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travelling dust storm

Yahoo Message Number: 116362
We are fairly new Country Coach owners and have been thoroughly enjoying our coach. One complaint we have is when we travel on gravel or dirt roads, we create a huge dust storm, even at slow speeds. Is this typical of these coaches? What causes it and is there anything that can be done about it? We have a 2002 with a Cummins 400 ISL engine.

Carol Eberhart
2002 Intrigue #11410

Re: travelling dust storm

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116363
Welcome Carol,

The dust is caused by the engine cooling fan running on high speed. The cause of this is one or more of the following

  • The fan drive controller may have failed causing the fan to always run on high
  • The coolant temperature sensor is signaling for high speed fan either because the engine is hot or the sensor has failed
  • The charge air temperature sensor is signaling for high speed fan either because the charge air is hot or the sensor has failed.
  • The chassis air conditioner is turned on and the high side pressure is high enough to require high fan speed to cool the air conditioning condenser.
Good luck.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: travelling dust storm

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116364
George you are right on all counts but upon looking into this earlier this year, info that I found indicates that with our fan controllers, engine RPM has a major effect on fan speed as well, even if the air and coolant sensors are working properly.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: travelling dust storm

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116365
I had the same problem until I had Source Engineering install there wax valve. Now my fan comes on only at 190deg and I live down a gravel road about a 1/4 mile long, nothing.
http://sourcerv.com/conversion
Floyd 2006 Inspire 51744

Re: travelling dust storm

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116381
Bill - Nice leg work not only adding the thread, but sharing the actual numbers you found helpful. (I remember when then Diplomat Don share his approach:)!).

Floyd - I too have the Source Engineering Thermal Valve, pleased with how it's worked for us too. (And, sense the change, I have not seen a need for adding more dust control via the sheet metal approach.)

For those considering working on dust control, this could be a project where having two solutions are beneficial.

A caution, as I did talk with George about the Wax Valve we had Source Engineering install in Santa Fe awhile back (Still need to network with him on E-Bikes, as my DW says in 2019 she'll be ready to transition to some assistance for the hill climbing on bicycles:)!). George pointed out that on coaches with dual zone OTR AC's, that the OEM Fan Controller does provide some added safety benefits based upon the zones of OTR AC's that are on. George is like a walking encyclopedia on many areas of our RV's. So if anyone planning on dust control mod's with dual OTR AC's - I'd suggest reaching out to George for further input:)!

One other semi related item, that I've had on my To Do list of modifications for now almost 3 years (Over things seem to pop up in front of this mod:)!. I do plan to add some engine compartment fans, to exhaust the heat when pulling into a campground after a long days drive. I want these to be controlled by me as far as On/Off - as sometimes when traveling in cold weather, I'd like to retain that heat sink masses assistance in the bedroom. (And yep, I strayed from Dust Control:)!)

Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)