Help On The Road

[Eric Johnson]

While traveling in Colorado a couple of weeks ago our FC35 had to tackle some
grades we
hadn't seen in a long time. We experienced some "boil-overs" from the cooling
system
and lost about 3 gallons of Cat antifreeze solution.

I called the Caterpillar Engine Call Center Hotline I had read about in the FMCA
magazine.
The line is staffed 24/7 to help Cat powered RV owners. The number is (877)
777-3126.
The man on the line was very knowledgeable and helped me locate the nearest
source of
Cat parts and antifreeze.

I called Bennie Collier at the factory on (800) 992-6337 and consulted with him
on the
symptoms and got some good advice on a cap replacement plus suggestion to add a
cooling fan manual switch I don't currently have. Local NAPA store didn't have
my cap so
Blue Bird parts (800) 495-7787 overnighted a new cap to me to the Ouray, CO KOA
and
we had no more problems on return trip to Texas.

I don't know of many 22 year old coaches that enjoy this level of technical
support and I'm
danged glad I own a Blue Bird. I wanted to share the phone numbers with others
in case
they don't know about them.

Eric in San Antonio
84FC35SB

[davidkerryedwards]

The road coming into Ouray from the south could make any coach boil over.
I was just thinking a few days ago that a manual fan switch would be a
valuable addition to the coach since it could be used to stop the
initial climb from 180 to 195 degrees.
However, I think a lot of the heat produced on those kinds of climbs
comes from the fact that the lock up convertor unlocks and produces a
heck of a lot of heat in lower gears. Did the tech mention that at
all? A separate transmission cooler might be helpful if a person was
to drive in those conditions continually.
Did you put a higher pressure cap on the system?
There is another alternative but it might be prohibitively expensive
given the size and complexity of the Bird cooling system. Evans
Waterless Coolant has a boiling temperature of around 335 degrees.
You can run Evans in an unpressurized system, reducing the possibility
of leaks from high pressure, without worrying about boil overs and
providing cooling over a wider range of temperatures. The stuff is
not cheap however.
Did you check your tranmission fluid to see if it got burnt from the
heat load?

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
wrote:
>
> While traveling in Colorado a couple of weeks ago our FC35 had to
tackle some grades we
> hadn't seen in a long time. We experienced some "boil-overs" from
the cooling system
> and lost about 3 gallons of Cat antifreeze solution.
>
> I called the Caterpillar Engine Call Center Hotline I had read about
in the FMCA magazine.
> The line is staffed 24/7 to help Cat powered RV owners. The number
is (877) 777-3126.
> The man on the line was very knowledgeable and helped me locate the
nearest source of
> Cat parts and antifreeze.
>
> I called Bennie Collier at the factory on (800) 992-6337 and
consulted with him on the
> symptoms and got some good advice on a cap replacement plus
suggestion to add a
> cooling fan manual switch I don't currently have. Local NAPA store
didn't have my cap so
> Blue Bird parts (800) 495-7787 overnighted a new cap to me to the
Ouray, CO KOA and
> we had no more problems on return trip to Texas.
>
> I don't know of many 22 year old coaches that enjoy this level of
technical support and I'm
> danged glad I own a Blue Bird. I wanted to share the phone numbers
with others in case
> they don't know about them.
>
> Eric in San Antonio
> 84FC35SB
>

[Eric Johnson]

Hello Kerry,
I can't speak to how much of the heat buildup was a result of engine load vs
transmission
load but I did observe higher coolant temperatures even when transmission was
operating
normally but the engine was under load and ambient temperatures were high
(95º-100ºF).
Bennie didn't mention transmission cooling as a distinct and separate issue, we
just talked
about overall heat load.

Old radiator cap had a pressure rating of 7# and new cap has same rating. I
discussed the
possibility of raising pressure rating of the cap but Cat & Blue Bird folks said
this wasn't a
good idea due to possible failure of other components (like radiator) if I did
this.

I think the fan switch is a good idea no matter the source of the heat as it
will increase
cooling capacity before you get so close to redline on temperature. Simple to
install and
certainly worth a try.

Curious about the Evans coolant. Never heard about it. Could be a good idea
for older
cooling systems if it meets requirements of Cat diesels. Cat antifreeze isn't
cheap either.
Costs about $10/gallon.

Good idea about the transmission fluid. I'll check it to see if it's black.

Regards, Eric
84FC35SB

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> The road coming into Ouray from the south could make any coach boil over.
> I was just thinking a few days ago that a manual fan switch would be a
> valuable addition to the coach since it could be used to stop the
> initial climb from 180 to 195 degrees.
> However, I think a lot of the heat produced on those kinds of climbs
> comes from the fact that the lock up convertor unlocks and produces a
> heck of a lot of heat in lower gears. Did the tech mention that at
> all? A separate transmission cooler might be helpful if a person was
> to drive in those conditions continually.
> Did you put a higher pressure cap on the system?
> There is another alternative but it might be prohibitively expensive
> given the size and complexity of the Bird cooling system. Evans
> Waterless Coolant has a boiling temperature of around 335 degrees.
> You can run Evans in an unpressurized system, reducing the possibility
> of leaks from high pressure, without worrying about boil overs and
> providing cooling over a wider range of temperatures. The stuff is
> not cheap however.
> Did you check your tranmission fluid to see if it got burnt from the
> heat load?
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
> wrote:
> >
> > While traveling in Colorado a couple of weeks ago our FC35 had to
> tackle some grades we
> > hadn't seen in a long time. We experienced some "boil-overs" from
> the cooling system
> > and lost about 3 gallons of Cat antifreeze solution.
> >
> > I called the Caterpillar Engine Call Center Hotline I had read about
> in the FMCA magazine.
> > The line is staffed 24/7 to help Cat powered RV owners. The number
> is (877) 777-3126.
> > The man on the line was very knowledgeable and helped me locate the
> nearest source of
> > Cat parts and antifreeze.
> >
> > I called Bennie Collier at the factory on (800) 992-6337 and
> consulted with him on the
> > symptoms and got some good advice on a cap replacement plus
> suggestion to add a
> > cooling fan manual switch I don't currently have. Local NAPA store
> didn't have my cap so
> > Blue Bird parts (800) 495-7787 overnighted a new cap to me to the
> Ouray, CO KOA and
> > we had no more problems on return trip to Texas.
> >
> > I don't know of many 22 year old coaches that enjoy this level of
> technical support and I'm
> > danged glad I own a Blue Bird. I wanted to share the phone numbers
> with others in case
> > they don't know about them.
> >
> > Eric in San Antonio
> > 84FC35SB
> >
>

[davidkerryedwards]

I think Evans was running about $25 per gallon last time I checked.
The system has to be completely purged of any H2O before adding Evans.

Another factor at these elevations is the reduced boiling temperature
due to the altitude. It's hard to get a good cup of tea around here
because the water doesn't get hot enough before boiling.

Kerry

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
wrote:
>
> Hello Kerry,
> I can't speak to how much of the heat buildup was a result of engine
load vs transmission
> load but I did observe higher coolant temperatures even when
transmission was operating
> normally but the engine was under load and ambient temperatures were
high (95º-100ºF).
> Bennie didn't mention transmission cooling as a distinct and
separate issue, we just talked
> about overall heat load.
>
> Old radiator cap had a pressure rating of 7# and new cap has same
rating. I discussed the
> possibility of raising pressure rating of the cap but Cat & Blue
Bird folks said this wasn't a
> good idea due to possible failure of other components (like
radiator) if I did this.
>
> I think the fan switch is a good idea no matter the source of the
heat as it will increase
> cooling capacity before you get so close to redline on temperature.
Simple to install and
> certainly worth a try.
>
> Curious about the Evans coolant. Never heard about it. Could be a
good idea for older
> cooling systems if it meets requirements of Cat diesels. Cat
antifreeze isn't cheap either.
> Costs about $10/gallon.
>
> Good idea about the transmission fluid. I'll check it to see if
it's black.
>
> Regards, Eric
> 84FC35SB
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"

> wrote:
> >
> > The road coming into Ouray from the south could make any coach
boil over.
> > I was just thinking a few days ago that a manual fan switch would be a
> > valuable addition to the coach since it could be used to stop the
> > initial climb from 180 to 195 degrees.
> > However, I think a lot of the heat produced on those kinds of climbs
> > comes from the fact that the lock up convertor unlocks and produces a
> > heck of a lot of heat in lower gears. Did the tech mention that at
> > all? A separate transmission cooler might be helpful if a person was
> > to drive in those conditions continually.
> > Did you put a higher pressure cap on the system?
> > There is another alternative but it might be prohibitively expensive
> > given the size and complexity of the Bird cooling system. Evans
> > Waterless Coolant has a boiling temperature of around 335 degrees.
> > You can run Evans in an unpressurized system, reducing the possibility
> > of leaks from high pressure, without worrying about boil overs and
> > providing cooling over a wider range of temperatures. The stuff is
> > not cheap however.
> > Did you check your tranmission fluid to see if it got burnt from the
> > heat load?
> >
> > Kerry
> > 82 FC 35
> > Denver
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > While traveling in Colorado a couple of weeks ago our FC35 had to
> > tackle some grades we
> > > hadn't seen in a long time. We experienced some "boil-overs" from
> > the cooling system
> > > and lost about 3 gallons of Cat antifreeze solution.
> > >
> > > I called the Caterpillar Engine Call Center Hotline I had read about
> > in the FMCA magazine.
> > > The line is staffed 24/7 to help Cat powered RV owners. The number
> > is (877) 777-3126.
> > > The man on the line was very knowledgeable and helped me locate the
> > nearest source of
> > > Cat parts and antifreeze.
> > >
> > > I called Bennie Collier at the factory on (800) 992-6337 and
> > consulted with him on the
> > > symptoms and got some good advice on a cap replacement plus
> > suggestion to add a
> > > cooling fan manual switch I don't currently have. Local NAPA store
> > didn't have my cap so
> > > Blue Bird parts (800) 495-7787 overnighted a new cap to me to the
> > Ouray, CO KOA and
> > > we had no more problems on return trip to Texas.
> > >
> > > I don't know of many 22 year old coaches that enjoy this level of
> > technical support and I'm
> > > danged glad I own a Blue Bird. I wanted to share the phone numbers
> > with others in case
> > > they don't know about them.
> > >
> > > Eric in San Antonio
> > > 84FC35SB
> > >
> >
>

[Tom Warner]

So to replace the coolant in a 1982 FC35 that
holds 67 quarts ( 17 gallons)which includes the
chassis circulating hot water heaters would cost
$420 plus taxes just for the coolant? I buy 9
gallons of Fleetguard concentrate at $8 or so a
gallon, dilute it 50% with distilled water at 56
cents a gallon from Walmart, about $75.

Problem is that Evans coolant doe
not meet any major engine manufacturers
(Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel, Cummins) standards.

Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40




At 06:59 PM 8/2/2006, you wrote:

>I think Evans was running about $25 per gallon last time I checked.
>The system has to be completely purged of any H2O before adding Evans.
>
>Another factor at these elevations is the reduced boiling temperature
>due to the altitude. It's hard to get a good cup of tea around here
>because the water doesn't get hot enough before boiling.
>
>Kerry
>
>--- In
>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
>"Eric Johnson"
>wrote:
> >
> > Hello Kerry,
> > I can't speak to how much of the heat buildup was a result of engine
>load vs transmission
> > load but I did observe higher coolant temperatures even when
>transmission was operating
> > normally but the engine was under load and ambient temperatures were
>high (95º-100ºF).
> > Bennie didn't mention transmission cooling as a distinct and
>separate issue, we just talked
> > about overall heat load.
> >
> > Old radiator cap had a pressure rating of 7# and new cap has same
>rating. I discussed the
> > possibility of raising pressure rating of the cap but Cat & Blue
>Bird folks said this wasn't a
> > good idea due to possible failure of other components (like
>radiator) if I did this.
> >
> > I think the fan switch is a good idea no matter the source of the
>heat as it will increase
> > cooling capacity before you get so close to redline on temperature.
>Simple to install and
> > certainly worth a try.
> >
> > Curious about the Evans coolant. Never heard about it. Could be a
>good idea for older
> > cooling systems if it meets requirements of Cat diesels. Cat
>antifreeze isn't cheap either.
> > Costs about $10/gallon.
> >
> > Good idea about the transmission fluid. I'll check it to see if
>it's black.
> >
> > Regards, Eric
> > 84FC35SB
> >
> > --- In
> WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> "davidkerryedwards"
>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > The road coming into Ouray from the south could make any coach
>boil over.
> > > I was just thinking a few days ago that a manual fan switch would be a
> > > valuable addition to the coach since it could be used to stop the
> > > initial climb from 180 to 195 degrees.
> > > However, I think a lot of the heat produced on those kinds of climbs
> > > comes from the fact that the lock up convertor unlocks and produces a
> > > heck of a lot of heat in lower gears. Did the tech mention that at
> > > all? A separate transmission cooler might be helpful if a person was
> > > to drive in those conditions continually.
> > > Did you put a higher pressure cap on the system?
> > > There is another alternative but it might be prohibitively expensive
> > > given the size and complexity of the Bird cooling system. Evans
> > > Waterless Coolant has a boiling temperature of around 335 degrees.
> > > You can run Evans in an unpressurized system, reducing the possibility
> > > of leaks from high pressure, without worrying about boil overs and
> > > providing cooling over a wider range of temperatures. The stuff is
> > > not cheap however.
> > > Did you check your tranmission fluid to see if it got burnt from the
> > > heat load?
> > >
> > > Kerry
> > > 82 FC 35
> > > Denver
> > >
> > > --- In
> WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> "Eric Johnson"
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > While traveling in Colorado a couple of weeks ago our FC35 had to
> > > tackle some grades we
> > > > hadn't seen in a long time. We experienced some "boil-overs" from
> > > the cooling system
> > > > and lost about 3 gallons of Cat antifreeze solution.
> > > >
> > > > I called the Caterpillar Engine Call Center Hotline I had read about
> > > in the FMCA magazine.
> > > > The line is staffed 24/7 to help Cat powered RV owners. The number
> > > is (877) 777-3126.
> > > > The man on the line was very knowledgeable and helped me locate the
> > > nearest source of
> > > > Cat parts and antifreeze.
> > > >
> > > > I called Bennie Collier at the factory on (800) 992-6337 and
> > > consulted with him on the
> > > > symptoms and got some good advice on a cap replacement plus
> > > suggestion to add a
> > > > cooling fan manual switch I don't currently have. Local NAPA store
> > > didn't have my cap so
> > > > Blue Bird parts (800) 495-7787 overnighted a new cap to me to the
> > > Ouray, CO KOA and
> > > > we had no more problems on return trip to Texas.
> > > >
> > > > I don't know of many 22 year old coaches that enjoy this level of
> > > technical support and I'm
> > > > danged glad I own a Blue Bird. I wanted to share the phone numbers
> > > with others in case
> > > > they don't know about them.
> > > >
> > > > Eric in San Antonio
> > > > 84FC35SB
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>