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Latest episode: radiator

Yahoo Message Number: 98113
Well one more trip, one more breakdown. This time it was the radiator. Apparently the copper & steel core rusted away so bad that it just gave way, dumping all the coolant on the road. Thanks again to Minnesota, even though the coach has never been driven in the winter the road salt seems to do a number on everything even in the off season. The local Cummins N-Power & Coach Care shop says they have replaced three coach side-radiators in the past week, all due to corrosion.

So has anyone had an experience with replacing or re-coring a radiator in a 1998 Intrigue (or similar)? I may have the option to get the old one re-cored or go completely new. Kevin Waite is looking into a new one for me. He already advised me to not go with an aluminum one, so I am looking only for steel/copper. Are there any other outlets/sources that anyone has used? What did the job end up costing? Anything you would do different next time?

Any experiences or advice would be appreciated. I'll update the post when my saga plays out.

Mark M

1998 Intrigue #10661

Re: Latest episode: radiator

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98114
We replaced our 06 Inspire radiator which was leaking from Radiator Specialties in CA and had a new charge air cooler installed at the same time. Two years later, (no snow, no road ice, we keep this baby clean and away from bad things) our new radiator's core started leaking, and I don't know if it shook apart or rusted. We had the option to have it rebuilt which we did here in MN through I-State Truck who does our chassis and motor work. They sent it somewhere, and then it was reinstalled after rebidding. The 2nd time the cost was labor, $2,000 and $1,000 to get it rebuilt. That was about two years ago in the fall and all still good.
Mike Frederick
06 Inspire 51784

Re: Latest episode: radiator

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98135
Sixteen years on a radiator is pretty decent in my eyes. My radiator died at 3 years and 12,000 miles. A copper replacement done at Infinity Coach lasted 4 months and 1500 yes, 1500 miles. Since the installer couldn't look at the problem for four weeks....hummmmm, I took it to Jim Cooley (a former CC employee) at Oregon Motor Coach who hooked me up with a bolt together, big rig radiator that has covered well over 25,000 miles with no problems. I'd go with Jim Cooley or Kevin Waite. These guys "get it". Call me if you have any questions. (206) 406 7111 Dave and Tammy
2006 Inspire
Eatonville, WA
 

Re: Latest episode: radiator

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98138
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I have since found out that the previous owner did in fact replace the radiator and intercooler at one point, so they are not original as I thought. He had also heard that the manufacturer who built the original and was the supplier of OEM replacement radiators & intercoolers to CC for a while in the 2000s (possibly a company named "JD" or "JB" Radiator?) had a bad reputation for poor products and many complaints.

Kevin Waite has a source that he recommended for a replacement radiator and intercooler if needed (I'll have the existing intercooler pressure tested when they get access to it during the radiator removal). Not cheap by any stretch, but like you said he "gets it" and has never steered me wrong so I am going with his recommendation.
I'll update with any other interesting developments (of which I hope there are none, other than the need for a new office chair so I can be sitting down when I tally the final bill...)

Mark M

1998 Intrigue #10661