Dewinterizing New Interstate

[jarreau]

Just bought a new Grand Tour, yea!, and it's winterized, and I'm looking for a quick tip on getting on the road. Heading south from NC, so no worries about frozen temperatures, so wanting to get water in the system.

Any tips before I dig into that suitcase of paperwork?

Thanks.

[Boxster1971]

Basically you have to reverse what was done to winterize it. So you need to know how it was winterized.

Was it just drained and had the water lines cleared by air? If so just add water to tank and make sure water heater bypass valve is switched to fill and use water heater. Also make sure the low point drains are closed.

If antifreeze was added to fresh water tank and pumped into the lines then you will need to drain tank and flush the antifreeze from tank and water lines.

Hope this helps.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[Protagonist]

Open a low point drain and a faucet to find out if there is pink stuff in the lines. If there is, it will run out the open low point drain when you open the faucet. If pink stuff runs out the open drain, open the other low point drains and faucets to finish draining. Also open the fresh tank drain and water heater drain to see if there is pink stuff in there.

If nothing runs out the open low point drain, then it was just winterized with compressed air. Close the low point drain you opened and check the others to make sure they're closed, close the water heater drain if it's open, and close the water heater bypass valve. Also make sure the fresh tank drain plug is in place.

If the van is brand new, you should disinfect the fresh water system while dewinterizing, before using it. Also if the fresh water system has been left open to outside air (water heater drain plug out, fresh tank drain plug out, low point drains open, etc.). An open freshwater system can get contaminated; a closed system can't. Your Airstream owner's manual will tell you how to disinfect the system.