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Retired_Helo_Pilot · 06-04-2017, 04:35 PM

Soooooo, stir pump went out on our new 2016 Itasca/Winnebago Ellipse 42HD. Did the troubleshooting and called AquaHot. They overnighted a new pump to me since I was going to install it myself. We are full timers so it sucks being without hot water. All of the repair places on our route have at least a 2-3 week wait for service.

It all looked simple enough until I got into everything and realized the new parts are nothing like the old ones. Different hose sizes and other issues like refilling the tank without a transfer pump has turned this whole thing into a nightmare. Even though I am mechanically proficient I now realize I should never have even tried.

Moral of the story is that if you need to replace the stir pump, it will probably be better to have someone else do it. Not sure how I am going to finish everything but needless to say, tomorrow I will be looking for a repair shop.

akcretired · 06-04-2017, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired_Helo_Pilot

Soooooo, stir pump went out on our new 2016 Itasca/Winnebago Ellipse 42HD. Did the troubleshooting and called AquaHot. They overnighted a new pump to me since I was going to install it myself. We are full timers so it sucks being without hot water. All of the repair places on our route have at least a 2-3 week wait for service.

It all looked simple enough until I got into everything and realized the new parts are nothing like the old ones. Different hose sizes and other issues like refilling the tank without a transfer pump has turned this whole thing into a nightmare. Even though I am mechanically proficient I now realize I should never have even tried.

Moral of the story is that if you need to replace the stir pump, it will probably be better to have someone else do it. Not sure how I am going to finish everything but needless to say, tomorrow I will be looking for a repair shop.

Good luck on your fix. Looks like NAVY SHOWERS for a few days.

We had the same issue with ours, but had the dealership replace it. They mentioned it is a different style stir pump and was a nightmare to replace.

The good news is the new style pump is suppose to last forever and fix the cold spots. Ours has worked perfectly since being replaced about 6 months ago

hawgguy · 06-04-2017, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired_Helo_Pilot

It all looked simple enough until I got into everything and realized the new parts are nothing like the old ones. Different hose sizes and other issues like refilling the tank without a transfer pump has turned this whole thing into a nightmare. Even though I am mechanically proficient I now realize I should never have even tried.

That's an unfortunate experience soley the fault of the AquaHot customer support. The stir pumps were defective through at least 2 design iterations - some of us have replaced our pumps 3 times.

The latest Buehler pumps are holding up well - unfortuately they require different hoses to connect than the previous GRI pumps. The custpomer support person at Aquahot should have anticipated that scenario and sent you the proper replacement hoses and instructions - not just the pump.

Retired_Helo_Pilot · 06-04-2017, 08:51 PM

Thanks for the info everyone. It makes me feel a little better. Sound like I need to have a little chat (grrrrrr) with AquaHot tomorrow.

Ron Postma · 06-05-2017, 07:49 AM

Mine failed last year. The shop I used to replace it got Aqua Hot to send them 4 new pumps. They came in a kit with all new hoses and everything needed to replace them. It took the tech about 6 hours to replace all 4. He said that he liked my Winnebago because it was installed (AH450DE) better than any other coach he worked on.

Yianni · 06-05-2017, 08:37 AM

If it were me I would get the replacement kit with all pumps even if I had to pay out of pocket. If 1 went bad there is probably a good chance another will follow.

You don't want to do this twice.

Golfer Guy · 06-05-2017, 08:48 AM

I had to have all four of my pumps replaced as well. Luckily they were on Aqua Hot Warranty (2 years) as mine is a now 2 year old Aqua Hot. It is a known problem and I would think Aqua Hot should be working with you on as resolution. Time to make the call. Good luck.