Monaco ISL 400 and Allison 3000

Hossandjo · 09-23-2011, 03:38 PM

We have a 2006 Camelot. Had it for almost 2 years. In that time the engine temp and trans temp have run in the 186 - 190 range unless climbing some BIG mtn. We full time and sat for 3 weeks in August. When we left the 2 temps ran in the 192 to 197 range - even when on the level roads. 2 subsequent trips again after sitting and the temps are still in that higher range. All fluids are good and rad is clean as a whistle. Cummins Buffalo checked it said fan is OK and everything else checked normal and that these temps are still within normal ranges. But why the sudden increase in temps for both engine and trans? Any ideas appreciated.

Steve Ownby · 09-23-2011, 04:42 PM

Are you reading the temps from the analog gauges or the Aladdin system? If this represents a real temp increase considering the causes you have already ruled out, I would suspect the thermostat is not completely opening.

KentandJoyce · 09-23-2011, 09:28 PM

HossandJo, I think those are acceptable temps. It depends on ambient temperature. My '06 Monaco Windsor (ISL 400 & 3000 trans.) usually runs in the 190-200 degree temp for engine coolant and 190-210 degrees for transmission temp. I know my engine temp is fine, my trans. temp however concerns me sometimes. BTW, I live and mostly travel in Northern California. We tow an enclosed trailer for our toys and it's gross weight is around 5,000 lbs. When we start to hill climb the engine coolant stays below 210 (No worries), but the trans. temp climbs to 210-215 range. I should mention that these temps. are achieved while climbing single paved roads at the 2,500' elevation and in 1st. or 2nd. gear. Low speed. I've never had a warning light come on or any other symptoms (no smell of overheating) so I don't worry too much. I just wish my hydraulic fan would kick on sooner or harder to keep the temps in the 200-205 range. As a former owner of Caterpillar heavy equipment, I know that these newer engines are designed to run at around 210 degrees for better emissions and oil purification. It's the transmissions that are my concern. I don't like the trans. oil to run above 200 degrees for long periods of time. Again, my trans. oil temp only exceeds 200 degrees when I'm climbing while towing my trailer. Still acceptable, I'm just a worry wart!
Best wishes,
Kent
p.s. My point is: I don't think you have anything to worry about. Your temps. are normal!!

deSanford · 09-23-2011, 09:52 PM

What about putting a couple of electric fans on the transmission cooler? deSanford

drnitrous · 09-26-2011, 08:09 PM

The best money I have spent on my coach is for Silverleaf VMSpc. My analog gauges are a yardstick, the VMS is a micrometer. As my coach aged the electronic gauges got very inconsistent. In example, on a pull up a hill the electronic gauge was going from 190 to 230 for engine temp, the transmission temp stayed at 180, never moved. After doing all the usual maneuvers and checking the cooling system, changing thermostat, etc, suspecting a head gasket, I found nothing. I put on the VMSpc and found that despite what the gauges showed, the temp stayed rock steady at 190-192 and the trans temp would crawl to 198. I have a 42 ft tag axle and that is pulling a 32 ft tag trailer, on big hills at 90 degree ambient temps. Moral of the story, get VMSpc and make sure what you are seeing is real. You can search the forums and what I have seen seems to be more the rule, than the exception. Even if your temps are accurate they are well within normal parameters, I wouldn't worry about it. I suspect the problem is in the gauges, however. One problem I did find with my coach in the past is on the radiator, the rubber used to fill the gap between the outside and the radiator which acts as part of the shroud, had pulled out, there was a big difference in the suction just by feel, that dropped my trans temps a few degrees. Just a thought, but your coach is quite a bit newer, probably not the issue.

jimkate · 09-26-2011, 09:16 PM

If your '06 was wired by the same people that did my '95, then I bet that you've got some bad ground connections on the front firewall.

Ours got so bad that when we turned on the headlights, the temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge climbed about 10%.

I added several more ground wires from the gauges to the front firewall, cleaned and tightened all the old original connections. Now the gauges read properly, and the headlights are brighter.

Hossandjo · 10-01-2011, 05:09 PM

Thanks for all the comments. I'm reading temps off the Aladdin system. I agree the gauges aren't that accurate. I also agree that the temps are still in normal range for both. It's that sudden increase that bothers me. Like KentandJoyce said - I'm a worry wart too - especially considering all the other problems I've had with this coach. I am going to have the thermostat changed at the first opportunity as Allison (trans) and Steve noted. Thanks again for comments.