Tradewinds side radiator surge tank

[Deon-Jim]

We have a 2003 Tradewinds LTC (on a 2001 Freightliner chassis). Does anyone have the correct part number for the side radiator surge tank. This is a tank that apparently many folks have had trouble with and ours has one of the three caps that will not seal correctly. We have already got a "direct replacement" from the Freightliner dealer here in south Texas where we currently are and it would require changing the bracket. We took this one back as we are hoping to find something that actually is a direct replacement. Any ideas??

Jim & Deon Spangler, Wisconsin
Currently in Magnolia Park, Donna TX

[Ken C]

Jim & Deon,

I would try calling Freightliner with your chassis number. They should be able to provide the correct part number for the surge tank.

[Mgunny]

Jim & Deon

Send me an e-mail with phone number and I'll call with all the info. mobile@hughes.net
Replace mine last week took 2 hours I'm slow and it works great.

You need to get rid of the football, good friend tank broke had to be towed
(FMCA tow service) took three days and $900.00 to get back on the road.

I have an 03 LTC new in Aug. 03 have 96,000 and no trouble, full time
for six years.

[Deon-Jim]

We have returned home after wintering in the south of Texas for a little more than three months and while down there had to get a yolk and rear transmission seal replaced due to a leak ($650). We had trouble with the side radiator surge tank and finally did find a replacement for it. Our son found a black metal one from a Freightliner dealer in Phoenix and it came with its own bracket. All we needed was a new cap (13 lb) and we replaced one section of hose because it was too short.The tank and cap were approx. $250.

We arrived safely back in Wisconsin with no further problems, when driving from Texas to New Mexico to Las Vegas via Flagstaff, back to Flagstaff because of snow further north and then on home. However, now, after being at home and getting unloaded and settled in, we have discovered that the AC belt is missing (appears to have melted) because the compressor seized. Obviously something happened to the freon and the compressor didn't shut itself off. (Hard to believe we had the need for AC and then saw snow all in the same trip). Has this happened to anyone else? Now, after running it into town to dump the black tank and top off the fuel tank when arriving home we noticed a drip under the front end which seems to be anti-freeze and which would seem to be coming from the heater core. Of course, that is impossible to get to without dismantling the dash (haven't done that yet). Still looking for the heater inlet valve to shut it off. We finally found the outlet valve. Oh yes, one more thing, the differential seal is now also leaking.

Has anyone had any experience with a leaking heater core?

We are hoping that after fixing all this stuff that should take care of everything that can possibly go wrong.

Our 2003 Tradewinds LTC sits on a 2001 Freightliner chassis with the ISC Cummings 350 HP engine.

Jim & Deon Spangler
Neillsville, WI