| water heated by engine? [message #198743] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 15:26  |
bronevaya
Messages: 63
Registered: May 2011
Location: birmingham al
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my gmc has lines running from the engine down the sides. the PO told us that the engine heats up the water. how does this work exactly? will I still have access to cold water? anything I should be mindful about?
1977 Palm beach
Bham AL
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198744 is a reply to message #198743] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 15:34  |
LNelson
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
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As you travel down the road, your engine water pump, besides sending coolant to your radiator, also sends the same coolant back to your water heater. There is a heat exchanger in your OEM water heater. Cool feature. Lucky you, mine are unhooked by the PO. They are going to get hooked back up sometime soon. That water is pretty hot, and I believe their is a restrictor in the line to moderate the heat transfer. Others will be smarter than me about this.
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198746 is a reply to message #198744] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 15:42 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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He has it correct.
It works fine and is a great feature if you are on the road and then parked for the evening. The internal construction of the heat exchanged is nothing more than a couple wraps of tubing around hot water tank. Engine coolant is run through it and the heat is exchanged to the tank and the water inside. The water heater still have the ability to heat water either electrically or by propane. I love mine and if I did not have it I would be making an engine coolant heat a exchanger to put on it.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198748 is a reply to message #198746] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 16:14 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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But watch the extended hoses very carefully. If one ruptures, you will lose coolant and an engine. Don't ask how I know, lost a brand new rebuilt engine.
Also, install cut-off valves very close to the block to be able to shut down water flow completely.
I'm actually thinking of removing the feature, as I dislike doing the same thing several times.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198749 is a reply to message #198743] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 16:17 |
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And yes, since the lines only go to the hot water heater you will still have unheated (cool) water from your tank. There is a check valve in the3 system that prevents the hot water from backing up into your fresh water tank.
But, be sure to check the condition of the hoses between the engine and the hot water heater. They MUST be pliable with no cracks. Remember that to loose one of these hoses will be a serious leak for your engine coolant. Some GMCers have added shut-off valves in these hoses to keep the coolant from being lost in the unlikely event of a failure in the hot water heater hose system.
Bill Brown - '77 Buckeye Cruiser
Coshocton OH
carguybill@sbcglobal.net
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198755 is a reply to message #198749] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 16:47 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
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and remember, the water will be really hot aftera day of driving!
like 195 degrees! Smokin!
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198757 is a reply to message #198755] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 16:55 |
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Richard Andis
Messages: 261
Registered: January 2013
Location: HELL Paso, TX
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In reality I think the liabilities outweigh the benefits with this setup. Essentially all you are going to get is maybe one shower once you get to where you're going and setup camp. Unless you plan to continually run your engine once you are there. I'd be curious of the recovery rate for one of those things starting with a cold engine.
Luckily, the PO replaced my water heater with a gas fired setup.
Valhalla - 1978 GMC Royale rear twin [SOLD]
WalkĆ¼re - 1974 VW Thing (Toad)
[Updated on: Sun, 17 February 2013 17:07] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198759 is a reply to message #198757] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 17:06 |
mojoe
Messages: 319
Registered: November 2012
Location: Monroe, NC
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Many many guys on here love this feature.. but when I did my demo it all came out.. what i found was where the hose had burst behind the fridge and i had coolant everywhere. the hoses had been fixed but the mess was never cleaned up.
Joe Kemenczky..
1975 Eleganza ll " Odie " 75,000 miles..
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." - Mark Twain.
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198761 is a reply to message #198743] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 17:09 |
Craig Lechowicz
Messages: 541
Registered: October 2006
Location: Waterford, MI
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Richard,
Like a lot of these things, it sort of depends how you're going to use it, how useful it is. If your intent is to always be at a full-hookup campground, using all the hot or cold water you want isn't a big issue. But, if you are dry camping, you probably want to be using way less than one 6 gallon tank of hot water a day, or you'll go through all of your fresh water and black tank capacity in a hurry. There is a convenience aspect to it that is nice, in that as soon as you stop, you have hot water without waiting for the electric (if you have the original GMC one) hot water heater to get going. And once heated by engine or electric (for 20 minutes or so) the original GMC heater will pretty much get you through a whole day of hot water use.
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
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| Re: [GMCnet] water heated by engine? [message #198762 is a reply to message #198743] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 17:20 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Michael,
I've read all the other emails on this subject and they've covered the subject pretty well.
Personally I like the feature and replaced the lines and installed two shutoff valves on them which are attached to the rear engine
bulkhead so I can shut it off if something were to go wrong with the system.
Keith mentioned the fact that the water WILL get HOT!
Avion's have the same feature as GMC's but they use an Atwood water heater.
The Atwood has a single copper loop (not a coil) inside to heat the water. Despite the fact that there is a restrictor in the
fitting at the back of the intake manifold that is a bit less than 5/16" it is possible for the engine cooling water to run the
temperature of the water in the heater above the pressure / temperature relief valve setting. Turning on the pump will cause water
to dump out the relief valve. It also happens if you connect to city water. The relief valve will spew water until the incoming
water reduces the temperature in the tank below the temperature relief valve setting.
Here's a link to a kit that is available to stop this from happening:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/500/Atwood_heat_exchanger_valve.pdf
They were available from Cinnabar, however, I don't know if they still are.
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of michael
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 8:26 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] water heated by engine?
my gmc has lines running from the engine down the sides. the PO told us that the engine heats up the water. how does this work
exactly? will I still have access to cold water? anything I should be mindful about?
--
1977 Palm beach
Bham AL
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198767 is a reply to message #198748] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 18:06 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| tphipps wrote on Sun, 17 February 2013 16:14 |
But watch the extended hoses very carefully. If one ruptures, you will lose coolant and an engine. Don't ask how I know, lost a brand new rebuilt engine.
Also, install cut-off valves very close to the block to be able to shut down water flow completely.
I'm actually thinking of removing the feature, as I dislike doing the same thing several times.
Tom, MS II
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The exposure on breaking a hose is no different that on any other coolant hose. (Heater and radiator)
If they are 30 years old they are suspect and will possibly break.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] water heated by engine? [message #198773 is a reply to message #198767] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 18:40 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Ken
Good to see you made your escape! <VBG>
Try not to bring logic into this discussion...
Mike in NM
On Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 8:06 PM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> tphipps wrote on Sun, 17 February 2013 16:14
> > But watch the extended hoses very carefully. If one ruptures, you will
> lose coolant and an engine. Don't ask how I know, lost a brand new rebuilt
> engine.
> > Also, install cut-off valves very close to the block to be able to shut
> down water flow completely.
> > I'm actually thinking of removing the feature, as I dislike doing the
> same thing several times.
> > Tom, MS II
>
>
> The exposure on breaking a hose is no different that on any other coolant
> hose. (Heater and radiator)
>
> If they are 30 years old they are suspect and will possibly break.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
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| Re: [GMCnet] water heated by engine? [message #198779 is a reply to message #198773] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 19:27 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| Kingsley Coach wrote on Sun, 17 February 2013 18:40 |
Ken
Good to see you made your escape! <VBG>
Try not to bring logic into this discussion...
Mike in NM
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Yes I got out of the in a little over 2 days. I got two of the three doctors to release me. When the 3rd one did not show by 5 PM, I left without his blessing. I have been slowly getting better and did go to see the 3rd doctor on Friday. He said come back in 2 weeks.
I have been out and about a few hours per day but not lifting anything heavy. I spent about 6 hours Friday evening doing upgrades and equipment swaps to the airport network. I probably have about 30 hours of work left there but there is no rush. I need to wait on part of it for a contractor to run 8 new cables.
I'm OK. I'm just slowly recuperating.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] water heated by engine? [message #198793 is a reply to message #198792] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 21:09 |
mojoe
Messages: 319
Registered: November 2012
Location: Monroe, NC
Karma: 0
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Not sure if we are ready to hear about you and your sheep... LOL
Joe Kemenczky..
1975 Eleganza ll " Odie " 75,000 miles..
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." - Mark Twain.
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| Re: [GMCnet] water heated by engine? [message #198798 is a reply to message #198762] |
Sun, 17 February 2013 21:29 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Sun, 17 February 2013 18:20 |
Michael,
I've read all the other emails on this subject and they've covered the subject pretty well.
Personally I like the feature and replaced the lines and installed two shutoff valves on them which are attached to the rear engine
bulkhead so I can shut it off if something were to go wrong with the system.
Keith mentioned the fact that the water WILL get HOT!
Avion's have the same feature as GMC's but they use an Atwood water heater.
The Atwood has a single copper loop (not a coil) inside to heat the water. Despite the fact that there is a restrictor in the fitting at the back of the intake manifold that is a bit less than 5/16" it is possible for the engine cooling water to run the temperature of the water in the heater above the pressure / temperature relief valve setting. Turning on the pump will cause water to dump out the relief valve. It also happens if you connect to city water. The relief valve will spew water until the incoming water reduces the temperature in the tank below the temperature relief valve setting.
Here's a link to a kit that is available to stop this from happening:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/500/Atwood_heat_exchanger_valve.pdf
They were available from Cinnabar, however, I don't know if they still are.
Regards,
Rob M.
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Rob,
That is something that should be looked into...
I don't need it because I am currently running a 160° thermostat (or maybe none at all, I still haven't checked.)
I have put this type heater in six different performance cruisers so far and the only thing they don't like is that they have to run the engine to get hot water or get along side with shorepower (hated even more).
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - ChaumiĆØre -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198949 is a reply to message #198743] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 19:28 |
chasingsummer
Messages: 434
Registered: May 2011
Location: asheboro, nc
Karma: 0
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I replaced my hoses. not that bad, it is nice to have hot water when setting up.
Inspect hose very closely, mine looked ok, no cracks or etc. I took a one foot piece or so off intake manifold and folded it in half. Instead of bending it broke. I had never seen rubber hose do this.
brian
asheboro, nc
75 eleganza, 74 build
119k miles and counting,
DOG HOUSE
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| Re: water heated by engine? [message #198955 is a reply to message #198767] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 20:28 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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| Ken Burton wrote on Sun, 17 February 2013 18:06 |
The exposure on breaking a hose is no different that on any other coolant hose. (Heater and radiator)
If they are 30 years old they are suspect and will possibly break.
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well except you have something like 4 times the fottage with the hoses running to the water heater. Thats a lot of extra hose to fail.
also it is exposed and hanging in big loops along the side of the coach
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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