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Topic: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold (Read 1993 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold

Reply #25 –
With much help and guidance from Rudy, we did get the element replaced today and the electric element is working.  ONE problem solved. Yeah!  Topped off with boiler fluid and filled the overflow to the proper level.

The diesel burner is on but does smoke more than it used to.  We are also seeing some leaking of boiler fluid where the exhaust exits below the coach and goes into the muffler. We will check on it Monday evening. 

We are also hunting down a low water pressure issue.  Our hunch is that the shore water pressure value behind the wet bay wall has failed/clogged AND the hot side of the faucets are clogged debris from the descaling. Both sinks and the shower have low pressure on the hot sides. 
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold

Reply #26 –

Fred,
See reply 12 for the leaking by exhaust solution that was suggested, and tried, successfully.

Amazon.com: Silver King SBSL 1 Quart SAFE LIQUID BOILER STOP LEAK With...

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Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold

Reply #27 –
We checked last night and there is no more boiler fluid dripping at the exhaust. Rudy did suggest that it might be excess boiler fluid from the drain and fill process. I am assuming (dangerous) that if it was leaking boiler fluid into the burner that it would be dripping even when it's not running.   

We did run the unit on diesel and we're getting white/gray exhaust from the exhaust pipe as well as from under the coach. No dripping of fluid. I guess we have two more issues now, a leaking exhaust pipe under the coach and the white/gray smoke from the exhaust. Anyone one of a good source for the exhaust pipe assembly?  Even if we had a local shop do it, it is probably unique to a Foretravel. 
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold

Reply #28 –
I think the answer to the exhaust pipe question is here.  8)
Topic: Aquahot Exhaust Is Gone
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold

Reply #29 –
Fred, I took my los pipe to a muffler shop and they made ma a new one
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold

Reply #30 –
Quote from: ViewRVs –
Also, while laying in the compartment, what appears to be drops on the roof of the bay.  When I wiped it, it has a yellow/green tint like the boiler fluid.  Nothing on the floor of the bay and nothing on the contents on the joey bed. Could the unit have overheated and that be steam from the unit? That might also explain some missing fluid.

Quote from: Peter –
Fred,
See reply 12 for the leaking by exhaust solution that was suggested, and tried, successfully.

Amazon.com: Silver King SBSL 1 Quart SAFE LIQUID BOILER STOP LEAK With...

Quote from: Rudy –
You might look at coolant lines along the wall in the inside for a leak

I do think we are losing some boiler fluid somewhere. The overflow tank was empty (added one gallon) and I did see some fluid residue on the ceiling in the compartment. It is not on anything stored in the compartment or on the floor, just the ceiling.  If it overheats, would it release steam in the compartment? I turned on all three zones and looked for any leaks in the tubing above and could not see anything.

I am in the process of the annual service to reduce/eliminate the smoke and will be adding back the tempering value knob. I don't have the Electrode Adjustment Gauge so I just ordered one. It was not screwed on to the side of the unit.  :( 
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold

Reply #31 –
3/13/2025 Update:

    • I did replace the sprayer nozzle, adjusted the electrodes with the tool and cleaned them off, wiped off the flame sensor, and added back the tempering valve adjustment knob after lifting the copper pipes.
    • It now fires up on the first try, blows just a slight amount of black smoke before burning clean Yeah!

I am concerned that it seemed to run a long time without shutting off.  We let it run for a while and it never shut off. We ended up turning it off. We had it on electric prior to performing the service. I am just wondering if one or more of the control thermostats are not working properly and causing that steam/pressure relief of fluid on my basement ceiling.

Question: Has anyone used a radiator cap with a built in temp gauge to monitor the boiler fluid temperature? If so, what model radiator cap does it take?  (I have the AHE-100-02S.)
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold

Reply #32 –
Quote from: ViewRVs –
Question: Has anyone used a radiator cap with a built in temp gauge to monitor the boiler fluid temperature? If so, what model radiator cap does it take?  (I have the AHE-100-02S.)
Have not used a temperature cap, last cap I used was a standard 13psi cap ... Amazon.com: Stant Radiator Cap : Automotive  @Rudy would know.

Also FWIW, ours runs for a bit as well, but it has ~16 Gallons of fluid to heat, so it takes some time on first heat-up but lasts a long time.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: Aquahot hot water tapers off to cold

Reply #33 –
I have a remote read digital thermometer with the display installed in the bathroom and the sensor taped with some foil tape to the metal shell of the Aquahot tank in the location where the thermostats are installed.  It took some effort to route the wire but I like knowing exactly what the temperature of the boiler fluid is.  Also easy to confirm that temperature is rising when the burner or the electric element is on and I know exactly what temperature they shut off as well.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI