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Location: Kingsley Michigan
(67.142.172.23) |
Yes--I was getting stoned--every time we took the FMC out--Didn't know about it until we were at a rally 200 miles away and BAM! There at the dump station I got sick----and it wasn't from dumping the tanks---
Saw a green puddle in the bottom of the radiator--and it was starting to dip on the ground---I quickly went and opened the side door and got a face full of antifreeze--all the belts were soaking wet and spraying it everywhere----After shutting down the motor---I reached my hand out to find the spray was not from the water pump or a hose--but coming out of the radiator---
After releasing the cap, I took a pair of needle nose and crimped the criminal tube as best that I could--and with a careful eye on the temp gauge--and stopping every 10--then 20 --then 40 miles to refill--we limped 801 home.
As you will see from the pictures--the radiator has been receiving a good pounding of stones---"From Where?" you ask---Why from the rear tires---Even with some low hung mud flaps---you will see with the radiator out, that where the rubber meets the road---and is unprotected by the flaps, it is a direct shot towards the radiator! We live on a dirt road, so fine! 2 miles of dirt does not cause a catastrophic failure in my tractor, truck, boat or car--but this POS--any reason to quit and it will-------
I think the only reason the brass radiator and steel fan didn't blow more often (who knows----a lot of them are in the grave yards---) is that the rocks weren't as tough on them as the aluminum we now use to keep her cool.
You have been warned about getting stoned while driving---------
Barn
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P1040516.jpg (74KB - 48 downloads)
P1040528.jpg (38KB - 38 downloads)
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Location: Cottage Grove, OR
(71.155.147.38) | Yes, Barney, stones can be a real problem.
In my coach, there is an aluminum pan that spans the space between the bottom of the radiator and the rear of the engine to prevent just that problem. There is also an aluminum pan on the outside of the right frame rail filling in the space under the battery and forward to the firewall.
Even with all of that, I still get some sand in that general area, but have not had a problem with stones. I have done some significant gravel road travel at speed in Mexico, California and South Dakota without problems.
I do recommend that if anyone's coach doesn not have such pans, that they have them fabricated to eliminate the problem that Barney has just exprienced. The pans also "collect the evidence" if you loose alternator cooling fins, belt shreds, and other misc. loose parts.
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Location: Cottage Grove, OR
(75.57.251.159) | Yes, it is still in the coach. The one on the outside of the frame rail will stay in the coach. The one between the bottom of the radiator and the engine is open to determination. I will take some pictures and take it out soon. I will take some pictures of both. | |
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Location: Ignacio Colorado
(72.161.109.131) | Barney. Was all the gravel in the shroud on the passenger side? The pics show it there but not any on the driver side. Might just be the pictures. Also more damage to one side of radiator. I have driven #902 on many miles of dirt road with no gravel accumulating in the shroud. I used to have a heat shield on the driver side that would have been over the stock muffler. When i removed the turbo and went to a dual exhaust system I removed that shield. might be a good idea to put it back. Also I see your right hand mud flap but don't see the one on the left side?? Picture shows way more tire on driver side. Looks to me like it is coming in on the driver side and the fan is tossing it around the radiator. Pattern on the radiator also suggested that to me. Bill | |
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