Country Coach Owners Forum

Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Richard Aquino on November 03, 2010, 06:16:22 pm

Title: Hydraulic Fan and Power Steering Reservoir Dip Stick Issue
Post by: Richard Aquino on November 03, 2010, 06:16:22 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 65058 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/65058)
This post has two parts and I am working with one of our GREAT Techs on this.

First Part:

I have started to have an overheating issue, at least higher than normal. Temps to about 218-220. In the past the fan would go to high speed at about 208 and you could hear it from the drivers seat. Now the max fan speed is only about 1100 rpm and thus on hot days or hard climbs I have to really watch my temps. All the inputs to the fan controller are fine and correct. Normally, if you unplug the power to the controller the fan will default to high speed of greater than 2000rpm but mine will max out at about 1100rpm no matter what I do and 1100rpms will not bring the temps down.
This is my second controller and it has been installed for about 4 years and was working fine. We have not ruled out the controller but the thinking is that the problem may be the pump or fan motor and we are doing tests to determine that. If it turns out to be the pump or fan motor then the reason could be for what is in the second part of this post.

Second Part:

In working with the tech on this, he was only the messenger, it was determined that there were some coaches that were built about the time frame of mine with the wrong Hydraulic Reservoir Dip Stick. I don't think there is any idea of how many or which models are involved. I now know mine was. The dip stick will show the proper amount of fluid but in my case the fluid level was about 2 inches below the top of the top filter. Since these pumps and fan motor have such a tight tolerance it is possible that this low fluid level could have damaged one of the components by allowing air into the system. These components are what we are testing next. When I pull the top off my reservoir my fluid was probably 2" below the top of the top filter and took about 2 quarts to bring to about 1/2" above the top filter. I scratched a new mark on the dip stick to indicate the correct level.
The only way to be sure is to pull the top off the reservoir and take a look. Hope I stated this so you can understand it.

Richard Aquino

2001 Intrigue 11285
about 150,000 miles

PS: I am still hoping it is the controller but I actually have 2 of them and can not get above 1100rpm with either one. I am getting good at replacing fan controllers.
Title: Re: Hydraulic Fan and Power Steering Reservoir Dip Stick Issue
Post by: Lyle on November 03, 2010, 06:42:32 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 65059 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/65059)
Quote
Quote from: rlaquino2728"
Richard,

When you pulled the fuse were you at idle? If so I would not think the fan would go to high speed. It would increase to a medium speed but not high. With your engine at 2100 RPM the fan should scream. This might eliminate the pump from the suspect list.
Lyle Wetherholt
04 Intrigue 11740

> This post has two parts and I am working with one of our GREAT Techs on this.

First Part:
> I have started to have an overheating issue, at least higher than normal. Temps to about 218-220. In the past the fan would go to high speed at about 208 and you could hear it from the drivers seat. Now the max fan speed is only about 1100 rpm and thus on hot days or hard climbs I have to really watch my temps. All the inputs to the fan controller are fine and correct. Normally, if you unplug the power to the controller the fan will default to high speed of greater than 2000rpm but mine will max out at about 1100rpm no matter what I do and 1100rpms will not bring the temps down.
> This is my second controller and it has been installed for about 4 years and was working fine. We have not ruled out the controller but the thinking is that the problem may be the pump or fan motor and we are doing tests to determine that. If it turns out to be the pump or fan motor then the reason could be for what is in the second part of this post.

Second Part:
> In working with the tech on this, he was only the messenger, it was determined that there were some coaches that were built about the time frame of mine with the wrong Hydraulic Reservoir Dip Stick. I don't think there is any idea of how many or which models are involved. I now know mine was. The dip stick will show the proper amount of fluid but in my case the fluid level was about 2 inches below the top of the top filter. Since these pumps and fan motor have such a tight tolerance it is possible that this low fluid level could have damaged one of the components by allowing air into the system. These components are what we are testing next. When I pull the top off my reservoir my fluid was probably 2" below the top of the top filter and took about 2 quarts to bring to about 1/2" above the top filter. I scratched a new mark on the dip stick to indicate the correct level.
> The only way to be sure is to pull the top off the reservoir and take a look. Hope I stated this so you can understand it.

Richard Aquino

2001 Intrigue 11285
about 150,000 miles
> PS: I am still hoping it is the controller but I actually have 2 of them and can not get above 1100rpm with either one. I am getting good at replacing fan controllers.
Title: Re: Hydraulic Fan and Power Steering Reservoir Dip Stick Issue
Post by: Richard Aquino on November 03, 2010, 08:06:38 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 65063 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/65063)
Good point Lyle. I should have mentioned that the Fan Test Procedures were used and all the tests were at idle and 2100rpm. All I could get out of the fan was about 1100rpms. That is why we now are leaning towards the pump or fan motor. Those tests are not as easy.

Richard