Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: coloradomtn on May 31, 2019, 03:03:21 pm

Title: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: coloradomtn on May 31, 2019, 03:03:21 pm
I noticed a small puddle of red fluid (~1/8th of a cup) under the passenger side rear of the coach (engine/radiator) when dumping this morning. 

We drove a short way to the nearest town to get wifi to research the problem.  The engine and transmission temps were all normal during the 20 min drive.  Now there is no leaking that I can see. 

Not sure if it had anything to do with anything, but I noticed it after bleeding the air lines (while the engine was idling).  The coach has been sitting for 3 days and there was nothing leaking the whole time.

I will check for fluid in the cooling system (black box on top right of the engine bay - has radiator cap) when it cools down.  After which I will start up the engine and check the transmission fluid level.

Looking around the engine bay and underneath the engine/trans with a flashlight and I couldn't see any leaks.

Any ideas?  Red is transmission fluid right?  I took a pic of the leak and can post it up if it's of any value.
Title: Re: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on May 31, 2019, 03:23:42 pm
You may have red coolant.  If the puddle was close to the side of the coach on the pass side just behind the drive wheels it could be radiator fluid.  Mine radiator has a rubber piece under the radiator and it was dripping off the front edge of it.
Title: Re: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: Don & Tys on May 31, 2019, 03:30:36 pm
Most likely, it is coolant. They typically have the red extended life coolant from the factory and if you are low, you will notice it first in the plastic expansion tank to the right of the black metal remote mounted radiator reservoir tank. The expansion tank should have a full hot and cold mark on it respectively and should be inspected as part of every pre-trip. The radiators are bolted along the sides and often times, the small leaks can be stemmed by carefully snugging up each of the bolts that you can get a wrench on. The fan motors typically use SAE Grade 15w40 motor oil and can be checked via the dip stick in reservoir on the street side of the engine.
Don
I noticed a small puddle of red fluid (~1/8th of a cup) under the passenger side rear of the coach (engine/radiator) when dumping this morning. 

We drove a short way to the nearest town to get wifi to research the problem.  The engine and transmission temps were all normal during the 20 min drive.  Now there is no leaking that I can see. 

Not sure if it had anything to do with anything, but I noticed it after bleeding the air lines (while the engine was idling).  The coach has been sitting for 3 days and there was nothing leaking the whole time.

I will check for fluid in the cooling system (black box on top right of the engine bay - has radiator cap) when it cools down.  After which I will start up the engine and check the transmission fluid level.

Looking around the engine bay and underneath the engine/trans with a flashlight and I couldn't see any leaks.

Any ideas?  Red is transmission fluid right?  I took a pic of the leak and can post it up if it's of any value.
Title: Re: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: coloradomtn on May 31, 2019, 04:05:15 pm
You may have red coolant.  If the puddle was close to the side of the coach on the pass side just behind the drive wheels it could be radiator fluid.  Mine radiator has a rubber piece under the radiator and it was dripping off the front edge of it.

Yeah, the leak appears to coming from the rear of that rubber strip that sits under the radiator.
Title: Re: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: coloradomtn on May 31, 2019, 04:11:02 pm
Most likely, it is coolant. They typically have the red extended life coolant from the factory and if you are low, you will notice it first in the plastic expansion tank to the right of the black metal remote mounted radiator reservoir tank. The expansion tank should have a full hot and cold mark on it respectively and should be inspected as part of every pre-trip. The radiators are bolted along the sides and often times, the small leaks can be stemmed by carefully snugging up each of the bolts that you can get a wrench on. The fan motors typically use SAE Grade 15w40 motor oil and can be checked via the dip stick in reservoir on the street side of the engine.
Don

Thanks guys.  The radiator reservoir tank is about 1/2 way between the hot and cold mark when the engine is cold.  So I guess it could be overfull?  Maybe it's overflowing and that's what I saw on the ground?  I checked the fans and couldn't see any leaks.

Anyway we are about to get underway again.  Not sure when we will next get internet, so thanks a ton for the help everyone.



Title: Re: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: ohsonew on May 31, 2019, 04:27:15 pm
When I first got my coach it was leaking from the radiator bolts. Tightened up what I could reach and hasn't leaked since.


Larry
Title: Re: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: Dave Dunington on May 31, 2019, 04:29:39 pm
I have found loose radiator hose clamps , if they are just a little loose, they will leak when the engine gets cold... Sometimes all it takes is a half a turn on the clamp and the leak is gone ! The low coolant light will come on when the coolant gets too low... that is the switch at the bottom of the metal tank with the radiator cap on top.... The overflow hose from that container to the plastic recovery tank can also get a small hole in it from rubbing....The metal tank should be right full, the plastic recovery tank has a cold full mark...
Good Luck,
Safe Travels
Dave
Title: Re: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on May 31, 2019, 05:03:12 pm
The two radiator connections are at the rear end. They should have constant tension clamps.  Mine was leaking somewhere in/on the radiator itself.  Some days there would be a bit others not.  I don't like leaks.  I had the radiator repaired.  If Inhad been in TX I would have replaced it.  You have 16 gal of coolant so even a quart won't make any difference.  Get it checked out.
Title: Re: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: JWhite on June 18, 2019, 11:42:04 pm
My 2003 U320 had a leak in the AquaHot, which circulates antifreeze. 
Title: Re: Red fluid leaking from passanger rear, near radatior - 2003 U320 / 450 Cummins
Post by: AC7880 on June 19, 2019, 08:33:15 pm
90% chance it is a seep from the end caps on the radiator if you have the long life red coolant. There are bolts on the end caps you can tighten if you can get to them.

And there is nothing wrong with using Barrs stop leak in the radiator to stop "seeps".  Even FOT and MOT do so.

Search "Barrs" on the forum. This link "might" work: https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=search;sa=results