I need to find a place that can and will do a legitimate drain and flush of the cooling system on a 320, by the book. Sounds simple, eh, easy as pouring pi** out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel, but apparently not. Here's my sad tale of coolant history...
Took coach to a highly respected shop in Nac with instructions to check it over, change filters, general check out. Two three inch hoses were replaced to radiator, and the 6 mo old Fleetguard ELC was discarded and replaced with off brand ethylene glycol coolant "for diesel engines." Red. Was emphatically told that Fleetguard ELC ethylene glycol coolant couldn't be used in this engine cause "the blue stuff is wrong."
Coach is slowly losing coolant over the next 500 miles. Called a mobile service place who found a rotted four inch hose you could easily stick your finger through. Made arrangements to have coolant drained (they couldn't recover it) and replaced with new. Coach is ready to go right at closing time, checked with mechanic to see how many gallons of coolant was added. Eight. "You didn't drain out all the old?" No. Looked at the jug, its also off brand stuff and red, but OAT. Told the mechanic that OAT and ethylene glycol don't mix, his response is that any red coolant mixes with any other red coolant. Paid the bill for the 900.00 roadside service, parts etc. and drove off, knowing it ain't over.
So, I've got to get all this incompatible **ap out and get the proper coolant in. Unfortunately I can't think of any way to do this work myself in Austin, so need a shop capable of draining, flushing, and adding proper coolant and distilled water. I'm thinking OAT is the way to go, but don't want off brand stuff.
Can anyone recommend a place? Is it essential that it be immediately replaced or could I squeak by for a couple hundred miles till I get to where I can diy?
Chuck,
San Antonio area, about 80 miles away from Austin.
No personal experience here
Maintenance, repair, service school buses & coaches - San Antonio, TX (http://www.alamocitytruck.com/alamo-city-truck-service-school-bus-coach-repair-maintenance-service.html)
but below are some comments that I have save for that area in case I am in the need of service around there.
I keep a WORD file of repair shops for future reference.
As you found out you must be sure to talk, and put in writing very specific work orders. Best to be around when they do the work, although many places claim "insurance" reasons keep you out.
You might also try a search here
RV Service Reviews (http://www.rvservicereviews.com/)
Good luck,
Rick
San Antonio, TX, Repair shops
RV Service San Antonio, Tx
Posted by: "JL" jandlbrooks@yahoo.com jandlbrooks
Mon Jan 3, 2011 5:32 pm (PST)
Hello, I have had good service, reasonable prices, and almost no waiting to get in here:
http://www.alamocit ytruck.com/
They maintain a wide range of vehicles, not just OTR trucks. They have a couple of techs that only do the RV stuff and understand clean.
Jim
'96 Sahara, 300 CAT
Re: RV Service San Antonio, Tx
Posted by: "Jim Godward" ac7po@bresnan.net jimac7po
Mon Jan 3, 2011 7:11 pm (PST)
Jim,
I checked the web site and as soon as I saw they worked on Van Hool, I knew
the kind of shop they are. I had service at ABC bus in MN and they are a
Van HOOL distributer. My God, clean isn't the work for it!! That I is one
of my check points, to see if they service most anyone of the buses and
especially Van Hool. I know I will get a good job and it will be clean!!
Jim
AC7PO
James Godward
Belgrade, MT
2001 DutchStar
Look at Fleet Maintenance of Texas there in Austin
Fleet Maintenance of Texas | Truck, Trailer Repair & Maintenance (http://fmtaustin.com/)
Thanks for the responses,its headed for Cummins tomorrow for a flush and fill. Fleet Maint., to their credit, did find the leak however they are the ones who dumped OAT coolant on top of the ELC EG.
Hopefully Cummins can get it right. I won't be there to jinx the process.
I use Fleetguard ES Compleat OAT coolant. When I had Bernt Ramspeck change my coolant, I brought my coolant to him.