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Topic: Coolant leak  (Read 658 times) previous topic - next topic

Coolant leak

I have a slow drip up front on the right side of the generator that I assume is from the heater core.  Can I just loop the outbound and inbound hose back at the motor for now as I never use the dash heater?
George & Lisa Kuhn
1998 U295
1998 Chevy Tahoe 2D 4WD

Re: Coolant leak

Reply #1 –
George, Check to see if their is a drain in that area. I found water dripping in that area too. I noticed it was clear water, i.e. no color as would be expected from antifreeze. Then on closer inspection I found a hose stub that was cut at an angle, see photo. It turned out to just be condensation.
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Coolant leak

Reply #2 –
Yes, but better to install a ball valve--two is even better (on on IN and OUT at the heater core) and leave it/them closes.

A loop will work, but you flow through the motor-aid portion of the water heater will be substantially reduced.

Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Coolant leak

Reply #3 –
Brett I have a gas water heater, no aqua hot, is there a motor aid on mine?
George & Lisa Kuhn
1998 U295
1998 Chevy Tahoe 2D 4WD

Re: Coolant leak

Reply #4 –
I thought the coolent control valve in the system controlled coolent flow to the heater core to control temp and in the off position made a loop back to the engine as part of the system? Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Coolant leak

Reply #5 –
Quote from: George Kuhn –
Brett I have a gas water heater, no aqua hot, is there a motor aid on mine?
Our 1997 U295 has the motor aid for the water heater.

To test yours, leave the propane and electric heaters for the water heater in the off state. Start with no hot water in the water heater if you can. Drive for a couple of hours, or all day. See if you have hot water at the tap.

Also, there is a multi-turn faucet valve near our water heater. I think it is supposed to adjust hot water flow between the water heater and the dash heater. I've not noticed any difference when I changed the setting of that valve.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Coolant leak

Reply #6 –
Quote from: gam –
I thought the coolent control valve in the system controlled coolent flow to the heater core to control temp and in the off position made a loop back to the engine as part of the system? Gam

Yes, but the failure of this valve to close completely has accounted for a lot of "why isn't my dash A/C cooling properly.  A couple of bucks on ball valves guarantee no water flow. Not a bad idea on all systems-- leave the valve(s) closed in the summer.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Coolant leak

Reply #7 –
I think you guys just saved me a bunch of money at the local truck A/C shop.  Forgot all about shutting that valve, and DW kept telling me that I had to get the A/C fixed!!!  Hopefully I just fixed it.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Coolant leak

Reply #8 –
To be sure we had a heater core leak and not dash air condensate, I put a catch container under the heater core drain hose to accumulate the drips. Measuring the container contents with a hydrometer proved it was antifreeze. Since it was summer and did not have a current need for dash heat, we put ball valves on in & out heater hoses located on side of engine.

Dash heaters use coolant valves usually located near generator area. .Some of these valves just turn off the input heater hose and leave the other heater hose open. Another type of valve has a bypass function that when fully or partly closed, the input heater hose flows all or some coolant back to engine.

There would be no problem removing the heater valve and connecting the in-hose to the out-hose, to stop the heater core from losing coolant. Making the loop back at generator area would keep hot water tank motor heat working.
 

Re: Coolant leak

Reply #9 –
Thanks for the help guys, going to get into it in the morning. Will let you know if I have any surprises.
George & Lisa Kuhn
1998 U295
1998 Chevy Tahoe 2D 4WD