3K trip over 2 weeks, should I do this service or wait

[mbrund]

I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which will
total about 3K miles in all.

I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and assocaited
filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel filters with
me.

The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the 10 years
he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but never did any
coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have not
checked, I can promise it is out of balance.

I should note here, that I am not currently having over heating
problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.

Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have Permatex Heavy
Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse, repeat,
then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water, and 7
pints Pencool 2000?

Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and do the
coolant service when I return?

I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause leaks to
occur that are not currently known and that would either prevent my
trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice from the
community.

Michael Brundridge
1992 WB40
Georgetown, TX

[Al]

Michael,
I look at it this way... Either you can change it now and know
what you are starting with or not and chance having to have it
changed on the road. I can promise you, it will be cheaper now.
Then you and your family can enjoy your trip.

Al, Kathy Johnson
'96 BMC B100
Mandeville, Louisiana

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@...> wrote:
>
> I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which will
> total about 3K miles in all.
>
> I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and assocaited
> filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel filters
with
> me.
>
> The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the 10 years
> he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but never did
any
> coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have not
> checked, I can promise it is out of balance.
>
> I should note here, that I am not currently having over heating
> problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.
>
> Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have Permatex Heavy
> Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse, repeat,
> then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water, and 7
> pints Pencool 2000?
>
> Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and do the
> coolant service when I return?
>
> I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause leaks to
> occur that are not currently known and that would either prevent my
> trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice from the
> community.
>
> Michael Brundridge
> 1992 WB40
> Georgetown, TX
>

[davidkerryedwards]

I'd test it before making any decision. If it tests reasonably well and can be
brought back
into balance, I wouldn't be in any big hurry to replace it. A few weeks and a
few thousand
miles are unlikely to make a significant difference if the coolant is within
specs. It will still
carry away the heat.

Kerry
82 Fc 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@...> wrote:
>
> I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which will
> total about 3K miles in all.
>
> I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and assocaited
> filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel filters with
> me.
>
> The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the 10 years
> he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but never did any
> coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have not
> checked, I can promise it is out of balance.
>
> I should note here, that I am not currently having over heating
> problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.
>
> Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have Permatex Heavy
> Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse, repeat,
> then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water, and 7
> pints Pencool 2000?
>
> Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and do the
> coolant service when I return?
>
> I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause leaks to
> occur that are not currently known and that would either prevent my
> trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice from the
> community.
>
> Michael Brundridge
> 1992 WB40
> Georgetown, TX
>

[ronmarabito2002]

The most important item is the balance. If the coolant is clean, then
just make sure it is in balance and go on your trip. That 3000 miles
is not going to make much difference.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@...> wrote:
>
> I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which will
> total about 3K miles in all.
>
> I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and assocaited
> filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel filters with
> me.
>
> The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the 10 years
> he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but never did any
> coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have not
> checked, I can promise it is out of balance.
>
> I should note here, that I am not currently having over heating
> problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.
>
> Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have Permatex Heavy
> Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse, repeat,
> then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water, and 7
> pints Pencool 2000?
>
> Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and do the
> coolant service when I return?
>
> I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause leaks to
> occur that are not currently known and that would either prevent my
> trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice from the
> community.
>
> Michael Brundridge
> 1992 WB40
> Georgetown, TX
>

[Gregory OConnor]

Michael, When you check the balance, you need a homonogous mix of all
the fluids in the bus. there are valves that limit the path of
coolant for summer and winter. even the hotwater heater gets passed
with engine cooling fluid. I would ;run the bus ;run chassis heat
and primus heat then take a test of the fluid. Then if you have one,
replace the coolant filter and cut open the old one. I would not use
the cleaner as there is no way to check the interior of the heat
exchanger tranny cooler (looks like a big pipe under radiator) and
the acid will pass through all the non typical appliances not found
in apps where that cleaner is used.

If you balance a homonogous mix of existing fluids, you will know
what you are starting with. On the road you can always replace 5 gal
of fluid in the event 1000 miles down the road the test strips show a
change in balance.

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Al" wrote:
>
> Michael,
> I look at it this way... Either you can change it now and know
> what you are starting with or not and chance having to have it
> changed on the road. I can promise you, it will be cheaper now.
> Then you and your family can enjoy your trip.
>
> Al, Kathy Johnson
> '96 BMC B100
> Mandeville, Louisiana
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@> wrote:
> >
> > I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which will
> > total about 3K miles in all.
> >
> > I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and
assocaited
> > filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel filters
> with
> > me.
> >
> > The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the 10
years
> > he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but never did
> any
> > coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have not
> > checked, I can promise it is out of balance.
> >
> > I should note here, that I am not currently having over heating
> > problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.
> >
> > Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have Permatex
Heavy
> > Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse,
repeat,
> > then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water, and 7
> > pints Pencool 2000?
> >
> > Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and do the
> > coolant service when I return?
> >
> > I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause leaks
to
> > occur that are not currently known and that would either prevent
my
> > trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice from
the
> > community.
> >
> > Michael Brundridge
> > 1992 WB40
> > Georgetown, TX
> >
>

[mbrund]

So in a 1992 WB40, the Primus antifreeze is also part of the cooling
system? For some reason I thought they where seperate systems and
used a heat exchanger between them. I will go out and fire up the
coach now and run all the systems so the fluid gets circulated as I
am going to town in a little bit to pickup test strips to test the
balance.

Michael Brundridge
1992 WB40
Georgetown, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
wrote:
>
> Michael, When you check the balance, you need a homonogous mix of
all
> the fluids in the bus. there are valves that limit the path of
> coolant for summer and winter. even the hotwater heater gets passed
> with engine cooling fluid. I would ;run the bus ;run chassis heat
> and primus heat then take a test of the fluid. Then if you have
one,
> replace the coolant filter and cut open the old one. I would not
use
> the cleaner as there is no way to check the interior of the heat
> exchanger tranny cooler (looks like a big pipe under radiator) and
> the acid will pass through all the non typical appliances not
found
> in apps where that cleaner is used.
>
> If you balance a homonogous mix of existing fluids, you will know
> what you are starting with. On the road you can always replace 5
gal
> of fluid in the event 1000 miles down the road the test strips show
a
> change in balance.
>
> GregoryO'Connor
> 94ptRomolandCa
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Al" wrote:
> >
> > Michael,
> > I look at it this way... Either you can change it now and
know
> > what you are starting with or not and chance having to have it
> > changed on the road. I can promise you, it will be cheaper now.
> > Then you and your family can enjoy your trip.
> >
> > Al, Kathy Johnson
> > '96 BMC B100
> > Mandeville, Louisiana
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which
will
> > > total about 3K miles in all.
> > >
> > > I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and
> assocaited
> > > filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel filters
> > with
> > > me.
> > >
> > > The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the 10
> years
> > > he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but never
did
> > any
> > > coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have not
> > > checked, I can promise it is out of balance.
> > >
> > > I should note here, that I am not currently having over heating
> > > problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.
> > >
> > > Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have Permatex
> Heavy
> > > Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse,
> repeat,
> > > then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water, and
7
> > > pints Pencool 2000?
> > >
> > > Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and do
the
> > > coolant service when I return?
> > >
> > > I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause
leaks
> to
> > > occur that are not currently known and that would either
prevent
> my
> > > trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice from
> the
> > > community.
> > >
> > > Michael Brundridge
> > > 1992 WB40
> > > Georgetown, TX
> > >
> >
>

[Leroy Eckert]

The Primus is not a part of the engine cooling system, at least it isn't on
mine. There should be two small white plastic bottles at the rear of the bus up
high that are the reservoirs.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL
----- Original Message -----
From: mbrund
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 9:48 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: 3K trip over 2 weeks, should I do this service
or wait


So in a 1992 WB40, the Primus antifreeze is also part of the cooling
system? For some reason I thought they where seperate systems and
used a heat exchanger between them. I will go out and fire up the
coach now and run all the systems so the fluid gets circulated as I
am going to town in a little bit to pickup test strips to test the
balance.

Michael Brundridge
1992 WB40
Georgetown, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
wrote:
>
> Michael, When you check the balance, you need a homonogous mix of
all
> the fluids in the bus. there are valves that limit the path of
> coolant for summer and winter. even the hotwater heater gets passed
> with engine cooling fluid. I would ;run the bus ;run chassis heat
> and primus heat then take a test of the fluid. Then if you have
one,
> replace the coolant filter and cut open the old one. I would not
use
> the cleaner as there is no way to check the interior of the heat
> exchanger tranny cooler (looks like a big pipe under radiator) and
> the acid will pass through all the non typical appliances not
found
> in apps where that cleaner is used.
>
> If you balance a homonogous mix of existing fluids, you will know
> what you are starting with. On the road you can always replace 5
gal
> of fluid in the event 1000 miles down the road the test strips show
a
> change in balance.
>
> GregoryO'Connor
> 94ptRomolandCa
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Al" wrote:
> >
> > Michael,
> > I look at it this way... Either you can change it now and
know
> > what you are starting with or not and chance having to have it
> > changed on the road. I can promise you, it will be cheaper now.
> > Then you and your family can enjoy your trip.
> >
> > Al, Kathy Johnson
> > '96 BMC B100
> > Mandeville, Louisiana
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which
will
> > > total about 3K miles in all.
> > >
> > > I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and
> assocaited
> > > filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel filters
> > with
> > > me.
> > >
> > > The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the 10
> years
> > > he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but never
did
> > any
> > > coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have not
> > > checked, I can promise it is out of balance.
> > >
> > > I should note here, that I am not currently having over heating
> > > problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.
> > >
> > > Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have Permatex
> Heavy
> > > Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse,
> repeat,
> > > then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water, and
7
> > > pints Pencool 2000?
> > >
> > > Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and do
the
> > > coolant service when I return?
> > >
> > > I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause
leaks
> to
> > > occur that are not currently known and that would either
prevent
> my
> > > trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice from
> the
> > > community.
> > >
> > > Michael Brundridge
> > > 1992 WB40
> > > Georgetown, TX
> > >
> >
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[mbrund]

I tested the coolant with a coolant test strip at 90 degree coolant
temp: Alkalinity = 6.6, Glycol = 50%, pH = 7.5, Molybdate = 0 PPM,
Nitrite = 800 PPM. From what I can determine, Nalcool/Pencool 2000
does not use Molybdate, just Nitrite in its SCA package. So it looks
like I need to add a little over 1 pint to bring it into spec.

The sample I took has scale in it, so I will need to do a through
flush when I return home, but for now I believe I will just add
between 1 and 2 pints of Pencool 2000 and go on my trip. I will do
the flushing and replacing of coolant when I return.

Michael Brundridge
1992 WB40
Georgetown, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002"
wrote:
>
> The most important item is the balance. If the coolant is clean,
then
> just make sure it is in balance and go on your trip. That 3000
miles
> is not going to make much difference.
>
> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@> wrote:
> >
> > I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which will
> > total about 3K miles in all.
> >
> > I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and
assocaited
> > filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel filters
with
> > me.
> >
> > The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the 10
years
> > he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but never did
any
> > coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have not
> > checked, I can promise it is out of balance.
> >
> > I should note here, that I am not currently having over heating
> > problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.
> >
> > Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have Permatex
Heavy
> > Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse,
repeat,
> > then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water, and 7
> > pints Pencool 2000?
> >
> > Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and do the
> > coolant service when I return?
> >
> > I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause leaks
to
> > occur that are not currently known and that would either prevent
my
> > trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice from
the
> > community.
> >
> > Michael Brundridge
> > 1992 WB40
> > Georgetown, TX
> >
>

[mbrund]

Leroy,

Mine is the same as yours with the two small plastic bottles located
on the curb side upper engine compartment. In my response to Gregory
I said I believed it to be a closed loop system and not part of the
coolant system and I see nothing that would make me believe otherwise.

Michael Brundridge
1992 WB40
Georgetown, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Leroy Eckert"
wrote:
>
> The Primus is not a part of the engine cooling system, at least it
isn't on mine. There should be two small white plastic bottles at the
rear of the bus up high that are the reservoirs.
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
> Niceville, FL
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mbrund
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 9:48 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: 3K trip over 2 weeks, should I do
this service or wait
>
>
> So in a 1992 WB40, the Primus antifreeze is also part of the
cooling
> system? For some reason I thought they where seperate systems and
> used a heat exchanger between them. I will go out and fire up the
> coach now and run all the systems so the fluid gets circulated as
I
> am going to town in a little bit to pickup test strips to test
the
> balance.
>
> Michael Brundridge
> 1992 WB40
> Georgetown, TX
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
> wrote:
> >
> > Michael, When you check the balance, you need a homonogous mix
of
> all
> > the fluids in the bus. there are valves that limit the path of
> > coolant for summer and winter. even the hotwater heater gets
passed
> > with engine cooling fluid. I would ;run the bus ;run chassis
heat
> > and primus heat then take a test of the fluid. Then if you have
> one,
> > replace the coolant filter and cut open the old one. I would
not
> use
> > the cleaner as there is no way to check the interior of the
heat
> > exchanger tranny cooler (looks like a big pipe under radiator)
and
> > the acid will pass through all the non typical appliances not
> found
> > in apps where that cleaner is used.
> >
> > If you balance a homonogous mix of existing fluids, you will
know
> > what you are starting with. On the road you can always replace
5
> gal
> > of fluid in the event 1000 miles down the road the test strips
show
> a
> > change in balance.
> >
> > GregoryO'Connor
> > 94ptRomolandCa
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Al" wrote:
> > >
> > > Michael,
> > > I look at it this way... Either you can change it now and
> know
> > > what you are starting with or not and chance having to have
it
> > > changed on the road. I can promise you, it will be cheaper
now.
> > > Then you and your family can enjoy your trip.
> > >
> > > Al, Kathy Johnson
> > > '96 BMC B100
> > > Mandeville, Louisiana
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@>
wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which
> will
> > > > total about 3K miles in all.
> > > >
> > > > I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and
> > assocaited
> > > > filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel
filters
> > > with
> > > > me.
> > > >
> > > > The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the
10
> > years
> > > > he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but
never
> did
> > > any
> > > > coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have
not
> > > > checked, I can promise it is out of balance.
> > > >
> > > > I should note here, that I am not currently having over
heating
> > > > problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.
> > > >
> > > > Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have
Permatex
> > Heavy
> > > > Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse,
> > repeat,
> > > > then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water,
and
> 7
> > > > pints Pencool 2000?
> > > >
> > > > Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and
do
> the
> > > > coolant service when I return?
> > > >
> > > > I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause
> leaks
> > to
> > > > occur that are not currently known and that would either
> prevent
> > my
> > > > trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice
from
> > the
> > > > community.
> > > >
> > > > Michael Brundridge
> > > > 1992 WB40
> > > > Georgetown, TX
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[ronmarabito2002]

I think you will find that the systems are separate.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, tX 92WB40


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@...> wrote:
>
> So in a 1992 WB40, the Primus antifreeze is also part of the cooling
> system? For some reason I thought they where seperate systems and
> used a heat exchanger between them. I will go out and fire up the
> coach now and run all the systems so the fluid gets circulated as I
> am going to town in a little bit to pickup test strips to test the
> balance.
>
> Michael Brundridge
> 1992 WB40
> Georgetown, TX
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
> wrote:
> >
> > Michael, When you check the balance, you need a homonogous mix of
> all
> > the fluids in the bus. there are valves that limit the path of
> > coolant for summer and winter. even the hotwater heater gets passed
> > with engine cooling fluid. I would ;run the bus ;run chassis heat
> > and primus heat then take a test of the fluid. Then if you have
> one,
> > replace the coolant filter and cut open the old one. I would not
> use
> > the cleaner as there is no way to check the interior of the heat
> > exchanger tranny cooler (looks like a big pipe under radiator) and
> > the acid will pass through all the non typical appliances not
> found
> > in apps where that cleaner is used.
> >
> > If you balance a homonogous mix of existing fluids, you will know
> > what you are starting with. On the road you can always replace 5
> gal
> > of fluid in the event 1000 miles down the road the test strips show
> a
> > change in balance.
> >
> > GregoryO'Connor
> > 94ptRomolandCa
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Al" wrote:
> > >
> > > Michael,
> > > I look at it this way... Either you can change it now and
> know
> > > what you are starting with or not and chance having to have it
> > > changed on the road. I can promise you, it will be cheaper now.
> > > Then you and your family can enjoy your trip.
> > >
> > > Al, Kathy Johnson
> > > '96 BMC B100
> > > Mandeville, Louisiana
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbrund" <mbrund@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I am about to take our WB on its first long haul trip which
> will
> > > > total about 3K miles in all.
> > > >
> > > > I am going to change the engine and transmission oil and
> > assocaited
> > > > filters. I am carring extra primary and secondary fuel filters
> > > with
> > > > me.
> > > >
> > > > The real question is, the prior owner admitted that in the 10
> > years
> > > > he owned it that he did basic oil and trans service but never
> did
> > > any
> > > > coolant service. So that scares me, and all though I have not
> > > > checked, I can promise it is out of balance.
> > > >
> > > > I should note here, that I am not currently having over heating
> > > > problems. Just want to get my coach caught up on service.
> > > >
> > > > Should I dump the coolant, flush the system (I have Permatex
> > Heavy
> > > > Duty Radiator Cleaner, bascially Hydrochloric Acid), rinse,
> > repeat,
> > > > then add 12 gallons antifreeze, 12 gallons distilled water, and
> 7
> > > > pints Pencool 2000?
> > > >
> > > > Or should I test it, get it in balance, take the trip and do
> the
> > > > coolant service when I return?
> > > >
> > > > I am a little concerned that flushing the system may cause
> leaks
> > to
> > > > occur that are not currently known and that would either
> prevent
> > my
> > > > trip or cause issues on the road. Looking for some advice from
> > the
> > > > community.
> > > >
> > > > Michael Brundridge
> > > > 1992 WB40
> > > > Georgetown, TX
> > > >
> > >
> >
>