Alde fluid change

Garry Walden said:
Beg to differ....all that is required to correctly change the fluid is a specialized Alde pump (which they have) that is used to pump the replacement fluid around the system....other than that all that is required is the correct Alde pink 5yr fluid.... they even supplied photographs of the job being carried out....like I said more than happy thanks..
Click to expand...
You may laugh at this Garry but I bought the Alde pump secondhand from eBay so I could just change my own,NO NO NO! Not on this type of single fill system that was fitted to our Hymer.
You needed to first fit a inlet/ outlet near the boiler and require a totally different pump for our system, needless to say I was miffed but some 2016-on have this system installed.
The guys at Alde said it was a time consuming job, but still only charged £240 including the rubber manifold/diverter. ?
 
Dorset Diver said:
Many are trained at the Alde centre but not many, if any, can invest in the type of equipment that Alde use. They also are unlikely to develop, the breadth and depth of experience that the Alde guys get doing the job day in and out.
Click to expand...
Yes I do realise that...obviously the main centre is going to have the experience and access to spares more readily..Im not suggesting people shouldn't go there if its more accessible to them...but the same question could be made against all sorts of things ...if you have a Fiat or Mercedes does that mean only Fiat or Mercedes main dealers are good enough to service your base vehicle.....likewise in mine I have Dometic Fridge and cooker...do I need to take this to Dometic themselves if I need a service or work doing or a service agent.. its just an interesting question..
 
Another vote for the Alde factory.
The boiler had been making a slight noise so they just changed the whole boiler added drain points and new 5 year fluid.
Such a nice company that values it's customers. 5 ☆ rated.
 
Tony50 said:
Lots of Radiators are alloy , I was fleet Engineer for a brewery we never changed the antifreeze on any Volvo nor Scania's from 1983 to 2005 only time we replaced a Radiator is when a stone or something went and damaged them , checked the strength and topped them up yes, some people used to stick their finger in it and taste it to see if the system had antifreeze in , but that is dangerous as once in your body it's always in the Body .
Click to expand...
You'll find some manufacturers saying it's sealed for life and others with change intervals based on various mileages or on differing times. I'm as cynical as you about some industry recommendations and I do have an antifreeze hydrometer. But 5 year fluid and appropriate change intervals is a small price to pay for peace of mind. In many cases the van will have been sold on long before 5 years approaches :smiley: .

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Theonlysue said:
Another vote for the Alde factory.
The boiler had been making a slight noise so they just changed the whole boiler added drain points and new 5 year fluid.
Such a nice company that values it's customers. 5 ☆ rated.
Click to expand...
I'm going to make myself look a rite dick here but whatTF is an "Alde system"???
Had our Moho four years,,, read these posts extensively,,, never heard the word Alde before???
Be kind to me,,,
 
It's a wet gas/mains/electric heating and water heating system. Google Alde UK.
 
bigguspeckus said:
I'm going to make myself look a rite dick here but whatTF is an "Alde system"???
Had our Moho four years,,, read these posts extensively,,, never heard the word Alde before???
Be kind to me,,,
Click to expand...
It’s a PROPER heating system. (y)

Tin hat on! :reel::rofl:

Richard.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Garry Walden said:
Yes I do realise that...obviously the main centre is going to have the experience and access to spares more readily..Im not suggesting people shouldn't go there if its more accessible to them...but the same question could be made against all sorts of things ...if you have a Fiat or Mercedes does that mean only Fiat or Mercedes main dealers are good enough to service your base vehicle.....likewise in mine I have Dometic Fridge and cooker...do I need to take this to Dometic themselves if I need a service or work doing or a service agent.. its just an interesting question..
Click to expand...
In a word Yes ?
Having had Motorhomes and caravans for years I have come to seriously realise that the industry is a complete joke .
 
Clarky said:
It’s a PROPER heating system. (y)

Tin hat on! :reel::rofl:

Richard.
Click to expand...
Appreciate your time responding to my question Borr but your reply begs the question,,,
What's an "improper" heating system?

Our Moho has got a Trauma combination gas/mains electric heater, combined with a 12v fan.
Works perfectly well and has kept us nice and warm when needed.
I shall havta Google the Alde "proper" one???
 
Hymer MLT620 2016
The system has always required topping up and bleeding.
Local engineers, who specialise in Alde, looked at the system and admitted they were unable to change the fluid as the "wrong header" was fitted.
Phoned Alde UK, they gave a reasoned opinion, and we booked a visit.
Overnight in their compound, water and hookup supplied.
We waited in their training room with good coffee. They kept us briefed at each stage, calling us in to explain and also demonstrating on the cutaway training aids.
Fitted a fluid change port, that Hymer omits, pump, flush and change fluid. Bleeding took over an hour, involving isolating various sections until it was ok.
They removed and checked the burner, and advised against replacement even though I was willing. They replaced the main automatic bleed valve foc, and at the end I asked them about the thermostat, so they supplied, at cost, and fitted it in a more sensible place.
They reviewed all the settings and showed me a "secret" engine preheat pump that I didn't know about.
£392 all in. The whole process took more than 4.5 hours
Both of us were very pleased with the service, solving inherent problems engineered in by Hymer.
The mobile caravan engineers were very experienced but motorhomes appear to be more complex with underfloor heating and also multiple opportunities for air locks.

The Alde systems are fitted by the motorhome manufacturer, not necessarily according to Alde ideal hence 2 year antifreeze rather than 5 year.

No contest, Alde UK for me.
Jon
PS we travelled from Dorset
 
Last edited:
jonasw19 said:
Hymer MLT620 2016
The system has always required topping up and bleeding.
Local engineers, who specialise in Alde, looked at the system and admitted they were unable to change the fluid as the "wrong header" was fitted.
Phoned Alde UK, they gave a reasoned opinion, and we booked a visit.
Overnight in their compound, water and hookup supplied.
We waited in their training room with good coffee. They kept us briefed at each stage, calling us in to explain and also demonstrating on the cutaway training aids.
Fitted a fluid change port, that Hymer omits, pump, flush and change fluid. Bleeding took over an hour, involving isolating various sections until it was ok.
They removed and checked the burner, and advised against replacement even though I was willing. They replaced the main automatic bleed valve foc, and at the end I asked them about the thermostat, so they supplied, at cost, and fitted it in a more sensible place.
They reviewed all the settings and showed me a "secret" engine preheat pump that I didn't know about.
£392 all in.
Both of us were very pleased with the service, solving inherent problems engineered in by Hymer.
The mobile caravan engineers were very experienced but motorhomes appear to be more complex with underfloor heating and also multiple opportunities for air locks.

The Alde systems are fitted by the motorhome manufacturer, not necessarily according to Alde ideal hence 2 year antifreeze rather than 5 year.

No contest, Alde UK for me.
Jon
PS we travelled from Dorset
Click to expand...
Snap ?
I posted about these problems on a HYMER forum but was shouted down by the blinkered Hymer worshippers telling me that Alde didn’t know what they were doing ??
That’s 4 of us on this thread alone that had badly installed systems by the same alleged quality manufacturers ??
 
Basildog said:
Snap ?
I posted about these problems on a HYMER forum but was shouted down by the blinkered Hymer worshippers telling me that Alde didn’t know what they were doing ??
That’s 4 of us on this thread alone that had badly installed systems by the same alleged quality manufacturers ??
Click to expand...
More like Hymer did not know how to install this system correctly!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Basildog said:
Snap ?
I posted about these problems on a HYMER forum but was shouted down by the blinkered Hymer worshippers telling me that Alde didn’t know what they were doing ??
That’s 4 of us on this thread alone that had badly installed systems by the same alleged quality manufacturers ??
Click to expand...
I do not post anything on Hymer forums! As I am always wrong according to the experts ???
But then again I think they run the forums, and have a false opinion
But only an unbiased opinion ?
 
jonasw19 said:
Hymer MLT620 2016
The system has always required topping up and bleeding.
Local engineers, who specialise in Alde, looked at the system and admitted they were unable to change the fluid as the "wrong header" was fitted.
Phoned Alde UK, they gave a reasoned opinion, and we booked a visit.
Overnight in their compound, water and hookup supplied.
We waited in their training room with good coffee. They kept us briefed at each stage, calling us in to explain and also demonstrating on the cutaway training aids.
Fitted a fluid change port, that Hymer omits, pump, flush and change fluid. Bleeding took over an hour, involving isolating various sections until it was ok.
They removed and checked the burner, and advised against replacement even though I was willing. They replaced the main automatic bleed valve foc, and at the end I asked them about the thermostat, so they supplied, at cost, and fitted it in a more sensible place.
They reviewed all the settings and showed me a "secret" engine preheat pump that I didn't know about.
£392 all in. The whole process took more than 4.5 hours
Both of us were very pleased with the service, solving inherent problems engineered in by Hymer.
The mobile caravan engineers were very experienced but motorhomes appear to be more complex with underfloor heating and also multiple opportunities for air locks.

The Alde systems are fitted by the motorhome manufacturer, not necessarily according to Alde ideal hence 2 year antifreeze rather than 5 year.

No contest, Alde UK for me.
Jon
PS we travelled from Dorset
Click to expand...
Basildog said:
Snap ?
I posted about these problems on a HYMER forum but was shouted down by the blinkered Hymer worshippers telling me that Alde didn’t know what they were doing ??
That’s 4 of us on this thread alone that had badly installed systems by the same alleged quality manufacturers ??
Click to expand...
Double snap, only mine was correctly fitted. I wanted the job done properly as the temperature display was erratic- an engineer would have replaced it but Alde diagnosed an electrical interference problem and shielded the cable concerned. Very rare but using Alde I saved probably £500 and got it fixed first time
 
Last edited:
tonyidle said:
It's an all aluminium system. Following the recommendations for servicing is a good idea. Five year antifreeze & de-ionised water isn't expensive. Much better to use the 5 year stuff, stick to changing it at five years, and DiY.
Click to expand...

Do be aware that if you are going to do it yourself and are swapping between blue and pink, it's always a good idea to completely flush the system between fluids. Failure to do so could result in the whole system failing due to the two different liquid types reacting and turning into essentially a gel-like consistency.
 
RubyOptics said:
Do be aware that if you are going to do it yourself and are swapping between blue and pink, it's always a good idea to completely flush the system between fluids. Failure to do so could result in the whole system failing due to the two different liquid types reacting and turning into essentially a gel-like consistency.
Click to expand...
I would anyway but I understand from Alde information that the two types they recommend mix OK.
 
Think i had better change my blue fluid my bolero is 4 years old in may from new so bit overdue by the sound of things ? will upgrade to pink
 
Another vote for Alde UK, a great service from them and we had a lovely, quiet overnight stay too:LOL::LOL:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Most 'special tools', including the Alde pump tool, aren't essential to doing a job correctly. They are provided to speed up a process which is important when a customer is paying by the hour. You have the time to do it more slowly at DiY retired persons pace. :smiley:
 
Just booked a flush with Alde uk £275,, the nearest date was 6 May, might have a go myself as it will be quicker and cheaper, I'm assuming you connect a pump to the inlet of the expansion chamber flush with fresh water or distilled, disconnecting the return to flush then fill with the new fluid via the pump Has anyone got any tried this successfully?
How much new fluid will i need amazon sell 4 liters for £40

thanks
 
Charlie9038 said:
Just booked a flush with Alde uk £275,, the nearest date was 6 May, might have a go myself as it will be quicker and cheaper, I'm assuming you connect a pump to the inlet of the expansion chamber flush with fresh water or distilled, disconnecting the return to flush then fill with the new fluid via the pump Has anyone got any tried this successfully?
How much new fluid will i need amazon sell 4 liters for £40

thanks
Click to expand...
It doesn't really matter where you connect. As long as the flush goes around the heating circuit it'll do the job. Alde recommend de-ionised (battery top-up) water for flush & fill.
 
tonyidle said:
It doesn't really matter where you connect. As long as the flush goes around the heating circuit it'll do the job. Alde recommend de-ionised (battery top-up) water for flush & fill.
Click to expand...
That is pretty well what the Alde engineer said to me - he said that draining the system is a bad idea as some air locks are hard to remove and flushing with deionised water followed by new fluid is the best way to go

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top