Forum Discussion

4dogsandtheirpe's avatar
Jul 31, 2021

1987 22 ft Chieftan radiator issues

We recently purchased a very nice 87 22 ft Winnebago Chieftan. Yesterday the battery died and we had to get a jump,as soon as the motor turned over I watched all the antifreeze pour out onto the ground.A few hours later when I started it more fluid came pouring out of the radiator that looked like water. Only this time it was on the opposite side of where the antifreeze came out.Ten minutes later it started to overheat.

Next day I went to the local junk yard to get a radiator, right!!! It has been 24 hours,I have literally called EVERY auto parts store, EVERY mobile mechanic, searched every way I know and found NO radiator. Can anyone tell me how or where I can find a radiator? I might add a couple months ago our apartment caught fire and we lost almost everything. That is what prompted us to buy the RV. It is now our home,we live in it full time so this is a serious dilema. We are at risk of having it towed by the locale police. If we lose this RV we lose everything. Please can someone give any ideas or suggestions . We are very new to this lifestyle. Thank you.
  • 4dogs,

    Radiators can usually be repaired. A P30 radiator is a lot larger than a passcar version, so look for a place that does truck radiators.

    Matt
  • Having had a '87 Chieftain on a P30 Chevy Chassis I found the same problem,no one had them.So after some research I found a Radiator Specialty shop in my area and they built one for me. Check around they are they are sometimes hard to find these days,most shops just want to R and R them.

    Good Luck!
  • When you call what are you asking for? If you're asking for a motorhome radiator I think you'll continue to come up empty.

    I'm guessing you have a Chevy chassis - if so try again looking for a Chevy P30 chassis radiator.

    Also, are you sure it's the radiator or could it just be the hoses?