So yesterday I started a thread labeled "name that fluid" and just wanted to follow up with a more appropriate title.
Long and short of it is my coolant system was down almost two gallons and leaking worse than I thought.
This was very much of a learning experience for me and I wanted to share.
First, when you have a leak and are unsure of the origin - there are literally FOUR different companies that can get involved - Newmar, Spartan, Cummins and to a lesser extent, Allison (only if it is transmission fluid). This is the first trick - finding what it is so you can at least narrow it down to one or two companies. In this case it was Spartan and Cummins.
Spartan was great throughout the process. They directed me to Coach-Net who was also fantastic - I will be using them moving forward once my Good Sam Roadside contract expires - nothing against Good Sam, but Coach-Net was just fantastic.
I will say that Spartan did tell me that things like hoses, clamps, etc. were NOT covered under their warranty which kind of surprised me. I thought it was all-inclusive for 3 years but they told me it was only mechanical items and that hoses and clamps were more "service" items. Either way they were still very accommodating and would pay for the service call, just not the parts and labor.
Met the mobile mechanic this am and found the leak to be at the FRONT TOP of the engine
so that meant we had to take the bathroom floor apart. Let me tell you this is not a fun job. The little caps were siliconed in so I had to destroy those to get to the two bolts that hold the tile floor in, and there is almost no room to pry it up once you get the bolts out. Very easy to damage the tile for sure. Then, there is a subfloor part in there that has six more bolts, but the worst part is that the heat from the engine basically melts the rubber gasket to the subfloor so you need a prybar to get it up.
I WOULD RECOMMEND EVERYONE GET A SMALL PRYBAR AND KEEP IT ON THEIR COACH IN CASE YOU EVER HAVE TO GET ACCESS TO YOUR ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Once we got it off we were able to locate the leak. It was a clamp that had been overtightened one or two turns and the teeth broke causing it to loosen slightly. Fortunately I had a pack of 40 or so clamps and one that fit perfectly.
I WOULD RECOMMEND EVERYONE GET AN ASSORTMENT OF EXTRA HOSE CLAMPS AT A PLACE LIKE HARBOR FREIGHT (ABOUT 8 BUCKS) IN CASE YOU EVER NEED THEM.
I have posted pics below. Amazing how one extra turn of the wrench can cause such a leak.
I documented everything with photos and kept Spartan in the loop the whole way. In doing this, Spartan agreed to cover the entire cost of the repair.
Everything is back together now and we are good to go. Keeping fingers crossed nothing else is leaking.
This also taught me to check my coolant levels more often. I am embarrassed to admit I haven't been checking them, and to also carry an extra gallon of OAT compatible antifreeze.
Sorry for the long post, and I hope no one else has a problem like this but just wanted to share in case they do.
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