Radiator fill

[swjtlongdriv]

Please help. I'm new to my 2002 allure and want to make sure I'm doing this right. While driving trough the mountains of Colorado flat towing a jeep wrangler I noticed my temp, radiator or water temp, was rising quickly. It got above 220 and I started to slow to stop for a break when a warning light came on. Water temp light.

I'd like to check the radiator level and fill if needed but am new to the diesel world so thought I'd ask here first. Sorry for the simplicity of my question but your advice is desired before I dig in and screw something up. Thanks in advance.

[dons2346]

In the engine bay, there is an expansion tank with a site glass in it, it is located on the left side. With the engine cold, you should see coolant in the sight glass. If you have problems seeing it, remove the radiator cap and then shine a flashlight into the sight glass and look down through the the cap opening. You should be able to see the coolant line on the back of the tank.

I fill mine to mid level on the sight glass.

If you got to 220, you might have a problem with your fan controller. The fan should start running on high when your temps reach 200-205.

[RV Wizard]

Check and make certain the radiator itself is clean and not partially restricted with dirt or debris.

[swjtlongdriv]

Thanks all for the responses. The level was below the sight window but not much below. I've filled to about half or just above the sight window. Regarding the fan, how do I check to see if I am getting it to go to high? I've cleaned the radiator itself yesterday as well. We won't be back on the road for about 4 days so testing will have to wait. If you have other suggestions please let me know as we are camped and the engine is cool so it can be worked on.

Also, working in the engine bay bring up the issue of cleaning this area. Do you guys have any recommendations? It's just dusty or slightly dirty, nothing to major.

Thanks in advance for all the help.

[dons2346]

There is a test procedure posted on the CC Yahoo groups that you can reference. Usually the controller, when it breaks, defaults to the high option. If you are on a dusty surface, look back and see how much of a dust cloud you are throwing up. If it is faulted to high, there will be a huge dust storm.

Having the dash air set to vent to ac will also cause the controller to run at a higher RPM.

You can start the coach cold and listen to the fan. Try placing a piece of paper on the grill and see if it sticks there. Stop the coach and go under and disconnect the plug with 2 wires in it, that is the power. T Start the coach and do the above test.

The controller is located on the rear of the radiator shroud. There will be two connectors and two hydraulic lines attached.

[swjtlongdriv]

Thanks all for the messages. I ran the paper test and found the fan to be working. I also found the article on testing procedures on the yahoo group. I don't have a tester to see the rate of the fan but when i reach somewhere that does I'll run the correct tests. One final question on this issue. I'm leaving steamboat springs tomorrow headed to mt Rushmore. The heat is still bad here but has gotten a bit better. Should i leave my otr ac on while traveling to ensure the fan controller stays on high? Thanks in advance,

[dons2346]

I would go ahead and run the coach normally. That means, if you need the dash air, run it. If you don't need dash air, don't. Just watch the temp and see what happens.

If the ECM senses an over temp situation, you will get the magic red light and the motor will derate so not to hurt itself.

Do you have the SilverLeaf system? If so, use the info there instead of the dash info. Data gathered by the SilverLeaf is way more accurate than dash gauge info.

[B Bob]

I have a 2002 Affinity so may have the same motor as yours. I have a C12. I am a bit south of you right now. The other day with outside temp at 100 I saw 215 on my computer screen. On mine when the temp gets to 210-212 I usually switch off the otr air and turn on genny. Normally that is good for several deg reduction. A year ago I got it up to 217 and pulled over to the side of the road for 2 minutes at idle. Motor cooled off to 210.

My motor has never got to 220 since I have owned it.

[squeak]

I run me gen all the time and never run the dash air.

[docj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by B Bob I have a 2002 Affinity so may have the same motor as yours. I have a C12. I am a bit south of you right now. The other day with outside temp at 100 I saw 215 on my computer screen. On mine when the temp gets to 210-212 I usually switch off the otr air and turn on genny. Normally that is good for several deg reduction. A year ago I got it up to 217 and pulled over to the side of the road for 2 minutes at idle. Motor cooled off to 210. My motor has never got to 220 since I have owned it.

I have a C12 and get my temp data from a Silverleaf. My normal operating temp is 190 regardless of outside temp. On uphill grades I have seen 194 for a few moments but normally nothing higher than 192. I'm surprised you run so much hotter. Mine is a 2000 so our emission controls (or lack of them) should be the same. I assume you have a side-mounted radiator also.

[deandec]

On my old Cummins, I find it prudent to shift to 3 or 4th gear when going uphill on steep grades. That keeps it near 2000 RPM and provides some additional cooling. Also, repairing the exhaust manifold leaks seems to have made a difference in cooling.