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Topic: Heater Core Leaking (Read 804 times) previous topic - next topic

Heater Core Leaking

Just got to Galveston,TX and what do I see(Green water) dripping from under from under passenger side front.  It is the heater core on my 95 U240.  Called FOT part not available, got a part number from Victory Claimatic Systems, called them and got no help.  What would ya'll do now?  Anyone had this problem?

Pat,
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #1 –
Morning Pat,
Remove it and take it to a radiator repair shop.
See if they can repair it or find an off the shelf part that you can mount in your coach.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #2 –
If you need to travel, get a nipple and 2 worm drive clamps and connect the 2 hoses. I had to do this from our deer collision

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #3 –
It is not leaking so bad that I can't travel.  I have a hand valve in the second bay back of the driver that I think it control how much hot water goes to the heater.  I will close it and see if it still leaks.
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #4 –
It will still leak as the radiator cap pressure will pressurize the outlet of the heater core.
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: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #5 –
Quote from: pthurman48 –
It is not leaking so bad that I can't travel.  I have a hand valve in the second bay back of the driver that I think it control how much hot water goes to the heater.  I will close it and see if it still leaks.

Actually, if plumbed the same as the 1993 U240, the valve only controls flow to the water heater (closed diverts all flow to the heater core).

Again, short term is to "mate" heater core inlet with outlet or otherwise block flow to it. This can be done at the engine end or at the heater core.

Basics-- do not burn up the engine from running out of coolant!
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #6 –
Some put a shut off on the two heater hoses that come off engine in the engine compartment. During hot weather these can stay off to keep hot water from warming inside.

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Some put a shut off on the two heater hoses that come off engine in the engine compartment. During hot weather these can stay off to keep hot water from warming inside.

A good idea, particularly since he will be working up there/opening the cooling system anyway.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #8 –

This is the valve I put in the engine coolant loop to my Aqua Hot when it was leaking, so I could continue to drive.  This is for 3/4" lines.  Not sure what size the heater core lines are.

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Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #9 –
I made it home to Lufkin,TX, heater core leaked about a gallon on the way.  I have now removed the cover to the box that holds the heater core and A/C evaporator.  The heater core slides up at about 45 deg. angle and hits the inside of the motorhome lacking about  1-2" needed for removal.  It now looks like I have to remove the hold box.  Two screws will be easy, the other two I cannot see
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #10 –
I have read, these are a real tough job and not for the light hearted. I pray mine doesn't start this. original in my 1996.
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #11 –
I will probably have to go thru the same issue. Since I've replaced everything .... On the dash AC except the condenser and the evaporator and one of them is in that same box as the heater core.  A few applications of dye has produced no clues.

    The one salvation is that the majority of the front comes off on a 95.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #12 –
Just an update:
  I had to disassemble/remove the hvac case, and the A/C condenser stuff to remove the heater core.  I got it done.  The biggest problem was a phillips screw on the top side of the hvac case.  As with most jobs, 3 out of four screws were easy to reach and see and came out with battery drill/driver tool.  The last one you could not see, I could touch it with my finger.  Battery tool was too big for the space, long screw driver you could not get hand on to turn.  The last resort was 1/4" ratchet with extension and small socket to hold phillips bit.  The A/C  system had no gas at all.  It had 2 condensers with 2 fans. Oil ran out of one of the condensers.  Heater code and evaporator came out easy when case was removed.  I am not going to revive the old A/C system.  Anyone think it would be worth the effort and cost?  Where is a good place to buy the new heater core?
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #13 –
If you still live in Lufkin you should check with East Texas Air & Glass  here in Longview. Now they are going to want you to put it up on the counter so they can check it out. This is the only kind of work that they do and they have connections and books to look at. The shop is on Hwy 80. They do oil field, Capacity of Texans, and others. They helped us out on our 240 when we had a problem when no one else had one.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #14 –
The dash a/c system in our U240 worked ok but nothing too special.  I had to add freon a few times while we had it.  If driving into the sun in moderate temps, it was often enough especially when supplemented with the overhead defroster fan.  When it was hot and especially hot and humid, the roof air had to be run.  It might be worth fixing if you can do the work yourself but probably not if you have a shop do it.  I didn't like running the generator while on the road since it was right behind the front tire sucking up the dirt, sand, rain, etc. (bad location IMO).
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Heater Core Leaking

Reply #15 –
Just an update: 
  I found a heater core that is close.  I cut off some metal on the ends and got it to fit.  I had no way of attaching the core to the case, so I used expanding foam to fill space on the ends and glue the core in place.  I now have the case installed, alone with the passenger side head light, just need two 1/2" hoses, fill the cooling system and test drive.
   
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653