Coolant Leak

[Jamie Bradford]

I noticed this morning that I am losing coolant below the engine.

There is a small spot that was not there yesterday . I put a bucket under the drip & have gotten maybe an ounce or so in the last 3 hours. It was cold here last night - 18 degrees - I turned on the Webasto yesterday and have it set at around 55 degrees.

I plan on going to Peterbilt tomorrow - should I be aware of anything special to tell them about this??

I feel the Webasto may be the cause of this??

Thanks

Jamie

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Are you still talking to Truk? I think he should be fixing all this stuff Jamie.

As a long time owner, meaning we hang on to things like our bus a long time, I have learned there is a life span to things on the coach that have nothing to do with miles.

For example, a tightened hose clamp needs to be retightened periodically. The ones on the engine less frequently, but those on converter installed coolant hoses more frequently. I would start there with your investigation.

But don't think tightening a few clamps is the final answer. Other than the blue high quality hoses used by Detroit Diesel, almost all the hoses on my coach show signs of age and potential failure at about 10 years. Let's see Jamie....it's 2009 and you have a 1999 chassis. Do you see a parallel there? Except for 2 hoses that will be changed next year I replaced my hoses this year. Some were OK, but a lot of them had very little life left.

BTW, cold makes a lot of stuff leak on the coaches, especially the leveling system. It is probable it is a hose clamp problem, but keep hose replacement in the back of your mind. It's coming due, and ignoring it will not make the need go away.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Silicone hoses properly installed will not do that and last ALMOST FOREVER.

5/8 and 3/4 in silicone heater hose is north of 5 bucks a foot and worth every penny.

[Darrell and Linda]

Your absoutely right Joe. The silicone hoses are the way to go. Replace the clamps with constant torque clamps too.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Just for information the hoses I replaced this past year were not hoses but were various 90 degree connectors between the various Webasto system valves and pipes. There were no silicone preformed elbows to be had in the city of Knoxville so I opted instead to use the same Gates hoses that were original equipment. Since the previous ones lasted 10 years I know I have at least that long before replacement.

It took about 2 hours to change the hoses and the Gates 90 degree bend hoses I bought (that had to be cut to size) were cheap so I rationalized the decision easily.

[truk4u]

Jamie,

You'll find a leaking clamp, I can almost guarantee it. I had one small tiny drip when it first got cold and it was a hose clamp up high near the drivers side of the engine, almost directly behind the Webasto.

Don't pay any attention to Jon, he's spending most of his time now learning how to speak Chinese and he gets confused!:p

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Jamie,

Don't believe Truk. He is trying to make you think he sold you a perfect coach, when in fact you are just beginning to realize the truth.

Make him fix it for you.

Rots of ruck with that.

[Jamie Bradford]

I had the bus looked at yesterday and guess what??? Truck is correct!

There is a clamp at a pump for the webasto that is leaking a bit. The mechanic told me it was an "cold weather" issue and that I probably do not need to worry about it right now.

My house batteries are toast though. I had them checked & they will not hold voltage ..... The mechanic said these batteries typically last about 4 years or so?????????? Any thoughts??? I got on the internet & found some at about $ 525 each-- About the same as you said Truk.

Time to get back to my Flied Lice.......

Jamie

[lonesome george]

Jamie,
We put new batteries in our coach last Oct. Purchased them from Liveline (with the POG discount) for $405.00 each plus about $110.00 freight, it might be worth taking a look at them.
George

[Kevin Erion]

I just put 11 Lifeline battries in my bus last week. They are a POG sponsor and you get a discount, the product is excellent!

[BrianE]

Back to hoses.....sheesh! Our coach is at that worrisome 10 year age and am starting to replace hoses. The scariest ones I see are the 3 small coolant hoses attached to the main coolant tank. Any thoughts about preformed factory vs silicone? Two of them are subject to engine vibration.

[merle&louise]

When the engine is not running is there pressure on hydraulic hoses?

I have a slight leak on a hydraulic hose connection that turns my radiator fan, and I would like to fix it. I am afraid when I unscrew the connection hydraulic oil will squirt out under pressure from the last time the engine was running.

[Kevin Erion]

Brian,
I replaced those hoses on my 99 and I had the local truck parts house build them to my length that I wanted. I think they used a upgraded hose that was designed for oil as well. These hoses have to have the same ends that attach to the overflow tank and and the engine. I think the cost was less than the factory hoses from Prevost, but not sure.
My old hoses got hard and brittle and I was afraid they would crack!

[garyde]

Lifeline is the choice for Batteries. Call Skiff for your discount Member # and he'll give you the owners ph. #.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

There are a few different size heater hoses, engine, chassis, webasto.

When are you doing yours Jon. Putting that info on all the different sizes and locations of those should go up in the articles so it doesn't get buried in this thread.

That's good info. I have blown a short one connected to my heater core and it was an uncommon size to find.

The engine alone could have a few different sizes.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Joe,

Hoses are Prevost parts, Detroit parts and converter parts. I would guess there are very few coaches alike so making a list of hoses and sizes would not benefit the group.

On my coach the last hoses I replaced were all converter installed.