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Change Fluid in Radiator

Yahoo Message Number: 70571
I am not sure what Anti Freeze is currently in the radiator. I am currently low in fluid. Can different fluids mix ?
If I have to drain radiator, is it difficult for a not so good handy man ?

Does Anti freeze dissipate heat better than plain water ?
We live in San Diego and will be traveling where cold weather is a none issue. Could I use just water ?

Anything that you could add would be appreciated.

Thank You

Stan Inspire 2005 51406

Re: Change Fluid in Radiator

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70572
Sounds like a good time to install ELC... There is a complete procedure to drain, flush, and install new ELC on the CATRV forum here on yahoo... Also, while the system is drained, it is a good time to change the thermostat(s)...
while draining, flushing, and refilling, you must turn on the dash heater to make sure the coolant fills the lines going to the dash area... Also, in my particular coach, the Webasto circulates engine coolant under the tile floor and thru a water-heater heat-exchanger so I had to run the Webasto while draining, flushing, and refilling the system...
Don't know about your particular coach, but my coach has a "bleed" valve at the high point of the radiator hose as it leaves the engine block and goes to the radiator... If you have this feature, open the valve after re-filling to bleed out the air in the system... You will have to "top off" the radiator after you bleed off the air...
The easy way to drain the system is to remove one of the radiator hoses that go to the dash...
I am not a mechanic, but I don't think it is a good idea to run only water in the cooling system...

Took 21 gallons of ELC to refill my system...

buck

k7wn, '99magna5653, Cat C10, Allison HD4060

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Re: Change Fluid in Radiator

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70573
I'm changing my fluid right now at Colton Truck among other things. On our Inspire they caution that because the overflow tank is higher than the engine you must use caution not to get air locks. They pulled a vacuum on the cooling system and then let it suck the coolant back in.

Buddy Bordes 06 Inspire 360 C9 51887

Re: Change Fluid in Radiator

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70575
Stan,

It is not a good idea to use water only in the system as the coolant protects against corrosion, aids heat transfer, prevents scale build-up and formation of green silicate gel. A coolant specifically designed for heavy duty use is recommended, such as Shell Rotella, Fleetguard and others. Your coach most likely has one of those products in the radiator - they can be mixed temporarily with no apparent problems.

Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043

Re: Change Fluid in Radiator

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70576
I have thought about this myself, and I have a couple of questions.
What to do with the old coolant that you drain out? Mine holds over 20 gallons. I wouldn't want to dump it on the ground or in the septic tank, which is essentially the same as dumping on the ground.
I've heard that mixing different types of coolant will not harm anything, but any test for freeze protection will no longer be valid.

Why replace the fluid, when it can be tested and adjusted?

Mike 03 Lexa

Re: Change Fluid in Radiator

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70578
Look under Files, coolant, fleetguard, Bulletin from Cummins on mixing coolants.

Judy n Joe
98 Intrigue

Re: Change Fluid in Radiator

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70580
When the people at Cummins changed my coolant last spring, they ran the engine for 15 minutes in

high idle and then drove it to get it up to temp. Then they let it idle fro 10 min and shut it down . After lunch they removed the cap and added another gallon of coolant. Haven't had to add any since. Don't

let the tech place the engine in high idle with the allison engaged to get the temp up, he can really tress

the tranny that way.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Original Message:
-----------------

From: mcedwar mcedwar@... Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:18:14 -0000 To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Change Fluid in Radiator

I have thought about this myself, and I have a couple of questions.
What to do with the old coolant that you drain out? Mine holds over 20 gallons. I wouldn't want to

dump it on the ground or in the septic tank, which is essentially the same as dumping on the ground.

I've heard that mixing different types of coolant will not harm anything, but any test for freeze

protection will no longer be valid.

Why replace the fluid, when it can be tested and adjusted?

Mike 03 Lexa

Quote from: nathanrichards92
>

Stan,

It is not a good idea to use water only in the system as the coolant
protects against corrosion, aids

heat transfer, prevents scale build-up and formation of green silicate gel.
A coolant specifically

designed for heavy duty use is recommended, such as Shell Rotella, Fleetguard and others. Your coach most likely has one of those products in the radiator - they can be mixed temporarily with no apparent
problems.

Quote
>

Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043

> -

Re: /NEW PROBLEM / Change Fluid in Radiator

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70587
It is amazing all the little things that happen just before you leave for a major trip, The shade visor on the drivers side and passenger side just stopped working. I can not find a fuse. Does anyone have a idea ?

Stan Inspire 2005 51406

Shade Visors

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70590
Look for the fuse in the compartment under the driver's seat. There will be a diagram on the cover and you can find the fuse from that...........speaking from experience. Blew that fuse when we both hit the same button at the same time.

Judy

2006 Inspire 51760

The shade visor on the drivers side and passenger side just stopped working. I can not find a fuse. Does anyone have a idea ?

Re: /NEW PROBLEM / Change Fluid in Radiator

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70594
in the compartment on the front left. should be a 7.5 amp which I couldn't find so I put a 10 amp

Buddy Bordes 06 Inspire 360
 

Re: Change Fluid in Radiator

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70687
Thank You all for the input regarding adding or changing coolant fluid. I took Bob,s advice and verified that my coolant was as he stated.
ELC, Fleetguard lES Complete PG. I had to call Cat. Because they replaced my water pump and verified that they had replenished the coolant with the Green. Therefore I have found the replacement that is for Heavy Duty Diesel, and purchased two gallons. I needed just over gallon and now I have extra for our 10,000 mile plus trip.

Thank You

Stan 2005 Inspire