savvy CS-S owner can chime in here with some additional insight. 

Sharon_is_SAM

That tube is the overflow for the CSS Alde expansion tank.  Can you watch the tank and actually see it back up into the tube?

The Alde auto air bleeder drain is under the Driver side rear just below the Alde.

When you ran the Alde this year, did it heat the cabin?  I am wondering if there is some kind of obstruction that prevents flow out of the tank.

geekmama

I can't actually see the tank directly. I have to take a picture of it with my phone. I have gone into the Alde and smacked the air bleeder, but now that I'm home I could use a hammer instead of a little screwdriver so I'll try that.

Yes, earlier in the season I camped and used heat and the heat worked fine.

ScottG

Don't beat the auto air bleeder too hard, as it sounds like it's not coming from there. The bleeder tube probably exits the floor behind the driver's side wheel, nearer the Alde itself.

geekmama

I am starting to wonder if that clear tube is the ALDE drain tube and it's just supposed to have a plug in it. Does anyone else have something close to a 2018 320 CS-S that can confirm that there is a plug on the tube that is near their front left stabilizer?

ScottG

Regardless of the model, I would expect the Alde glycol drain to be nearer the Alde compartment, close to the circulator pump. It should also be a black hose, as it is fused to the larger black hoses that circulate glycol to the convectors.

Look under the T@B just behind the driver's side wheel. Is there a black tube there with a brass or red plug in it?

@Sharon_is_SAM, can you confirm the location of the glycol drain?

Sharon_is_SAM

My 2017 CSS Alde glycol drain is under the Alde - rear driver side.

Tabulating

When our bleeder was leaking continuously, I put a clamp on the hose coming from it.  We actually keep a small plastic clamp with us to be ready when it fails again.

We ran it like that for weeks.  It not a pressure line. So there is no risk.  All it is supposed to do is trap bubbles and release them.

To definitely eliminate the bleeder, you could clamp the line just for a bit while you add some fluid and make a short ops test. If it still runs out it is not the bleeder.

geekmama

@Tabulating where did you find the hose you put the clamp on? 

I wrote to NuCamp and they did confirm that I should have a plug. I'm working on figuring out how to order it now 

ScottG

@geekmama, did you look behind the driver's wheel for a black tube with a red or brass plug?

You should not plug either the expansion tank overflow or the air bleeder vent hose (except as a temporary fix or for test purposes). These are intended to be open and you may cause additional problems by plugging them.

Is it possible the glycol is leaking from behind the driver's wheel, and not from the clear tube you photographed near the front? If you had lost the glycol drain plug than everything you describe would make perfect sense.

Tabulating

If you look at the photo ScottG posted above, the small hose from the top of the brass bleader is the one I clamped. I put a clamp one the outside of the hose and tightened to stop the unwanted outflow.  

We were only losing fluid when the unit was in use and we were emptying our reservoir in about a day. We definitely had a bad bleed valve.

geekmama

@Tabulating thanks for clarifying which hose it was. Mine is leaking out the entire contents whether the ALDE is on or not.