Leaking Hydr-Hot

[Doug Blake]

The hydra-Hot unit in my 2001 Ticonderoga is leaking and after examination and several long phone calls to "Aqua-Hot" it appears the unit has to be rebuilt/replaced.  MY unit is located just behind the front passenger wheel in it's own compartment.  A very close examination shows me that show it actually cutting the floor/frame under it, it appears it will not come out.....a long phone call to Monaco was not helpful, since the unit is before their time.  I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, ideas on removal...short of cutting it out...which I am prepared to do as a last resort..... The joys of RV'ing...almost as much fun as owning an airplane!

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Doug,
What is the source of the leak?
Steve

[Guy Pryor]

I had a leak in my Hydro hot it turned out to be one of the coolant fluid tubes and was a vary easy fix

[Karl Welhart]

Doug,

I can explain the step by step method to get your HH out of the cabinet.  Basically, disconnect all the wires, drain coolant, hoses and disconnect exhaust connection.  The basement door will need to come off.  The frame around the opening will come off.  The HH has a couple of screws in the bottom front flange that will need to come out.  Then just slide out the HH unit.

Good luck, call me if you need help.

[William Jordan]

After having my unit serviced by John Carrillo of Heat my RV he had told me to call him if I had any problems as his company was rebuilding these units and could save considerable money vs Aqua hot. He and several others were service techs with Aqua Hot. Before they cut staff and hired some new tech support. I would at least call and ask questions .. he seemed on the up and up.i don’t have the number with me but google is your friend. Good luck!

[Keith Moffett]

Doug
First welcome to the forum if I haven't mentioned that already.

I recall a few threads on this forum about leaking HH's being connections or a fix on the back side.  I would try to run down all the info I could before pulling the unit.
There is also a video on youtube doing a demo on bending new copper for the Aqua Hot.  This might be informative for you?
Lastly, the thing I hated about our 98 and 02 hydronic heat was the antifreeze mix.  The boiler fluid used in newer units might be a good option if you are going to totally drain the system.

[David T. Richelderfer]

When our AquaHot was leaking I feared the worst.  The fluid was running out the bottom of the AquaHot's insulated box near where the electric element is inserted and screwed into place.  That to me in a worse case scenario appeared to mean the tubing around the burner box had split.  Fortunately, after getting into the area for a closer inspection, it was the O-ring seal on the electric element that had decomposed and was rapidly deteriorating over a one-month period.  The leak was noticeably increasing in fluid volume every few days.  We replaced the electric element and its O-ring with new equipment.

[Jerry Carr]

We have had a few leaks with our 06 Thunder but it was always connections
John Carrillo is the best tech call him for idea's recommend

[Doug Blake]

First, Thanks so very much for all of the responses...... Thanks to your advice, the unit is out and the leak is around the main inflow fixture for the tank, seriously corroded, to the point where I can move the inlet fitting by hand....so off to be rebuilt.  I would have had a much harder time without the input, but as a result...even a simple guy like me was able to yank it out!  Two weeks and I get to put it back in!!!!

[Joel Ashley]

As I recall Ed Buker (and others) had an issue with the filler neck/inlet area as reported some years back here.  If that’s what’s wrong with yours you might search the Forum for the thread.  I seem to remember he modified things a bit.

Joel

Addendum:  found the thread...
                 http://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,3057.msg22866.html#msg22866

[Roy Boles]

This is John Carrillo's number 970-518-3085. Give him a call.