Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Grant L on August 07, 2021, 04:44:08 pm

Title: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Grant L on August 07, 2021, 04:44:08 pm
Our 1996 U320's Powertech Onan 10 kW generator lost coolant in a very short period.  I poured more coolant in the radiator tank and it flowed out the bottom as quickly as I added it.

I'm assuming that the connection between the bottom of the coolant tank and the generator has come off or is broken.

I've searched the forum and to remove the pulley shroud (the tank is the top of the pulley shroud) it seems that getting up behind the generator, with the generator pulled out to the stops, is helpful.  However from what I can feel by reaching over the top of the radiator tank, the shroud seems to extend behind the belts and pulleys. 

Is the shroud removable without pulling the generator out beyond the stops?  What is the best way of removing the shroud to check the rad tank connection?
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Lt403 on August 07, 2021, 05:19:00 pm
Sorry I can't help you with your question because my coolant tank is in another compartment.
However, your generator engine seems to have been painted.
Are you sure it's an Onan?
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Lt403 on August 07, 2021, 05:23:42 pm
Look under and behind your generator. In order to pull the generator on mine I have to disconnect the flexible exhaust pipe and then pull the generator out.
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Grant L on August 07, 2021, 05:28:13 pm
However, your generator engine seems to have been painted.
Are you sure it's an Onan?

I'm now not sure, I'm away from the coach just now,  I believe the model is PTS MH-10FT.  When I search the internet for that model, I get Kubota...
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on August 07, 2021, 05:34:27 pm
No, Powertech just painted over the nice factory color with their funky silver. But they never prepped the paint so the silver would stick well. Ours is the same.  Here is my recent post with the details, part numbers, etc. 10K PowerTech Maintenance & Modification (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=40361.msg400258#msg400258)

Post or PM with questions.

Pierce
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Grant L on August 07, 2021, 05:45:56 pm
Thanks Pierce; I actually read your post yesterday.  Is the radiator tank on your generator on the top right, as it is in my photo?  If so, how did you get it off?
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Grant L on August 07, 2021, 05:48:00 pm
Look under and behind your generator. In order to pull the generator on mine I have to disconnect the flexible exhaust pipe and then pull the generator out.

Thanks Frank.  I can get the generator out to what I think are hard stops; I think the exhaust and other hoses are not holding it back.
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Realmccoy on August 07, 2021, 05:55:29 pm
On my 1998 I had to take the bottom sound cover off which is heavy rubber set in a metal frame. After the cover is off you can pull it out to the stops and with a good flashlight see the various bolts holding the back half of the fan shroud. I don't think he will have to disconnect the exhaust pipe. Please note that mine is the 8KW, but I imagine the fan shroud is similar.
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Grant L on August 07, 2021, 05:55:51 pm
As an aside, the generator was filling in for my alternator which had died about a week earlier. 

The coach had been sitting in storage for almost two years as a result of covid.  I was taking it back to Canada, a 1500 mile trip from Mesa, so we could get some use out of it.

I found out you can drive a long way without the batteries being charged, as long as they get a good charge at night...
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Grant L on August 07, 2021, 05:59:32 pm
On my 1998 I had to take the bottom sound cover off which is heavy rubber set in a metal frame. After the cover is off you can pull it out to the stops and with a good flashlight see the various bolts holding the back half of the fan shroud. I don't think he will have to disconnect the exhaust pipe. Please note that mine is the 8KW, but I imagine the fan shroud is similar.

Thanks!  I will try that.
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on August 07, 2021, 06:06:14 pm
Our 1996 U320's Powertech Onan 10 kW generator lost coolant in a very short period.  I poured more coolant in the radiator tank and it flowed out the bottom as quickly as I added it.

I'm assuming that the connection between the bottom of the coolant tank and the generator has come off or is broken.

I've searched the forum and to remove the pulley shroud (the tank is the top of the pulley shroud) it seems that getting up behind the generator, with the generator pulled out to the stops, is helpful.  However from what I can feel by reaching over the top of the radiator tank, the shroud seems to extend behind the belts and pulleys. 

Is the shroud removable without pulling the generator out beyond the stops?  What is the best way of removing the shroud to check the rad tank connection?
Thanks Pierce; I actually read your post yesterday.  Is the radiator tank on your generator on the top right, as it is in my photo?  If so, how did you get it off?
No, ours is down lower blocking the view of the oil filter. It was our bottom hose that was bad.

Pierce
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: oldguy on August 07, 2021, 07:16:32 pm
Once the rubber bottom cover is off you should be able to get at everything.
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Lt403 on August 07, 2021, 08:10:45 pm
That's what my engine is, a Kubota
Title: Re: Help with generator coolant issue
Post by: Grant L on September 13, 2021, 03:26:50 pm
Just following up on the fix for our generator coolant leak. 

The leak was from a rubber coolant line at the bottom back of the generator that had been sliced by the bottom of the shroud covering the pulleys.  The top bracket holding the shroud to the engine had broken years ago and the 'temporary' fix (a clamp holding the shroud up and holding it close to the engine) wasn't strong enough to handle some of the rough roads on the trip back from Arizona.

Since the coach was to have other service work done, I took the easy way out and had the shop deal with the hose and shroud.

They did a great job, hopefully, good for many miles to come.

Thanks for all the suggestions!