Community Forums

Wicked Whippets · 07-25-2013, 09:48 PM

A couple weeks ago we were heading back to Phoenix from Montana. As we were nearing Salt Lake City the dreaded low coolant alarm sounded.

Yep, another cracked plastic coolant tank...our third Freightliner plastic coolant tank in as many years. I patched it up and by adding coolant every hour or so, were able to make it home.

Chandler Freightliner charged $225 for the tank and cap and $375 to install it.

Ours is a 2004 40ft Winnie Vectra with the Cummins ISC. IMHO Freightliner should pick up some of the tab for these replacements. It's obvious the plastic tanks were defective.

Mr_D · 07-25-2013, 09:53 PM

Well, it won't hurt to politely ask, but if it were me I wouldn't even bother. Too far out of warranty. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Wicked Whippets · 07-26-2013, 02:15 PM

The issue isn't the warranty on the original rig, but many owners have have to replace the plastic tanks (which they finally stopped making) multiple times. My rig was on its fourth plastic tank. IMHO Freightliner outfitted RVs with crap parts and if they had any sense of corporate responsibility, they would have cut us a break on the metal parts to fix the problem. Having been stranded 3 times has taught me not to trust Freightliner parts and the company.

FleetMan · 07-26-2013, 07:41 PM

Plastic coolant recovery tanks are a problem industry wide, not just with Freightliner. My Ford pickup, PSD tank failed in the same manner as regularly reported here with motor homes and it is not exposed to sunlight unless the hood is open. IMHO, they fail because of the combination of coolant, heat and the tank material itself.

Skip426 · 07-27-2013, 10:26 AM

Could you post the F/L part number, of the metal tank, so others with your coach can make sure they get the metal tank and not " old stock " plastic tanks if they order their own.

greenhorn1 · 08-01-2013, 05:00 PM

Wicked Whippets,
I too would like to the part # to see if it will work on my rig-- or maybe I can make a few mods so it will work, I will be replacing my plastic one in the near future-- has many stress cracks, so its life expectancy is short

Thanks

Johndb · 08-03-2013, 03:55 PM

Just bought and replaced the tank on my 05 Mandalay. Cost is high for the new tank . $881.00 for the tank and another $20 for the sensor.

Wicked Whippets · 08-06-2013, 10:24 AM

Here are the part numbers for the Freightliner metal tank and cap:

002V/VML T3495 Tank-Surge

002F/05-17223-003 Cap-Surge

Total cost including tax was $251.79

FIRE UP · 08-06-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn1

Wicked Whippets,
I too would like to the part # to see if it will work on my rig-- or maybe I can make a few mods so it will work, I will be replacing my plastic one in the near future-- has many stress cracks, so its life expectancy is short

Thanks

greehorn1,
Just to make sure here. I was wondering, based on your signature, you have an '04 Journey 32' unit correct? And you have the 300 Cummins correct? Do you have a rear radiator? I'm assuming you do since I've never heard of a side radiator 32' Journey but, I guess that doesn't mean one's never been made. In any case, if I'm not mistaken, yours looks very similar to the one pictured below correct? The plastic tank in the upper right corner of the picture.

And if that's the case, then unless I'm severely missing something here and, a metal replacement tank has been manufactured for that specific application, than the OPs tank system won't even come close to fitting anywhere on your rig. But, again, I'm just surmising here.

Scott

doorguy · 08-06-2013, 07:35 PM

FIRE UP is right on; that metal tank won't fit anywhere in his coach or ours, same setup. Now if they made a metal one in the flat version we have............

stuhly · 08-06-2013, 08:04 PM

Any good metal fab shop should be able to manufacture one that will fit.

Wicked Whippets · 08-06-2013, 08:58 PM

I have a Vectra with the side radiator.

greenhorn1 · 08-07-2013, 08:43 AM

Scott,
You are correct on all questions.
I just measured the back of the rig and I have about 9.5" diameter to work with without any modifications. I do not know the diameter of the OP's metal tank.
I may be able to gain a little space once the original tank is removed. Just preparing for the inevitable failure of the plastic tank. I now need top contact Freightliner and get dimensions of the metal tank. I Always appreciate the input on this forum

Thanks

FIRE UP · 08-07-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn1

Scott,
You are correct on all questions.
I just measured the back of the rig and I have about 9.5" diameter to work with without any modifications. I do not know the diameter of the OP's metal tank.
I may be able to gain a little space once the original tank is removed. Just preparing for the inevitable failure of the plastic tank. I now need top contact Freightliner and get dimensions of the metal tank. I Always appreciate the input on this forum

Thanks

greenhorn1,
I certainly don't blame you for looking forward and wanting to "stem the tide" of the inevitable replacement of the stock, plastic tank. There are some things to consider. Mounting points, a sending unit, size-type-amount of return-input hoses, overflow and more. Now, if the OPs tank has all the same type/style/amount/size of all the hoses, then you might be able to adapt it, "POSSIBLY".

But, in the mean time, some of the boys on here have done some "preventative" measures to TRY and insure the new tank they've installed (plastic) "may" possibly last longer than the one they replaced. One of these measures is to completely encapsulate the new plastic tank with the aluminized tape, commonly used in A/C applications. Some have installed a "sun barrier" of sorts to keep the elements from seeing that tank. Who really knows how effective any of these measures will be???

But, those tanks are a fair piece of change so, any attempt to make them last longer may be worth the effort.
Scott