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Topic: Coolant leak was in my future. (Read 895 times) previous topic - next topic

Coolant leak was in my future.

 Came to drain the swamp (run solar wires) and now I am up to my *ss in alligators. While looking under the sofa I can see the screws for it were never tightened on the bottom frame rails and the hose for the AH heat exchanger is kinked on a sharp edge of the sofa. Looks like I will have to take the sofa apart as the other end of the hose goes forward into the box on the bottom left of the drivers seat and it is upholstered. Tried to push it with a stick and can't get any slack. Thanks to the search I know how to get the sofa apart, and when I do I can junk the big amplifier under the couch at the same time.
 
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #1 –
Get one of those oscillating multi-tools and cut a lot off that corner, all the way to the plywood.  Screw the couch down and you're golden.

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #2 –
Ditto on no tight I looked under the loveseat across from sofa front .lag screws were tight back screws were only about half screwed in
We are thinking of removing both couch and loveseat and replacing with duel recliner
Any comments on this change will be appreciated
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Travelin' Man –
Get one of those oscillating multi-tools and cut a lot off that corner, all the way to the plywood.  Screw the couch down and you're golden.

I have the tool, but will have to remove the bottom and back of the sofa to make sure I don't cut the hose. That was going to be my plan If I couldn't get some slack. I have been wanting to get that old Bose amplifier out since I bought the coach.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #5 –
Cman, if you take the screws out that fasten the couch to the side wall pay attention they are SHORTER than the others that go through the floor. At least on mine. You wouldn't want to have to bend them over outside.
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: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #6 –
Even cutting the bevel was not enough. The hose was so short that the heat exchanger didn't even make it to the back of the sofa frame. I had to cut one inch completely out of the bottom then bevel. Now the heat exchanger is flush and the sofa is anchored down and the Bose amplifier is removed. Pictures show the before and how much was removed clear back to the bolt.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #7 –
Bit too late with this advise but you can always cut the hose and splice a piece in to get some slack.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Keith and Joyce –
Bit too late with this advise but you can always cut the hose and splice a piece in to get some slack.

Keith
That would leak coolant under the sofa, a smell I didn't want.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #9 –
Quote from: craneman –
That would leak coolant under the sofa, a smell I didn't want.
What about some of that 3M silicone patch tape, rated to 500 degrees, to keep that strong?  Amazon.com: 3M 03625 1" x 6' Wrap and Repair Silicone Tape: Automotive

and..... I just read the Amazon reviews, now not so sure.  Is there a better product out there?
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #10 –
It is fixed, the coolant smell I was referring to would have been if I had cut and spliced the hose. These hoses coming from the AH get very hot, wouldn't want to try any patching.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #11 –
Chris,

I removed my couch years ago and replaced it with two recliners and have never regretted the change. It really opened up the living room on my no-slide coach.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Coolant leak was in my future.

Reply #12 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
Chris,

I removed my couch years ago and replaced it with two recliners and have never regretted the change. It really opened up the living room on my no-slide coach.

Where did you relocate the heat exchanger?