Radiator vs. CAC vs. Condenser?

univmd wrote:
Radiator vs. CAC vs. Condenser?

I have a rear radiator. What is the difference between the 3? Where are they located in relation to each other? What is inside each of the 3, pink radiator fluid in all 3? I have a Freightliner with ISC Cummins 360, Gulfstream Tourmaster 2008.

Okay, many identified where the three items are located, but missed some of the question.

To start, the radiator, whichever position it's in, is the only one of the three that contains coolant.

The charge air cooler (CAC) looks a lot like a radiator and does substantially the same job. On turbo charged engines, they're using hot exhaust air to add power and forcing it back into your engine through the CAC. The CAC, a large air cooler, cools this hot air before it's put back into the engine. So it's only cooling/containing air.

The condenser is a product of your dash air conditioning system. It basically cools Freon, a process that changes gas to liquid and creates cool air. The condenser, which is usually much smaller (about 18" x 24" and 2" thick) can be located wherever the coach manufacturer has room. It needs air flow and usually has an electric thermostatically controlled fan to cool it. Since most cars do not have a CAC, the condenser is typically mounted in front of the radiator where most people are use to seeing it.

Finding a coolant leak on a rear radiator DP can be a difficult task. It's hard to get a good view of all of the components. You'll need to crawl in and around your engine to see where the coolant is coming from.