Community Forums

gbburgess · 04-20-2014, 09:54 AM

Looking at the radiator in our just arrived Intrigue it appears to be an aluminum core with a many bolt side housing (maybe aluminum also). I cannot see any leaks or deformations. It is clean inside and in great shape for as much as I can see. So is this one of the radiators that will need replacement? How do I tell short of waiting for a leak to happen? If I call Country Coach service with the VIN number will they be able to tell me if the radiator has been replaced?

Thanks

pumper9x9 · 04-20-2014, 10:40 AM

If it's alu. it will eventually leak. We had ours sent out and rebuilt and CC has no idea that we did it. So I would suspect that they have no idea about yours. Look at all the attachment points, bolts, bolt heads, and rubber mounting systems and see if they look like they have been taken apart. If not it is probably original. So what can you do.
A) Have your coolant additives checked to make sure all the right stuff is still in it.
B) Have it pressure tested and see if it leaks
C) Drive it till it starts leaking
D) Go ahead and have it replaced by a place you trust and while you're at home
E) All of the above.

Good luck we spent about 10 days parked in front of a Shop Garage door waiting to get ours back from being rebuilt about 100 miles outside of St. Louis. Cost about $4.3 K.
Good Luck

dons2346 · 04-20-2014, 11:22 AM

You can't tell when and if it will leak. If I were you, I would go with options A and C that pumper listed.

Country Coach won't have any idea if the radiator has been replaced or not.

One thing I would do is bond the radiator to the frame of the coach. There is a theory that with the aluminum radiator and the steel in the motor along with the coolant you make a battery. The aluminum is the less noble of the system therefore it will degrade the soonest. Bonding would eliminate the "battery" issue.

gbburgess · 04-20-2014, 06:32 PM

Well, I will likely take your advice and get it to Cummins/Freightliner and start getting the necessary service completed. I will do as you say and check everything twice. That said in watching and reading and participating on these webs for a couple of years I still wonder if the few people replying on problems are the minority and not the majority. However, I have checked a number of the other manufacturers and seen this discussed. With money running quickly down the drain R&M will need to be first and then I will see if we can afford the radiator change this summer (assuming it does not start leaking). Thanks for your support and comments!

Smitty77 · 04-20-2014, 10:51 PM

Are you sure it's aluminum? Bolts are on the sides of my radiator, and it is not aluminum. Have you tried a magnet?

Just wondering why you feel it's aluminum...
Best,
Smitty

gbburgess · 04-21-2014, 09:29 AM

Unfortunately, I am now "out" for the next few weeks and will not be able to see the RV until June. However, a quick look at the air flow portion of the radiator appeared to be aluminum. I did not have a magnet so could not check the side tanks or top. I guess I will need to wait until I return home. I should not take contract jobs - said I would not when I retired. Oh well, pay is good.

bluegrassrv · 04-22-2014, 02:16 AM

gbburgess, congrats on your 2004 Intrigue Ovation. That's what I'm looking to buy this year, hopefully. I'm trying to get a response from a seller in CA that has one posted on Craigslist in Yuma, AZ.

Good luck with the radiator, hopefully you won't be needing a replacement.

gbburgess · 04-22-2014, 06:31 AM

Thanks, We found it and really like the interior, the space and the workmanship. It is beautiful inside. We are in the process of having everything checked and serviced. That will cost some big $$. Also we are changing the microwave/convection oven for DW. After that we are looking to upgrade the electronics and TV which will be some big $$$. However, we will have a nicer coach than the 2014 Tuscany or Tiffins we were looking at.