Leaking Elegance Alde Heat Exchanger Circuit

[R32Paul]

So we have had our Burstner for a year and the entire time there has been a leak on the coolant circuit from the engine to / from the Alde heat exchanger. The leak is not significant, worst we have had is about a cup full of fluid into the locker.

The van was purchased from Camper in Lincoln and as they are a two hour drive, they agreed to let a local firm repair. The initial leak appeared to come from the circulation pump, which was changed. However the leak now appears to come from the connection from the pump and the 90 degree elbow. The local firm has had another go this week, but unfortunately the weep is still there.

Having looked at this again today I am concerned about the condition of the heat exchanger itself. It is going green.

Any bright ideas? Anyone come across this before?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lanerboy]

I think the green will be dry anti freeze from the original leak

I had a leak on my alde heating off a bleed valve under a cupboard over the winter, ok one day a month later liquid every where had to have the whole cupboard replaced under warranty it does worry me about alde heating leaking inside the habitation area again now

 

[DaveandJen]

Don't be overly concerned by the effervescence and green / blue colour, I'm in agreement with Laneboy above that this could be caused by the earlier leak of antifreeze not being cleaned up and starting to cause corrosion. Clean away the affected area back to metal using a low pressure spray so any leaks can be easily viewed and if possible photographed should the leak continue. Good luck.

 

[pappajohn]

As far as I know Alde/VW +13 antifreeze is RED, not green.
Green is usually acid corrosion on copper from poor solder/flux clean up.
Of course, the engine antifreeze may be green which will narrow down which part is leaking.
The heat exchanger chamber construction does look poor quality to me.

 

[Lanerboy]

As far as I know Alde/VW +13 antifreeze is RED, not green.
Green is usually acid corrosion on copper from poor solder/flux clean up.
Of course, the engine antifreeze may be green which will narrow down which part is leaking.
The heat exchanger chamber construction does look poor quality to me.

No the anti freeze in my alde system that leaked is green I know as the cupboard was soaked in it also the alde reservoir in my mh is a green liquid not red

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[Abacist]

Alde anti freeze green fluid has a 2 year life.

Alde pink/red fluid has a 5 year life.

Your fluid may well be out of date.

£200 and you can have your system servicedand fluid renewed at Alde UK

 

[dpsuk999]

I had exactly the same problem with my circulation pump, it was a very slight leak from the pump, I only noticed it as my coolant header tank was slowly going down and then I had a storage bag in the locker and that was stained. Anyway I replaced mine with a Johnson SPX flow pump and never had anymore problems. Have a look to see if they have used a brand new Johnson pump as they ‘may’ have just tightened up the screws thinking it would reseal. It needs a new pump!

It’s not a difficult job at all, just clamp both pipes with pipe clamps and replace. The pump is approx £100. Here are some pics of my pump change:
Old pump:

New pump:

Pipe clamps:

New pump ready to install:

New pump in situ:

Dave.

 

[Ditcha]

We had a small leak like yours on our heat exchanger, our (Dethleffs XLi 7850) had a on off valve on the heat exchanger all in all it was the fitting that had a hair line crack in it and didn,t show up until it was warm as the crack expanded changed fitting and had no further problems hope you get it sorted.

Dave