Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: amata57 on September 25, 2020, 07:49:32 pm

Title: Antifreeze solution leaking from under water heater
Post by: amata57 on September 25, 2020, 07:49:32 pm
I recently took my 1999 U 2-70 in for radiator repair. We had just made it back home after a two week getaway on 9/15/20 when I discovered that my radiator had a small leak. I took it in to a radiator shop and had it repaired at a cost of $2,000. Picked it up today and drove it for an hour just to make sure all was ok. Drove it home and parked it on driveway no more leaks on radiator but now I have a leak of antifreeze from right underneath the water heater. It leaked into the compartment located directly under the water heater. At first it would appear that the water heater was leaking but it's antifreeze so what is going on. I have no clue. Why would antifreeze be leaking from this area.
Title: Re: Antifreeze solution leaking from under water heater
Post by: craneman on September 25, 2020, 08:07:13 pm
There is an engine heat loop for the dash that runs through the water heater.
Title: Re: Antifreeze solution leaking from under water heater
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on September 25, 2020, 08:28:16 pm
Like Chuck says (above) you probably have the MotorAid heat option on your water heater.

Look for two black rubber heater hoses running up to the backside of your water heater.  One of the hoses may have a valve in it.  The hoses are connected to short nipples on the back side of the water heater tank.  There will be a hose clamp on each hose.  They are usually very hard to see and reach with your hand.  Clamps may be loose causing the leak.  Try to tighten them up and see if it stops the seepage.

After fighting these leaky hoses for several years, I finally cured the problem by adding a second hose clamp to each hose.
Title: Re: Antifreeze solution leaking from under water heater
Post by: amata57 on September 25, 2020, 09:17:46 pm
So how exactly does this motorAid heat option work. I do have a blue gate valve that has wording that reads "Close for max dash heat". A black hose is connected to the valve and does connect behind water heater. So does antifreeze run throug the line? I used I mirror to see behind water heater and I can see three connections. Two are black hoses and the other not sure.
Title: Re: Antifreeze solution leaking from under water heater
Post by: craneman on September 25, 2020, 10:26:12 pm
Engine coolant runs through those lines. When you close the valve, all the flow goes to the dash.
Title: Re: Antifreeze solution leaking from under water heater
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on September 25, 2020, 10:38:36 pm
...I can see three connections. Two are black hoses and the other not sure.
Your coolant leak is probably coming from one of the black hoses.  The black hoses carry antifreeze.  The other plastic pipe is the cold water line supplying the water heater tank.

As you drive the hot coolant from the engine circulates around the water heater tank on its way to the front of the coach.  The coolant does not mix with the fresh water in the tank.  When you arrive at your destination your water is hot and ready to use even before you turn on the water heater (either propane or electric depending on the model of water heater).
Title: Re: Antifreeze solution leaking from under water heater
Post by: dans96u295ft on September 27, 2020, 09:40:08 am
 Doesn't look much fun. I'm having it done next Spring