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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Oregonconversion on November 24, 2010, 09:25:11 AM

Title: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: Oregonconversion on November 24, 2010, 09:25:11 AM
How can I tell what type of coolant to use in my bus? I do not want to replace it, just make sure it's full.
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: rmein on November 24, 2010, 09:44:53 AM
Actually very simple
Green etholene glycol
orange dex cool
pink low silicate
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: Oregonconversion on November 24, 2010, 10:25:44 AM
Ahh thanks! Something I have forgot.

Now all I need to know is where to put it in? I have searched everywhere and CSM not find the opening! :/

also is it possable to overfill?
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: bevans6 on November 24, 2010, 10:52:47 AM
I think on an MC-8 it's high on the outside passenger side wall, above the radiator opening.  Behind a little door.  Yes, you can overfill.  there is a sight gauge on the expansion tank between the radiators, above the fan gearbox.

Brian
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: RJ on November 24, 2010, 11:13:49 AM
OC -

Get out your ladder, Brian's right.

But check the sight glass first, you may not need any.

If that's the case, put the ladder away.

FWIW & HTH. . .

;)
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: Oregonconversion on November 24, 2010, 12:33:49 PM
Alright! Easy enough! Thanks again!
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: Slow Rider on November 26, 2010, 09:35:22 AM
What if there is no sight glass on the tank?  How do you determine if it is full?  ( other than just filling till you can see it in the fill tube)  Is there an overflow like on a car cooling system?

Frank
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: thomasinnv on November 26, 2010, 12:49:33 PM
not sure about your 8, mine has a sight glass.  The 7's without sight glass have some sort of bleed valve.  If you open the bleed valve and nothing comes out, you need to add untill it does.  Someone will come along and clarify where it is I am sure.
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: Oregonconversion on November 26, 2010, 01:00:58 PM
What will happen if you overfill?
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: bevans6 on November 26, 2010, 01:27:18 PM
It will run out the overflow and make a mess, or it will over-pressure the system if it doesn't have a relief valve, when the system heats up to operating  temperature.  You need the head of air in the tank to allow proper pressure in the system without loss of coolant.  To be honest I don't know if the MCI system has a relief valve (like the spring in a normal rad cap) or not, I would have to read the manual.

Brian
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on November 26, 2010, 04:55:34 PM
On my 5A i do not have a sight glass. On the right side of the engine compartment i do have a rod that goes up to a valve that is supposed to turn and if water comes out you are full. That valve is frozen on mine, ( not from the weather  ;D) but i also have an overflow tube so if i overfill it will come out down by the bottom of the bus.  The radiator cap does not have a spring relief on it.
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: gus on November 27, 2010, 07:15:45 PM
Ed,

My 4104 level checking valve is stuck too and I'm chicken to put very much torque on it, those soldered connections are too fragile.
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: Tony LEE on November 27, 2010, 07:52:37 PM
MC8s have a pressure relief valve about half way up the surge tank on the left end.

Pretty sure I've seen instructions that call for filling it right to the top and the sight glass is the minimum level.

Mine also has a level switch and a test switch on the rear start panel that is supposed to give you  a go-no go check.
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on November 28, 2010, 06:14:42 AM
Gus i am the same, I have put a little pressure on mine but i don't want to try to force it, i think that it wouldn't take much to break it. :)
Title: Re: Radiatior coolant system fluid
Post by: buswarrior on November 28, 2010, 10:15:15 AM
Inside the fill door, there is a round relief button, when up to temperature, push on that, and coolant will dribble out of the hose connected to-it-all-up-under-there. Sometimes the hose is directed into the space in front of the radiator, sometimes to the ground, sometimes no hose, it drools out from behind there, depends what has been retrofitted over the years.

You get coolant, leave it alone. You get steam, keep it pushed to relieve the pressure and then open cap and fill.

Nobody in a fleet environment was concerned with a romantic relationship with the coolant.

Just fill it to the neck and forget about it.

happy coaching!
buswarrior