Crack in Charger Air Cooler (CAC) for 2000 Affinity CC Part #18126

September 12, 2010, 02:27:20 pm

Wagner CAT in Aurora (Denver)advised yesterday they just completed major repairs to my C-12 engine with 94,600 miles (which was bad enough with such low hours and mileage for a CAT engine), but the dyno shows the engine is only developing half the rated boost and horsepower due to a visable crack in the charge air cooler. The service manager said I could safely drive the MH from Denver back to South Carolina and have the CAC replaced there and it would not affect the new 4 year warranty for parts and labor on the engine work just completed. It is also his opinion that a "TIG" weld won't hold up but a max of 20,000 miles. He said they replaced many CACs on Country Coaches under warranty and the new parts came from J B Radiator Specialties Inc in Sacramento, CA. (But I don't know what vintage coaches.)
My questions: 1. Can I safely drive from Denver to Columbia, SC and expect no harm to the engine? (Apparently) the crack was present and I never got more than 14-15 turbo boost since I purchased the coack going on 3 years ago. As a new owner, I assumed loss of power/speed going up hills was normal.)

2. Know of many stories on this site and have a friend with a later model CC who has experienced two radiator (coolant/oil) failures who tells me the OEM and replacement were manuf by J.B. Radiator Specialties, Inc. He says Country Coach changed source from JB Radiator Spec. to Radiator Supply House in Sweet Home, OR due to the failure rate somwe time after his coach was manufactured. Does anyone know who manufactured the OEM CAC in my 2000 Affinity CC #5801? Did these have a high failure rate too, or did the high failures come later? I would like to try getting my radiator repaired, if possible, and the last thing I want is to buy a new CAC from a company with a worse track record. Frankly, I had thought the 2000 models predated radiator problems.

Any help is appreciated!

Stranded in Denver (At least the area is nice and Wagner CAT seems to be good.)

Kent & Dale McCoin, 2000 CC Affinity 5801 kmccoin@... cell 803-318-0071

Re: Crack in Charger Air Cooler (CAC) for 2000 Affinity CC Part #181

Reply #1 – September 12, 2010, 06:23:18 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 63402

Kent,

What failed on the engine? What did Wagner Cat say your boost pressures sould be?

Kevin

00 Affinity 5865

Re: Crack in Charger Air Cooler (CAC) for 2000 Affinity CC Part #181

Reply #2 – September 12, 2010, 09:15:20 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 63411

Kent,I am sorry to hear of your coach problems. I agree with the service manager that you can safely operate the coach to return home.
I suggest that you call Brice Thomas in Gadsden, AL. They have done CACs and radiators for several members on this board. They also did my chassis A/C this spring with great result at a great value.

Here is link to BT. http://cgj.com/ 800-223-4299

Good luck Kent

George in Birmingham (currently in Petoskey, MI) '04 Allure 31038

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