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Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Yahoo Message Number: 87515
We are about to pull the trigger on a 2007 Intrigue. We have done our home work and are aware of the radiator and PTO issue that plagues CC. We're not to worried about the PTO, but the radiator worries us a little. After speaking with CC it appears that the Intrigue is not one of the models having radiator issues in this era. Is anyone aware of any radiator issue with the Intrigue? Can anyone offer any other concerns that we've over looked? Any and all advise is appreciated.

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87516
We had to have the radiator in our 2006 Intrigue replaced. Fortunately it was covered under our extended warranty. I don't believe radiators are covered in the policies written today. I am sure others on this forum will have more information for you.

S. Brandt, '06 Intrigue, 11964

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87517
RJ, I have an 2007 Intrigue. I agree with your comment on the radiator. I disagree on the PTO, which has been a frequent problem on 07 Intrigues, requiring the PTO wet kit, mine included. Talk to John Davis. Also read PTO 101 in the files section of this website.

Lee
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Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87518
Lee, Thanks for your input, I agree the PTO needs to be addressed, What I should have said is that cost of the wet kit is of less concern then the cost of replacing a radiator.

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87519
Most of the radiator problems with CC coaches circa 2005-2006 was that they were using aluminum radiators bolted directly to the frame. CC replaced the radiator on our 2005 Intrigue twice. The second time they installed a heavier copper and steel radiator. This radiator has performed well for 30K miles and 6 years - knock on wood.

I would have someone who knows radiators look at the one you are considering and they can tell what type of construction was used.

Bob Stephens

'05 Intrigue 11872

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87520
Ceiling panels on some early Intrigues with high ceilings would not remain securely attached to the center fibre glass decorative panel. What length is it and which engine does it have? Unless a 40 ft the ISL is to small. If a Caterpillar then it will be a fuel hog. Some units have the ISM which is a pretty good combination and you don't have to use low sulfur fuel. You really want an Allison transmission, as it learns your driving habits. A Cat transmission is preprogrammed and if you don't like the shift points or types of shifts the unit has to be reprogrammed, if it can be. If an early 07 it will have the 14,500 lb front end IFS, which will only give you about 2000 lb carrying capacity if you have full tile floors. Not much when you consider 05 coaches could carry any where from 8 to 10,000 lbs. Check all the windows for separation of the glass allowing fogging. TV and entertainment electronics become obsolete every-time the world turns 360 degrees, see if you can live with the situation. Some of the cabinets below the kitchen counter just have shelves or are empty. Makes for awkward accessibility. We had Davis cabinets install pullout drawers. Carr Industries, can do even more. Check the tires, if original change them yesterday. Be prepared for having to service the Transmission, engine, Hydraulics, change batteries, windshield wipers, lube chassis and have the brakes inspected.. The driver and passenger seats are always suspect for me, but you should have seats with Lumbar supports, if not and your over 6 Ft tall with a long torso, buyer beware. I installed 08 Magna chairs in my 04 Intrigue, what a difference. Some, well all, CC are subject to wandering, so make sure the tires are OK, if newer, and have the front end aligned. Check and make sure the power cord feed and retracts properly. The unit may need the slack taken out of the grippers that pull in and out the cord. I had to replace the molded Power plug after a few years do to wear and tear on the power spades. Check around all slide rooms for condition of the wiper seals and for any signs of separation of the slide room walls from the facia. Awnings need a good examination. Especially Care free and A&E units. Garrard not so much. I would inspect the pads the bed room slides travel on, and have replaced if soiled. Clean off build up on the bottom slide room where the nylon pads travel. Inspect the water system, see if the hydro hot works and doesn't smoke or smell bad, if it does it needs service. Examine the coolant and make sure it looks pink with an orange tint. Look for any sign of leaks. Fire up each air conditioner separately and walk the length of the coach and listen for low frequency vibrations. Most likely the unit is either loose or the mounting ring has collapsed transferring the mechanical vibrations to the chassis of the coach. And finally make sure you have all the individual manuals in the file case and all the 3 ring binders with recommended operation and service manuals with the paint codes shown on the lid of the box.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87521
Hey 02, 03 and 04 were plagued with radiator problems, too. I'm on my 4th one. I only had to pay for one and labor on one, but in addition I'm on my third charge air cooler and paid for one and labor for one of those. Its a shame the replacements repairs didn't happen all together. Then there's the 4 fan controllers, but that's another story. So that's 6 times the radiators have been pulled on my unit. That's about $12,000 over 10 years, well 7 actually. TWI 2004 intrigue 11731

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87522
My 40' C-13 (sweet heavy duty IFS, 3000 Allison) as been getting 7.5 MPG. Other than the PTO and HWH slide hydraulic lines popping, now fixed . . . no other major problem . . . fingers crossed. If you don't have the build sheet but have the production number, Damon Rapozo might be able to find the build sheet, which will tell you a lot.

Lee

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87525
I would inspect the radiator mountings carefully. If you have a long horizontal aluminum "core" rigidly mounted to a steel channel support underneath you may have problems. The coefficient of thermal expansion of these two metals is different meaning aluminum expands at a greater rate. If the core is bound by steel the cooling tubes in the core get forced into the headers as the radiator can't expand when it heats up.
Repeated cooling and heating cycles will fatigue the bond between the cooling tubes and their entrance into the header. When the bond breaks down it will leak. Slowly at first then more profusely. Unlike copper, aluminum doesn't lend itself well to core repairs. The photo below shows this flawed design:

http://muniac.smugmug.com/Maintenance/Radiator-Repair/i-fvCGXg5/0/M/IMG_2282-M.jpg
Replacing a radiator isn't the end of the world. It might not even be grounds for rejecting your bus purchase. And you might not even face this at all. So know before you go. Because it is an expensive inconvenient repair and if catastrophic means towing and ending up at a repair place that might not be optimal. I'd budget between $6-8K for dealing with this. Although our bus isn't the same model as yours you might want to read my rant on our repair. My signature below has a link to a laundry list of work that's been done which includes the radiator job. Good luck!

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87527
Bob, Thanks for your reply, I have already confirmed that it is an aluminum radiator. but was told that the Intrigue did'nt have the same issue as some of the other models. Looks like I was mis informed

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87529
What was so costly in my case was cross contamination between the transmission fluid and the engine cooling fluid. That mean having to drain and flush the transmission with Dexron and then refill and drain with Transynd twice is costly. Enclosed are a few of my pictures with Dave Remington

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87532
Thanks for the Info Lee. I do have the prodution number and was able to confirm that the coach does have the questionable aluminum radiator but not If its wet or dry PTO. I do however know how to tell.
May I ask how many miles you have on yours? And am I understanding that you to have the aluminum radiator with no issues?

Thanks for your time.

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87533
Explain the part about ceiling panels won't stay attached, and what would be described as "high ceilings"?>

Tom R

2006 Allure 12057

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87534
Being 42' you will turn sharper, weigh less, and get better fuel milage than the 45' model. There will be less basement storage, than 03,04 and 05. The fuel tank is in front of the rear axle and that will mean easier loading and distribution of weight and maybe keep you from over loading the front end. If you have 315's all around you have the heavier axle. . Both front slides are above the floor making it easier to access the storage bays. If you have a single strutt on any large basement doors, find some one to add a second and replace both struts rated at half the original single strutt. It will prevent the bay doors from separating. I glued mine back together with Gorilla Gloo, three years ago. If the batteries are original you may want to consider up grading to AGM's or Trojan 6 volt golf batteries. I am not a boon docker, but just when you think your battery capacity is adequate, you'll find it isn't. Oh check the wheel size, if you have 8.25, that's an issue. If you have 9.00 inch you are in like Flynn. That means bigger axles, larger tires and more carrying capacity.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87535
Early 2006 Intrigues with removable ceiling panels that were attached with velcro had issues. The velcro didn't fail but the adhesive CC used to attach the velcro to the grey vinyl or fibre glass fixed panel would fail in hot climates and the smaller insert panels would pull way slightly or over extended periods would fall to the floor or who ever was in the way. I saw this at Guaranty RV in Junction City, Beaudry's in Tucson and Phoenix and Buddy Gregg in Dallas. It may have been just a few coaches, maybe Damon knows?
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731
 

Re: Need Advice On Country Coach Radiator Issue

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87536
This should be a non-issue with an 2007. If the rest are like mine, CC went away from Velcro in 07 and use metal spring clips. The trick is determining which panels can be removed.

Lee