has anyone tried a chemical flush to dissolve and remove the scale inside alde heater pipes caused b

Diddy

has anyone tried a chemical flush to dissolve and remove the scale inside alde heater pipes caused by old century fluid?

Horigan

Scale doesn't form in the system. The concern is corrosion on the aluminum radiator ends that connect to the system hoses. Tons of posts on this issue, Alde corrosion.

pthomas745

@Diddy I think your post relates to the FB post that popped up yesterday. I only saw it a little bit ago. Like all the glycol/Alde/corrosion issues that pop up on FB, there were 90 percent comments that were personal gripes and 10 percent that were worthwhile. (The Mark Turney videos are the key here). I'm looking at the photo you showed with "something" full of "something". You mentioned repairing the check valve, but then mentioned "something" from the Airstream forums.

We have seen trailers with some "gunk" inside some hoses, but there has never been anything shown in this group with the "debris" you show in your photo. If you can give us a bit more info and some more photos of exactly what you replaced, we can probably help.

Many of us with 320's and the corrosion issue have learned how to completely take the Alde convectors and hoses apart to clean and repair the corrosion. Like I said, your issue seems completely different. If you could post a few more photos and tell us what you wound up doing, there is plenty of expert help here.

PS: I'm going to duplicate your photo from the FB page here. Could you tell us exactly what this part is, and what that "debris" inside of it is?

Diddy

pthomas, thank you for your comment. I have a 2021 320s boondock that I bought used in 2024 without knowing anything about the Alde system. 4 times now I’ve found pinhole leaks in aluminum pipes. Twice in the one way check valve just after the auto bleeder. And twice under the shower pan. With each repair I’ve flushed and replaced the century fluid following instructions I found on an airstream site.
Because of the holes developing in the aluminum pipes I have endeavored to remove and replace pipes with auto radiator hose. Also removing a lot of the factory installed angled hoses that connect to the aluminum pipes. During this process is when I discovered the cross section of the pipe pictured above.

l put the system back together and tried to flush it with tap water not distilled because Truma said that was OK. I got all the old century fluid out and then the whole system plugged. I tried to force water thru the fluid expansion tank and the added force blew a hose off the convector at the rear of the trailer.
By removing hoses I’ve found corrosion everywhere including the outlet from the boiler. I’ve tried dissolving the corrosion in test batches using vinegar solution and commercially available radiator flush products. It doesn’t dissolve.
I believe now the entire pipe and convector system must be removed, inspected and likely replaced. I’m guessing the Alde unit/boiler would need replacement too.

I’m a sailor and new to trailers. In boats, although not always easy, you can access most parts without needing a saw. I’m at a loss how to access the radiator in the bathroom. I was told I would need to remove the entire cassette toilet shower unit. I’m perplexed how to access the convector in the rear of trailer.

I’ve called two Nucamp Alde dealers and with labor rates at $190/hr in WA State the estimated repair is $2-4.5k.

Helpful suggestions and comments are solicited.

Thank you

PS I pull this trailer with a 2015 Tundra and it hardly slows it down. I chose the truck with canopy so I could carry two e-mountain bikes inside.