Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Topic: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years (Read 3272 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #25 – December 30, 2021, 06:21:02 pm

Quote from: floridarandy – December 30, 2021, 06:13:06 pm

Brett - Paul messaged me that the failure was "Leaking where core meets tank front side".

Sounds like the same place mine is leaking from, where the core meets the tank. Same place it leaked from when it was repaired last year. A few pics over here:

Radiator is leaking again

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #26 – December 31, 2021, 10:05:34 am

Quote from: WS6_Keith – December 30, 2021, 06:21:02 pm

Sounds like the same place mine is leaking from, where the core meets the tank. Same place it leaked from when it was repaired last year. A few pics over here:

Radiator is leaking again

THAT, other than a bad solder joint, is indicative of over-pressure. Or freeze damage.
On heavy vehicles traveling over rough terrain, i.e. Elliott, the tube to header plate solder joints work loose from the frame twisting the radiator. Flowing additional solder around the radiator tubes helps.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #27 – December 31, 2021, 11:11:02 am

It started leaking in September, so temps were still around 100...definitely not freeze related. I installed a new 15psi cap when I got the coach in April, so I don't think it's that either. Previous owner had the same issue in the same place previously repaired though, so who knows what's up with it. I plan to keep this one when the new one is installed, so maybe I can have it repaired and keep as a spare.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #28 – December 31, 2021, 01:01:13 pm

Quote from: WS6_Keith – December 31, 2021, 11:11:02 am

It started leaking in September, so temps were still around 100...definitely not freeze related. I installed a new 15psi cap when I got the coach in April, so I don't think it's that either. Previous owner had the same issue in the same place previously repaired though, so who knows what's up with it. I plan to keep this one when the new one is installed, so maybe I can have it repaired and keep as a spare.

I trust my hands and my eyes, so I have to ask: Is there enough room in the filler neck for the excess pressure to get around the gasket? I ask only with an overabundance of caution since I blew up the heater in my Ford Falcon because the radiator cap's plunger fit snugly in the radiator neck. It was a case of "I need a new one of these" not being such a good idea.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #29 – December 31, 2021, 01:46:06 pm

Try a lower PSI radiator cap and see if it holds 180 degrees if it does it may help with the leak,it will not hurt anything.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #30 – December 31, 2021, 02:35:16 pm

So much has been said too the problem, insufficient support. Would be nice to see how the failure is caused and build to prevent it. Is the center of the core being overstressed by its own weight, or are both tanks racking causing failure. If one was building a radiator cradle center core weight and racking could be addressed. The additional loads to support fans and stress from them would then be moved to the cradle. There would be a added weight penalty but reliability also holds a value. Hopefully some one will figure out a resolution and share with us.
Scott

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #31 – December 31, 2021, 02:46:20 pm

Quote from: dsd – December 31, 2021, 02:35:16 pm

So much has been said too the problem, insufficient support. Would be nice to see how the failure is caused and build to prevent it. Is the center of the core being overstressed by its own weight, or are both tanks racking causing failure. If one was building a radiator cradle center core weight and racking could be addressed. The additional loads to support fans and stress from them would then be moved to the cradle. There would be a added weight penalty but reliability also holds a value. Hopefully some one will figure out a resolution and share with us.
Scott

This is the very question I will pose to Paul Yasbeck. If it's a structural failure I don't want to spend the $$$ to replace with new only to have it happen again.

Maybe there's an engineer FT owner who can also provide structural input. I can't imagine the "weight penalty" would be an issue.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #32 – December 31, 2021, 02:50:39 pm

Quote from: floridarandy – December 31, 2021, 02:46:20 pm

This is the very question I will pose to Paul Yasbeck. If it's a structural failure I don't want to spend the $$$ to replace with new only to have it happen again.

Maybe there's an engineer FT owner who can also provide structural input. I can't imagine the "weight penalty" would be an issue.

Jor in another post just posted this photo. Gives a clearer picture for me.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #33 – December 31, 2021, 03:16:51 pm

Quote from: John44 – December 31, 2021, 01:46:06 pm

Try a lower PSI radiator cap and see if it holds 180 degrees if it does it may help with the leak,it will not hurt anything.

I doubt this is the issue with mine. Mine seems to leak only as the engine heats up or cools down. Sitting in my yard, it doesn't leak. When I start it to move it, it will leak while temps are 140-160ish. Once out on the road and everything stabilizes at operating temp, and the t-stat opens at least once, it doesn't leak. My guess is dissimilar metals heating/expanding at different rates and just opens up enough to leak while in this range.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #34 – December 31, 2021, 03:21:44 pm

Quote from: floridarandy – December 31, 2021, 02:46:20 pm

. I can't imagine the "weight penalty" would be an issue.

So the U320 is fatter than your coach. I'm within a 1000 lbs of rear axle weight. Full fluids. Add a heaving trailer in and its too much technically. 3610 coach U320

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #35 – December 31, 2021, 03:22:14 pm

Quote from: dsd – December 31, 2021, 02:50:39 pm

Jor in another post just posted this photo. Gives a clearer picture for me.

Reply #18 picture #5 shows a different mounting for the fan motor on mine. Maybe the bottom has a support for the fan motors.

hydraulic fan motor

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #36 – January 01, 2022, 10:33:38 am

Quote from: craneman – December 31, 2021, 03:22:14 pm

Reply #18 picture #5 shows a different mounting for the fan motor on mine. Maybe the bottom has a support for the fan motors.

So in thinking about this for several hours bottom support for fans and tank would make sense. The other cross mounted fans shown would help to offset being a truss. PO had dragged the back of my rear tank prior and that has been on my mind also. Rolled the bottom aft edge of tank. I don't think failure is being caused by racking being it is supported by two mounts in the upper third of the tank. Vibration from fans and just the shear weight multiplied by road conditions make sense to me. Support would reduce these loads I am guessing. The additional weight will offset what I lost removing the muffler?
Scott

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #37 – January 01, 2022, 10:47:56 am

Was doing some thinking too,haven't looked back but it seems from memory that the 320's have more radiator trouble then the smaller engines,maybe the mounting difference???

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #38 – January 01, 2022, 10:52:56 am

Quote from: John44 – January 01, 2022, 10:47:56 am

Was doing some thinking too,haven't looked back but it seems from memory that the 320's have more radiator trouble then the smaller engines,maybe the mounting difference???

So mine is mounted similar to Jor's photo i posted. Two vertical mounts per fan. I believe they all have the same radiator, but not 100% sure about that. Those vertical fan mounts are attached to the fan shroud and that seems to be the support for the core also. It would be a truss, but? Possibly a strut on each end and a X in the middle would work? Off-road car I would cradle and pot core in place to lower flange.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #39 – January 01, 2022, 01:22:27 pm

Quote

I believe they all have the same radiator,

Larry, the salesman at Atlas, told me they are all the same. Some numbering changes over the years but the same radiator. Here's the tag on my original radiator and the Atlas drawing of the new radiator.
jor

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #40 – January 01, 2022, 02:55:30 pm

Looking at the revision dated 1/11/02 in the upper left corner of the drawing "added full doubler plates. I would like to see what part was strengthened at that time.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #41 – January 01, 2022, 05:43:30 pm

Quote from: craneman – January 01, 2022, 02:55:30 pm

Looking at the revision dated 1/11/02 in the upper left corner of the drawing "added full doubler plates. I would like to see what part was strengthened at that time.

So in the corner of the tank on both sides it showed those 4 triangles on both sides. Ill try to see if i can see that, that would extend support from the tanks. Would be nice to see a failed tank prior to removal. May be possible to see core from inside of tank also, possibly surrendering more information. Curious, good stuff

Update I looked at my coach and it does have one of those triangles in the top forward inside corner, so I'm assuming the other seven are there.
In Ricks photo it show a cradle under the radiator. I dont think mine has that

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #42 – January 01, 2022, 06:32:19 pm

Quote from: dsd – December 31, 2021, 02:50:39 pm

Jor in another post just posted this photo. Gives a clearer picture for me.

So I wonder how much R&R time it would be to remove the assembly as shown ?

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #43 – January 01, 2022, 08:13:12 pm

I was quoted 12 hours R & R.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #44 – January 01, 2022, 08:20:14 pm

Remove radiator
Sound like 12 hrs is close. Chris said in the day they could do them in 6 hours doing them all the time. Its all the other add ons that kill the time.

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #45 – January 01, 2022, 08:48:10 pm

Your can have the radiator out in half a day 4hr the trick is to have a good jack I used a table jack did the job by my self after you have everything out of the way grill coolers hose antifreeze drain and hydraulic oil unhook hydraulic fan hoses there are only four bolts holding the rad in place the first picture is not my job I think you can find a table jack at harbour freight

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #46 – January 01, 2022, 08:58:26 pm

Harbour freight 249.99 500lbs at labour at $100. To 150.00 an hour you can pay that fast then sell it

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #47 – January 01, 2022, 09:11:38 pm

Quote from: Cape Bretoner – January 01, 2022, 08:58:26 pm

Harbour freight 249.99 500lbs at labour at $100. To 150.00 an hour you can pay that fast then sell it

I bought one, and it is handy for many things. Thought I would use it to remove the generator when I replaced the insulation. Great for loading heavy stuff in and out of the pickup, or moving coach tires around. Don't buy the 1000 pound one unless you are aware of the weight of it. You will need the 500 pound table to get the 1000 pound table into your truck!

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #48 – January 02, 2022, 11:45:45 am

Just heard back from Keith Risch at MOT. Here's his input:

" I do know Foretravel had issues with those radiators brand new,they would start leaking before they would leave nacogdoches. I was in service until 2002 and my team was changing at least 2 a week. I think the design was bad and the weight pulling down was a problem .Also if the bottom two rods holding the radiator stable were not adjusted properly,would put a twist in radiator."

Re: Atlas Radiator dead after 4 years

Reply #49 – January 02, 2022, 11:52:51 am

I don't have one but would love to get a vibration gauge to see what the vibration is on one of these while running,if I ever have to
change mine I would get every rubber spacer new.

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