Community Forums

mmccarvill · 05-28-2015, 07:35 PM

Hello, I recently bought a Gulfstream DP motorhome with a Cat C7 engine. I am no mechanic, learning a bit every day, but still lots to learn. Here is what has happened so far. On the road, getting low voltage, reduced power, overheating. A clamp on a radiator hose blows, coolant all over the road. Mechanic found a belt that broke, apparently due to the ac compressor seizing. Belt replaced, refilled with coolant. Mechanic says they let the engine run for hours, no issues. On the way home, the clamp pops again. They tighten it up, refill coolant, I am on my way. After another few miles, another clamp pops from another radiator hose, I am able to limp home. I have tightened up that clamp, refilled with coolant, ran the engine in my driveway, no clamps popping. The coolant did shoot out of the top of the reservoir, but I assumed that was because it was a bit overfilled. Mechanic will take another look tomorrow, but I could use some opinions about the cause for the clamps popping. If it is just loose clamps, that would be great, but I assume there is excessive pressure.
Your ideas are welcome.
Thanks,
Mike

Skip426 · 05-28-2015, 07:46 PM

Welcome to iRV2.

Has the radiator pressure cap been changed ?
Sounds like the coolant system is over pressurizing, a defective cap can cause this , there are other possibilities ; leaking head gasket due to the first overheating.

There is a chemical test to check for combustion chamber gasses in the coolant.

2 Stroker · 05-29-2015, 12:50 AM

Could be stuck t/stat. Hope it's not the head gasket

2 stroker

guardrail53 · 05-29-2015, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Welcome to iRV2.

Has the radiator pressure cap been changed ?
Sounds like the coolant system is over pressurizing, a defective cap can cause this , there are other possibilities ; leaking head gasket due to the first overheating.

There is a chemical test to check for combustion chamber gasses in the coolant.

X-2, Very good advice! Radiator cap first thing! Then if still doing the same, have the other things mentioned checked, thermostats could be bad? Hopefully it won't be a leaking head gasket!
Rail!

PS, they did not replace the clamps that popped? Replace the bad clamps also!

Dyno Bill · 05-29-2015, 02:48 PM

Radiator plugged up?

slemnah · 05-31-2015, 06:02 AM

I don't know that I have ever heard of the clamps breaking like that. What kind of clamps are on your coach? They should be the heavy duty kind as in the picture. If they are the normal automotive screw type clamps you might want to have all of them changed out.