Pink glycol?

Leoni

A new-to-me mechanic flushed the alde system and replaced the fluid with a pink antifreeze solution. On these pages, I only read about either a yellow or a blue/green glycol. I called Truma, who said their product is a lime green but that the pink is probably fine.

The info here suggests that the type is very important, so Im confused. Do I need to have this flushed again and replaced with an Alde brand? With 27 pages of notes, is this really as complicated as it seems? Thank you if you can winnow this down for me!

2018 320S, 3010 Alde

AnOldUR

If your mechanic was not familiar with the Alde system, you should find out exactly what his process was and report back here. The process is not brain surgery difficult, but there is a procedure to be followed. There are only two types of glycol that have been used in the Alde by nuCamp (edit: in the US). The first was Century. Currently, the Rhomar/Alde fluid is the only thing that is recommended by Alde and nuCamp and will satisfy the warranty.

Here are what they look like for color reference:

Grumpy_G

Edit: It might be just plain RV antifreeze which can also be pink and is propylene glycol but it doesn't have any corrosion inhibitors. That stuff would need to be flushed out. 

Hmm that might be the European fluid but I don't know why somebody in the US would use it. It's arguably better because it is good for 5 years but it's too dangerous for Americans  

It is actually the same as G13 coolant that Volkswagen uses in Diesels 

pthomas745

The "pink" G13 Alde antifreeze is the toxic "ethylene glycol".  Not a really good idea.  Owners are claiming to be using it, though.  The fact that a dealer would do this is just a continuation of the endless confusion and bad information about the glycol.

ScottG

There was a red version (not really pink) of the Century glycol. I've only seen it online, but it appeared to be the exact same formulation as the greenish-yellow version used in pre-2021 T@Bs. I suppose if that's what your dealer used it should be ok (assuming you had never switched to the Rohmer glycol), but that's a pretty optimistic guess on my part.  :-/

pthomas745

@ScottG I think we found that info about the Camco products in the AquaHot FAQ here.  "The color your system has depends on the coach manufacturer and the model year of your motorhome. TIP: Don't mix colors in your Aqua-Hot system. Mixing pink and green boiler antifreeze produces a brown color that may be confused with corrosion, creating unnecessary service expense."  In all the pictures I've seen of the Century glycol versions, their "pink" sure looks like "red" to me.  

In other words: either "color" of the Century brand glycol is the same propylene glycol.

https://www.aquahot.com/faqs.aspx

Cherokee

The same mixture from the same manufacture in two different colors makes pumping the "red"in while watching the "green" go out very gratifying! 

Leoni

Thanks for your input. The mechanic flushed the system with distilled water and then filled it with the below. It says it is propylene glycol with anti corrosion elements. Star Brite Boiler System Antifreeze

AnOldUR

@Leoni That product is almost $20 cheaper than the Alde glycol, but without being tested on our specific system, I'd personally not take the chance. Our 2020 320S takes two gallons. Less than $40 in savings is not worth it to me to not be a guinea pig. That said, I'm glad that you're willing to take the chance and hope that you or others report back in a couple of years. For anyone with a newer T@B, warranty should be a consideration.

This is what AI had to say:

While Star brite's antifreeze is designed for hydronic heating systems and contains corrosion inhibitors, it does not explicitly state compliance with Alde's G12++ or G13 specifications. Therefore, using antifreeze that does not meet Alde's specific recommendations may risk system performance or longevity.​

To ensure optimal performance and maintain warranty coverage, it's advisable to use antifreeze products that are explicitly approved by Alde. For instance, Alde offers its own brand of antifreeze, such as the Alde Premium G13 Antifreeze, which is pre-mixed and formulated specifically for their systems.

Grumpy_G

AnOldUR said:

This is what AI had to say:

While Star brite's antifreeze is designed for hydronic heating systems and contains corrosion inhibitors, it does not explicitly state compliance with Alde's G12++ or G13 specifications. Therefore, using antifreeze that does not meet Alde's specific recommendations may risk system performance or longevity.​

Problem with that answer is that G12++ and G13 are not readily available in the US (I think auto repair shops can get it for VW/Audi diesel cars). For regulatory reasons Alde sells a different fluid here. The whole mess reminds me of the "Kinder Eggs" that are sold all over the world but not in the US because of regulations to protect people from their own stupidity. 

Slackers

My guess is the Star brite product used by the mechanic for the older Tab owned by @Leoni is fine. I would not use it in any of the newer Tabs or any model year with the Blue/Bluish formula.

db_cooper

G12evo is available at VW/audi dealerships and approved by Alde in Europe. It is glycerine based and not ethylene glycol.

Grumpy_G

Unfortunately it is still ethylene glycol, see safety data sheet : https://products.alde.se/storage/media/1704877692659e5e7ca1dda/protective-premium-g12-evo-antifreeze-en-sds.pdf

Ethane-1,2-diol is ethylene glycol. 

EasternJL

It's amazing how many Alde/glycol threads there are, and how there's still so much confusion about what to use and where to get it-- not to mention how to manage it, refill it, troubleshoot it. I wonder how many potential customers see all of this and think a Tab with Alde system is going to be too much trouble.  It certainly gave me pause (and made/makes me consider other options).  If I manufactured Nucamp campers, I'd post some very specific, definitive information, along with sources for current glycol purchase options.  Heck, I'd probably have it for sale at every dealership and possibly on-line directly through Nucamp.  

AnOldUR

EasternJL said:

... I'd probably have it for sale at every dealership and possibly on-line directly through Nucamp.  

That's already an option. If they don't have it in stock, you can place an order with your dealer and either pick it up there or have it drop shipped. That's what we did for this winter's exchange.

EasternJL

Good to know, @AnOldUR.  I guess folks run into issues when non-Nucamp mechanics/dealerships just use what they use-- which may or may not be the right stuff.