Alde Fluid Loss

Tirril replied on 12/08/2020 14:36

Posted on 12/08/2020 14:36

I have the Alde 3020 heating system and experiencing a consistent loss of fluid amounting to 125ml a month whether or not the caravan is in use. The dealer, Adventure Leisure, which has a vg workshop has had two attempts to trace any leak and I have searched with negative results. Some pipes are hidden behind cupboards etc. I never overfill but just maintain to the correct level on the expansion tank. The caravan is now 2 years old and there are no cold spots in the radiators and the bleed valves do not indicate any air in the system. I chatted with an Alde technician and she felt there were two possible causes, either a slight leak or the original fluid (yellow coloured fluid used by Hymer, was breaking down and evaporating. I wonder if anyone has experienced any evaporation loss. It is not a massive amount - about a glass of wine a month but I am more concerned about any damage that could result to the floor etc. 

Boff replied on 14/08/2020 21:55

Posted on 14/08/2020 21:55

Ours is a 590 which has a transverse double bed as opposed to a french bed But I think the layout is otherwise similar  I have only. Found 3 bleed points one in the washroom, one to the right of the door as you enter the van and one in the wardrobe next to the fridge.  It seems strange it is dropping fulfilling even when it is not pressurised.  I assume your header tank has only one inlet plus a breather pipe so it acts as an expansion tank and the fluid doesn’t circulate through it?  I found Alde to be very helpful, but I did send them some pictures because our’s at least is not standard issue. 

replied on 14/08/2020 22:01

Posted on 14/08/2020 22:01

One thing I should have mentioned is that the fluid loss rate is the same even when the caravan is not in use.

Noe that dd surprise me.

Tirril replied on 20/08/2020 19:54

Posted on 20/08/2020 19:54

Apologies for a delay in replying, I'm currently in the caravan on Anglesey with just 3g signal so have limited internet. Further to Boff's post my expansion tank has the following. One large black rubber hose connected to the base of the expansion tank (the same type as those joining up the various foil radiators). A further small diameter plastic tube which enters the expansion tank near the top left side. It has no fluid but has some condensation and a few bubbles. I presume this is the breather pipe. Finally there is a screw top cap with a short vent pipe to allow any topping up and any over fill to escape. I have the three bleed points in the same position as yours Boff.. Regards Tirril

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