The Workhorse Isn't

[Frosty_s_Mom]

After being stranded in Las Vegas for two weeks, we are no closer to solving the overheating problem that left us at Findlay's with no solution to the problem. between this rv service and Swanty's in bullhead city AZ, we've replaced just about every part remotely connected to the cooling system, including at Findlay's a new radiator. we are barely making a mile to the rv park before overheating and obviously we won't make it out of the city. if the self-proclaimed #2 diagnostician in the country can't figure out why the temp is spiking after over $5,000 worth of parts-where do we go next?

[rgatijnet1]

My fan clutch kicks in at 207 degrees according to my OBDII scan gauge. Normal cruise is 198-202 degrees. I have no faith in dash gauges. When the other fan clutch was going bad my engine would overheat quickly.
Perhaps the wrong fan clutch was installed as the correct one is VERY VERY difficult to obtain. Shops tend to grab one for a typical GM 8.1L engine and they WILL NOT work. The replacement that was put on mine was part number 28210908 and is made in the USA by Hayden. WorkhorseParts.com may be able to help you. The WH part number is #W0000193

[Frosty_s_Mom]

want to thank everyone for posting all the ideas and possible solutions to the overheating problem i posted last month and all the parts/replacement that was done on our W22 8.1 workhorse engine. DH had a separate temp gauge installed as i reported he suspected we weren't getting a good reading from the dash gauge. it definitely does show a different reading--running from 218 to 224 at which time finally the clutch fan kicks in and successfully drops the temp somewhat. (this when climbing) never did get a chance to see if the hose was collapsing as was suggested, but DH noted that one hose had a spring insert and another didn't. hmmm. i feel that the engine is still running too warm to be good, but at the point we got the temp gauge installed and findlays was campaigning for us to replace the engine or look for a replacement (giving us $9k for our trade-in with the known problem), DH got disgusted with the whole thing and lit out for yuma. we made it to yuma and parked it, and that after driving the hills and having to stop to hook up the toad which quit while i was driving it on the way down. i'm still not feeling good about it; wouldn't trust it home, but DH feels better about it. not sure the problem has been resolved, but certainly mitigated, and perhaps a couple trips out this winter to exercise the vehicle will tell us more. in the meantime, wanted to thank everyone again.

[mustang652]

Raymon wrote:
...... Will be interesting if the OP reports back when the problem is eventually solved. Ray

Do you know if an inferred scan has been done on the radiator when it's reading hot. Had a over heat indication problem years ago that ended up being a bad temp gauge and also had a problems once when I installed a thermostat backwards.

[JayGee]

After dropping five grand I think I would just replace it. If it's a 2002 model it's about time for replacement anyway. Amazing it was not already replaced.

Another question, if you sit at idle for a long time it never overheats? It only overheats when you drive it?

[Gjac]

debaets wrote:
May want to check the lower radiator hose. I had one once that ran fine until the engine was under heavy load, The lower hose was collapsing from the suction from the water pump and closing off any coolant from circulating.

I see this gets posted a lot. How did you check for a collapsed lower hose, at idle or at a certain rpm in park?

[J-Rooster]

I'm surprised you weren't towed to Joe's RV Service on Hwy. #95 there a certified Workhorse Dealer and Shop. Lots of knowledge in that shop!

[sehunter]

I was at Findlays in April with a vacuum toilet system that wasn't working. They said some wires were disconnected and reconnected them and I think had to splice in some plumbing. Worked sporadically till we got home, had to go out and beat on the pump a few times but got me home. Took it to River City RV in Sacramento CA they put a new vacuum switch and charged me $223. They had to go the same place Findlays which charged me $1000????
Just saying I didn't have a good experience at Findlays.

[debaets]

May want to check the lower radiator hose. I had one once that ran fine until the engine was under heavy load, The lower hose was collapsing from the suction from the water pump and closing off any coolant from circulating.

[Quick_trip]

These so called "experts" are just throwing parts at the problem and can't take the time to find the real problem.
I would be looking for all of my money back!
Go to the BBB also with your case.
Good Luck & Drive Safe!!!

[leaddog]

Frosty's Mom

OK, I can see where you had to get someone to work on it nearby. Hope the fixes you mentioned work and your back on the road again. Good luck.

We had a 2002 Southwind with the Workhorse engine and never had a problem with it overheating. It didn't matter how steep or long the grades were, it ran fine. Our previous rig had the Chevy 454 and it overheated all the time on grades. I finally installed a full Banks system and that took care of the problem. Always something going bad with these houses on wheels.

[Petcar]

Different motor, but Cummins, after some other work, re installed the fan BACKWARDS. Problem was similar-ran hot and set off alarms on grade. Wish you the best; Peter

[Frosty_s_Mom]

leaddog wrote:
Why don't you take the MH to a Workhorse dealer in the Las Vegas area? It looks like Swanty's is a muffler & brake shop and not sure what RV service you are using in Las Vegas. The engine and radiator problems should be handled by a qualified dealer in my opinion. JMHO

when we broke down on hwy 95, geico in their infinite wisdom had us towed back to bullhead city to top hat (we were trying to get to findlays). top hat is a corner rv dealer with no services. we managed to get it to swanty's (rv service) who replaced the heat sensor, water pump, thermostat, and fan clutch to the tune of 2k. obviously that wasn't a permanent fix, we limped it into findlays (las vegas), one of the larger workhorse dealers in NV. we had not experienced an over-heating problem until we tried to manage the hills around bullhead city. temp blew the lid off the coolant reservoir and blew steam and coolant everywhere. findlays maintain their engine computer diagnosis was radiator and that the head gasket was okay and no cracks in the block. 2 wks sitting here and 3k later, engine sounds good but temp still spiking. tomorrow we are going to try to get them to "burp" it; thinking there is an air pocket creating a block and try to get them to ck the thermostat (see if it was installed backwards). my DH also wants to install a scangauge as he felt, and findlays confirms, that the dash temp at 260 is really 235--still uncomfortably warm for this engine.

[leaddog]

Why don't you take the MH to a Workhorse dealer in the Las Vegas area? It looks like Swanty's is a muffler & brake shop and not sure what RV service you are using in Las Vegas. The engine and radiator problems should be handled by a qualified dealer in my opinion. JMHO

[Raymon]

I find it interesting that the OP"s motor home is a 2002. Something has obviously changed. Too bad he did not provide more info such as how long he has been experiencing the problem and exactly what has been done trying to fix the problem. I cannot believe a repair facility charging $5k and not being able to identify and fix the problem. If the engine overheats within a mile or so, there has to be absolutely no coolant flow through the block of the engine. Will be interesting if the OP reports back when the problem is eventually solved.

Ray