Replacing the radiator (update)

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Replacing the radiator (update)

March 27, 2017, 01:14:22 am

As mentioned earlier, I'm in the process of replacing my radiator (2000 u320). Removing CAC, which was in excellent condition, was simple. Not so easy is removing the fan bracket bolts from the engine side. The few that I was not able to get at should be accessible once I lower the radiator on to my motorcycle lift and tilt it.
I'm seriously considering replacing the rusted tranny cooler, along with the hydraulic lines while everything is open. Has anyone replaced their cooler? I'm looking for a source and hoping to minimize the cost.
Thanks, Sven
The fins on the radiator are completely rotted and fall apart when you touch them. Don't think there will even be scrap value here.

Re: Radiator update

Reply #1 – March 27, 2017, 01:36:47 am

I had my radiator pulled and checked $1200( for cleaning only). Cooler was in pretty good shape but had a crack in it. So I welded I up and had it all put back together. No easy task.. Radiator is big and heavy

Re: Radiator update

Reply #2 – March 28, 2017, 01:18:58 pm

I replaced the transmission cooler too. It was expensive and I think the source was FT.

Re: Radiator update

Reply #3 – March 28, 2017, 02:52:08 pm

My radiator is starting to shed fins. I am not looking forward to manhandling that massive contraption out of its mounts.

Re: Radiator update

Reply #4 – March 28, 2017, 08:01:43 pm

Sven any idea of why the fins rotted, do you live on the coast? If so there are some aluminum coatings available for coastal areas that are designed for coils. Don't know for sure the cost or if they can be spray applied. Might be worthwhile checking it out.

Re: Radiator update

Reply #5 – March 29, 2017, 01:03:02 am

Any body find a source for this work in Mexico?

Re: Radiator update

Reply #6 – March 29, 2017, 01:31:26 am

Quote from: Old phart phred – March 28, 2017, 08:01:43 pm

Sven any idea of why the fins rotted, do you live on the coast? If so there are some aluminum coatings available for coastal areas that are designed for coils. Don't know for sure the cost or if they can be spray applied. Might be worthwhile checking it out.

I've only had the coach since last summer. The original owner lived in New York state. We are in the San Diego area, so we won't have to worry much about the rust in the future.

Re: Radiator update

Reply #7 – March 29, 2017, 01:34:34 am

Quote from: RvTrvlr – March 28, 2017, 02:52:08 pm

My radiator is starting to shed fins. I am not looking forward to manhandling that massive contraption out of its mounts.

The biggest problem so far has been the bracket bolts for the fans - hard to get to from the engine side. If you have a bedroom slide, I think it would be "damn near impossible" due to the limited access. They would have to get a trained monkey to crawl up in there.
A motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight is the perfect tool for lifting and lowering it.

Re: Radiator update

Reply #8 – April 12, 2017, 11:13:13 pm

Sven, any more pictures and other than the slobber tube what are you up to now?
JohnH

Re: Radiator update

Reply #9 – April 13, 2017, 10:41:40 pm

I've removed all the hydraulic, ATF and coolant lines and am prepping the frame for paint. All the fan brackets are finished and I recently spent a fortune on hoses ( close to $700 on two transmission hoses to the cooler). Today I took a day off to help my daughter replace all her car's brake pads and shoes (she did half the work). Tomorrow I should be able to get around to rebuilding the fan motors. I'd like to do the install next week and start getting ready for the May 4 rally up by Gilroy, CA.
I will post more photos.

Re: Radiator update

Reply #10 – April 13, 2017, 11:07:47 pm

Were those OEM hoses for $700, or did you go to a hose shop? For that kinda coin you may have been able to get some Earl's braided stainless steel, depending on the pressure/temp rating.

Re: Radiator update

Reply #11 – April 13, 2017, 11:42:44 pm

Quote from: Old phart phred – April 13, 2017, 11:07:47 pm

Were those OEM hoses for $700, or did you go to a hose shop? For that kinda coin you may have been able to get some Earl's braided stainless steel, depending on the pressure/temp rating.

All of the hoses are made to fit, using Eaton materials. They didn't charge me for labor to remove and replace the elbow fittings at the bottom of the "valve body" on the bottom of the forward fan. When I asked about the blue hoses, I was told that my OEM ones were blue under the black soot and oil.
I'm trying to decide if I should replace the fuel hoses (where does it end?), and will probably do that if I can see how far forward it goes and if I can access it. Has anyone done this?

Re: Radiator update

Reply #12 – April 14, 2017, 12:48:10 am

They go to the fuel tank. I posted on the change out on mine, but someone else came up with a better idea. I removed the covers and pulled new line connected to old line. With all the zip ties it was a pain. Do a search someone else left the old lines and used a rod to pull the new ones straight through without have to pull all the covers and cut the zip ties.

Fuel lines

Re: Radiator update

Reply #13 – April 14, 2017, 12:57:53 am

There are several grades of braided hydraulic hose and a equal number of fittings. Ours are single jacketed and if allowed to rub against each other, they chafe through. The double jacketed has two layers of steel wire. Very tough but a little less flexible. I had the single jacketed made up and they were about $60 each on our trip last fall. Quite a few more left to go but it was my fault not to see that the two rubbed before we left on our trip. On the road is more difficult as a 1" crow's foot is sure handy and glad I had it along. One of the new hoses had 1 1/16" fittings so now I have another crow's foot.

The generator fuel supply line (side generator U300) is a fast piece of cake in just a few minutes. The others are harder with pulling the tank out and then dropping the tin overhead in the storage compartment, etc. I have fed HDMI and RG6 way back and it just took time and a bit of contortion. All new fuel hoses should be bio-diesel compatible but ask. Probably good to purchase a 100 foot roll as it will be less expensive that way and do your homework for quality comparison.

Pierce

Re: Radiator update

Reply #14 – April 14, 2017, 08:39:20 am

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – April 13, 2017, 11:42:44 pm

I'm trying to decide if I should replace the fuel hoses (where does it end?), and will probably do that if I can see how far forward it goes and if I can access it. Has anyone done this?

Sven,

A good number of folks with late 90's and into 2001-era coaches have had to replace fuel lines to both generator and big engine in the last few years. Problem was cracking in the hosing allowing air to be sucked in. It seems to be a case of "when" rather than "if".

If the work you're doing is offering greater access to the fuel lines, it might make sense to tackle it now.

Re: Radiator update

Reply #15 – April 14, 2017, 12:49:53 pm

Quote from: RvTrvlr – March 28, 2017, 02:52:08 pm

My radiator is starting to shed fins. I am not looking forward to manhandling that massive contraption out of its mounts.

If you decide to do it yourself, look for lifting devises rather than manhandling it. Motorcycle lifts (cheap from Harbor Freight) are excellent. If you have to move it over uneven ground, a tractor helps.

Replacing the radiator (update)

Reply #16 – April 27, 2017, 07:30:55 pm

Mostly assembled and ready to install. Lots of detail work. Hopefully no issues left.

Re: Replacing the radiator (update)

Reply #17 – April 27, 2017, 07:42:59 pm

Funny I was just thinking today of asking how it was going. Do not be bashfull about posting many more pics of things and install too.
JohnH

Re: Replacing the radiator (update)

Reply #18 – April 27, 2017, 08:08:38 pm

Looks like a nice neat and clean job. Excellent!

P

Re: Replacing the radiator (update)

Reply #19 – April 27, 2017, 08:40:01 pm

Looks good!!

Re: Replacing the radiator (update)

Reply #20 – April 27, 2017, 09:02:36 pm

Am I missing something, something looks not quite right about the piping arrangement. If the piping going into the bottom of the pumps is inlets (to prevent air binding) why are the outlets tied together and going nowhere? Is there a bypass I am not seeing, or are these pumps piped in series? School me

Re: Replacing the radiator (update)

Reply #21 – April 27, 2017, 09:16:01 pm

They are piped in series.

Re: Replacing the radiator (update)

Reply #22 – April 27, 2017, 09:53:03 pm

So the right fan is always "on" and the left pump is counter-revolutionary and has a built-in bypass and a return to the hydraulic resivouir connection somewhere. Thanks for the schoolings. Just learning. Looked a photos six times to try to figure out the fan pitch from the photos still not sure as appears to be an optical illusion in a flat photo.

Re: Replacing the radiator (update)

Reply #23 – April 27, 2017, 10:00:47 pm

Nice job. Looks really crisp. Is the black cylinder on the bottom an oil or tranny cooler? Stock or aftermarket?

Mark

Re: Replacing the radiator (update)

Reply #24 – April 27, 2017, 10:04:28 pm

Sven and Kristi:

Interesting that your hose to the main motors iron input in the lower side has a single large hose.

My 97 has two smaller hoses, no idea why?

Btw beautiful work. If I follow you home will you keep me?

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