Radiator Failure - Printable Version
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Radiator Failure - rickj - 09-20-2016
well here we in NH 1700 miles from home in FL and the second radiator failure in as many years. Newell first replaced radiator with a new Atlas Sept. 2011, radiator failed Oct 2013 and Creative Coach replaced with a new Atlas radiator; now Sept 2016 radiator failure again. There must be a cause for this so the radiator lasts more than 24 months, Atlas disavows all responsibility, despite my insistence that regardless of warranty period the radiator should last ten years approx(the original radiator in our 1999 Newell was 12 years old when it failed). We monitor pH and change the coolant filter once a year. Same failure problems appears to be corrosion along the bottom of the radiator.
Need help from anyone out there with same experience or a knowledge base.
Thanks
RE: Radiator Failure - Richard - 09-20-2016
Hmmmmmm. Not blaming anyone just asking questions. Corrosion at bottom could mean a corrosive liquid is pooling at the bottom. Are you cleaning the radiator with anything like simple green? Are you using commercial truck washes to clean the coach? Have you driven on any salted roads?
Again not blaming anyone just trying to understand causal factors.
RE: Radiator Failure - rickj - 09-20-2016
(09-20-2016, 10:05 AM)Richard Wrote: Hmmmmmm. Not blaming anyone just asking questions. Corrosion at bottom could mean a corrosive liquid is pooling at the bottom. Are you cleaning the radiator with anything like simple green? Are you using commercial truck washes to clean the coach? Have you driven on any salted roads?
Again not blaming anyone just trying to understand causal factors.
thank you for your response. good questions; do not use commercial truck car washes, do not drive in cold areas and salted roads, just gently power wash radiator occasionally. I believe you are correct that corrosive liquid is pooling at bottom, or that the coolant is suspect. however I check my pH and it is right at 8.0 and I change the coolant filter once a year. I also suspect the manufacturer, Atlas, as a possible manufacturing defect. Have to solve the problem as cannot keep replacing radiator every 24 to 30 months.
RE: Radiator Failure - Richard - 09-20-2016
This going to sound like a dumb question. Is the corrosion eating away from the inside or outside? Do you have any pictures of the failure?
RE: Radiator Failure - rickj - 09-21-2016
on the last radiator that failed in 2013 it appeared that the corrosion was coming from the outside, and it really looked like an electrolysis issue. don't know how to attach a picture in gurus.
RE: Radiator Failure - 77newell - 09-21-2016
If Atlas had a problem you would have to be wildly unlucky to keep getting the bad ones while no one else getting replacements is having trouble.
There is one way this could happen, assuming it's a dissimilar metal issue is if there is a small current flowing through the radiator, there should be none. A way for this to happen would be if you have a coolant sensor that has a ground wire that isn't properly grounded. Then when moisture is present it is probably that corrosion will take place. I don't know if this is the cause of your situation but I do think that seeing how any grounds are hooked up and making sure that current does not flow through the core to get to ground.
RE: Radiator Failure - rickj - 09-21-2016
(09-21-2016, 09:01 AM)77newell Wrote: If Atlas had a problem you would have to be wildly unlucky to keep getting the bad ones while no one else getting replacements is having trouble.
There is one way this could happen, assuming it's a dissimilar metal issue is if there is a small current flowing through the radiator, there should be none. A way for this to happen would be if you have a coolant sensor that has a ground wire that isn't properly grounded. Then when moisture is present it is probably that corrosion will take place. I don't know if this is the cause of your situation but I do think that seeing how any grounds are hooked up and making sure that current does not flow through the core to get to ground.
OK, I will do that. I am looking to resolve the issue and this could be it. thank you for the info.
RE: Radiator Failure - ccjohnson - 09-21-2016
You might get a quote from a good radiator shop to recondition it. Should be substantially less costly than replacement with new one. Performance should be as good as a new one.
RE: Radiator Failure - Richard - 09-21-2016
I think Jon is on to something. I have learned to listen when he speaks.
It's not that farfetched, I replaced Subaru head gaskets that are extremely prone to developing a coolant leak. Guess what! there is a ground strap from the head to the frame just where the gasket fails. So a small current is trying to move from the engine block through the head gasket to the ground strap on the head. All of that to say that a potential solution may be to make sure the top and bottom of the radiator are grounded to a common point on the frame.
If you have a good voltmeter it would be a just for grins exercise to measure any potential between that bottom rail in your picture and a ground lug over by the battery.
RE: Radiator Failure - ashley - 09-21-2016
(09-21-2016, 04:54 AM)rickj Wrote: on the last radiator that failed in 2013 it appeared that the corrosion was coming from the outside, and it really looked like an electrolysis issue. don't know how to attach a picture in gurus.
mine looked exactly like yours but it was 14 yrs old