Drain pipe dripping

tlfowles

I have a 2016 outback that I've used regularly for the past 2 years.  On my trip last week (one of many this year), bright green liquid starting dripping out of the large black drain pipe behind the left tire (see attached picture).  I'm guessing it is the glycol from the water heater but not sure and have not idea why it would have started leaking.  And how to fix.  Any ideas??  Thanks!

jkjenn

Have you checked to see if the plug has wiggled loose? If it is tight, you might have a leak, which should be a fairly simple plumbing repair. Also check the tank, inside to see what your level is.

jgram2

@tlfowles There Are threads here noting a crack in the glycol reservoir and or the overflow drainage tube. Don’t know if that’s where the glycol would drain out, but I’d start with checking my reservoir since I know they have cracked in rare instances. BTW, Welcome to the forum, hope others can help you out more specifically!

jgram2

Here’s a thread I found searching on “ crack reservoir “ and there were 3 other returns on that search.
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/55895#Comment_55895

pthomas745

Here are a few more threads:

https://www.google.com/search?ei=aHt4W-TXPIH2swWb37PYCA&q=dripping+glycol+site:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com&oq=dripping+glycol+site:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com&gs_l=psy-ab.3...2278.7529.0.8433.31.23.0.0.0.0.273.2480.14j7j1.22.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..15.0.0....0.sxsnMw6eEds

Sharon_is_SAM

If it is draining from the overflow tube, hopefully no crack.  Check your level.  Have you been using your Alde?

ChanW

@tlfowles,

Your pic shows:
1- the glycol system drain tube, which is the one with the (brass?) plug in it.
2- Two freshwater drain tubes
3- And the large one you're asking about.

If you look inside the bench seat near the Alde, you'll see a large (1"or 2") rubber plug in the floor with a couple of small clear hoses sticking into it. One hose comes from the glycol reservoir (overflow), and the other comes from the glycol system's pressure relief valve (maybe the air separator, I fergit).

It's 'normal' to have a bit dripping from that large tube under the Tab, but you shouldn't have much coming out of there. Like others have said, check your glycol reservoir's level.

I'm doing this from a non-caffeinated brain, it's still a bit early, so check to confirm any and all statements. Especially if they seem to sound like I know what I'm talking about! 

tlfowles

Thanks all for the comments and ideas...and so quickly!  Great to have a forum like this.

I did check the reservoir and it is empty (not surprised based on the amount I've collected in a bucket in the garage over the week).  And there is no sign of a leak around or in the reservoir area.  What is odd is there is a fair amount of glycol in the clear tube that leads to the drain pipe (see first picture attached).  Any ideas on why there would be so much liquid in this hose?

I only used the Alde once this past weekend and the leak was already there...though didn't realize it was from the Alde.

I've also included a picture of the reservoir in case that helps.  

Sharon_is_SAM

You said you used the Alde recently - for heat, hot water or both?  How full was your reservoir before using the Alde?  Was the reservoir cap tight?  Is the reservoir well secured to the wall?  How high is your glycol circulation pump set?  If set too high, the glycol can be effectively thrown out of the reservoir.  It should be set at 2.   What is your thermostat set at if you have the digital Alde control panel?  

Hopefully you have not entrained air into the Alde.  Add glycol until a half inch above the minimum line, then turn on the Alde and watch for excess bubbling/gurgling.  If you have not used the Alde for heat recently, were you using electric or propane for hot water?  

ChanW

I see yours is different from mine! What I called the overflow tube has been redefined in yours, simply sticking up from the tank in the air. I guess it would be called a tank vent tube in that case.

At any rate, I assume the tube you've pointed out in your picture is attached at one end to the brass 'air separator' fitting that's in-line with the glycol hoses (black 1" rubber hose)? And the other end goes to that big rubber plug in the floor?

If so, it sound like you might have a faulty air separator, that's pushing glycol out that tube. Just a guess. I'd call NuKamp and describe it to them.

Take a photo of the other end of that hose, where it connects to the glycol system hose. I'd be interested to see if you're looks the same as mine does.

Please keep us posted on your findings!

Sharon_is_SAM

@Chan, if the black hose that channels air is kinked, it would allow pressure to build up in the Alde and then push the glycol out the clear pressure relief tube, correct?  Maybe check the patency of that black hose and make sure it is not kinked where it inserts into the black plug.  I still want to know where the reservoir overflow tube is located.  

ChanW

The photo of the reservoir, that @tlfowles posted most recently, shows the overflow tube is simply stapled to the wall, and cut off, going nowhere. (It's odd, but should work ok, as long as the reservoir isn't over filled.)

@Sharon_is_SAM, I'm not sure what black hose you're referring to, "channels air"? I think I mis-named the other (clear) hose... I believe the brass fitting, that this clear hose connects to in the black rubber main glycol line, is not so much a 'pressure relief valve' as it is an air separator, intended to remove any residual air that comes out of the glycol while it's heated.