engine heating up-side radiator

[Motorhome05]

We own an 05 vectra with side radiator. We are currently in Co and have experienced the engine temp running at 205. Can anyone explain how we should go about cleaning a side radiator or changing the coolant? Can anyone recommend a dealer in Cheyenne, Wy? That is where we are headed. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Motorhome05]

We own an 05 vectra with side radiator. We are currently in Co and have experienced the engine temp running at 205. Can anyone explain how we should go about cleaning a side radiator or changing the coolant? Can anyone recommend a dealer in Cheyenne, Wy? That is where we are headed. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[John_Canfield]

You should really be 200 +- a couple of degrees on flat ground in moderate air temperatures (up to the low 90s I'd say) - this is assuming you have the ISL engine.

I routinely clean my radiator with a spray bottle of diluted Simple Green and a garden hose with a sprayer end for rinsing (or I'll carefully use my pressure washer with a wide nozzle.) Soak the fins really well and let the chemical work for a minute or so. Then spend a minute or more with the hose completely rinsing the Simple Green off. Obviously don't damage the fins with the rinse spray.

If you have never cleaned the radiator, you might need to do the above procedure several times until the water run-off is clear.

If this doesn't do the trick, then it's time to let Freightliner check over the cooling system. You could have a fan problem - the ISL fan motor is driven by an engine-attached hydraulic motor. We had some overheating issues last fall and when Freightliner checked the fan speeds, they were too low. We wound up with a new fan motor and pump.

Go to the Freightliner web site and look for the closest Oasis dealer - we used Eddie's Truck Center in Rapid City, SD (800-233-34370) which might be the closest Oasis dealer to your route.

I strongly recommend using an Oasis dealer and not a regular Freightliner truck center - the Oasis dealer (and mechanics) will at least tolerate working on a motorhome and are better equipped and trained for the task.

[LK23]

I used Cheyenne Freightliner when I had a leaking surge tank. They seemed very knowledgable and had all the parts.

I agree with John that 205 degrees doesn't seem too high.

[boulderado]

I don't know how far north you are yet, but Transwest Truck and RV north of Denver on I-25 is an excellent place for Freightliner service (they are an Oasis dealer). Their number is (303) 684-3400 or (800) 909-7071.

7550 East I-25 Frontage Road
Frederick, CO 80504
Right off of I-25

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[Party Barge]

For some reason I have missed some of the info concerning this issue over the past three years.
I have a 06 Horizon 40 KD which I picked up in March of 06 and did some shake down trips the first couple of months and right away had some concerns about the engine temp.
I took it to an Oasis in May 06 and they perfomed a check on the engine and checked the fan speeds. All was within specs.
I have been pampering the rig ever since on grades and have been through dyno checks at Cummins etc.
Just back from my Oasis with some last checks before the end of my warranty and reviewed previous service and found that FL changed the specs. after my initial inquiry and service.
So they say I need a new pump, new fan motor. My fan was spinning at 1875 RPM @ engine 2000 RPM. They say the fan should be at about 2100 RPM. at same engine RPM. It will be under warranty.
They call it a solution. not a recall or a service bulletin, because it deals with a specific customer concern and the area of the county that the rig is being used.
Waiting to get the rig back on the road and see if solves the issue.

[MrTransistor]

Hi All,

I find this issue quite odd. Our coach has a CAT C7 and I have monitored all functions via a Palm Pilot since new. The engine temperature warms to 203 to 205 degrees then the fan kicks in and the temperature will drop to 195 degrees. This cycle takes from 30 seconds on a hot day to several minutes on really cold days. I have yet to clean the radiator!

Is this an issue with just the Cummins engine? Or are there folks out there with CAT engines that are having overheating problems? Seems to me that the radiator just isn’t big enough for the 400HP Cummins. As I understand it, the same radiator is used with all the engine options.

My only complaint with Freightliner is the plastic surge tank, I’m on the third tank and the last one was installed by Freightliner in Hagerstown, Md. at a cost to me of over $500.00. The new tank was leaking when the technician brought coach around for us to leave! He retightened the small cap but as it turned out, it was still leaking. I drove it off the lot headed for Pa. and the new tank lost a gallon of antifreeze before I got to Scranton. I finally got it sealed but this has got to be the worst design in history for a surge tank. I’m of a mind to make my own tank!