Community Forums

caninecop · 10-28-2020, 08:32 AM

I need to remove the hatch in the bedroom to clean the side radiator from the rear. I found a post on the location of the screws and to remove the drawer under the closet. I know this will cause some head shaking but how do you get to the screws, do you punch a hole in the carpet with the screw driver, make a small cut with carpet knife or some other way? If anyone has method that they use I sure would appreciate a post on how you do it.

Rodzent · 10-28-2020, 08:42 AM

I have a 2014 37AP Bus. My hatch has 4 screws. Each was centered midway along the edge of the hatch. They are inset from the edge about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. You need to remove the drawer and use a stubby screwdriver to remove the one in the center of the rear edge. I used a kitchen knife and tried tapping on the carpet listening for a metallic sound until I finally found the screws. Not sure how much access you will have to clean the radiator from the inside. As I recall the fan is pretty much in the way. I’ll be interested in following this thread to see how your cleaning task works. I need to do the same. However I assumed he would clean from the outside.

garykk · 10-28-2020, 08:48 AM

A strong magnet will help you find the screws. I then installed small upholstery washers on the screws, makes it a lot easier to find them and not really noticeable.

caninecop · 10-29-2020, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodzent

I have a 2014 37AP Bus. My hatch has 4 screws. Each was centered midway along the edge of the hatch. They are inset from the edge about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. You need to remove the drawer and use a stubby screwdriver to remove the one in the center of the rear edge. I used a kitchen knife and tried tapping on the carpet listening for a metallic sound until I finally found the screws. Not sure how much access you will have to clean the radiator from the inside. As I recall the fan is pretty much in the way. I’ll be interested in following this thread to see how your cleaning task works. I need to do the same. However I assumed he would clean from the outside.

Thanks very much for your post,

you saved me a lot of frustration and work with your post. The one I found on my search had six screws. I am hoping that getting access from the rear I will be able to get the simple green and dawn dish soap sprayed on the CAC and engine. On my other RV I would spray simple green with dawn dish soap and from the hatch and see the bubbles going out the radiator. I am taking our rig into the shop today to get some work done, after I get it back and the weather is not to cold I will try to remove the hatch and clean the CAC and radiator. I will come back an post how it worked out. Thanks again for the post.

caninecop · 10-29-2020, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garykk

A strong magnet will help you find the screws. I then installed small upholstery washers on the screws, makes it a lot easier to find them and not really noticeable.

Thank you for the suggestion about the washers, I had read about the magnet I use it to find the screws mentioned in another post.

garykk · 10-29-2020, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caninecop

Thanks very much for your post,

you saved me a lot of frustration and work with your post. The one I found on my search had six screws. I am hoping that getting access from the rear I will be able to get the simple green and dawn dish soap sprayed on the CAC and engine. On my other RV I would spray simple green with dawn dish soap and from the hatch and see the bubbles going out the radiator. I am taking our rig into the shop today to get some work done, after I get it back and the weather is not to cold I will try to remove the hatch and clean the CAC and radiator. I will come back an post how it worked out. Thanks again for the post.

Don’t forget, on the side radiator, the fan blows in toward the engine, not like the rear where it blows out.

brandss · 10-29-2020, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garykk

Don’t forget, on the side radiator, the fan blows in toward the engine, not like the rear where it blows out.

First of all to the OP, I don't appreciate this post because now I have another job to add to the list

Gary, are you suggesting since it blows in toward the engine cleaning the outside would be sufficient? And I really want the answer to be yes.

Ours is a 14' and I'm certain that it's never been cleaned based on other items I have found. Will add it to the fall chore list.

vettenuts · 10-29-2020, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandss

First of all to the OP, I don't appreciate this post because now I have another job to add to the list

Gary, are you suggesting since it blows in toward the engine cleaning the outside would be sufficient? And I really want the answer to be yes.

Ours is a 14' and I'm certain that it's never been cleaned based on other items I have found. Will add it to the fall chore list.

I think what he is inferring is that pushing the cleaner and rinse water from the engine compartment outward would do a better job.

caninecop · 10-30-2020, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettenuts

I think what he is inferring is that pushing the cleaner and rinse water from the engine compartment outward would do a better job.

I agree with this post, that is why I want to get into the hatch to clean from the back, instead of pushing the cleaning in from the front.

garykk · 10-30-2020, 10:54 AM

I spray a large amount of cleaner into the outside radiator with the engine running until I can see soap coming through to the fan. I then shut off the engine and spray some more into the area from the open hatch. It’s virtually impossible to reach the inner radiators due to the fan and shroud. That’s why I let the fan suck it through. I then spray the engine and area down, rinse off in about 15 -20 minutes, close the hatch and then spray the radiator from outside till I get clear water. Works for me.

caninecop · 10-31-2020, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garykk

I spray a large amount of cleaner into the outside radiator with the engine running until I can see soap coming through to the fan. I then shut off the engine and spray some more into the area from the open hatch. It’s virtually impossible to reach the inner radiators due to the fan and shroud. That’s why I let the fan suck it through. I then spray the engine and area down, rinse off in about 15 -20 minutes, close the hatch and then spray the radiator from outside till I get clear water. Works for me.

Sounds like a good plan on cleaning the radiator,

jlturner · 11-01-2020, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garykk

I spray a large amount of cleaner into the outside radiator with the engine running until I can see soap coming through to the fan. I then shut off the engine and spray some more into the area from the open hatch. It’s virtually impossible to reach the inner radiators due to the fan and shroud. That’s why I let the fan suck it through. I then spray the engine and area down, rinse off in about 15 -20 minutes, close the hatch and then spray the radiator from outside till I get clear water. Works for me.

What cleaner do you use? Simple green or?

Thank you

garykk · 11-01-2020, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlturner

What cleaner do you use? Simple green or?

Thank you

I use Simple Green for aluminum.

brandss · 11-01-2020, 05:12 PM

I watched a video of someone cleaning their side radiator and they took several things apart for the cleaning. Is this something that is normal? If so, I have more investigation to do before undertaking the job.

I thought it was a rinse, apply cleaner, let sit, rinse and repeat a few times, like I did with cars in the past.