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Topic: engine cooling performance (Read 867 times) previous topic - next topic

engine cooling performance

 Hello all;          1999 295 3600
        Recently there was a comment on leaves and such blocking the air flow to the radiator. I looked at mine and it appeared to be clean as I normally spray this area liberally with water. Upon closer inspection there looked to be a few leaves between the charge air cooler and the hydraulic cooling coil and the radiator. After removing the rubber belting at the bottom of the radiator there was more trash than I first thought.
      I then drilled out the six rivets holding the side grille louver and replaced them with 1/4 - 20 clip nuts and 1 inch long s/s machine screws from the hardware store.
At the top of this opening there is another piece of belting across the top of the radiator. I removed three screws from each end and lifted the belting back to find the two top bolts holding the hydraulic cooling coil and removed them.
      Now back to the bottom of the radiator where you find the other two bolts holding the hydraulic cooling coil remove them and carefully lower the coil. (Note I had the rear of the coach over a incline to offer more clearance to the engine area.)
      Between the charge cooler and the radiator you probably will find trash. I sprayed this area  and the lower radiator support channel ,liberally with water to remove a large amount of dirt.
      With this area blocked you are losing approx. two square feet of cooling to the radiator and cooling coils. Reverse procedure to button everything up and now you have a removable louver for future cleaning efforts. 
NOTE: There are a lot of screws along the bottom of the radiator belting area and some may break off, if you replace them use SHORT screws where the original holes are to avoid PUNCTURING THE RADIATOR
      Hope this helps everyone.
Gary & Sharon Karnes
1999 295 WTFE 3600

Re: engine cooling performance

Reply #1 –
We did the same cleanning and also found a LOT of trash leaves, etc blocking the air flow to the radiator.
 
When we put the rubber belting back together, we then used yellow spray expanding foam to close off all places around the rad & belting that allow air to be sucked in from the sides.  Then painted the foam for increased durability.
The intent of the foam is to force all air being sucked by the fans to only come in from the outside of the coach and less to be recycled back in from engine side where air is much warmer. This also forces more air through the charge air cooler as well.  We had LOTS of places where there were large gaps in the belting.
 
We also put a piece of hardware cloth behind side grill louver to catch some debris.  Nice to be able to remove the grill when needed.  Later coaches have hinged grills that can be easily opened.