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Topic: Alde heating fluid change

stonebank

04/5/2016 at 11:22pm
Location: Lancs Yorks border
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SB

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Hi all, I've just had my Lunar Clubman SB in for it's annual service today, three years old later this month. I thought it would be a good idea to have the Alde heating fluid changed , due to it's age and the fact that the fluid is a centimetre or so below the minimum mark. Imagine my horror when the service company quoted me an approximate figure of £340 to do this, in addition to the annual service charge of near to £200. ! This was for a change to 5 year fluid; they didn't offer any other alternative. They said that there would be 2-3 hours labour involved, at £46+ per hour (+VAT) , and cost of fluid. I declined the offer, and am currently looking at other alternatives, although I am keen to resolve the problem at some sort of reasonable cost. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks
Stonebank

diesel steve

05/5/2016 at 4:50am
Location: fife
Outfit: vw t5 adria isonzo

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why change the fluid ? how often do you change the antifreeze in your car. its the same stuff. its a money maker that is not required

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CatieB

05/5/2016 at 6:11am
Location: cambs
Outfit: Roller Team Zafiro 696

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I don't have an answer for you but will watch this thread as mine also needs doing.

One question that crossed my mind is whether you can top it up your self - can the fluid be bought? Mine is getting near the minimum mark too.

-------------
Now in a motorhome

Gone via tent to tourer to seasonal to camper van

Mrs. Bonce

05/5/2016 at 7:32am
Location: Luton (no jokes plea
Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai

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There should be a thread about this somewhere; you can do it yourself but it sounds complicated. We had a mobile servicer do it, can't remember the price but nothing like that.

Anne

neil and lena

05/5/2016 at 9:02am
Location: Dumfries
Outfit: 2022 CoachmanVIP 2022 Pilote P696GJ

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Quote: Originally posted by stonebank on 04/5/2016
Hi all, I've just had my Lunar Clubman SB in for it's annual service today, three years old later this month. I thought it would be a good idea to have the Alde heating fluid changed , due to it's age and the fact that the fluid is a centimetre or so below the minimum mark. Imagine my horror when the service company quoted me an approximate figure of £340 to do this, in addition to the annual service charge of near to £200. ! This was for a change to 5 year fluid; they didn't offer any other alternative. They said that there would be 2-3 hours labour involved, at £46+ per hour (+VAT) , and cost of fluid. I declined the offer, and am currently looking at other alternatives, although I am keen to resolve the problem at some sort of reasonable cost. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks
Stonebank

if your van has the green glycol its has to be changed every 2 years in which case yours should have been done at its second service .
It will be replaced by Red G13 spec glycol which lasts 5 years before requiring a further change .
Its a fairly lengthy job to change the fluid and involves bleeding the system which is time consuming hence the 2/3 hours work plus the cost of the Alde fluid which is not cheap .
The maintenance of the ALDE heating system is more expensive than the equivalent Truma or Whale heating system but then again ALDE is more efficient than the latter

Post last edited on 05/05/2016 09:15:47

clbewi

05/5/2016 at 11:30am
Location: Essex
Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017

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Our van is 4 years old now and Serviced by the dealer the fluid hasn't been changed and I won't bother as it all works fine very efficient

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Claire and Colin

blueexpo97

05/5/2016 at 5:24pm
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Some good info from JTQU here.

I would take note of the second comment at your peril.

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XVI yes?

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Bill Terry

05/5/2016 at 6:40pm
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Quote: Originally posted by clbewi on 05/5/2016
Our van is 4 years old now and Serviced by the dealer the fluid hasn't been changed and I won't bother as it all works fine very efficient

Same here. dont need changing yet,3yrs old, still ok, dont get a hard enough frost anyway. Money spinner. hour of a job anyway to change, cant justify there charges.

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Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!

nant mill.N/Wales
just dont go there.

neil and lena

05/5/2016 at 7:06pm
Location: Dumfries
Outfit: 2022 CoachmanVIP 2022 Pilote P696GJ

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Leaving the 2 year green glycol in your van for 4/5 years could cause premature boiler failure.
Its false economy not to maintain your heating system but then some only look at the cost and not at the possible consequences of failing to change the glycol at the correct time interval

Post last edited on 05/05/2016 19:46:06

clbewi

05/5/2016 at 7:56pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017

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Still don't get why the dealer hasn't mentioned if it's such a money spinner.

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Claire and Colin

Onewheelonmywagon

06/5/2016 at 9:21am
Location: W Midlands
Outfit: Fleetwood Heritage 560-4 & Discovery 4

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I changed my Alde fluid some while ago now and it was a royal pain in the backside, so won't bother again.
I don't hear or read about any Alde boilers failing due to corrosion, and I would imagine a lot of people don't bother with the change.
If you are determined to get it changed then get a quote from Alde themselves, although they are probably too far from where the OP lives.

Opensauce

06/5/2016 at 10:02am
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As antifreeze ages it retains the antifreeze component but loses the anti corrosion element. If it's 5yr car antifreeze then one can work out a reasonable workshop cost based on materials & 3hrs labour cost at whatever rate they charge.

Bill Terry

07/5/2016 at 6:42pm
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Just a few tips if you decide to change the anti freeze. Drain the fluids, When refilling No legs down,wind the jocky wheel down to lift the front of the van, Dosent need to be a great deal.Put one of the rear legs down now to support the van, Now fill your tank with correct fluids, open the front bleed screw on the radiator when air has gone and water is coming out,(just bleed like your C/Heating at home) Now wind the jockey wheel up,Wind the rear legs down so the front of the van is pointing lower than the rear, Now open bleed screw on rear rads, top up tank. Turn heating on,The motor will hit air in the system now and a gain, and sound a little noisey at times, but the air will come out..Job done.

-------------
Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!

nant mill.N/Wales
just dont go there.

geordie10

07/5/2016 at 10:00pm
Location: middlesbrough
Outfit: ADRIA ISONZO 613DT SILVER

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yes you can change it yourself,go to a vw or seat car dealer and buy long life V A G antifreeze. follow the ALDE MANUAL on drain and refill. Thats what is used.

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geordie10

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