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Airhead2018 · 08-03-2019, 07:46 AM

Ordered some Glycol to get ready to change out my Alde fluid. Has anyone here done this themselves on the Classic 30' QB? Any tips would be appreciated.

overlander63 · 08-03-2019, 07:52 AM

Well, first, Alde recommends changing every 3 years or so. Is there any reason you want to change the fluid on a one year old unit?

Airhead2018 · 08-03-2019, 09:41 AM

Yes there is. Our unit was 2 years old in June and Airstream recommends every two years. Since or unit is still under warranty it is necessary to change it to be compliance if we had an issue.

Pete B55 · 08-03-2019, 10:56 AM

I considered doing it but then found out a special pump is needed. Our classic was the first one Scottsdale Airstream did and they had to order the pump. It uses two hoses that plug into the reservoir connections to fully purge the lines and refill

ghaynes755 · 08-03-2019, 07:30 PM

Look at some of the YouTube Alde videos. While Alde has a very expensive pump if you are mechanically inclined there look like alternatives that are much less expensive. Ask AS support to send you documentation on where all of the bleeder valves are located. I found 9 but there are 11 on my Classic 33 twin.

uncle_bob · 08-04-2019, 09:18 AM

Hi

When I brought up the "Alde flush" with the people at JC this spring, their feedback was - "not needed yet". My trailer was over 2 1/2 years past it's first Alde fill at that point.

Bob

sallye · 08-04-2019, 09:22 AM

Can we back up a bit.

I always read the forums to find out what I don't know. I've read the manual back to front and never heard of this fluid or how/when to change it. What are we talking about here?

Airhead2018 · 08-05-2019, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sallye

Can we back up a bit.

I always read the forums to find out what I don't know. I've read the manual back to front and never heard of this fluid or how/when to change it. What are we talking about here?

This concerns units with the Alde hydronic heating system which I don't believe you have in the Flying Cloud.

Airhead2018 · 08-05-2019, 06:27 AM

I am just trying to do recommended service while under warranty. When I spoke to Spencer @ Alde in Washington State he lead me to believe it depends on usage. There are measures you can take like testing the Ph but that depends on the accuracy of the test equipment. I bought the fluid and now I'm on the fence about when I should do it since our warranty will be up shortly.

uncle_bob · 08-05-2019, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airhead2018

I am just trying to do recommended service while under warranty. When I spoke to Spencer @ Alde in Washington State he lead me to believe it depends on usage. There are measures you can take like testing the Ph but that depends on the accuracy of the test equipment. I bought the fluid and now I'm on the fence about when I should do it since our warranty will be up shortly.

Hi

The fluid will not be changed as part of warranty service. It's an "expendable" and is not covered that way. It's like propane in the propane tanks.

======

A further wrinkle to this is - do you replace it with genuine Alde fluid or with something else? If something else, then what do you use?

The bulk of the fluid can be dumped pretty easily by the same sort of approach used for winterizing (blow it out with air). If you are replacing same with same, then that may be fine. If you are replacing brand A with brand B then maybe not so much ....

Bob

kendrick.l.j · 08-05-2019, 02:19 PM

Ditto what Bob states, changing or not changing the Alde fluid has nothing to do with your warranty. Alde says every 2 years but if I’m full-timing and you’re not or you only needed heat twice does that mean your fluid has broken down more or less than mine?
Mine sprung a leak last year and all the glycol was on my driveway so I haven’t had to actually drain mine yet. : )

Airhead2018 · 08-05-2019, 06:10 PM

I'm not suggesting the changing of the fluid is covered under warranty. I will be using the Century brand recommended by Spencer which is a different color but the same exact product. Don't think I will have any issues for the remainder of our warranty period so rethinking when I will do the change. JC charges $665.00 to do the job so it must be a pretty long process even with the pump. At this moment I just want to go camping!

uncle_bob · 08-05-2019, 06:33 PM

Hi

Two fluids can be "equivalent" without being "identical". There are a number of ways to do the stabilizers in these fluids. The gotcha is that not all of the magic mixes get along well with each other.

The only easy place to get at the system is at the main unit. Everything else is either tightly sealed or behind walls. Pick a point and break the loop. One end gets air from the compressor and the other goes to the dump tank. Once it is "clear" blow out each drain line. Like winterizing and blowing out water, you likely will spend a couple of hours getting it all blown out.

After you are reasonably sure the system is purged, you start putting in your new fluid. Simple approach is to put it in at the normal fill point and vent air out through the point you opened up the system at (under the dinette ...). Same process as any fill. Once you get it close, you run it for (quite) a while as it gets air out of the system. Again probably a couple of hours.

If you figure it's two hours running air through it to blow out and two hours running to fill it that's a total of 4 shop hours. At $150 an hour you just spent $600.

Bob

Pete B55 · 08-05-2019, 07:57 PM

The exchange has to be done through the reservoir in the wall above the toilet. You can’t blow out the line from any other point because the reservoir will cause a pressure break.

uncle_bob · 08-06-2019, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete B55

The exchange has to be done through the reservoir in the wall above the toilet. You can’t blow out the line from any other point because the reservoir will cause a pressure break.

Hi

Since the reservoir is at the high point in the system, there is no way to drain it from that point. If you are going to empty it first, you *have* to get to a low point.... Emptying from the bleed valves seems like a major PIA.

Bob

Airhead2018 · 08-06-2019, 04:20 PM

Sounds like there is some first hand knowledge I can pull from when I hit a bump. That's fantastic!

primepower · 12-26-2019, 06:01 PM

I looked into this when I first purchased mine. I plan on using Amsoil antifreeze as they make one in the right format and states it will last 5 years. Plus I'm a dealer so I get a reasonable price. I purchased a coolant drain/fill tool set off Amazon and it connects to auto reservoirs and you connect your air hose to either pressure the system or pull a vacuum. I hope one of the adapters in the kit will fit the reservoir and I'll do it that way. I have some time before I do it though.

Airhead2018 · 12-27-2019, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primepower

I looked into this when I first purchased mine. I plan on using Amsoil antifreeze as they make one in the right format and states it will last 5 years. Plus I'm a dealer so I get a reasonable price. I purchased a coolant drain/fill tool set off Amazon and it connects to auto reservoirs and you connect your air hose to either pressure the system or pull a vacuum. I hope one of the adapters in the kit will fit the reservoir and I'll do it that way. I have some time before I do it though.

Now that is interesting, 5 years you say. I wish you all the luck and let me know how it goes if you don't mind.

primepower · 12-27-2019, 06:20 PM

This is the one I plan to use : https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...?code=ANT1G-EA

It's a concentrate so not too expensive. After watching the above video I plan to use a cheap submersible pump as well. I emailed Alde America and they want about $965 for their pump. I'll work up something much cheaper.