Overheating 3208 in a 90SP36

[dthollis1961]

Eric,

My 84 FC35 has a separate cooler mounted to the bottom of the RF
outside storage compartment. Probably not optimum for airflow, but
better than none at all. I'm not sure that my trans temp gauge
reads correctly since under normal driving it never moves off the
peg, but once I got caught in traffic with the throttle sticking
slightly open and the gauge moved up quite a bit.

David Hollis 84 FC35 Springfield,IL


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
wrote:
>
> Hi Tom,
> I like the idea of a separate tranmission cooler as a way to
remove heat load from the main
> radiator but where would you mount it? Would you mount it in
front or behind the main
> radiator or somewhere else? It's got to get a good flow of air to
do the job. Have you
> installed one on your FC?
> Regards, Eric
> 84FC35SBWL2
>

[Scott]

Hey Bill, I would agree. In our 86FC when coolant temps approach 220*
I am hitting the winter/summer switch and turning on the aux pump. If
that does not help then the fan override is next. If that is no help
the I am looking for a place to stop. Something is wrong.

Believe me I know the cost of CAT heads,gaskets, rad cleaning, new
water pump etc. ($5k) Been there. Mike has a "lil speriance" himself.
I would tend to agree with him. The oil may handle the temps but my
CAT doesnt like em. Plus I ALWAYS cool the engine down before shut
down.

Anything I can do to help the old girl, I will try. She may be old
but she can still dance!

ScottB
86FC35 "RUBY" 4 SALE
SC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "pattypape"
wrote:
>
>
>
> Hey Mike & Eric,
>
> The BB manual in the Blue Box states that the normal
> oil temp for the 3208 should be between 200 and 250.
>
> BB did not build the 3208, 250 degrees sounds really high,
> And gage readings could be off by atleast 10%.
>
> My 2 cents,
>
> Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Mike,
> > I understand that radiator spray systems are nothing new. I've
> been aware of them for a
> > number of years. Glad to hear you use one and that it gives you
> good results.
> >
> > I respect the fact that you have a lot of experience, however you
> are not the only person
> > that has some knowledge to share on our website. None of us has
> the corner on
> > everything there is to know about these coaches. Your experience
> and knowledge are
> > valuable to all of us but some of what you think you know may be
> wrong.
> >
> > I hope all of us can continue to share the best of what we know
> but also be willing to listen
> > to the views of others without being critical or abusive.
> >
> > I wish you many happy Blue Bird miles.
> > Regards, Eric
> > 84FC35SBWL2
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> <MHOHNSTEIN@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Yo, Johnson, it's NOT an IDEA. It's on my vehicle and it
> actually works, per my oil pan
> > temp gage and my water temp gage. Nothing new about, just because
> it seems to be
> > unfamilar to you. Just returned from a 4000 mile trip to Idaho
> and am going back next
> > month so I get on down the road too. As far as temperature
> limits, that's experience, I've
> > got a lot of it and it's OK if you want to ignore it my advice,
> it's your engine.
> > > MH
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Eric Johnson
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 3:40 PM
> > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Overheating 3208 in a 90SP36
> > >
> > >
> > > Hello Again Chuck,
> > > Mike's idea about a spray bar will improve cooling capacity
on
> a hot, dry, day, but not
> > sure
> > > where he gets the max numbers on coolant and oil. Important
to
> remember the
> > > thermostat doesn't fully open until 185ºF. Radiator cap
> pressure rating of 7 psig,
> > altitude
> > > and coolant composition set how hot you can run the radiator
> before you boil over.
> > > Engine oil can safely operate at sustained temperatures of
220-
> 240ºF and for shorter
> > > periods as high as 300ºF with no problems given normal oil
> changes.
> > > Regards, Eric
> > > 84FC35SBWL2
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hello Chuck,
> > > > My 3208 is in the front rather than the back but your
> experiences were much like
> > mine
> > > > while climbing mountain passes in Colorado. Not sure you
can
> expect any lower
> > > > temperatures than what you're getting in hot summer
weather.
> I found on my coach
> > > that
> > > > it helps some to gear down as your speed drops off to keep
> RPM's up so the fan
> > cools
> > > > better and the engine load is reduced.
> > > > Regards, Eric
> > > > 84FC35SBWL2
> > > >
> > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "williamcharrison"
> >
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Just came back from a long trip and noticed that at every
> extended
> > > > > grade climb the temp gauge would start climbing toward
220.
> > > > > It never reached 220 but the level increase alarms me. I
> have
> > > > > cleaned the radiator and put new belts on all around. The
> oil temp
> > > > > also climbs to about 230 (though I don't know what the
> danger level
> > > > > is). The thermostat was replaced before my first trip
this
> year
> > > > > and I had no similar problems, but then the temperature
> was in the 70's
> > > > > and on the last trip it was in the 90's.
> > > > >
> > > > > Chuck Harrison
> > > > > Akron, Ohio
> > > > > 90SP36
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
>

[davidkerryedwards]

I don't know if I have the Facet or the Horton but my 82 FC 35
performed this way all summer from Denver--DC to NYC and back, UNTIL I
hit western Kansas, Colorado and 100+ degree temperatures. Under
those circumstances, relatively flat long grades were making the fan
clutch cycle much more frequently. In the western quarter of Kansas
and all of eastern Colorado, my fan cycled far more than even the
hills of WV and MD. So it was still working fine but I could tell the
heat load on the system was more significant than anywhere else and it
was approaching the point where very steep hills might push the system
to its limit. Under those circumstances I think a separate fan driven
transmission cooler could be a big asset because once the convertor
unlocks on a steep hill, the transmission will generate a lot more
heat.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

> My previous FC35 Cat ran flawlessly with a Horton
> fan and reworked swing radiator. It ran 190
> degrees all of the time unless you really got
> into some big hills and then it would cycle
> between 190 and 205 until the extra load was off.
> That is the way it was designed to run.
>
> Tom Warner
> Vernon Center,NY
> 1985 PT 40
>
>

[erniecarpet@...]

Eric, on my 84 35 FC, the transmission cooler was installed under the right
front storage bay. It had a heavy mesh screen under that to protect it from
debris. Worked like a charm.

Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Livingston, Montana



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

[erniecarpet@...]

I believe the rediline was still in my FC. That is an excellent place for
another air intake and you Cat would love you for the modification.

Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Livingston, Montana



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

[erniecarpet@...]

ERic- did your Wanderlodge II have a Rediline?
On my FC, I didn't know I had a rediline till I opened the front curb side
compartment and looked behind the black metal louvered panel- there was this
"thing" back there. Of course, back in those days, I hadn't a clue what a
rediline was. The things we learn from these coaches!!

Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Livingston, Montana



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

[erniecarpet@...]

In the early coaches, we have 3 virtual radiators. If your valves, hoses, and
sporlan vales all work, this is a great way to keep the engine cool. With 3
roof airs, and at the top of a steep grade, should bring the comfort of the
coach down pretty quick.

Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Livingston, Montana



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

[Scott]

Ernie, Eric, Good location for a variety of things. I have seen a
couple of older FC's with their redi-line removed, or not there use
that area for an extra air intake as well. Filter was in that area. The
heavy screen could be 1/4 squares "rabbit fence" type.

ScottB
86FC35 "RUBY" 4 Sale
SC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@... wrote:
>
> Eric, on my 84 35 FC, the transmission cooler was installed under the
right
> front storage bay. It had a heavy mesh screen under that to protect
it from
> debris. Worked like a charm.
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83 PT40
> Livingston, Montana
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

If I read the suggestions correctly, in an FC with the 4.88 gears
and towing something an auxillary trany cooler would almost be a
must.

Gardner Almost a be.


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
wrote:
>
> Ernie, Eric, Good location for a variety of things. I have seen a
> couple of older FC's with their redi-line removed, or not there
use
> that area for an extra air intake as well. Filter was in that
area. The
> heavy screen could be 1/4 squares "rabbit fence" type.
>
> ScottB
> 86FC35 "RUBY" 4 Sale
> SC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@ wrote:
> >
> > Eric, on my 84 35 FC, the transmission cooler was installed
under the
> right
> > front storage bay. It had a heavy mesh screen under that to
protect
> it from
> > debris. Worked like a charm.
> >
> > Ernie Ekberg
> > 83 PT40
> > Livingston, Montana
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

[pattypape]

Gardner,

More is always better in keeping the Cat running cool.

But, I think some of the postings on high temps are related
to the outside Ambient temperatures. Some 3208's do not like
hills and mountains when the outside temp is over 90 degrees.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
>
> If I read the suggestions correctly, in an FC with the 4.88
gears
> and towing something an auxillary trany cooler would almost be a
> must.
>
> Gardner Almost a be.
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
> wrote:
> >
> > Ernie, Eric, Good location for a variety of things. I have seen
a
> > couple of older FC's with their redi-line removed, or not there
> use
> > that area for an extra air intake as well. Filter was in that
> area. The
> > heavy screen could be 1/4 squares "rabbit fence" type.
> >
> > ScottB
> > 86FC35 "RUBY" 4 Sale
> > SC
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Eric, on my 84 35 FC, the transmission cooler was installed
> under the
> > right
> > > front storage bay. It had a heavy mesh screen under that to
> protect
> > it from
> > > debris. Worked like a charm.
> > >
> > > Ernie Ekberg
> > > 83 PT40
> > > Livingston, Montana
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
>