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Old 10-29-2017, 09:51 PM   #1
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Radiator Leak

Hey, folks...new to the neighborhood and Class A battleships. Hope someone can help me out here.

I just acquired a 1994 HR Navigator with the prerequisite 6CTA 8.3 stuffed in the rear, and couldn't be more impressed. As a school bus driver, I'm familiar with the handling 'yikeses' but not with how quick and quiet this thing is.

The problem? After getting services done post-purchase (at an International shop, to include oil change, new engine belts, chassis inspection, replacing the plastic overflow bottle and pressure testing), and after logging some 600 miles, there is a leak, apparently from the radiator. It doesn't totally empty out the coolant system, but enough drips out that I lose at least half a gallon after I shut down.

Radiator? Hose clamp? Some magical do-hickey I don't know about?
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Old 10-29-2017, 09:57 PM   #2
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Hard to guess from here. You will have to look closely to see where it is coming from. You might wash down the radiator / engine, let it dry, fill the radiator and see the high point where it is draining from. Just remember not to get underneath the RV without jack stands in place. Don't rely on the RV's jacks.

Odds are a clamp, then a hose, then the radiator cap and then the radiator itself.
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Old 10-29-2017, 10:09 PM   #3
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Glad to have you here in the forum with us.

Hoses and clamps are the easiest and cheapest thing to look at first.
A radiator is a whole different issue. See if a radiator shop near you can look at it and test it. Even if they have to come to you.
Good luck!

Happy Trails!!!
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Old 10-29-2017, 10:20 PM   #4
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Get some spray foam engine degreaser, (Walmart, Autozone) and spray that part of the engine down per can instructions. Then after 5 min, spray with the water hose which should clean up the engine area. I do this annually for the entire truck motor. After the engine dries, check the radiator areas over with a flashlight from the top and underneath looking for the leak. It may take a while, even a couple of drives but you should find it. Another option is take the vehicle to an auto or radiator shop and have them pressure check the cooling system.
Did they just pressure test the radiator cap or the entire cooling system?
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Old 10-29-2017, 10:21 PM   #5
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You'll have to do some sleuthing to find the leak and fix it.
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Old 10-30-2017, 05:42 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArgoPilot View Post
replacing the plastic overflow bottle and pressure testing)
Why was this replaced and tested? Was there a pre-existing condition? Did they pressure check the entire cooling system or what? I'm just wondering if these 2 items are related to your current leak. Looks suspicious.

If not...my guess would be—because of your rigs age—it's a hose clamp or radiator seam somewhere at the top. While you're under there looking for this leak, I'd also look for any other hoses that are touching/rubbing against anything that could pose a future hose failure. I found one cooling hose in my engine bay last week that was worn 1/2 through rubbing in an area where the hose was going around a corner. No doubt it was on it's way to failure.
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Old 10-30-2017, 06:11 AM   #7
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I have the same problem and have still not been able to find the leak. Don't forget to check your dash heater core and the hoses/clamps going to it. Please keep us posted on what you find.
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Old 10-30-2017, 06:21 AM   #8
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...make sure you are using the appropriate coolant mix or distilled water when replacing coolant loss....all good ideas above.....coolant cap or specific leak based on source of "drips"..... also make sure you know the proper protocol for checking your coolant level....most rigs require that you check sight glass for level when engine is at ops temp, not cold--or you will overfill.....
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Old 10-30-2017, 08:45 AM   #9
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Trying to understand,"drips out after shut down". Do you see it dripping? Are you sure it is lost after shut down?
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Old 10-30-2017, 09:45 AM   #10
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As with many other things, go to the last place someone touched it. The odds are, the problem will be there, either a parts problem, or installation. If that fails, then go to the A,to B, to C, method.
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Old 10-30-2017, 06:09 PM   #11
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The overflow bottle was cracked and leaking, thus the replace. The leak is from under the radiator, about one small drip every 10-15 seconds. It has not stopped since yesterday.

Can I access the radiator by removing the plate underneath it? If I can get at it from the bottom, I could see where the radiator failed.
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Old 10-30-2017, 06:15 PM   #12
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One note here: the whole point behind this purchase was to get into a Class A with cash, not mortgages. I won't have $6-$7k to drop on a new radiator. I also need it to be able to move here and there for resources to test the main systems (water, appliances/120v system, gen set, and propane).

If there are some semi-permanent fixes THAT WORK, I'd be obliged.
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Old 10-31-2017, 11:56 AM   #13
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Just discovered that my radiator is NOT aluminum but is, in fact, BRASS. Leak is small; no other corrosive breakdown noted. Can even solder leak in place without removing radiator. How 'bout THEM apples?
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Old 10-31-2017, 12:36 PM   #14
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Glad to hear you found the leak and that it is repairable not relatively inexpensive to fix.
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