Toddgoodwin Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 So we headed from Ohio to the FMCA rally in Gillette Wyoming pulling our Chevy Colorado with our 2005 HR Ambassador with the ISO 330 loaded pretty heavy. Got out to South Dakota and the temps were running in the upper 90s and I started seeing temps over 200 pretty often. Was running a little slower anyway but the coach seems to run hot. When I stop for a break cools right back to 180. Disconnected the truck and let my son drive the final leg in Wyoming and it seemed to still run hot. Coolant is new and full. Fan running good and when I stand behind the coach at an idle the air flow seems good. Am I just trying to do too much on too hot a day? Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstickbill Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Have you cleaned the radiator lately, and do you down shift when pulling hills? Being loaded pretty heavy could also be a culprit. Bill B 07 Dynasty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddgoodwin Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 Had the radiator flushed and new coolant put in. Are you saying cleaning the fins? I have not. It has had its radiator replaced by the guy I bought it from but it's been a few years and it does look dirty. What do you clean that with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary 05 AMB DST Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Todd, my temperature will go over 200 then the fan kicks in and it goes down to 180. I have the Cummins add-on thermostatic fan clutch that was installed in 06, 07. Could you have that? Gary 05 AMB DST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millionroy Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Recently discovered my overheating 2001 HR 330 ISC had a large hole on the medial (inside) side of the muffler. Downshifting only made it worse because of course the exhaust was directed directly toward the fan where it was immediately blown into the shroud through the radiator. Replaced the muffler, drove it up a 3-4 mile incline and never hit 200F. If not that, the next thing would be cleaning the radiator. I use Extreme Simple Green. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddgoodwin Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 8 minutes ago, Gary 05 AMB DST said: Todd, my temperature will go over 200 then the fan kicks in and it goes down to 180. I have the Cummins add-on thermostatic fan clutch that was installed in 06, 07. Could you have that? Gary 05 AMB DST I haven't put one on but it may have been by the last guy. Also it would not come back down many times without me stopping. 10 minutes ago, millionroy said: Recently discovered my overheating 2001 HR 330 ISC had a large hole on the medial (inside) side of the muffler. Downshifting only made it worse because of course the exhaust was directed directly toward the fan where it was immediately blown into the shroud through the radiator. Replaced the muffler, drove it up a 3-4 mile incline and never hit 200F. If not that, the next thing would be cleaning the radiator. I use Extreme Simple Green. Good luck. I will check the muffler. Very interesting because my mechanic and I were just talking about how we are coming up to having to change the muffler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVSSNAKE Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 On a bright sunny day go inside and lift the engine cover and see if you can see daylight through the radiator. my guess is you really need to clean it. I do ours every year and we only put about 4000mi a year on ours. I use simple green pro HD, It’s purple. bought a gallon and got a spray bottle full with it. used about a spray bottle and a half and now can see everything through it. I use a power washer but you need to be careful and not get too close. you can damage things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddgoodwin Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 7 minutes ago, RVSSNAKE said: On a bright sunny day go inside and lift the engine cover and see if you can see daylight through the radiator. my guess is you really need to clean it. I do ours every year and we only put about 4000mi a year on ours. I use simple green pro HD, It’s purple. bought a gallon and got a spray bottle full with it. used about a spray bottle and a half and now can see everything through it. I use a power washer but you need to be careful and not get too close. you can damage things. Thank you! I'll let you know how it goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrayj1 Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 John, what PSI pressure washer do you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbr046 Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 A little different application, but I use a 30 yr old gas powered power washer to clean my off road bike. It's got an adjustable wand (not the type that replaces nozzles tips) that can almost cut concrete with a focused stream. Twist it to fan spray and can wash the bike without getting water under the seals or blowing off the decals. At a distance with a fan spray I wouldn't be afraid to do my Endeavor radiator. Be sure to let the Simple Green set for 10-15 min. Even the green stuff is like magic. - bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerman Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 In many cases a dirty radiator is only really evident outside of the fan diameter in the corners and a along the edges. Using the safe Simple Green and a garden hose sprayer usually works fine. I’m hesitant to use a power washer. As others have mentioned, let the Simple Green set a bit on a cold radiator. Best to take your time and do the procedure a couple times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVSSNAKE Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 9 hours ago, Wrayj1 said: John, what PSI pressure washer do you use? Mine is 3100psi. I use the 45* setting on the tip and stay about a foot or two away. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J A Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Check the radiator for needed cleanng at night with a trouble light shining from the engne side. You will see the areas needing attention. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneC Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Thought I would add to the post, it is 90 degrees outside, you are working the motor, running at 200 degrees or even climbing higher when on a hard pull to me is normal, as soon as you back off on the fuel and or come down a long grade and temp drops between 185 / 190 that to me is perfectly normal, anyone else? Hope that helps Wayne 1999 Signature Caesar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary 05 AMB DST Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 At what temperature does the warning light come on? Gary 05 AMB DST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevada Rob Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 A clean radiator is a great place to start especially with a rear pusher fan system. Every bit of road crud gets picked up and blown into the fan and then stuck in the cooling fins. I use WaterWetter along with coolant and it helps. Yesterday coming home it was 113 degrees. 2008 Dynasty with ISL 425 pulling a 22 ft enclosed trailer. 4% grade with a 15 mph head wind. Engine temp runs up to 214 degrees then back down to just above 195. From info in to original post, I don't think the problem is a major deal. A little play time with a garden hose on a hot summer day sounds like a good time. https://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-80204-Water-Wetter/dp/B000CPI5ZK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck B 2004 Windsor Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 There is a lot of difference in the mechanics of cooling in a rear radiator versus a side radiator coach cooling. There is also a lot of difference in the mechanics involved in side radiator cooling. Apples to oranges? Chuck B 2004 Windsor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel S - '96 Safari Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 On 7/5/2021 at 7:39 AM, Chargerman said: In many cases a dirty radiator is only really evident outside of the fan diameter in the corners and a along the edges. Using the safe Simple Green and a garden hose sprayer usually works fine. I’m hesitant to use a power washer. As others have mentioned, let the Simple Green set a bit on a cold radiator. Best to take your time and do the procedure a couple times. On my rear radiator Safari I find that idling the engine AFTER the solvent application, and WHILE rinsing, results in a much more thorough cleaning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel S - '96 Safari Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 (edited) Here's how to tell if your cleaning job is effective: Every passage in this radiator is blowing bubbles, (engine at idle): Edited July 6, 2021 by Mel S - '96 Safari Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddgoodwin Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 UPDATE:. First, thank you for the responses! I opened the hatch and was starting to check out the light coming through the radiator when I noticed about a 4"x4" area in the lower right corner covered in little papers and general filth. Other side I pulled out a Dorito bag. Can't believe it! Also the radiator was grimy. I got all the paper, leaves and trash out, thoroughly soaked it in Simple Green and left for 20 minutes. Rinsed it thoroughly and a ton of grime hit the ground. Started her up afterwards and it blew bubbles for a few minutes. One question: Is it normal to have a space in the middle that has a little less air flow at idle? I figured there probably is a little less because of no fan blades in the center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerman Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 Glad to hear that you got it clean. Yes it’s normal to have less airflow in the center and also the corners. Hopefully it will run a bit cooler for you now. It’s a good habit as part of your annual maintenance to give the radiator a cleaning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now