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Topic: First encounter with Aqua Hot (Read 755 times) previous topic - next topic

First encounter with Aqua Hot

I have been living full time in my coach for 3.5 weeks.  About the 1.5 week mark the Aqua Hot started to spew white smoke.  Researching the Forum I learned that white smoke indicates unburned diesel.  Further research told me that since I was going toward the Galveston area anyhow, that I should look up Rudy Leggett.  I did and Rudy was kind enough to meet me over at Green Caye for what we both supposed would be an annual service.  Prior to my occupying it, the coach had sat for nearly a year.

Rudy kindly accommodated my work schedule and arrived around 3:30, the end of my shift.  He did a thorough dismantling, inspection, cleaning and replaced the nozzle.  When it fired up it was still smoking but less than before.  It started out clear and only gradually put out white smoke.  As the exhaust heated it liberated more of the unburned fuel that had coated the exhaust pipe, but after a while the white smoke cleared and it appeared to be fine.  I deliberately left it off overnight so I could observe a heating cycle in the morning.  When I did the exhaust was clear, but not hot - and the hand I checked the exhaust with took on a heavy diesel odor.  The system had started but it hadn't ignited.  I called Rudy and he came again about 3:30.  This time he tested the coil by making it spark 100 times without a miss, hoping to get a misfire.  He decided to replaced the coil anyhow, since the other option was to replace the control unit, a component that cost double what the coil would cost.  I was happy that he was willing to rule out the less expensive part first.  I was not prepared for what came next, however.  The next 2 days the system worked flawlessly.  On Saturday I drove from near Galveston to Bernd's in Nacogdoches.  Sunday afternoon I was talking outside the coach with Larry Rubin when he pointed to the trail of white smoke coming from my Aqua Hot.  I texted Rudy - he texted back that he'd be up in about 3 hours (the actual driving time from his home)!  I was a bit incredulous.  Sure enough, Rudy showed up right on time.  This time he swapped out the coil (I had saved the original just in case) and swapped in a known good used control unit, and he gave it his personal warranty, the same as the manufacturer's on a new one.  The additional charge? $0.  Rudy installed a working control unit with the equivalent of a new warranty for the cost of a new coil.  I'm still a bit incredulous.  Anywhere else I have ever gone for service I have been the one assuming the risk.  Not with Rudy.  He believes in results.  He holds himself to a higher standard.  If it ain't broke, he doesn't replace it - or charge for it.  He charged me for less than half the time he spent troubleshooting, and except for the initial call, he did not charge me to come on-site.  He persisted till the issue was resolved.  And in this instance he drove 6 hours round trip to maintain his own personal standard of service.  I can't imagine how it would be possible to surpass Rudy's integrity and standard of service.  I am still incredulous.  Now I understand why so many people choose to have Rudy manage their Aqua Hot.  I am a believer!

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #1 –
Some of us still believe our word is our bond it seems.

Fantastic to hear this. 

I gave a 100% basically unlimited warranty on used Foretravel my store sold.

Glad to see Rudy is that kind of guy
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #2 –
Rich, wow, what an experience....I don't have Aqua Hot but I do know Rudy is amazing, he's generous to a fault with his time & energies, willing to "go the extra mile" as he did in driving up to Livingston to lead "Chicken Little" (yours truly) through Houston's insane traffic all the way down to Baytown!  He and Carolyn are "first class" people....we are lucky to have folks like them in our world, FT or no FT, Aqua Hot or no Aqua Hot.  O:)

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #3 –
There are still a few great service experts around--and Rudy is one of them!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #4 –
Rudy is the man.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #5 –
I have learned through my association with Tom McCloud that Rudy is also well known and highly respected on the NewellGurus forum.

(Almost) makes me sorry our coach doesn't have AquaHot - I will never get the pleasure of seeing Rudy work his magic on our boiler and bring it back to life.  8)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #6 –
What a wonderful way to get my day started today by reading these very kind comments.  Thanks all.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #7 –
You earned them Rudy. Knowledge, hard and honest work and a really nice guy to boot.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #8 –
It's just too bad Rudy is such a stranger to irony and therefore has no sense of humor...  :D

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #9 –
Rudy is one fine fella and I had the pleasure of meeting him two years ago as he helped me with a "non-Aqua Hot" problem and a local repair facility.  Neat guy and yes, great sense of humor to boot.

And Geezer, I wish I'd have known you were close - I spend my days right near where you were camped at Green Caye - would have stopped by for a howdy.

Chris
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #10 –
I'm happy to have made Rudy's acquaintance as he is an old-school stand-up guy.  He's helped me with a few different things and I only hope to be able to repay his kindness some day.

RUDY RULES!!

Re: First encounter with Aqua Hot

Reply #11 –
Chris - Too bad I missed you!  I have been at Bernd's since Saturday evening while the coach has a few things tended to.  Larry and Nancy Rubin were around till yesterday when they headed out for more work elsewhere, so now it's just Itchy, Scratchy and me at night here.  I'm still a newbie, but it has been an education to say the least when encountering a fellow Foretravel enthusiast!  Maybe another time before long.