The CAC should be accessible by you.
This all depends on each individual build of the coach. Some setups will provide more visible access to those items. Some, like mine, is pretty much impossible unless one modifies the fan shroud. And, even doing that, you have to lay on your gut on boards that are spread between supported components. I have two access panels on mine, a large one that's about 40" x 40" or so and, one that's farther back towards the rear that's about 18" x 40" or so. But, neither one provide "EASY" access to either the front face of the CAC or, any portion of the radiator that isn't covered by the CAC.
In the picture below, yes, the "top" of the motor is exposed but, unless I cut a hole in the top of the shroud, which quite a few have done, there is pretty much ZERO access to the important sides of either the CAC or the radiator. And, even with a hole cut, I'd be extremely limited to be able to effectively clean the entire square inch surface of at least the CAC. One of these days I'll cut that hole.
Scott
This all depends on each individual build of the coach. Some setups will provide more visible access to those items. Some, like mine, is pretty much impossible unless one modifies the fan shroud. And, even doing that, you have to lay on your gut on boards that are spread between supported components. I have two access panels on mine, a large one that's about 40" x 40" or so and, one that's farther back towards the rear that's about 18" x 40" or so. But, neither one provide "EASY" access to either the front face of the CAC or, any portion of the radiator that isn't covered by the CAC.
In the picture below, yes, the "top" of the motor is exposed but, unless I cut a hole in the top of the shroud, which quite a few have done, there is pretty much ZERO access to the important sides of either the CAC or the radiator. And, even with a hole cut, I'd be extremely limited to be able to effectively clean the entire square inch surface of at least the CAC. One of these days I'll cut that hole.
Scott
et2,
Based on your statements of the "Main" radiator, "behind the fan" is to me, a bit off some. You don't say what kind/make/model coach you have but, normally, the unit directly facing the fan is the CAC or, Charge Air Cooler for the compressed air that get's warmed up as it's compressed by the turbo.
Then, what you see when looking at the back of the coach IS, the ONLY radiator, not the "main" radiator. I'm not chastising you here, just helping you with some terminology, sort of. You are correct in the fact that many, many coaches are pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to actually do an efficient and accurate job of cleaning both the radiator and the CAC without removal.
Yes, there will be some that say they can do it and, it's as good as removing the two units. Well, to those, I commend them. I too cannot almost even see the fan-side-face of the CAC and certainly the that same side of the radiator.
About 4 years ago, I pulled both of them at home. Not necessarily a fun job but, very informational. Based on the fact that the previous owner had the incorrect amount of oil in the engine which, contributed THROUGH an incorrectly placed slobber tube, to a very, very dirty CAC and radiator that, there was only one way to get both clean, REMOVE THEM!
As stated, pulling both of them is not a fun job. Semi-goofing around, it took me about 6 hours to pull both. Now, knowing what I know now, I'd say it could take me as little as about 3 and both would be out. But, since I now run the correct amount of oil in the engine and, the slobber tube has been extended all the way to the back end of the coach, I don't have to worry about it nearly as much.
I have an inspection camera, one of those that has a 3' lens, and I probe it way inside the fan shroud and can take an annual inspection with that camera and see if there's any buildup from regular road debris/dust/etc. So far, in the almost 4 years of running and about 25,000 miles, they're both very clean.
Scott
Based on your statements of the "Main" radiator, "behind the fan" is to me, a bit off some. You don't say what kind/make/model coach you have but, normally, the unit directly facing the fan is the CAC or, Charge Air Cooler for the compressed air that get's warmed up as it's compressed by the turbo.
Then, what you see when looking at the back of the coach IS, the ONLY radiator, not the "main" radiator. I'm not chastising you here, just helping you with some terminology, sort of. You are correct in the fact that many, many coaches are pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to actually do an efficient and accurate job of cleaning both the radiator and the CAC without removal.
Yes, there will be some that say they can do it and, it's as good as removing the two units. Well, to those, I commend them. I too cannot almost even see the fan-side-face of the CAC and certainly the that same side of the radiator.
About 4 years ago, I pulled both of them at home. Not necessarily a fun job but, very informational. Based on the fact that the previous owner had the incorrect amount of oil in the engine which, contributed THROUGH an incorrectly placed slobber tube, to a very, very dirty CAC and radiator that, there was only one way to get both clean, REMOVE THEM!
As stated, pulling both of them is not a fun job. Semi-goofing around, it took me about 6 hours to pull both. Now, knowing what I know now, I'd say it could take me as little as about 3 and both would be out. But, since I now run the correct amount of oil in the engine and, the slobber tube has been extended all the way to the back end of the coach, I don't have to worry about it nearly as much.
I have an inspection camera, one of those that has a 3' lens, and I probe it way inside the fan shroud and can take an annual inspection with that camera and see if there's any buildup from regular road debris/dust/etc. So far, in the almost 4 years of running and about 25,000 miles, they're both very clean.
Scott
