Leaking antifreeze

[bdpreece]

Pulled into the rv park for the night and went back to unhook the toad. There was antifreeze pouring out onto the ground from the back of the coach. I have tried looking in from the top inside and cannot see anything leaking. From the bottom the antifreeze is coming out of the fan shroud and seems to be mostly on the drivers side. Since it is Friday night I doubt I can get service before Monday so was wondering if anyone has any ideas. Right now I really cant get under it very far as hot antifreeze is running out at a pretty high rate. I can't even see how to get the fan shroud loose so I can see in.

[Rex]

Sounds like you need a new radiator. I think your is aluminum. You did not say which model 2008 Holiday Rambler you have. That would be helpful. Is it an Endeavor, Neptune, Ambassador, etc.? Also need your serial or coach number. There were two different radiators used and the coach number will help determine which you have.

Diplomat Don recently had to change his. Do a search on his name.

[Frantz]

We had sorta the same experience with our 1992 Bounder DP. We were very pleased to discover it was the plastic overflow bottle that had lost it's bottom. All symptoms pointed to the radiator. The mechanic rerouted the hoses & holder to position the overflow bottle so you could see the whole bottle through the engine cover instead of behind the radiator. Might be worth a look.

[Mike Canter]

Could just simply be a radiator hose or a heater hose gone bad. From your discription My guess would be a top radiator hose. This would be the simplest of all evils. Make sure that you use replacement anti-freeze specified for diesels and NOT off the shelf anti-freeze for cars. Car anti-freeze will ruin the cylinders and cost you big bucks down the road.

[bdpreece]

This is an 08 Endeavor purchased new in June of this year it only has 5K miles on it and this is our first long trip.

[radams]

That's awfully new to have anything dire going on there. Unless you remember running over anything I would be thinking more along the lines of something coming loose. Second Mike Canter's advice on not using auto antifreeze.

[hardy1000]

Wow, that is to new to have a radiator go bad. I would think it would be a hose or connection. Please let us know what you find.

[bdpreece]

After letting it sit for over 12 hours to cool I went out this morning and removed enough sheet metal to access the hoses and they are all dry as is the coolant tank. I have one of the aluminum radiators and it is still dripping fluid from the bottom so I suspect it is bad. I will have to wait until Monday to see where Coach Net will tow me for repairs as it is leaking way too much to drive.

[Rex]

Brian, sorry it is the radiator as that will be an expensive repair. Please give me your coach number (serial number) and I will look up which of the two radiators were used on your unit. I was able to direct Diplomat Don to a surplus dealer that had a new one like his for about 1/3 the cost of a new one. Don't know if that one is the same as what you have without the coach number. Also the date of manufacture would be needed as well. If you have a Build Sheet, the date should be on that.

[Barlow46]

Any chance that something damaged it like a piece of metal from the roadway (that just fell from a truck)? I know it is pretty well protected but stranger things have happened. Hard to believe that it went that soon. Let us know if you find the exact spot of the problem.

[Techie]

A year ago when we pulled into a FlyingJ and shut the engine off it started to pour out of the rear of our coach. The radiator was aluminum and it had started to leak from the seams (both sides).
To get by until we were able to get it replaced we switched to a much lower PSI (went from 15->7) radiator cap and just kept topping off. That allowed us to go another 1,500 mi or so until we had the rad replaced with a steel+copper one.
Had the work done at Oregon Motorcoach Center.
Hope that you don't have a similar problem and that you get back on the road soon.

[bdpreece]

Rex, Thanks for the offer. Hopefully it will be covered by the extended warranty so I will not be doing the purchase myself.

Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex Brian, sorry it is the radiator as that will be an expensive repair. Please give me your coach number (serial number) and I will look up which of the two radiators were used on your unit. I was able to direct Diplomat Don to a surplus dealer that had a new one like his for about 1/3 the cost of a new one. Don't know if that one is the same as what you have without the coach number. Also the date of manufacture would be needed as well. If you have a Build Sheet, the date should be on that.

[Old Rv'er]

Brian, talked to you today, Put the Make Model & S/N on your sig file then everyone knows what it is and how to help you better. Take a look at mine for an example.

1. Check the overflow tank hose into the Radiator.
2. Ware old clothes and rubber gloves if you have them.
3. Safety Glasses are a must; coolant will mess up your eyes.

Macs Radiator in Portland specializes in fixing or fabricating new ones from steel/copper. The link is: http://www.macsradiator.com/ - give them a call once you determine what it is.

Don't know if anything will be hurt when towed, I would look over it carefully just to be sure. Let us know if there is anything we can do from this end. Feel your pain!

[bdpreece]

Update!! We have been towed to Freightliner of Arizona in Chandler (Thank You Coach Net for my 3rd tow of the year. Best $89 I ever spent.) The radiator has been removed and there is a hole on the engine side near the bottom on the drivers side. The radiator has been sent out and we are awaiting information on what will need to be done. Hope to have some news by tomorrow. Can't say enough good things about the Service here so far these people have treated us great letting us stay in the lot, running power to us etc. Only warning was don't walk around in the lot after midnight as they are closed and security will try to arrest you.