Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-03-2012, 02:24 PM   #1
Rivet Master
 
murreywalker's Avatar
 
2013 25' FB Flying Cloud
2011 23' FB Flying Cloud
Branson , Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 734
Images: 1
Where Is The Anti Freeze Going

Okay, I've bypassed the water heater (checked the manual). And as a preliminary, I blew everything out with compressed air.

By the way I did this winterizing operation successfully last year.

Unscrewed the intake of the water pump and replaced with the 3 foot hose to siphon the antifreeze.

Now I've pumped 2 gallons into the system with a trickle coming into the the lavatory sink.

All tanks checked to be empty; black, gray, water heater bypassed, low point drains, and gray/black valves opened.

I camped last weekend and no leaks. So far no freezing temps.

My question is, where in the heck is the antifreeze, and why isn't it coming out the fixtures like it should.

Now I'm off to the parts store to get more antifreeze, and hopefully someone with help turn on my dim light bulb by the time I get back.
__________________
2013 25 FC FB (Twin)
2013 Suburban 2500

https://www.pbase.com/murreywalker

2011 23 FC FB
murreywalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 03:17 PM   #2
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
Images: 1
"Unscrewed the intake of the water pump and replaced with the 3 foot hose to siphon the antifreeze.

Now I've pumped 2 gallons into the system with a trickle coming into the the lavatory sink."

Murrey,

Did the pump stop running when pressurizing with the A-freeze? (before opening the faucets)

Bob
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 03:17 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
Bigventure's Avatar
 
2016 30' Classic
Hinckley , Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 907
Images: 4
Drain open? You have a few on your trailer.
Bigventure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 03:57 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville , Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,103
Blog Entries: 1
Do you mean the low point drains are open or are they closed? Do you have to fill the fresh water tank from outside or is there valving to fill it while connected to city water? If not those, I would check the WH again to see that it is bypassed.
Bill M. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 03:58 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia , Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
Sometimes the water heater by pass valves don't shut the water off to the water heater if they are internally kaput. I have had that happen.

Open the water heater drain and see if anti freeze comes out. If so, you know where it is going.
idroba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 03:59 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Lumatic's Avatar
 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
Images: 16
Blog Entries: 1
Double check your by pass. Without a bypass you will pump in 6+ gallons
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 04:01 PM   #7
Rivet Master
 
wheel interested's Avatar
 
2007 23' International CCD
Lapeer , Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,080
Blog Entries: 2
If the drains underneath the Airstream aren't closed it is going out onto the ground. Are you on pavement? Mine emptied onto the Wal -Mart parking lot which was quite apparent, then I closed them and bought more antifreeze and all was well before heading North. With the hot water heater bypass a couple of gallons should do you.
__________________
Caroljb



photography
wheel interested is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 04:25 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
murreywalker's Avatar
 
2013 25' FB Flying Cloud
2011 23' FB Flying Cloud
Branson , Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 734
Images: 1
Just call me dumas! And that's not the Three Musketeer variety.

Bill M. and wheel interested BOTH get the dumas's booby prize.

THE LOW POINT DRAIN BALL COCKS WERE OPEN.

Well, at least I know the gravel under the trailer isn't going to freeze any time soon as it has 3 gallons of the pink stuff on it!

Seriously, I appreciate all of your suggestions!
__________________
2013 25 FC FB (Twin)
2013 Suburban 2500

https://www.pbase.com/murreywalker

2011 23 FC FB
murreywalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2012, 05:48 AM   #9
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
Images: 1
murrey,

Don't feel bad....

Brain Farts and Airstream's go together.

Two Seasons ago.
Left the streetside rear low P drain partially open, pump not shutting off, shut pump off, run around trailer ck all, nutt'n much, turn pump back on, drip, drip, drip.

Bob
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2012, 06:31 AM   #10
Rivet Master
 
murreywalker's Avatar
 
2013 25' FB Flying Cloud
2011 23' FB Flying Cloud
Branson , Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 734
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS View Post
murrey,

Don't feel bad....

Brain Farts and Airstream's go together.

Two Seasons ago.
Left the streetside rear low P drain partially open, pump not shutting off, shut pump off, run around trailer ck all, nutt'n much, turn pump back on, drip, drip, drip.

Bob
LOL!

For me, it's oldfartitous, I guess. ;-)

Murrey
__________________
2013 25 FC FB (Twin)
2013 Suburban 2500

https://www.pbase.com/murreywalker

2011 23 FC FB
murreywalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2012, 08:38 AM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Cracker's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Pittsfield , Maine
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,108
Why open the low point drains? Bypassing the water heater, blowing the lines, draining the tanks, and adding anti-freeze should take care of the low point lines as well. Nine winters at -15 deg with our current Airstream and never a problem. The only reason I can see for opening the low point drains would be to make a desperate attempt at winterizing without using anti-freeze. Not something I would want to try here in Maine!
__________________
Cracker

2003 GMC 3500 D/A, CC, LB, 4x4 and 2000 Airstream Excella 30. WBCCI 7074
Cracker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2012, 08:45 AM   #12
Rivet Master
 
Lumatic's Avatar
 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
Images: 16
Blog Entries: 1
You need to open the low point drain to drain the fresh water tank , at least in mine. If you don't open those valves they may seize over time. Why dilute the anti freeze with water in the system.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2012, 09:01 AM   #13
Rivet Master
 
Ag&Au's Avatar
 
Port Orchard , Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cracker View Post
Why open the low point drains?
I hope you open the low point drains when blowing out the pipes.
Assuming that you do, they should be the last to be closed (because they are the low point and water is heavier than air). I can see why it would be easy to forget to close them. I don't know whether RV antifreeze is heavier, lighter or the same weight as water. However I would not want to rely on chance to ensure that the antifreeze is thoroughly mixed with whatever water remained in the pipes leading to the low point drains, if they had not been opened and flushed.

Personally, I don't use antifreeze except in the waste system. I blow out each individual line by opening each faucet individually (including the low point drains), until not even a vapor can be seen leaving the faucet. I've been doing that for several years without a problem. -15 is not an unusual temperature here.

Ken
Ag&Au is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2012, 10:24 AM   #14
Rivet Master
 
Minno's Avatar

 
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington , Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,986
After pumping multiple gallons into the system this fall, Chris figured out that it was all going to the water heater since he apparently installed the bypass backwards. It was easier time-wise this fall to just fill the water heater. He'll fix it in the spring.
Kay
Minno is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2012, 10:29 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
Ag&Au's Avatar
 
Port Orchard , Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno View Post
After pumping multiple gallons into the system this fall, Chris figured out that it was all going to the water heater since he apparently installed the bypass backwards. It was easier time-wise this fall to just fill the water heater. He'll fix it in the spring.
Kay
I would think, in the spring, you could save the antifreeze as you drain it and use it again. you'll have plenty.

Ken
Ag&Au is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2012, 05:21 PM   #16
Rivet Master
 
Minno's Avatar

 
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington , Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,986
Yah, no kidding! I really have no idea if used antifreeze is good to use again.... I suspect Chris will say no. I suspect that with the entire water system at risk, I will say no too. We spent more than enough time on it the first time around - don't necessarily want to do it again!

Yup, as I suspected, he said no.

Kay
Minno is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2012, 05:48 PM   #17
Rivet Master
 
Lumatic's Avatar
 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
Images: 16
Blog Entries: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno View Post
Yah, no kidding! I really have no idea if used antifreeze is good to use again.... I suspect Chris will say no. I suspect that with the entire water system at risk, I will say no too. We spent more than enough time on it the first time around - don't necessarily want to do it again!

Yup, as I suspected, he said no.

Kay
Before I put in my bypass I used to flush the system with antifreeze drain it off and reuse it next season. No problems except it gets a little stinky.

Now with my bypass it only takes me a gallon so why bother.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:32 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.