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lostinfla · 09-13-2017, 01:24 PM

After cutting out of Ft. Myers to flee Irma, had a nice easy drive to N Fl the first day. Next day was pure hell stop and go traffic heading to N Al. Made it to within 3 miles of Little River campground in Ft. Payne A 1/4"l when the engine started to loose power. Dash says "check engine" and then "shut down engine". Luckily there was a wide spot on the shoulder to pull over and shut it down. Went around back and the rear of the coach was covered (along with the Jeep) with coolant and steam was coming from the engine hatch. After a few phone calls with help over 3 hours away, I decided to take a look myself. Pulled the rear floor and saw the 2 1/4" hose separated from the pipe. Looks like at install, the pipe was only in the hose about 1/2" and the clamp was installed on an angle not making a reliable seal and it popped off. After the engine cooled a little, I managed to get the pipe back in enough to get it clamped, filled it with water from the FW tank and drove it to the campground. BTW, I can't say enough about the owners of the campground Janett and Tim. She came down to where we were broken down and offered to help in any way she could as far as getting a wrecker or other help. Very nice people! Next day, I had a mobile mechanic come out and install a new hose, drain the coolant and replace it with 11 gal of the correct coolant. Contacted Freightliner (coach is less than 2 yrs old) and sent pics and a copy of the invoice hoping they will cover the expenses. We'll see....

NEWMARDS3724 · 09-13-2017, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostinfla

After cutting out of Ft. Myers to flee Irma, had a nice easy drive to N Fl the first day. Next day was pure hell stop and go traffic heading to N Al. Made it to within 3 miles of Little River campground in Ft. Payne A 1/4"l when the engine started to loose power. Dash says "check engine" and then "shut down engine". Luckily there was a wide spot on the shoulder to pull over and shut it down. Went around back and the rear of the coach was covered (along with the Jeep) with coolant and steam was coming from the engine hatch. After a few phone calls with help over 3 hours away, I decided to take a look myself. Pulled the rear floor and saw the 2 1/4" hose separated from the pipe. Looks like at install, the pipe was only in the hose about 1/2" and the clamp was installed on an angle not making a reliable seal and it popped off. After the engine cooled a little, I managed to get the pipe back in enough to get it clamped, filled it with water from the FW tank and drove it to the campground. BTW, I can't say enough about the owners of the campground Janett and Tim. She came down to where we were broken down and offered to help in any way she could as far as getting a wrecker or other help. Very nice people! Next day, I had a mobile mechanic come out and install a new hose, drain the coolant and replace it with 11 gal of the correct coolant. Contacted Freightliner (coach is less than 2 yrs old) and sent pics and a copy of the invoice hoping they will cover the expenses. We'll see....

I am sorry to hear about your troubles but glad you were able to identify the issue yourself and move forward...Il follow to see how FL handles the situation and hopefully some type of reimbursement will come your way...Glad you all made it out safe and I hope there was too much damage at your home base I know that area received quote a bit of storm/rain damage...Safe travels my friend...

Dutch Star Don · 09-13-2017, 02:37 PM

Jim....great to see you jump in and find the issue. It's sooooo satisfying to find and fix a problem, especially on the road. Sometimes it's worth a shot to at least look and save having to be towed or sitting there for hours.

Mr_D · 09-13-2017, 02:40 PM

FL should pay for it, but....

Waiting to see how this turns out.

TJ · 09-13-2017, 02:47 PM

Well done, sir; well done! Being handy with tools and having the will to tackle an unfamiliar job can pay dividends. If Freightliner steps up on this (and, I hope they do), I wonder if they will pay you shop rate for your time.

TJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostinfla

After cutting out of Ft. Myers to flee Irma, had a nice easy drive to N Fl the first day. Next day was pure hell stop and go traffic heading to N Al. Made it to within 3 miles of Little River campground in Ft. Payne A 1/4"l when the engine started to loose power. Dash says "check engine" and then "shut down engine". Luckily there was a wide spot on the shoulder to pull over and shut it down. Went around back and the rear of the coach was covered (along with the Jeep) with coolant and steam was coming from the engine hatch. After a few phone calls with help over 3 hours away, I decided to take a look myself. Pulled the rear floor and saw the 2 1/4" hose separated from the pipe. Looks like at install, the pipe was only in the hose about 1/2" and the clamp was installed on an angle not making a reliable seal and it popped off. After the engine cooled a little, I managed to get the pipe back in enough to get it clamped, filled it with water from the FW tank and drove it to the campground. BTW, I can't say enough about the owners of the campground Janett and Tim. She came down to where we were broken down and offered to help in any way she could as far as getting a wrecker or other help. Very nice people! Next day, I had a mobile mechanic come out and install a new hose, drain the coolant and replace it with 11 gal of the correct coolant. Contacted Freightliner (coach is less than 2 yrs old) and sent pics and a copy of the invoice hoping they will cover the expenses. We'll see....

twojayhawks · 09-13-2017, 02:56 PM

I will be very surprised if Freightliner does not cover this. Not to mention very disappointed if they don't.

lostinfla · 09-13-2017, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twojayhawks

I will be very surprised if Freightliner does not cover this. Not to mention very disappointed if they don't.

My thoughts exactly Bill. Don, it was satisfying to find the problem and repair it, but after 11 hours to complete a 5 hour trip because of evacuation traffic, I was just ready to set up and relax. Glad the system protected the engine so I didn't toast it. It happened very fast as I had just checked the gauges a few minutes earlier.

101stveteran · 09-21-2017, 11:53 AM

Thanks for posting. If we didn't post and all be able to read it here we would never know.

101stveteran · 09-21-2017, 05:32 PM

Just thinking might be a benefit to others if you post this in the Freightliner chassis section as well as the Newmar Facebook page. I'm going to pull up my floor as soon as I can and look at mine.

89sandman · 09-21-2017, 05:42 PM

Another advantage of owning a DP, you never know about a problem until it's too late. Gotta love it!

lostinfla · 09-22-2017, 05:38 AM

Sent in pictures and a copy of the mobile mechanics bill 10 days ago and haven't heard a thing from Freightliner. Tried calling and couldn't get an answer because the guy "working on it" only works night shift. Sent another email this morning. I'll keep you all up to date as to their response. Hope this doesn't end up as a legal battle.

lostinfla · 09-22-2017, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 101stveteran

Just thinking might be a benefit to others if you post this in the Freightliner chassis section as well as the Newmar Facebook page. I'm going to pull up my floor as soon as I can and look at mine.

101stveteran, just put it up over there. Thanks.

tom chelbana · 09-22-2017, 08:13 AM

I have found that going once a year and tighten all coolant and CAC clamps. Most of the time the clamps do take a small amount of tightening. From the picture FL did have the good hose clamps.

gatorcq · 09-22-2017, 02:36 PM

please flush the system, if you use water from a faucet Vs. distilled, the hard water will clog the radiator sooner rather then later.

I always, carry 3 gallons of distilled and 1 of coolant