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Topic: Help with generator coolant issue  (Read 576 times) previous topic - next topic

Help with generator coolant issue

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?
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #1 –
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?
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #2 –
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.
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Lt403 –
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...
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #4 –
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

Post or PM with questions.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #5 –
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?
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Lt403 –
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.
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #7 –
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.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #8 –
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...
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Realmccoy –
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.
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Grant L –
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?
Quote from: Grant L –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #11 –
Once the rubber bottom cover is off you should be able to get at everything.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #12 –
That's what my engine is, a Kubota
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH
 

Re: Help with generator coolant issue

Reply #13 –
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!
Grant and Betty
1996  U320C  40' WTBI 4949, Xtreme FBP 2011
2003 CRV