300 cummins Motor Problem--advice needed

[CoachBlaine]

Hello to all. I am new to the forum. Our 1996 Monaco Execitive 300 cummins motor overheated and lost power. I had it towed to a nearby location for storage and need to get it looked at and repaired.
It is located in the California High desert near Apple Valley/Lucerne

I have had the coach for several years and never had one problem and am unprepared on how to handle this and protect my self from being ripped off etc. Any advise will be welcome.
Coach B

[Triker56]

Usually they will loose power to the engine when overheated.
Then after cooled down they will run OK.

Will it now start and run after you checked and maybe need to refill the radiator?

[CoachBlaine]

Thanks Triker56 No I git it started and it was pumping out fluid as fast as I would have been able to put it in---I really need to find an experienced eye to check it out. When it first happened I stopped at a Walmart camped out overnight. Next am top of the water and headed out but within 10 miles it heated up and lost all power---I had it towed to a nearby ranch where it sits waiting for me to show it some love!LOL

[deandec]

from where was the water flowing out?

Could be a broken coolant hose.

Could be a hole in the radiator.

Could be from the overflow tube?

The solution could be simple or expensive but I do not think you can get much help from the forum without a more detailed description of the symptoms.

Perhaps someone knows of a reliable mobile mechanic who can help you diagnose the problem at the stored location?

If you have Coach-Net road assistance, they could be of great help with their technical support.

[K3v]

I had Hert's Diesel in Lucerne service my MH a few years ago. their number is: (760) 248-9327.

If they are unable to look at you rig, you might try Reed's Auto Repair in Hesperia, (760)947-2205.

If neither is available, then try Cummins Northwest in Bakersfield. They are coach friendly.

[J Walker]

From the information given it is probably a hose that has sprung a leak. They can rupture and cause a very large leak that fits the symptoms. Nearly any shop willing to work on your MH should be able to replace a hose and fill with new coolant. The hose may have to be ordered.

[spike45]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachBlaine Thanks Triker56 No I git it started and it was pumping out fluid as fast as I would have been able to put it in---I really need to find an experienced eye to check it out. When it first happened I stopped at a Walmart camped out overnight. Next am top of the water and headed out but within 10 miles it heated up and lost all power---I had it towed to a nearby ranch where it sits waiting for me to show it some love!LOL

When you blow coolant out that fast you are dealing with either a head gasket issue or a cracked cylinder head. A common test for head gasket or head crack is to connect a long hose to the radiator fill neck connection that allows coolant to go either to an overflow container or dump on the ground if you do not have an overflow tank. No need to remove the radiator cap for this test. Make the hose long enough to reach outside the coach. Put it into a jug of plain water. Start the engine, cold or warm. If you have either issue, the hose immersed in the water will blow a steady stream of air bubbles. That "air" is combustion gas venting into the coolant. It gets worse as the engine is loaded. To load the engine, hold the brakes and put the auto trans in as high a gear as you can. Step down on the throttle. You are running against torque convertor stall, the maximum you can load the engine. It should blow even more bubbles.

With the engine cold, remove the radiator cap. Inspect both gaskets especially the smaller diameter gasket that seals down inside the fill neck. If that gasket is cracked or shows to be hardened, it has been allowing coolant to escape the engine while under operating conditions. Lower coolant levels leads to air in the system especially in the cylinder heads.

[dirttracker0]

Had simular problem on my coach it started out small then got worse within a few miles it was a hose that was pluged off right below my altenator it was leaking so bad i could only go about a mile before i was getting hot.If you can put water in it then get a pressure cap and get it under pressure maybe you can see where it is leaking.

[ninos]

what ever happen to your engine? did you have it fiexed?

[CoachBlaine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninos what ever happen to your engine? did you have it fiexed?

I am having the work done. I will keep you all posted. Thank you for all the great input

I may be looking for parts here tomorrow

[whited44]

probably a water pump

[ninos]

so did you ever get your rv fixed?

[BobcatBob]

Sometimes it's easier to spot a problem under the hood if you look at night with a good flashlight. With a super good light it works during the day too. I'm voting for the waterpump too.