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Topic: Aquahot...dodged another really 'spensive bullet!!! (Read 625 times) previous topic - next topic

Aquahot...dodged another really 'spensive bullet!!!

Yo Aquahot peeps...please check your radiator cap on the top of the "boiler" tank if you have one.  Not a usual inspection item.  (as with any pressurized coolant system...make sure it's stone cold before opening the cap!!!)

The saga:  Heard a gurgling sound in the living room area last week.  Checked for source in the basement and found overflow tank full and bubbling.  Rushed inside, turned off the diesel and electric, and opened the hot water faucet in the kitchen...STEAM blasted out for 3-4 minutes!!!

After breaking out the 120V box heaters for heat upstairs and in the wet bay, and letting AH cool overnight, trouble shot further and found overflow tank still full and diesel (DC blue dot) control thermostat failed open.  Radiator cap full of cracks, was leaking coolant out past the cap and onto boiler tank, and wasn't allowing coolant to pull back into tank from the overflow for some time....cause.  AC side kept heating, theoretically, because the tank transfer fluid level had dropped below the level of the thermostats, and unpressurized steam is 212deg at sea level....around only 205deg at my elevation.  Perfect storm.

Solution was to replace all 4 thermostats and the radiator cap...just in time for the blizzard we're currently in the midst of.  You'll never really appreciate the Aquahot fully until you spend 4 nights in the 20's with just some noisy box heaters to keep the inside and plumbing from freezing.

Can't stress enough the need for everyone checking and replacing the radiator cap frequently.  Attached are pictures of the old radiator cap and the NAPA unit ($6 and change).  Fits and seals perfectly.  And if you have an AH anti-freeze leak, make sure it's fixed ASAP!!!  Safe foretraveling.  Woody.

Re: Aquahot...dodged another really 'spensive bullet!!!

Reply #1 –
I replaced my AH radiator cap in 2020, used Duralast # 7013, 14 pounds

Re: Aquahot...dodged another really 'spensive bullet!!!

Reply #2 –
We changed ours in 2020 per Rudy!  Have been in below zero weather with our AH and yes, it is a wonderful thing!

Re: Aquahot...dodged another really 'spensive bullet!!!

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Pyolet –
Yo Aquahot peeps...please check your radiator cap on the top of the "boiler" tank if you have one.  Not a usual inspection item.  (as with any pressurized coolant system...make sure it's stone cold before opening the cap!!!)

The saga:  Heard a gurgling sound in the living room area last week.  Checked for source in the basement and found overflow tank full and bubbling.  Rushed inside, turned off the diesel and electric, and opened the hot water faucet in the kitchen...STEAM blasted out for 3-4 minutes!!!

Solution was to replace all 4 thermostats and the radiator cap...just in time for the blizzard we're currently in the midst of.  You'll never really appreciate the Aquahot fully until you spend 4 nights in the 20's with just some noisy box heaters to keep the inside and plumbing from freezing.

Were two of those thermostats the 140F operating temperature thermostat and the 180F over-temperature limit thermostat on the boiler?

Art

Re: Aquahot...dodged another really 'spensive bullet!!!

Reply #4 –
Thanks Woody. Going to replace mine when I'm in there playing with the air intake flap this weekend.

Re: Aquahot...dodged another really 'spensive bullet!!!

Reply #5 –
Thanks, not something I would have thought of.  Replaced it for $8.66 yesterday, keeping the old one for a spare.

Re: Aquahot...dodged another really 'spensive bullet!!!

Reply #6 –
Sounds like an inexpensive piece of mind item... will check k mine and replace ASAP.... Thanks Woody
 

Re: Aquahot...dodged another really 'spensive bullet!!!

Reply #7 –
Thank you for the post, Woody. Does anyone know if the PT10kw generator radiator is the same 13lbs?  My coach is not handy for me to check.  Might as well pick up 2 caps while I'm thinking about it.