Community Forums

kbarnard · 09-16-2010, 07:28 PM

I have 2006 CC Inspire 360; had problems keeping fluid in the resv. last several months of usage and finally found a sizable puddle and leak worthy of sending it local CAT dealer for repair. They confirmed the radiator is bad (not a hose unfortunately) and stated it has deteriorated enough (from road salts) over the past 4yrs to ruin it from repair advising me to replace it to avoid coming back for repeat offenses. I am ok with this concept and plan to make my own inspection and validation of sorts.

My question is; does anyone know where i can find a replacement who has experienced the same. I assume although CC is temporarily gone, that their is a supplier that may be able to be found and sourced for a replacement or other members have used a reputable replacement core manufacture.

CAT Service has a few sources to "custom make" a replacement, but i would like to here from other owners before relying 100% on my local service center advice.

I am also abit concerned with only a 4yr lifespan of OEM and when asking for a upgrade replacement I was offered little-no confidence as to getting a better replacement option.

...and no I don’t live in saltwater air town and my Midwestern home doesn’t see much road salting, and I store and clean my unit well...if you were thinking about this for premature wear?

kbarnard · 09-16-2010, 07:31 PM

i heard their have been some problems with CC radiators leaking and faults but find few threads for resolve support. please share your knowledge if you have any thing helpful

mattandcarol · 09-17-2010, 05:04 PM

The original aluminium rads won't take the vibration, nothing to do with salt. Don't replace it with the same thing or you will be doing it again. Any good radiator shop can built a replacement with copper and steel that will last longer than you will have it.
This is a well known issue not only with CC but other manufacturers who use the same radiator. My buddy had his fail in the first year and a new copper/steel installed ran him $12,000 in Canada earlier this year.

Techie · 09-17-2010, 08:04 PM

On our '06 Allure the orig raidator started to leak from the seams last year...had it replaced with a steel+copper one by OMCC (oregon motorcoach center) in Eugene, OR. Don't know who they ordered it from but we asked for the heaviest duty/largest cooling capacity that would fit and it lowered the trans temps quite a bit.

Mike Thomas · 09-17-2010, 08:33 PM

I would contact Detroitradiator.com. They make replacement units for our trucks. Pretty good stuff...

kbarnard · 09-20-2010, 08:21 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys keep it coming. I will look into eac

JohnFreyja · 09-23-2010, 03:35 PM

I was at the FMCA Rally in Oregon and talked with an individual that had some good advice on many types of parts but they specifically deal with Radiators for Auto/Truck/Industrial. The company is Radiator Supply House, located in Sweet Home, Oregon. (877) 615-3002 e-mail: will@ratiatorsupplyhouse.com or ryan@radiatorsupplyhouse.com Will Garrett can research CC parts.

arrowheadbob · 09-24-2010, 02:16 PM

We also have the exact same coach as yours - we bought it about 6 months ago and it had only 9000 miles on it, and the radiator had begun leaking. The shop we had it in, Rincon in Orange County, was very knowledgeable of the problem. They said that it was due to flex and fatigue of the aluminum radiator and that the copper and steel radiator as mentioned above was absolutely the way to go. Our extended warranty covered it (like almost $7,000!!) They ordered it from either Northern CA or Oregon and installed it. After maybe a thousand miles or so, no leaks or any issues. I have not really noticed any difference in operating temps, however.

Pretty sad that a radiator will not go 9000 miles! My Tacoma has about 200K miles and never a leak.

While we are talking about the same coach, does yours seem to wander a bit on the highway? I had the alignment checked and adjusted and it seems better, but still tends to wander.

Good luck

kbarnard · 09-27-2010, 09:56 AM

bought ours new from local dealer have 36k miles now. I like the smaller footprint as we are more "weekenders" with ours and are very active in-out of tight places all the time like resturant parking lots, camping with friends who have smaller towables, tailgating lots, etc.

yes the smaller length and the lack of tag axel does create some road wondering abit and it will tire you on longer trips i have noticed. i have heard this is still true with most of the 40 footers w/out tag axel so that seems to be the common fix. (and weight helps too) the 42-45 footers i believe track better but i have only driven a few.

LogiTech · 10-06-2010, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arrowheadbob

"...Pretty sad that a radiator will not go 9000 miles! My Tacoma has about 200K miles and never a leak..."

You have a good performance with those toyota tacoma parts..

I was thinking to have my tacoma restore.. Fingers-crossed.

Don R · 10-09-2010, 08:07 AM

I have a 2005 Inspire with a Cat engine. Colton Truck Terminal (Colton California)replaced my radiator and charge air cooler. Copper and brass. Good job.

djholmes01 · 10-27-2010, 03:23 PM

I have a 06 Intrigue and have recently replaced the radiator with a steel/copper. It seems to be working real good and no noticeable change in cooling temperature. They also told me that the aluminum was a real problem. We had 23k when it started leaking.

PASODAVE · 04-09-2011, 04:33 PM

Apparently a common problem with CC. I have a 2006 Inspire 360 w/14,800 miles and my radiator is being replaced to the tune of $7,942.00. I have already replaced the drivers side dual pane window ($1300, also apparently a common problem) and am finding severe clear coat cracks in the paint. The clear coat has already peeled from the front cap and wheel well moldings. I dread whatever may come next, but I expect nothing good.