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Searching for glycol leak in Aldi system

DanSeesDanSees Member Posts: 51
in Heating/Plumbing & Winterizing
I have a glycol leak somewhere under my bed on the drivers side of a 2021 Tab 320S BD. I lost enough fluid that I am not circulating the fluid at this time. The floor is completely covered in this area with glycol & it has leaked out on to the ground. I have cleaned it but there is no definate place that is leaking. We had the heat working for 3 days on our recent trip, on the 4th day the Tab would not get warm. I looked under the bed and found fluid. I have no bulged hoses at any of the connections. I was wondering if I could fill the system with distilled water and run the Aldi just to heat it up to find the leak if it doesn't show with it cold & not running? I know the glycol is a mix is glycol & water.  But I don't want to do any more damage if the system must have glycol to operate. I won't leave the distilled water in the system just using it for troulbleshooting. 
2021 T@b 320S Boondock 
TV - 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Retired aircraft mechanic from AA
2-3 several week trips per year & other trips we can squeeze inbetween our long trips.
Avid road bicycle rider. always carry a bike or 2 with us.
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Comments

  • vhollowvhollow Member Posts: 84
    My understanding is that the glycol’s purpose is to prevent corrosion (the additives) and prevent freezing. I don’t see a problem with your plan. My own system leaked where the hoses connect to the expansion tank, but only when using it. Double clamping solved it.
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  • AnOldURAnOldUR Member Posts: 1,631
    Not sure, but guessing that the glycol also provides some lubrication for the pump. Thinking that even if this is true, short term for testing wouldn’t hurt. 
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    (47,171 towing miles through the end of 2024)
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  • ScottGScottG Administrator Posts: 5,621
    I doubt the "boiler" temperature gets anywhere close to actual boiling. If I was in your situation I'd do exactly the same. Why pour in more glycol just to mop it up from the floor?
    2015 T@B S

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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,349
    Have you looked at the Auto Air Bleed Valve and the black hose from that valve?  Unless an aluminum stub end has completely deteriorated inside/under one of the hoses in the Alde compartment (there are several connections/connectors to look at closely) it could be the Auto Air Bleed valve is malfunctioning.  When the bleed valve sticks, the glycol that should flow through the valve instead gets "vented" out of the black hose on the side of the valve.  The black hose could have a leak, or...that black hose, instead of being firmly attached to the "grommet" or "plug" in the floor, is not secured in the little grommet.  A failed valve, trying to drop glycol out of the black tube could be the problem.
    Your idea of filling with distilled water, and then running the Alde pump on "continuous" will allow you to run the pump without the heat being on.  The glycol (or water) will circulate through the "loop" and you should be able to see almost immediately if the Auto Air Bleed Valve is faulty, or if one of the connections in the Alde area is having issues.
    Picture below shows the Alde compartment, with the "grommet" mentioned at "H".  
    I think there are about a couple of  different clamped "fittings" along the hoses, one for the check valve next to the Auto Air Bleed valve, and another where the drain fitting for the glycol goes out under the trailer.  If every thing else here checks out, you would probably need to fish back behind the bed and shelf, where there are several other clamped fittings.


    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • PintoplumberPintoplumber Member Posts: 183
    edited 12:42PM
    Have you looked at the radiation on the back wall? I have a leak where the rubber cracked and broke because of the bulge.

    2016 320 CS-S  1954 Ford F100  2017 Chevy suburban 
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  • DanSeesDanSees Member Posts: 51
    Thank you to everyone who commented here. These are some great suggestions. And thank you for confirmig what I thought I could do with distilled water. I am 99% positive there is no leak coming from the rear convector. Because that area is very dusty & dry with no streaks of any fluid running down that slanted wall. However I now have everything exposed & will confirm this. PT Thomas your suggestion of the auto bleeder makes alot of sense. I will post back when I get a chance to troubleshoot this leak. It may be a week or so, I have several other pressing things I must do prior to this & our camping season is now complete for a few months. 
    2021 T@b 320S Boondock 
    TV - 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
    Retired aircraft mechanic from AA
    2-3 several week trips per year & other trips we can squeeze inbetween our long trips.
    Avid road bicycle rider. always carry a bike or 2 with us.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
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