Alde fluid - my plan

There are a couple of videos on YouTube about doing this iob .... I'm  on a phone or I'd paste a link. I would try to have just clean water in the system and  then drain enough to add the required new antifreeze to give the correct percentage rather than fill the system will a dilute mixture. 

Tap water is not recommended due to possible bacterial growth I think. 

I can understand you wanting to do it yourself as I have just booked my Swift Elegance in for its annual service and have been told that the Alde heating fluid needs replacing at a cost of £180 on top of the service! I'll have them do it and begrudgingly pay the cost as a) don't trust myself to do it properly and b) it may affect the warranty if I DIY it.

Good luck, I'm sure it is not too difficult just a bit time consuming.

I did this on a Clubman SE. First thing is to fit a tap on the outlet to replace the drain bung. This  gives much more control on the drainage as the fluid is poisonous to pets so you don't want spills. You will have to get somewhere to dispose of the old fluid I gave mine to my son in law who owns his own garage, you can't pour it down the drain. Don't worry about getting all the old fluid out as the old and new are compatible just get out as much as you can. The towel rail is just like another radiator when you open the bleed screw the fluid will drain out. Just take your time and do it stage by stage and keep some made up fluid with you as towing may dislodge a little air so you can top up as necessary. Takes a bit of time but worth it in the end. 

Thank you for your replies. I will avoid using tap water.

The only videos I found on Youtbe were the ALDE ones using their special pump, will look again.

Retiredbleep , do you have an idea how much you drained from yours?

Whatever I get out, say 5, 8 or 10L, shall I just put the same amount back in as a 50/50 mix, or put the full 5L Xstream in then top up with water?

I read somewhere that the average Alde caravan system holds about 12L, but draining only gets out about half of it.

I am very patient and don`t mind spending time to get it right.

I would say about 8 L it was a while ago so I can't be too accurate. I certainly did not try to get every last drop out. I flushed the system with a bit of ionized water and then topped up and I think I used a slightly stronger mix to allow for any water that was still in the system. I think you can test the strength of the mix with a antifreeze tester if you are worried but your judgement should suffice.

Thanks again beep, I'm going to have a go.

 

I have done ours once, need to do it again later this year.

To clear out the old stuff  I drained,  filled with water to the usual level, circulated with the pump, repeat multiple times.  Once only clean water came out I added the correct amount of glycol ( ours holds 13 litres of fluid) circulated and then topped up with water to the correct level.

After venting I topped up again,  circulated, repeat 2 or 3 times.

Did not get any problems with air in the system

Thanks KjellNN

Ours holds 13 L too, about how much did you get out when you drained?

You say " when only clean  water came out you added the correct amount of glycol" .Not sure what you mean by the correct amount of glycol. Did you drain off 5L of clean water and put 5L neat glycol into the system, then let the pump mix it up?That would give a 40/60 mix i think.

I have 5L G40 and 8L de ionised water, better get more water to flush it through.

I appreciate your advice.

John

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