Hi everyone
I'm new to the forum due to the purchase of a oldie but goodie ( I think )
I have a 2000 Country Coach Intrigue shorty ( 32ft. ) that I have been making my own. I have a problem and question that maybe some of you can help me answer.
My coach started overheating on the way back from a short trip of 25 miles. I shut it down and took a look underneath and it looks like it is leaking antifreeze from the top of the Heater Booster Pump. I checked the hoses connected to it and there tight and in good shape. I'm guessing that the pump has cracked and is leaking and needs to be replaced.
Has anyone had this problem?
If so,my question is where to you find parts for older Country Coaches that have the dynomax chassis? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Stan
Hi Stan,
We have a 2001 36' Intrique with a 350 ISC Cummins which we bought new. We too have had that water pump leak, and in lieu of replacement we just bypassed it and removed it. From our experience, it makes the dash heater a bit less effective, but not a big deal.
That being said, I would doubt that the leaking pump is the cause of your overheating issues. Does yours still have the Sauer-Danfoss fan controller? Those are problematic and may be faulty. Check for 2 hydraulic hoses leading downward from the hydraulic fan motor to a hydraulic/electronic looking box located outboard behind the left rear tires. If still in the system, it will have both hydraulic hoses and 2 electrical connections. We had issues with ours over the years and were on the third S-D controller when I replaced the fan control with a Source Engineering wax control valve. Issue solved! If you unplug the pigtail to the S-D controller, it should default the fan to full RPM. That would be useful for diagnostic purposes. You might have a bad thermostat, a faulty radiator cap, or a plugged radiator, either inside our outside.
I'm available to talk or PM me.
Don
562-743-6858
Thanks Don
Wow sounds like I have more issues than I thought. I'll check the systems you suggested. Do you think that would cause the pump to fail?
I was wondering myself how effective the pump would be if I bypassed it. Sounds like a good idea considering how difficult it is finding parts I think I'll just by-pass it too.
Where do you find the parts for this and for that matter any
parts for Country Coach? Since they were bought by Winnebago.
Again thanks Don for all your help!!
Another Don here. FYI, the leaking pump is a standard off the shelf item, most people call them a "bus pump". If you want the part number, I have an old pump in the shed and I'll see if the part number is on it. Problem with the pump is the way it is mounted. CC mounted it vertical with the motor on the bottom. A leak in the pump portion allowed coolant to get into the motor. Mine was removed probably 15 years ago. If you want a pump, they can be found on Amazon and other online stores.
Another FYI. Oregon Motorcoach has bought all of the CC stuff from Winnebago, lock stock and barrel. They now have all the molds, hardware, intellectual property and trademark
Glad I found this forum Thanks to you all.... Don K. and Don S. especially !! I'll let you know how it goes.
It is possible to overheat if the bus pump is leaking badly enough. Happened to me and I lost about 15 gallons of antifreeze. I overheated 3 times and added about 5 gallons each time. I went through this process to get to a truck shop. Mine was the rear bus pump and I had it bypassed. If you decide to bypass the pump be sure to disconnect the wires and isolate them so they don't come into electrical contact with anything.
Pete thanks for the info. I got lucky and made it home. Looks like this is a common problem with the CC's. That CAT C-10 is one strong engine. I use to drive a earth mover that had one. Had over a 600K miles on it.
Correction Pete 600K hours
Ok ...I’m bypassing the pump... and I have one question.
Do you couple together the inlet and outlet hoses or plug one side or both?
Connect them together
Thanks Don S. You been very helpful!!!!!
About the school bus pump ... we have a 2002 Intrigue 36-foot and I was led to believe that there were two pumps in that circuit. We had one bypassed years ago, the one towards the rear, but were told that there was a 2nd pump up toward the front. I tried to have the shop (Olstrom Custom Coach) bypass the 2nd pump recently, and they said that there was no 2nd pump. Does anyone know otherwise?
Thanks, Steve B #11382
I think the CAT mechanic put a new short hose on the engine and used a nipple to connect the new hose to the hose coming from the outlet of the pump. 3 hose clamps needed.
Also while you are there, disconnect the wires from the pump and make sure at least the +12 volt wire to the pump is insulated.
There is actually three pumps, one on the frame rail in the engine compartment, one in the Hurricane bay, and one up front. If I remember correctly, you have to remove the cover in front of the Pax seat to find it. I can hear mine running so it has to be there.
My coach number is 11427
Hmmmmmmm! in the compartment forward of the passenger seat? There's a blower motor in there, but I don't remember a pump motor. I will have to double check. I will also check the Hurricane compartment. I thought it was just a fuel pump, not a coolant pump.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Steve 02 Intrigue #11382