Just purchased a hydra cat crossfire 4.2 that needs TLC!

[Living The Dream]

Hi I was wondering if anyone has anything good or bad to say about the crossfire 4.2. I currently has no spark and is going to be a bit of a project but my investment was very minimal. I'm hoping to have it home within the week. Any advice on modifications or adjustments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hogjowl]

I don't know anything about that unit. So, unlike the goobers below, I'm not going to say anything .

 

[Living The Dream]

I don't know anything about that unit. So, unlike the goobers below, I'm not going to say anything .

I appreciate you honesty!

 

[Mikey P]

have you called Hydramaster?

 

[Living The Dream]

have you called Hydramaster?

No I haven't. I need to get the machine home so I can assess my situation and do a little trouble shooting. I haven't read that many positive reviews on the machine but I'm only in it for 300$. So hopefully I can invest a little money and get something half a$$ reliable.

 

[doylebloss]

That machine is around 20 years old, but our Tech Support team will help you as much as they can - feel free to call them at 800-426-1301.

Here are links to the machine manual: http://www.hydramaster.com/Portals/0/manuals/document_archives/crossfire42_kawa_c96.pdf
http://www.hydramaster.com/Portals/0/manuals/document_archives/man182-022-crossfire42_1996.pdf

 

[Willy P]

I see the apple didn't fall very far from the tree Mr. Bloss. Good on you.

 

[Living The Dream]

That machine is around 20 years old, but our Tech Support team will help you as much as they can - feel free to call them at 800-426-1301.

Here are links to the machine manual: http://www.hydramaster.com/Portals/0/manuals/document_archives/crossfire42_kawa_c96.pdf
http://www.hydramaster.com/Portals/0/manuals/document_archives/man182-022-crossfire42_1996.pdf

Wow! Thank you! This is much appreciated!

 

[Jimmy L]

Thank you Nick from NOYB

 

[Desk Jockey]

No I haven't. I need to get the machine home so I can assess my situation and do a little trouble shooting. I haven't read that many positive reviews on the machine but I'm only in it for 300$. So hopefully I can invest a little money and get something half a$$ reliable.

Have it evaluated at a local distributor. It could be it would be wiser to buy something newer rather than dump thousands on refurbishing this one. ????

 

[Cleanworks]

It can be a fun project if you have some wrenching skills. I believe the CrossFire was one of Hydramasters first attempts at a hx slide in. Early ones had a Onan engine from about 1988 and later ones had a Kawasaki. Their older Hydracats and Bobcats were pretty reliable with propane heat. I used to have a Bobcat and never had any serious problems. You will have to test all of the heat exchangers for leaks. They usually have 1 or 2 preheaters and 1 main hx. Use the manuals to figure out the thermal relief and bypass valves and hose routing. I think they had a 45 blower.

 

[Desk Jockey]

We had two Bobcats back in the day. Strong little units.
Never had a Crossfire. 2 CDS's many years ago too.

 

[Charlie Lyman]

I could see stripping it down and getting rid of the HX system. Add a little giant heater and you could have a machine that lasts a long time. It might be a fun project.

 

[Askal]

Lots of bad reviews on the crossfire. BUT. I owned one with the Kawasaki engine and had almost no breakdowns. Nothing major. Prefer my Judson's because they can be easily repaired in the field but the 4.2 was a great machine.

 

[Living The Dream]

I could see stripping it down and getting rid of the HX system. Add a little giant heater and you could have a machine that lasts a long time. It might be a fun project.

I was actually thinking about doing this. Any idea if the little giants are easy to install?

 

[Cleanworks]

I was actually thinking about doing this. Any idea if the little giants are easy to install?

Little giants are very easy to install. The most difficult part is install a belly propane tank on your van. Should be done by a licenced gas fitter. Check your state regulations. After that and your gas line is run to the heater, just turn it on and presto, you have great heat. A 3ht should do you but if you want killer heat go for the 4ht. They have high pressure options available so you can do tile and grout.

 

[Living The Dream]

Little giants are very easy to install. The most difficult part is install a belly propane tank on your van. Should be done by a licenced gas fitter. Check your state regulations. After that and your gas line is run to the heater, just turn it on and presto, you have great heat. A 3ht should do you but if you want killer heat go for the 4ht. They have high pressure options available so you can do tile and grout.

I was thinking of mounting it in a trailer and hoping to just run two tanks on the outside. I need to check with state regulations to see if it's legal though.

 

[Charlie Lyman]

I was thinking of mounting it in a trailer and hoping to just run two tanks on the outside. I need to check with state regulations to see if it's legal though.

When I had a trailer thats what I did. I got a propane bottle holder and mounted it to the front of the trailer.
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Sing...d2ed3f&gdfms=10D6F093751D49D999CA49ED8A25E7DC

 

[Shane T]

If you go with a Little Giant be sure to mount it up off the the floor. The copper coil is often the first thing to freeze and bust. Even a few inches off the floor is enough to help prevent cold penetration through the floor to the coil.

 

[Living The Dream]

If you go with a Little Giant be sure to mount it up off the the floor. The copper coil is often the first thing to freeze and bust. Even a few inches off the floor is enough to help prevent cold penetration through the floor to the coil.

Thanks for the info! That's good to know

 

[Cleanworks]

Before, you got to the expense of buying an alternate heater, go through the heat exchange system first to see what kind of shape it is in and how it works. You can buy replacement heat exchangers for the same price or less than a LG.

 

[Charlie Lyman]

Before, you got to the expense of buying an alternate heater, go through the heat exchange system first to see what kind of shape it is in and how it works. You can buy replacement heat exchangers for the same price or less than a LG.

True, but the back pressure from the HX and the lack of heat are two problems with the crossfire.