Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes
Is your Alde heating system ready for your next trip?
An Alde fluid change helps ensure fast, even heating and reliable hot water wherever your travels take you, while protecting vital components from internal corrosion. By keeping the fluid fresh, you avoid unexpected heating issues, extend the life of your system, and enjoy comfortable, worry-free touring in every season so you can focus on the journey, not the heating.
The process removes degraded fluid that has lost its corrosion-inhibiting properties and replaces it with fresh fluid designed to protect and lubricate the system. This helps maintain consistent heating and hot water performance.
During the service, the system is checked for leaks, correct pressure, and proper circulation. It’s an essential part of keeping an Alde wet heating system reliable, efficient, and long-lasting.
Alde fluid should usually be changed every 2 to 5 years, depending on the type of fluid used in your system.
Traditional blue Alde fluid typically requires changing every two years, while newer pink or purple long-life fluids can last up to five years. Knowing which fluid is in your system is important, as mixing types or exceeding the service interval can reduce heating efficiency.
Over time, the fluid’s corrosion protection breaks down, which can affect pumps, pipework, and radiators. Regular fluid changes help keep the heating system running smoothly and prevent costly internal damage.
As the fluid ages, its ability to protect metal components reduces, allowing corrosion to form inside the system. This can restrict circulation and make it harder for the system to heat evenly, especially in colder weather.
In more serious cases, neglected fluid can damage pumps, heat exchangers, and pipework, leading to expensive repairs. Changing the fluid on schedule is far cheaper than replacing damaged components.
Many Alde expansion tanks allow you to see the fluid colour, which should be clear and bright. If it appears dark, cloudy, or rusty, it’s a strong indication that the fluid has degraded and needs replacing.
You may also notice uneven heating, gurgling noises, or the system taking longer to warm up. Even if no obvious symptoms are present, following the recommended change interval is the safest approach.
Unlike standard engine antifreeze, Alde fluid is formulated to circulate continuously through radiators and pipework inside the living area. Using the wrong fluid can damage seals, reduce efficiency, and void warranties.
An Alde fluid change also involves properly bleeding the system to remove air, ensuring even heat distribution. This makes it more specialised than a simple antifreeze drain and refill.
A proper Alde fluid change requires the correct fluid type, system bleeding, and pressure checks. Without the right knowledge or equipment, air locks or incorrect fluid mixing can occur, reducing system performance.
Using a trained technician gives peace of mind that the system is protected, balanced, and working as intended. It also provides a service record, which can be helpful for resale and warranty purposes.
Welcome to the team here at Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes. We’re really proud of the team, and over the years it’s been our pleasure to provide advice and services to our ever-growing loyal customers.
Thank you for trusting us with your investment.
“We arrived at Llanfyllin, and it was raining so hard it was difficult to find our plot. Once parked up, it took just 90 seconds as we let our automatic levelling system get us level. Thank you, Bristol Caravans, for fitting our amazing levelling system.”
Jake and Carol Smith
