Aqua Hot Coolant? - Luxury Coach Lifestyles
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-04-2011, 07:25 PM   #1
Summersgal
Senior Member
 
Summersgal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Muskogee, OK USA
Posts: 208
Default Aqua Hot Coolant?

I have been searching today here on the forum and have been trying to find out what everyone is using for coolant when you change the system out? Jeff has changed out the filters and etc that needs to be done but we aren't sure which coolant everyone has been using and would appreciate any input on this.

Thanks
Pam
__________________

__________________
Jeff and Pam
1996 Newell 45'/Tag
60 Series Detroit
Coach #432
Summersgal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2011, 10:51 PM   #2
RussWhite
Senior Member
 
RussWhite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 346
Default

Hi Jeff and Pam,

While I can't speak for everyone I will be glad to give you my thoughts and will assume you have the same vintage AquaHot as I do :
Model 431XE/12
S/N 98487XE

First I am not sure what you are contemplating as there is no recommendation to replace the coolant based on age or hours. It does not come into contact with any engine or burner contaminates and should last a very long time. There have been reports of the ph getting out of range. It should be above 7.5 and not alkaline according to Roger Berke - kind of a AquaHot guru. If you are considering a wholesale change, just beware there is a lot of it in the system and it is very difficult to get all the air out later. If you are just wanting to top off the overflow bottle, that is much easier. The coolant used is a 50/50 mix of ethylene glycol and water ( distilled would be best ). Hope that helps.

Russ
__________________

RussWhite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2011, 11:42 PM   #3
Richard and Rhonda
Senior Member
 
Richard and Rhonda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Huntington WV
Posts: 1,041
Default

Ethylene Glycol does not go bad and lose it's freeze resistance. As Russ said the ph can get out of whack and turn it into a base or acid. Neither is good for your system. The most common problem is that the coolant loses its rust inhibitors over time. They are consumed.

You can add a quart of coolant rust preventative to the system rather than change it out.
__________________
Richard Rhonda Ty and Alex Entrekin
1995 Newell # 390 DD Series 60, Allison World Trans
Subaru Outback toad
CoMotion Tandem
Often wrong, but seldom in doubt
Rhonda's chronicle https://wersquared.wordpress.com/
Richard and Rhonda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2011, 03:15 PM   #4
Summersgal
Senior Member
 
Summersgal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Muskogee, OK USA
Posts: 208
Default

The main reason I had for changing out the coolant is I have no history of previous owners actually maintaining a 50/50 mix. Did they add just water when coolant bottle was low, or did they add just straight coolant? Was the same type/brand used each time? My coolant level is fine, just unsure if correct ratio/type has been maintained.

Jeff
__________________
Jeff and Pam
1996 Newell 45'/Tag
60 Series Detroit
Coach #432
Summersgal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2011, 03:27 PM   #5
RussWhite
Senior Member
 
RussWhite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 346
Default

Jeff,

Okay - makes sense. If you plan on going ahead I think the quantity is around 16 gallons. I have the bleeding procedure and if you PM me your email I will get it to you. Good luck. Russ
RussWhite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2011, 05:42 PM   #6
busnut
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Yuma, AZ
Posts: 45
Default

You can use a hygometer to test the strength of the mixture. A 50/50 will give you about -40F or -40C.

You can get PH strips also to test acidity level.
__________________
Gary Carter
'93 43.5' #318
busnut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2011, 07:50 PM   #7
Lewis and Clark
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Lehigh Acres, Florida
Posts: 43
Default

Hello Russ,
I have a 1996 #410 and I just removed my Aqua Hot inorder to change my fresh water tank (leak). Would you please send me the bleeding procedure @ meo721@hotmail.com

Thanks,
Nando Garbarino
Lewis and Clark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2011, 02:01 AM   #8
prairieschooner
Senior Member
 
prairieschooner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Idyllwild, CA
Posts: 1,340
Default

Makes sense to use a Hydrometer to check the Coolant then check the PH. This ould be a simpler and less expensive approach. Not sure if this will help you know if the PO used Distilled Water though. I use Distilled water as a regular course of action, this would help keep down corrosion issues. Now the Chemist, Richard may have another idea but we all have elbows!
__________________
have Coach will Travel
Steve & Tricia
1982 Newell 38' (built before #1) 6V92 DD, 5 Speed Allison, 12.5 KW Kohler, Couch used to make into a Bed but I fixed it!
https://newellshowcase.com/thumbnails.php?album=214
2007 Yukon, 1981 CJ7 Laredo, 2002 Honda CRV, 1955 Thunderbird, 1952 Pontiac Sedan Delivery, 1952 Ford 8N, 1958 Airstream, 1959 Glasspar 16' Avalon, Cabin in the Woods........what will I work on next
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
prairieschooner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2011, 02:25 PM   #9
Chester B. Stone, Jr.
Senior Member
 
Chester B. Stone, Jr.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Sam Carlos, Sonora, Mex.
Posts: 407
Default

I am curious regarding the above recommendation to use ethylene glycol vs Aqua-Hot web page which specifies propylene glycol which is GRAS approved.
Chester B. Stone, Jr. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2011, 02:47 PM   #10
RussWhite
Senior Member
 
RussWhite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 346
Default

Chester,

I think you will find the original poster has an AquaHot model 431 vintage. Those were designed for ethylene glycol.

Here is a quotation from Roger Berke's great AquaHot forum:

"Your Aqua-Hot model 431 uses standard ethylene glycol coolant (Prestone or equal).

Any automotive supply or big box store sells ethylene glycol coolant that "is compatible with all coolants". You do not need to use the propylene glycol (Camco) coolant in your Aqua-Hot"

At some point the design changed and those new units are clearly tagged as requiring propylene glycol.

Roger runs two forums. One is free and the other is premium. You get two years on the premium forum just for purcahsing any part from him. If you just want to join the premium I thinks it's only five dollars. Here is a link to the free one:

http://forum.rvhydronicheaterrepair.com/forum.php

Hope this helps. Russ
RussWhite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2011, 03:38 PM   #11
rheavn
Senior Member
 
rheavn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 433
Default

I believe Newell made the change around '04 or '05.
__________________
Steve
Newell
rheavn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2011, 04:09 PM   #12
tuga
Senior Member
 
tuga's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Houma, LA
Posts: 886
Default

Checking and adding coolant rust inhibitors is very important. A couple of years ago Richard and I (mostly Richard) tore into my Aqua Hot. I had a leak in the tank; after removing it we found that the tank was corroded and needed to be replaced.

I contacted Aqua Hot and they informed me that they would only sell a new tank to an authorized Aqua Hot dealer. So I contacted Newell and had them do the job. $5,000 to replace the tank, parts and labor. The tank was $2,700. My coach was about 10 years old at the time.
__________________

__________________
Tuga & Karen Gaidry
1999 Newell 45 w/2 slides
Coach #512
2005 Pilot
tuga is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Newell Coach Corporation or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×