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Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Yahoo Message Number: 94035
We have been awaiting this problem as it seems to eventually happen to everyone with an aluminum radiator. We need to make a decision here. Cummins South says it take 19 hours labor to take out then replace the radiator. There is a 2 week wait while they send the radiator out for repair. Our thoughts are to simply order a new radiator and have the work done all at the same time. We do not see too much point in repairing the radiator since it will most likely start to leak again.
Pros/Cons??

Where have you purchased your new radiators? What type of replacement do you recommend? Does 19 hours of labor seem reasonable? We kind of want to use Cummins South in case the replacement is totally messed up and damages the engine we might have some recourse.
Any other insights?
Thanks,

Marta and Scott
07 Allure 31501

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94036
Marta & Scott:

Feel free to contact me on this issue.

Kevin Waite (Former Country Coach Service Tech. & Owner) K&M Mobile RV Repair LLC
95430 Noraton Rd.

Junction City, OR. 97448
541-953-6162 (Cell)

kvn.wt.7629@...

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94038
Hey folks. Sorry to hear of your radiator issue. Do you have the aluminum radiator? I thought by the 2007 model year, CC had abandoned the aluminum radiators. I have a 2007 with what appears to be a steel/copper radiator so I hope a leaking radiator is not in the near future.

Gary

07 Allure 470 #31578

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94039

Give these guys a call for a new radiator built better than the original by far. If they don't have it on the shelf they will build it fast.

Radiator Supply House
4432 Highway 20, Sweet Home, OR 97386
  • Cross Streets: Between 44th Ave and 45th Ave
(541) 367-2991
radiatorsupplyhouse.com
Thank you

John Davis (JD)
JDRV INC.
Your RV / Marine parts and service professionals
JOHN DAVIS RV SERVICES INC. jd@...
541-306-6473
541-693-3015

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94040
As posted, I have the Steel and Copper radiator from Radiator Supply House
radiatorsupplyhouse.com Mine was installed by Quinn Cat in Calif at a total cost of $5400 Cat C9 with a coolant flush and new Cat EC-1 Rated coolant, cap and t/stats. Go new.
Floyd 2006 Inspire 51744

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94042
Hi Gary,

Ours is definitely aluminum. Hope yours is not! A magnet can answer that question for you :-) Marta

07 Allure 31501

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94044
Marta & Scott,

We can certainly relate to your use of the word "dreaded" in describing your radiator problem. We've been there.

In the summer of 2010 my wife and I were traveling from Tucson, AZ to Manchester, NH in our 2005 Country Coach Inspire. Due to loss of coolant, the engine overheated just outside of Elk City, OK, some 800 miles from Tucson. After replenishing the coolant, we drove on to Enid, OK. More coolant was replaced there, but diagnostic testing did not pinpoint the problem. We continued driving east. Near Erie, PA the engine overheated again, and we could see coolant on the pavement. We restarted the engine and drove to I-86 Truck Repair in Jamestown, NY, where the aluminum radiator was temporarily repaired. Labor and parts came to $1,394.15.

We drove on to Manchester, NH where Merrill & Sons Truck & Coach, of Weare, NH, replaced the original aluminum radiator with a heavy-duty radiator. Labor and parts added up to $6,269.40.

Whatever you do about the problem, I certainly hope you have better luck than we did. An extended warranty covered some of the cost of replacement, but there was no coverage for the temporary repairs.

Good luck.

Gary Collins '05 CC Inspire 51491

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94045
Magnet won't help much since replacement is copper.

Ray

They say wine improves with age! As I enter my golden years, I say age improves with wine! The Born Loser

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94046
You were lucky. I had no external leaks! My issue was coolant contaminating the transmission fluid. Fortunately 3 years later the transmission is still functioning well.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94048
I had my radiator replaced last fall. I got my steel and copper radiator from country coach for $3600 plus shipping. My extended service company covered all but $250 of the cost. The labor charge was for 12hours at$125 per hour. I have been pleased with the work and mt service provider. RJ 2005 Inspire #51264

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94079
Hi Marta and Scott

I am very sorry you are having the dreaded radiator problem. The problem is not the material the radiator is made of, but rather the construction techniques used by Country Coach's supplier, Radiator Specialty. While Country Coach was still in business and customers had radiator failures, Radiator Specialty would supply a free replacement that was properly constructed. Also Country Coach was not the only brand they supplied, so it was a widespread problem.
Mine failed in two years and the replacement aluminum radiator has been in service for eight years. So, if an aluminum radiator is an option for you , you should not be concerned about it. Although copper has a higher heat transfer rate than aluminum, it is also much more expensive and heavier.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94406
I am looking to purchase an 04 or 05 Inspire. How pervasive is this issue? If the radiator has not been replaced, should I expect it to fail? I'm new to this. Are extended service warranties available for 10 year old coaches? Thanks,

Ron, hopeful CC owner

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94415
You're in luck. Our '05 Country Coach Inspire is for sale (see my ad at www.rvtrader.com and on Craigslist for Tucson). The original aluminum radiator was replaced with a heavy duty copper radiator three years ago, and we have never had a problem since. More details were posted on this thread. Asking $86,900.

Gary Collins '05 CC Inspire 51491

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94416
Hello

Yes the aluminum radiators have been a problem with a lot of coaches including country coach. It would be best to find a coach that has been updated with a copper radiator and wet PTO. Also look windows over carefully for fogging . I had an 05 inspire and it was a great rv. I had the cat 400hp and was happy with the power. I made all the updates to mine and know it can be expensive. Try to find one all ready to go.
Rod

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 94440
contact Kevin as suggested in earlier post.
Mine (on previous Inspire) was replaced by CC just before they went out of business. They paid CAT to do the complete job and i believe the hours were about the same as you were quoted .
John

08 Intrigue #12235
10 Ford Escape

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95112
I had one radiator built in Sumner Washington for around $10,000 and it made it 1500 miles! If you can swing it just take it to Junction City OR and have a truck type bolt together unit made. I had no problems and it came with a warranty.



On Sunday, April 27, 2014 7:07 PM, thomas w insall jr wrote:

More info please. Twi 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95127
David,

It wasn't built in Sumner, it was removed & replaced in Sumner, it was built in Tacoma by Performance Radiator & it did come with a warranty.
Total cost for the Radiator and labor was $7001.68. Cost for the custom built (at the time 2009) radiator with the extras under a rushed situation was $4911.68.
Now all that being said, today replacements are much more reasonable, give radiator specialties a call. Sometimes you might have to send the core to them but if timing works, well worth it.

Jim

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95131
Good luck. Even if it has a warranty you still need the subletter to stand behind it!



On Monday, April 28, 2014 8:45 PM, Jim Lewis wrote:

David,

It wasn't built in Sumner, it was removed & replaced in Sumner, it was built in Tacoma by Performance Radiator & it did come with a warranty.
Total cost for the Radiator and labor was $7001.68. Cost for the custom built (at the time 2009) radiator with the extras under a rushed situation was $4911.68.
Now all that being said, today replacements are much more reasonable, give radiator specialties a call. Sometimes you might have to send the core to them but if timing works, well worth it.

Jim

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95633
Hi to all,

I am a new member here but not new to RV's. I have a 2004 CC Intrigue 11772 and have been watching the radiator for any signs of a leak. Seeing the note below for CC Unit 11731 caught my eye. Short of fluid on the ground how can I tell if there are any internal leaks? Is the fluid visible in the radiator when I check fluid level? Any information will be appreciated.

Thanks

Glen and Barb Burgess
2004 CC Intrigue Ovation
2013 Jeep Wrangler

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95634
Well the first you should notice is if your using ES Cummins complete that is blue in color it will be a shade darker leaning toward violet. But as most men are color blind to some extent to you might check the PH of the coolant and if its off and you know the charge filter has been replaced recently something is wrong. You might also notice the freezing temp rating is wrong for a 50/50 mix with water. You could always take a sample and take to your nearest Freightliner dealer for analysis. That also what I would do with the transmission fluid. As your unit was built in 04 it should have Transynd fluid and not Dexron III. The fluid should be medium red in color. Take out a sample and place it in a salad dish and orient the fluid so you can see the surface being illuminated by a strong light source. If You can see the a random sheen sort like what happens when oil is on top of water, tilt. In my case the cross contamination was so bad the fluid looked like it had a milky , frosty pink accent color to it around the edges. But here again if you take a sample to Freightliner they can tell you if the fluid has been contaminated. You should also be thinking about replacing radiator hoses and the hoses from the top of the block to the over flow tank to the top of the radiator.

Another issue you are going to have to deal with is deterioration of the small fuel lines to the Hydro-hot and the diesel genset. They should be cracking by now. Hopefully some has already replaced them for you. The other issue is the fan contoller. If the temp guage never gets above 175 to 18- degrees your fan is running wide open and the issue needs to be fixed. The engine is designed to operated between 195 and 205 and lower temps make the engine run less efficiently and your fuel milage will drop at least 1 mpg. Or about 7 cents a mile. 10,000 miles a year cost you $700.00 in a year.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95636
Thanks for the information. I will start being more attentive.
We purchased a low mileage unit with only 25,000 miles, never lived in, only driven a few miles each year and always kept under cover. Beautiful unit with most options. It still needs the tv's changed even though the PO had Direct TV sat setup.

Is there any mileage criteria for the radiator to scrap out? Can I expect anytime, 50,000 mile etc. As to the hoses yes they have been replaced by me. The Hydro Hot is a new replacement unit. So far everything appears to work as hoped. We will see what happens when cold weather returns to Iowa.

Glen and Barb Burgess
 

Re: Dreaded Radiator Leak Has Arrived

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95639
I would look more to hours of operation. Mine failed around 1600 hours. Oh and I am on my 3rd Charge air cooler that cools the air from the turbo before it enters the engine. The first one lasted 1 year. The second lasted 6 years. I'm on my 3rd.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731