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Aqua Hot Problems

April 21, 2015, 04:42:36 pm

We recently purchased a 1998 U320. We took it  from our home in Indiana on a week long trip to Florida a couple of weeks ago.
Most things worked great, but we did experience a couple of issues. We seem to have a leak coming from inside the sealed burner side of the aqua hot system that leaks when the water pressure is on. Anyone have any knowledge about what to expect for this kind of repair and any recommendations for repair shops near Chicago or northwest Indiana?
The other issue we had was a yellow stop engine light that put our coach into limp mode. Both times it came on when the cruise control was on and we were in a hilly area. We pulled over, stopped for a few minutes, and then it was fine. It happened once on the way there and once in the way home. Any one have thoughts?
Thanks for any help,

Jen

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #1 – April 21, 2015, 04:53:12 pm

You are not going to want to hear this but If it is in the sealed section side you maybe out of luck and will need a new aquahot. Rudy is the person who might answer this better.

As to the Check engine light, I have had mine come on but I do not go into limp mode.  I wonder if you have fouled fuel filters.  You need to put it on the computer at a cummins location if you do not have Silver leaf and look at the codes to tell.

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #2 – April 21, 2015, 05:05:00 pm

Thanks for the reply John. My husband can fix anything if he can just get into it. Any ideas about what we might have to do to get access to the system?

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #3 – April 21, 2015, 05:07:51 pm

John is correct - PM (Personal Message) member Rudy Leggett - Look him up in the member list and use the
"PM" function

Sounds like you may have an aqua hot that went through a winter, but was not winterized correctly - if so it can be quite costly.......I hope that is not the case.  I live near Chicago and have not found a ton of grew Aquahot techs - That being said - a drive to an expert or the factory might be worth your while

if it is freeze damaged, some of these units can be repaired, but as I recall it must be removed and sent to the factory for their evaluation relative to repairability

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #4 – April 21, 2015, 05:10:12 pm

It is probably not fixable if it is the unit that heats the water. IF it is a line that goes to it then that is different. They put a special conductive material around the chamber and if you break that then there is no heat transfer.  I would still talk to Rudy about it as AH has to rebuild them somehow.  I know Rudy fixed mine when some said I needed a new one but it was on the unsealed portion.  I had to replace one on my old coach that had a leak on the sealed side as there was no way to fix it.


I think you get a rebuild and it is easier and faster to just trade them for a new version and get the one with the double electric heaters and no pressure.  But talking to Rudy is your first step.

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #5 – April 21, 2015, 05:11:38 pm

"Thanks for the reply John. My husband can fix anything if he can just get into it. Any ideas about what we might have to do to get access to the system?"

Best is to talk to Rudy, he can help there too, very helpful member.  The Aquahot is accessed through the storage bay, usually the aft side of the aft storage bay, there will be a "panel" that is upholstered with the same fabric as the rest of the storage bay - that panel is either velcro-ed or screwed on, take it off to gain access to the aqua hot.  If you have "Joey Beds", pull the Joey bed all the way out one side to make access easier from the other side.

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #6 – April 21, 2015, 06:03:30 pm

The check engine light could be clogged fuel filters. 

You said it happened in hilly area with cruise control on- another possibility is the engine rpms went low while climbing and the engine was getting hot.  That could signal a check engine light and put you in limp mode until the engine cools down.  Do you remember if your coolant temp was going up?  Best to run in hills on manual mode so you can control the rpms and watch those temps.

Best of luck.

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #7 – April 21, 2015, 06:43:39 pm

Call me and I will be glad to point you all in the right direction.  713.8 one 8.3234.

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #8 – April 21, 2015, 06:56:23 pm

Thank you so much everyone for the quick replies. Rudy, I will pass your number on to my husband and I'm sure he'll call you. Can't thank you all enough for all the suggestions.

As for the stop engine light and the cruise control issues, once we stopped using cruise on the hills, we didn't experience the issue again. So, I'm hoping you're right and that will solve the problem. I'm afraid we have a big enough issue with the AH.

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #9 – April 30, 2015, 11:43:58 am

Thank you to everyone for all the suggestions, and especially Rudy for pointing us in the right direction.
The dealership we purchased from has turned out to be incredibly fantastic. They sent our coach over to a servicer in Elkhart, who has repaired our leak. The dealership, despite selling us a used unit, felt responsible, and has paid the entire $7,000 repair bill. Can't say enough good things about the quality people at Campland in Burns Harbor, IN.

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Re: Aqua Hot Problems

Reply #10 – April 30, 2015, 12:18:58 pm

Wow.

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