Yahoo Message Number: 62518 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62518)
After several years of replacing fan belts, gauges, flussing the radiator, thermostats pressure caps and somethings I can't recall,I finally called Cummins in Chicago and asked them was pressure cap I should have on the engine. After about 3 or 4 minutes the person came back and said it shows 10. I asked what would happen if I had a 7 pound on what would happen. He said the engine might HEAT up. I put on a 10 pound and Have not had any more heating problems. I sure don't know if this might be anyone elses problem, but it mifht be worth a check.
Norman Lankford
Yahoo Message Number: 62546 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62546)
Norman, thanks for posting this. While I do not have an over heating problem I do at times have to add a bit of coolant. I replaced my 7 pound cap a few years ago with another 7 pound cap and I think I am going to try a 10 pound cap. I think the little bit of coolant I am losing is from the cap.
Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue ISL370
Yahoo Message Number: 62665 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62665)
Hi Fellow CC Owner, Working as a Cat Tech. I have had a lot of Bad Radiator caps, Did you have the old one tested? I would not go above 10 pounds as you will only patch a problem, Glad you fixed it. Ken 99 Allure 30356
Yahoo Message Number: 62569 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62569)
I have 04 Intrigue Cat C12 505 hp. I bought it used abt 2 years ago. It has 56k miles on it. It runs beautifully even in south Texas in the summer, but in the mountains, the engine tends to get hot (210-215 degress as per silverleaf) on a long steep climb (Wolfcreek Pass). It has all the power I need, but I have to slow to as low as 30 mph to keep it below 210. I down shift and keep rpm at around 1800. I have changed the thermostat, steam cleaned the radiator externally, and changed the fan sensor. Has anyone else had similar problems or have any addition suggestions.
John Marsh
atmdvm78@...
Yahoo Message Number: 62577 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62577)
John,I have C-12 in Magna, and climbing Monarch Pass I get the rpm's over 2000.Circulates the coolant faster, and have never been above 208.
Ray G
03 Magna 6267
Aug 18, 2010 10:51:25 PM,
Yahoo Message Number: 62578 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62578)
John,
I am going to respond to this but would like to hear other responses to the RPM issue. Also, you can use the search function and find many posts on this Overheating subject.
First is 210-215 is warm but not overheating, that is in my opinion. Now 215+ for a long period of time would be an issue and I would take measures to bring that temp down.
I have a 40' Intrigue with a ISL370 so I am probably 10,000 lbs less than you and I have plenty of power.
I think it comes down to the weight of your coach, 7 to 8% grade of Wolfcreek Pass, 10,000+ elevation, and LOW RPM.
Air at that elevation is thin and you may even see some black smoke from your exhaust.
For any long grade I would try to get that RPM up to 2,000-2,200 by finding a gear for that range. Torque is what takes you up that hill and RPM helps torque. Don't worry about speed; Truck are climbing that grade at about 15mph and slower for a reason. On a pass/grade like that I would probably be in 3rd gear and very well could be in 2nd gear but I am usually still passing the trucks. That is as long as I can keep that torque up.
Next time try to get that RPM up early in the climb and see what happens.
Richard Aquino
2001 Intrigue
Yahoo Message Number: 62602 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62602)
I have 04 Intrigue Cat C12 505 hp. I bought it used abt 2 years ago. It has 56k miles on it. It runs beautifully even in south Texas in the summer, but in the mountains, the engine tends to get hot (210-215 degress as per silverleaf) on a long steep climb (Wolfcreek Pass). It has all the power I need, but I have to slow to as low as 30 mph to keep it below 210. I down shift and keep rpm at around 1800. I have changed the thermostat, steam cleaned the radiator externally, and changed the fan sensor. Has anyone else had similar problems or have any addition suggestions.
John Marsh
atmdvm78@... (atmdvm78@...)
Yahoo Message Number: 62604 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62604)
John,
We had the same year 42' Intrigue with the C-12 - bought new and kept it 5+ years. Don't be concerned about oil(engine)temps rising into the low 220s for a short period of time. The fans on the C-12 don't even kick in till 228 degrees. Drop down to 4th or 5th gear and run at a higher RPM. This will keep your temps down also. We travel parts of the east coast mountains with 6-7 degree climbs which are 5-6 miles in length. Your transmission temps will also likely move into the low 210s. I'd be more concerned with trans temps, because they have a tendency to remain high for a longer period of time.
These aren't just my observations. I was concerned at one point early on and I had an indepth conversation with our Cat repair center mechanics who put my mind at ease.
Martin Nadelman
2006 Affinity #6543
Yahoo Message Number: 62607 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62607)
John, I have C-12, when it is hot outside and I am going up passes it frequently gets up to 208 even 210 (tho never 215). This is normal. Remember, contrary to what you may hear, cooler is not better and these CATs should be running around 200 normally. The key is that my engine then drops down to 190's very quickly going down pass. If yours does not, then something may be wrong.
Rich 2002 Magna
Yahoo Message Number: 62622 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62622)
Richard,
A couple of days ago I posted the problems I had with a 2000 Allure that would heat sometimes even when I was at low altitude. I have a Cummins 330 for an engine. I spent a couple of thousand dollars not counting the Silver Leaf I had put in. Cleeaned radiator a couple of times, changed gauges, changed pressure caps, changed coolant, changed themostat twice. Finally, I called Cummins in Chicago and asked how many pounds my pressure cap should be. Tech said it should be at least 10. I told him that CC put a7 pound cap on. I asked him what would happen with a 7 pound one. He said it could heat. I put a 10 on and had not a problem since. I don't say this is a fix, but it seem to have solved mine.
Norm Lankford
Yahoo Message Number: 62635 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62635)
I have a 2002 Affinity. For the first time ever about 4 days ago the Cat C12 made the warm engine beeper go off. 217F I pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the blasting dash air and sat there for 2 minutes. Went right down to 208. Then went the rest of the way up. This was on a VERY steep 9% long grade towards Lassen park with 100F ambient temp and blasting dash air. Glad to read about other folks experiences. Now I am not worried about the grapevine tomorrow.
Yahoo Message Number: 62668 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62668)
Hi Friend, Im a retired Cat Tech. Cat will run hotter as for emissions req. If it were me Take it to a Cat dealer and have your coach put on the Dyno! The tech's have Knowledge and proper tooling along with the laptop to troubleshoot, Also part of the package you will get ECM updates! All this for a good qouted price. Ken 99 Allure 30356.