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Topic: 2003 Lexa hydraulic ad/or radiator leak, service recommendations in (Read 797 times) previous topic - next topic
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2003 Lexa hydraulic ad/or radiator leak, service recommendations in

Yahoo Message Number: 68974
Any recommendations on CC repair facilities in Arizona, particularly Phoenix? I'm in Phoenix for a couple weeks, would be great to take care of some things on my 2003 Lexa while I'm down here.
Also chassis service recommendation in Phoenix would be helpful also, it's currently at Freightliner of Arizona in Chandler with a leak. They seem to think I need a new radiator, could take 2 or 3 weeks as 'these side mount radiators often have to be custom fabricated'. I'm not convinced it's not hydraulic leak for the fan drive, as red fluid that could be hydraulic/power steering is dripping from a hose/fitting directly under the fan housing, and the fan blade and hydraulic housing themselves are completely dry, so I can't see how coolant can jump across, unless it's dripping from above, but to me that would mean possibly hose or fitting, rather than radiator itself.
There is also some dripping, again red liquid (radiator coolant was just changed, it's also red), from the fore and aft ends of a plastic undertray on the bottom rail right under the radiator. It looks like a small dried leak location towards the middle also.
So I think there could be a hydraulic fluid leak at a hose or fitting, then this is either travelling, or perhaps there's a SECOND radiator leak that's dripping down. Visually I can't see any evidence on the radiator from external, no red or dark spots from attracting dirt etc.
I guess one more option might be tranny cooler, is that mounted behind the radiator?
This is a Cat C15, does the hydraulic fan share pump/fluid with power steering? I see the power steering reservior etc. but not a separate reservoir or filter for any other hydraulic systems (besides oil, fuel, radiator, and power steering).
The tech I talked to when I stopped by didn't have direct experience, he was just reading from a yellow sticky and trying to get authorization for the radiator R&R, the others were gone for the day. I'll know more when I talk with the shop foreman tomorrow or Monday.
I'll also taste to see if it's coolant or oil, which I should have done but didn't think of at the time.
I took some photos, but I don't see a way to post attachement, perhaps I'm limited as this is my first post? Ok, I shared them on Flikr,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60216478@N05/sets/72157626072995291/
Thanks all,
-Jim

Re: 2003 Lexa hydraulic ad/or radiator leak, service recommendations

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69000
Phoenix truck in phoenix fixed my radiator .
They also did my dry PTO.

Knows diesels and priced right.

Ask for STEVE EMORY he is the owner.
602.252.1414
Jw

06 inspire 51544

Re: 2003 Lexa hydraulic ad/or radiator leak, service recommendations

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69088
Jim:

Run, don't walk to Massey Truck in south Phoenix. Tom (service manager) has replaced over 200 radiators and has it down to a science that will get you out in 1-2 days with a steel/brass radiator built locally.

Roger Uhlich

'07 Intigue 12170
 

2003 Lexa hydraulic ad/or radiator leak, service recommendations

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69149
Thanks all for the advice and feedback. Extremely helpful, it's definitely gotten me on the right path. There seems to be multiple instances of problems with the original aluminum radiator. Country Coach had a redesigned, heavier duty brass/copper replacement unit built for them by Radiator Specialties out of California.
They don't sell direct, the distributor of them is Source Engineering out of Oregon. Jim and Steve there know the full history etc. inside out, and are a fountain of knowledge on radiators in general, and large RV use, particularly Country Coach and Monaco, in particular. They knew the replacement model # off the top of their head, didn't even need to look it up, but I verified with engineering drawings and a tape measure just to be paranoid. The replacement unit has been ordered and is currently being built.
Their contact info for the record is http://www.rv-radiators.com/
Jim