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. I only see what I think is the radiator. I do not see a second layer sandwiched with it? (I do not see a second smaller radiator-looking device on the side like I see on some rear radiator 2005 Monaco Diplomats.)The reason I ask is because after 10 minutes of shutdown, passenger-side bottom corner of radiator will leak a few drops of pink. Then stop. Does not leak while running. What might be going on? Advice? Thoughts?With warm regards, James

Radiator = engine coolant (closest to eng)Cac = cools air between turbo and eng.Condenser = air conditioning coolant (freon)You probably have a leak while it's running too but it's under pressure and is blowing out where you can't see it. Could be anything, even just a loose clamp.Get it fixed or it will leave you stranded or worse! :(

ScottG wrote:Radiator = engine coolant (closest to eng)Cac = cools air between turbo and eng.Condenser = air conditioning coolant (freon)...I would expect that typically the CAC (Charge Air Cooler, aka Intercooler) would be physically closest to the engine with the radiator immediately to the rear of it, at least that's the way rear-radiator Winnebagos on Freightliner chassis are configured.

On my Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser the radiator and CAC are sandwiched together with the CAC closest to the fan. The condenser on mine is right behind the front axle and has its own fan.I would check the plastic overflow for pinholes. I had to change mine out at a Freightliner shop. The pink stuff is from the radiator.

Ok, on ALL!!!,, Semi's out there running the road, the CAC, or "charge air cooler",, is on the front, or cool side of the radiator! PERIOD!! Why would they put it on "the hot air side" of the radiator on Motorhomes??? Defeat the purpose! And the A/C cond. is in front of that in most cases! The radiator will be the closest to the motor, unless the fan is blowing the air away from the motor, then it will be reversed? The charge air cooler has to have to coolest air, for it to work properly! Hope that helps? Take a piece of paper, start your coach, place it on the radiator closest to the outside of the coach, does it stay, or get pushed back at you? That will tell you if it is pulling or pushing the air!PS, As far as the pink fluid you are seeing, it is antifreeze, and you need to check your level in the coolant tank, 1- it just could be a little overfull, and coming out the radiator overflow tube? 2- if it is low, and you are adding to it, you have a leak, and need to find it!

guardrail53 wrote:Ok, on ALL!!!,, Semi's out there running the road, the CAC, or "charge air cooler",, is on the front, or cool side of the radiator! PERIOD!! Why would they put it on "the hot air side" of the radiator on Motorhomes??? Defeat the purpose! And the A/C cond. is in front of that in most cases! The radiator will be the closest to the motor, unless the fan is blowing the air away from the motor, then it will be reversed? The charge air cooler has to have to coolest air, for it to work properly! Hope that helps? Take a piece of paper, start your coach, place it on the radiator closest to the outside of the coach, does it stay, or get pushed back at you? That will tell you if it is pulling or pushing the air!On my diesel pusher with a rear radiator with a Caterpillar engine the fan blows the air out, it does not pull the air in like a motorhome with the engine in the front.I have never seen a semi truck on the road that is a diesel pusher like coaches. The CAC is the closest to the fan and the radiator is on the outside facing the rear of the coach.

Radiator vs. CAC vs. Condenser? | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

guardrail53
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
Ok, on ALL!!!,, Semi's out there running the road, the CAC, or "charge air cooler",, is on the front, or cool side of the radiator! PERIOD!! Why would they put it on "the hot air side" of the radiator on Motorhomes??? Defeat the purpose! And the A/C cond. is in front of that in most cases! The radiator will be the closest to the motor, unless the fan is blowing the air away from the motor, then it will be reversed? The charge air cooler has to have to coolest air, for it to work properly! Hope that helps? Take a piece of paper, start your coach, place it on the radiator closest to the outside of the coach, does it stay, or get pushed back at you? That will tell you if it is pulling or pushing the air!
PS, As far as the pink fluid you are seeing, it is antifreeze, and you need to check your level in the coolant tank, 1- it just could be a little overfull, and coming out the radiator overflow tube? 2- if it is low, and you are adding to it, you have a leak, and need to find it!
RayChez
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
On my Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser the radiator and CAC are sandwiched together with the CAC closest to the fan. The condenser on mine is right behind the front axle and has its own fan.

I would check the plastic overflow for pinholes. I had to change mine out at a Freightliner shop. The pink stuff is from the radiator.
cbeierl
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
ScottG wrote:
Radiator = engine coolant (closest to eng)
Cac = cools air between turbo and eng.
Condenser = air conditioning coolant (freon)...

I would expect that typically the CAC (Charge Air Cooler, aka Intercooler) would be physically closest to the engine with the radiator immediately to the rear of it, at least that's the way rear-radiator Winnebagos on Freightliner chassis are configured.
ScottG
Nomad
Sep 29, 2014
Radiator = engine coolant (closest to eng)
Cac = cools air between turbo and eng.
Condenser = air conditioning coolant (freon)

You probably have a leak while it's running too but it's under pressure and is blowing out where you can't see it. Could be anything, even just a loose clamp.
Get it fixed or it will leave you stranded or worse! :(

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Radiator vs. CAC vs. Condenser?

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