How many Sporlan Valves???

[pattypape]

There has been a lot of postings about the city water / fresh
water tank fill, Sporlan valve.
But, I do not remember reading a posting addressing the Sporlan
Valves in the coolant loop, to the chassis heaters.
I have been very puzzled, by not being able to shut off the chassis
heaters with the Winter/Summer Switch.. I found a Sporlan valve
under the rear bumper, and replaced the
Diaphram, The material was weak and disintegrating , So I thought I
found the problem,

Nope, we still had heat in the kitchen drawers, Not good for the
bread and melted cookies.
On our 88 FC, I have found three Sporlan valves in the coolant
lines, The return line shut off valve was located wrapped/ hiding
inside a bundle of wire and hoses about the driver side steer tire
against the frame. So, there is a Winter Sporlan valve and a Summer
Sporlan valve. There is also a Sporlan valve that in energized by
the Front Heat switch, this is located behind the passenger side
headlight under the bumper.
The rubber diaphrams deteriorate and pieces can float through the
cooling system.
Bottom line is the Winter/ Summer switch works, and I will order
several Sporlan Valve Kits from Stephen,
So far I have found four Sprolan Valves, and I keep finding seat
belts, the count is now up to ten seat belts.
Our BB can transport 10 people, But will only live two.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

[birdshill123]

Bill:

As you now we have the same problem with hot drawers( The Bird's not
mine). If I understood the flow of the coolant I would just disconnect
all the heaters and leave the coolant to flow to the water heater. We
only use our unit in Mexico and would rarely need the heaters. . Does
the coolant flow from heater to heater including the water heater? I
did close the valves (thanks to your advice) that were under the
drivers floor. But of course that shut off the coolant to the water
heater. I wonder if I repaired all the Sporlan valves would the same
problem persist. Maybe it is a design error?? Unless there are 2 lines
feeding the rear( one for heaters and one for water heater)?? There
would also have to be seperate return lines.

Bruce

[pattypape]

Bruce,

As usual BB has overdesigned this simple plumbing circuit.
I do not have a drawing of this coolant loop.

THIS IS MY BEST GUESS:
The forward Sporlan valve is the return shutoff valve.
Indicated by the flow arrow pressed in the metal casting at the
bottom of the valve. It is energized (closed)in the Summer Position
and open in the Winter position.

The Sporlan valve above the rear bumper driver side is energized
(closed) when the switch is in the Winter Position and open when in
the Summer position.

I think, If I am correct, this is why there is always hot fresh
water. As the Summer valve closes the chassis heater return line,
there is another coolant return line opened for the hot water tank
only.
This allows coolant return WITHOUT going through the chassis
heaters.
I also think the reason for the double return is for all the coolant
to flow through the chassis heaters and HWT, for more hot coolant
heating capacity during Winter. Two return lines only one used in
each situation.

You could try to close the return Red Gate valve only, with the
Winter/Summer switch in the Summer position, Closing both Red Gate
valves will not heat the HWT.
I think this will solve your problem, and still have HWT hot water.

But, I would suggest that these Sporlan valves be added to the list
of future repairs, The rubber diaphrams, that I found were Ugly
and deteriorated. Pieces of this stuff will end up in the cooling
system. There is already enough bad stuff in these old lines, 18 year
old cooling systems can accumulate a lot of nasty stuff.

Hope this helps or atleast confuses everyone.

Bill 88 FC Michigan (with cool chassis heater drawers)








--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
>
> Bill:
>
> As you now we have the same problem with hot drawers( The Bird's
not
> mine). If I understood the flow of the coolant I would just
disconnect
> all the heaters and leave the coolant to flow to the water heater.
We
> only use our unit in Mexico and would rarely need the heaters. .
Does
> the coolant flow from heater to heater including the water
heater? I
> did close the valves (thanks to your advice) that were under the
> drivers floor. But of course that shut off the coolant to the
water
> heater. I wonder if I repaired all the Sporlan valves would the
same
> problem persist. Maybe it is a design error?? Unless there are 2
lines
> feeding the rear( one for heaters and one for water heater)??
There
> would also have to be seperate return lines.
>
> Bruce
>