Experience With Radiator Replacement

[ncrowley]

I have a 2004 Newmar on a Freightliner chassis and a Cat C7 engine. I purchased it when it was 8 years old and had 12K miles on it. After I had it about a year, I found out about extending the slobber tube. Before that, I went to Speedco to have the oil changed and they overfilled it, resulting in covering the front of the toad with oil. Then I learned about the amount of oil needed and extending the slobber tube. We then extended the slobber tube..

We have been cleaning the CAC twice a year with Simple Green Extreme the way described on these sites, including running the engine to blow the solution as far in as we can. We have had the radiator steam cleaned from the back once per year at the truck repair place.

Over the last three years, I have had more and more problems with the engine temperature, even though I make sure my RPMs stay high and the speed stays low. I have made it where I needed to go but sometimes I get the warning light. It has never gone into limp mode. However, I did not like the behavior. I know there must be something wrong.

I have been working with a diesel shop and they said the radiator needed to go. They took it out today and I was floored by what I saw. Most of the back of the radiator was totally gunked up and one side of the CAC was too. There were grasses and junk all along the bottom.

I took a picture and you can see it here:

Radiator Pic

Here is the CAC:

CAC

At least I know why I was having temperature issues.

What I find discouraging is I spent many hours cleaning and it was just a waste of time. I do not know if it was clogging before I got it and it just continued, or if all that messing around with Simple Green does not do anything except make you feel better.

It is also discouraging that there is so much the manufacturers should have done and did not do. The slobber tube should have been extended from the factory. There should be something you can take off the bottom that will give you access to the space between the CAC and the radiator. There should be explicit instructions about how to keep this clean that actually works and a simple way to keep it clean.

The radiator is being replaced and the CAC is being cleaned. But how long will this last? I have no faith that the cleaning I will do will keep it from clogging again.

While it is open, they are replacing hoses, the water pump, the fan bearings, etc.

Sorry for this long post but I hope my experience will help someone else.

[RLS7201]

I use a 1/4" copper tube and compressed air to get in between my A/C condenser and radiator, on my gaser. Is it possible you could do the same on you C7?

Richard

[Bruce_Brown]

With the tube extended and everything clean as new you should be fine for years to come.

Your MH didn't have the tube extended, was over filled (that's bad) and is currently 15 years old - you've actually done pretty well.