1985 PT-40 Radiator Question

[Pete Masterson]

The surge tank on the 8v92 may not have the sight glass. I looked at
some photos of older PT-'birds on the Vintage Birds web site, and I
could see (what I assume was) the surge tank just left of center at
the top of the engine compartment (with the cover raised). I didn't
see the sight glass, so I assume that there's an indicator tab just
inside the fill cap (as on many vehicles). (Overfilling the radiator
isn't a serious problem as excess coolant will simply exit through
the overflow tube -- but it does waste a bit of coolant.)

A tear, even quite small, can allow a _lot_ of coolant to escape,
since it's under several pounds of pressure in the system.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



On Jan 1, 2008, at 10:43 AM, curlesw wrote:

> Thanks Pete.
>
> The hose ran from the pump into the engine block....fairly easy to
> reach. It had a 2.5" rip in it...didn't expect such a huge failure.
> Sure, maybe a small hole from a 21 year old hose, but wow! I lost a
> lot of fluid very quickly. I'm glad the engine alarm worked since it
> was at night and I could not see all the smoke pouring out the back.
>
> I did not noticed the surge tank and site glass...will have to look
> for that when I add coolant back into the system to ensure I do not
> overflow.
>
> I read the BB manual and it said to use an antifreeze which contains
> ethylene glycol. When I get back home I'll have a complete flush of
> all fluids anyway, it's time for a complete refresh...just need to
> get home by Sunday, which is 2,000 miles away!
>
> v/r
> Wayne C.
> San Deigo, CA
> 1985 PT-40
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
> wrote:
>>
>> The engine radiator in a PT is on the left (street) side at the
> rear
>> of the coach. From the inside, you should be able to see a fan
> (with
>> a shroud around it) that pulls air through the radiator. The
> radiator
>> near the generator is for the generator only.
>>
>> The fill for the radiator is in the center on the rear above the
>> engine compartment cover. It feeds into a surge tank. Usually
> there's
>> a small, round sight glass. The water level (minimum) is to the
>> center of the sight glass. (Too full will cause the coolant to
>> overflow when it heats up.)
>>
>> Be sure you're using a coolant that's appropriate to the engine.
>> Check the Detroit Diesel recommendation for your engine.
>>
>> It occurs to me that the hose -might- have been for the generator
>> rather than the engine. Where, exactly, was the hose you replaced?
>> (Of course, you should check the water level in the generator as
>> well. That's accomplished by removing the radiator cap and looking
> in.)
>>
>> Pete Masterson
>> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
>> El Sobrante CA
>> aeonix1@...
>>
>>
>>
>> On Dec 31, 2007, at 5:34 PM, curlesw wrote:
>>
>>> This seems like a silly question, but here goes. I need to add
>>> coolant and read the instructions. I had a leak in a hose that
>>> required replacement and now need to add coolant to the system.
>>>
>>> Does the engine use the same radiator as the one located in front
> of
>>> the generator? I just assumed there would be a separate radiator
> but
>>> guess not, correct?
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> Wayne C.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>
>
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