Clean rear radiator

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stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Clean rear radiator

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

Here's how to tell if your CAC/radiator cleaning job is sufficient/complete.

Every passage in the radiator will blow bubbles.
(This is at idle): Image
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
JoeyD
Posts: 37
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2020 6:23 pm

Re: Clean rear radiator

Post by JoeyD »

After using Zep(citrus degreaser), I'm now convinced that the Cummins is capable of pushing the Safari AND operating as a foam eductor.I was able to produce everything from stiff shaving-style foam to beautiful airborne bubbles. :lol:
Stay safe
--JoeyD
'95 Safari Sahara 3530
Cummins 5.9
Conifer, CO.
wolfe10
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:12 pm

Re: Clean rear radiator

Post by wolfe10 »

Use a strong light/flash light from the front (inside fan shroud). Look at the PERIMETER of the CAC-- that is where the dirt and debris will be slung by the fan blades.

Said another way, the perimeter, particularly the lower perimeter needs to be as clean as the center.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
ProCycle
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2020 1:28 pm

Re: Clean rear radiator

Post by ProCycle »

How much of a gap is there between the intercooler and the radiator? 1/4"? 1/2"? More?
Jeff
1997 Ivory Edition 3740 Cat 3126 Allison
stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Re: Clean rear radiator/intercooler

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

ProCycle wrote: Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:03 pm How much of a gap is there between the intercooler and the radiator? 1/4"? 1/2"? More?
Jeff
That is a good question.
I don't have the answer because on my my coach the intercooler/radiator "sandwich", (as assembled by SMC/Magnum), has always
& only been cleaned in place.
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
ProCycle
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2020 1:28 pm

Re: Clean rear radiator/intercooler

Post by ProCycle »

stuplich@ymail.com wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 10:33 am Jeff
That is a good question.
I don't have the answer because on my my coach the intercooler/radiator "sandwich", (as assembled by SMC/Magnum), has always
& only been cleaned in place.
I'm considering cutting a 4" x 10" access hole (with a replaceable panel) in the bottom of the shroud that would allow me to spray straight up between them. It would also give any debris a path to wash out.
Jeff
1997 Ivory Edition 3740 Cat 3126 Allison
Knollibe
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 10:38 am
Location: Garden Grove calif

Re: Clean rear radiator

Post by Knollibe »

69E3E515-64B9-4FEC-97B9-C2517F5515B7.jpeg
69E3E515-64B9-4FEC-97B9-C2517F5515B7.jpeg (3.48 MiB) Viewed 5801 times
There is a good couple of inches between my radiator and cac on our 96 safari with cat 3126. I had always thought I kept it clean. Washing with simple green. Removing rear grill to hose it down.
Last august I decided I wanted to remove radiator to send out to shop for cleaning.
First I was surprised at how much debris was accumulated between the radiator and cac.
Getting the shroud off to see the cac was a nightly job for a week. As they had used many tubes of silicone to adhere it to the radiator frame. With the frame removed I welded more studs to keep the shroud in place and removable for future cleaning.
Second I was sad to find my radiator was plastic. I found a new copper one for $1300.
Water pump was replaced, all coolant hoses replaced with silicone. New thermostat, belts,alternator, tensioner and idler.
Happy to report temp does no longer goes over 200.
So if you can loosen the shroud safely and peek inbetween you may find what looks like a birds nest.
69E3E515-64B9-4FEC-97B9-C2517F5515B7.jpeg
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Dwayne
1996 safari Sahara since 2010
Chev Colorado zr2 toad, electric pedego bikes.
3rd motorhome.
ProCycle
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2020 1:28 pm

Re: Clean rear radiator

Post by ProCycle »

Knollibe wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 6:25 pm...So if you can loosen the shroud safely and peek inbetween you may find what looks like a birds nest.
Hard to tell from the photos but it looks like maybe the 'bird nest' is about 1-1/2" thick.
Is that about right?
If there's that much space in there I think it will be very worthwhile to make an access panel on the bottom of the shroud.
Jeff
1997 Ivory Edition 3740 Cat 3126 Allison
stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Re: Clean rear radiator

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

ProCycle wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 9:01 pm Hard to tell from the photos but it looks like maybe the 'bird nest' is about 1-1/2" thick.
Is that about right?
If there's that much space in there I think it will be very worthwhile to make an access panel on the bottom of the shroud.
Jeff
Methinks adding access panels to both the top and bottom of the schrod is most helpful.
(No image, sorry),Image
Last edited by stuplich@ymail.com on Thu Jul 15, 2021 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
ProCycle
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2020 1:28 pm

Re: Clean rear radiator

Post by ProCycle »

I can't see an opportunity to get access from the top. It would have to be under the surge tank.
At least on my coach the Intercooler is a couple of inches shorter vertically than the radiator. When I look in from the front I can see the bottom few rows of the radiator showing below the bottom of the intercooler. I suspect access from the bottom would almost - but not quite - look straight up into the gap. Maybe I'll make a small hole first. Just big enough to eyeball the situation.
Jeff
1997 Ivory Edition 3740 Cat 3126 Allison
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