Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: BamaFan on January 03, 2015, 09:05:57 pm

Title: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: BamaFan on January 03, 2015, 09:05:57 pm
We have lost a half gallon of coolant in 1000 miles since leaving MOT after taking delivery in October. I think this is an excessive amount. Is it?
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: Dave Cobb on January 03, 2015, 09:16:34 pm
I seemed to have lost coolant like that, after opening and messing with the coolant system doing the motor aided new hot water heater drain down and refill.  I finally stopped needing to top to the fill line, and all has been good since.  On my last coach, same thing for the first couple of months, and then it too stopped showing any losses.  I think on that coach the messing with the system and the addition of the extra radiator at the front of the coach, just took a long time to purge all the air.

Question might be asked, has the coolant system been drained and the coolant replaced in the last few months?  Lots of hoses for air to be purged from, and your 1,000 miles has maybe done that purging.
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: Pamela & Mike on January 03, 2015, 09:21:51 pm
Royce,
That seems like a lot. We haven't added any to ours for about 3000 miles. We haven't had our system open sense we replaced our coolant filter. Even after that we didn't add more than a cup of antifreeze after we ran it a couple of hundred miles.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: BamaFan on January 04, 2015, 08:30:23 am
To clarify, the coolant is actually leaking onto the ground under the overflow tank. How much of this is acceptable? Any? Is this a problem?
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: Pamela & Mike on January 04, 2015, 08:37:46 am
Royce,

Look for a crack in the bottom of your overflow tank.  Check to see if the hose clamp on the bottom is loose. While you are there check the hose to see if it is cracked right at the place where it connects to the overflow tank. Replace as needed. Our hose is 5/16" hose and it takes 4'.  You shouldn't be loosing any out of that spot.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: John S on January 04, 2015, 09:24:38 am
That is too much. LOok for a crack on the black tank and try to trace where it is coming from. If you see it under the tank side there is that but also look in the center of the coach. It could be the water pump weeping. I had that happen and had to change mine out last year.
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: gam on January 04, 2015, 11:21:52 am
Check to see if you have the correct radiator cap with gasket . At one time I had the cap without a rubber gasket and I would lose about half a cup of antifreeze every time I drove.
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: Roland Begin on January 04, 2015, 12:40:36 pm
Had a
To clarify, the coolant is actually leaking onto the ground under the overflow tank. How much of this is acceptable? Any? Is this a problem?
Had a leak in my tank, called Foretravel and got a replacement. Not a big deal to replace.

Roland
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: jor on January 04, 2015, 12:48:41 pm
Quote
Look for a crack in the bottom of your overflow tank.
Good possibility. That was my problem. Couldn't even see the crack. All fixed with a new tank which I got from Foretravel. Turns out, they are still using the same tank.
jor
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: John S on January 04, 2015, 01:02:15 pm
Replaced my tank this summer.  Seems the MTF is about the same fore these units.
Title: Re: Losing coolant - '01 U320 ISM450
Post by: Barry & Cindy on January 04, 2015, 02:25:19 pm
If the overflow tank is too full when cold, it could overflow to ground.  We extended the overflow hose into a gallon container so we would know if during a big expansion we are losing coolant (and allow recovery).