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Topic: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA  (Read 891 times) previous topic - next topic

Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Good day folks!  I've had my "new baby" at a repair shop just after buying her and driving her 2000 miles home, handling the seal leak and a few other things and at the end of the repair list they noted my radiator is leaking.  This is a heavy duty truck shop and they've had a look and it appears will be quite the project to drop the radiator out by raising the rear end.  Foretravel says 12-14 hr job, yet no feedback on process.  Before green lighting that they go forward I thought I would ask if anyone has any experience or tips they can provide that I can communicate to the shop to potentially save time with the removal/replacement.  These are coach bucks I was not expecting, much like the oil leak on the way home)  They have a place that can re-core (the lead time at Atlas Radiator in Corpus is 12 weeks, as an FYI) I researched radiators on the site and learned that it's a b!tich and many places won't mess with it.  This shop has been exemplary thus far and they will tackle.  Just looking for advice and/or experience to pass onto them.  Many thanks.

JL 

Re: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Reply #1 –
Do you have a side-facing radiator on the passenger side?  If so, the link below will give you some idea what is involved in a radiator R & R on a U320.  Your radiator mounting area will be of similar construction but may differ in some details.  It is a BIG job.  Some hardy Forum members have accomplished this task on their own, but probably better to let a competent shop do the heavy lifting.  You can remove the air intake grill (or in some cases the whole body panel) to gain better work access and allow the radiator to come out the side rather than straight down.

Radiator Replaced on a 2003 U320 Cummins M-11
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Reply #2 –
Andy2, Just did his side rad on a GV with a 6v92 maybe he will chime in.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Reply #3 –
Andy just had his recored but did the R&R himself. He is an excellent mechanic and can see the easiest way to do things. I don't think it was that bad. He won't mind spending some time on the phone and has some photos. I remember he separated the fans before pulling. PM him: Andy and Eileen Wright.

You probably have the later coach with the horizontal radiator with two fans?

Both Andy and I went to our respective Detroit dealers and both recommended the green antifreeze. You would not want to develop a leak in the aftercooler.

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

Re: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Reply #4 –
Bars leak first, approved by FT
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Reply #5 –
Is it leakage or seepage right now? Helps to know. My coach has bolted tank headers so my first start would be check the bolt torque.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Reply #6 –
1993 u 300 should be rear radiator and is a extensive job. That being said you do not want a v692 to overheat. Thats the #1 killer of this engine. There are a couple small hoses behind starter and i would definitly replace them at same time along with water pump and any other hoses You find compromised. Also check belts.
You will save a lot in long run.
Just my opinion.

Re: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Tranydoctor –
1993 u 300 should be rear radiator and is a extensive job. That being said you do not want a v692 to overheat. Thats the #1 killer of this engine. There are a couple small hoses behind starter and i would definitly replace them at same time along with water pump and any other hoses You find compromised. Also check belts.
You will save a lot in long run.
Just my opinion.
The 1992 through 1995 models are all side radiators. '92s had a vertical single fan radiator.

Overheating is not good for any engine but especially engines with wet liners like 92 series Detroits and Cummins except for the 5.9.

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

Re: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Reply #8 –
I replaced our side radiator/CAC last year.  Atlas made a new one based on our build number.  They are heavy, and with the CAC attached tend to tilt to that side.  I used motorcycle lifts (cheap at Harbor Freight) to ease it into place and since I was not on a concrete floor, needed my tractor to move it to the coach.  As someone else said, it is pretty involved.  While the space was open, I cleaned up all the surface rust, rebuilt the fan motors and replaced all coolant and hydraulic hoses and transmission cooler.  Even with my own labor, it was expensive.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8
 

Re: Radiator removal experience 1993 Grand Villa Unihome 300 Detroit 6V92TA

Reply #9 –
I have talked to JL on the phone and gave him what I did and my experience, have not heard back from him yet.😀
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921