update on dina

[ruthi]

Thanks to all of yall for the help on the overheating problem. Turns out the radiator was in bad shape. Took it out and had it cleaned good, working great now.

[Melbo]

THANK YOU for posting the outcome of the situation

MOST times we never get to find out the resolution

So the questions are asked guesses are made solutions are offered and there is never a final chapter written in the book

You never find out if it was the lion or the lady

Melbo

[belfert]

I had the same issue with my Dina.  It was overheating as bad or worse than yours.  Radiator had some pinhole leaks so someone used stop leak, but I didn't know that.  I sent the radiator out to be cleaned and when they rodded it out they found the stop leak.  The radiator place could have either sealed up the tubes with the holes for $500 or a new radiator core for $1700.  I went for the new core as no guarantee the old one wouldn't leak again.

I don't understand why radiators are going out on Dinas at only 10 to 12 years.  Poor quality of the original?

Getting the radiator out is a bitch.  I'm hoping I don't have to pull my radiator to fix my water pump.  It is a good 6 to 8 hour DIY job and the last two hours require two people.

[TomC]

That's typically the big difference between a highway bus and a transit bus-with transits being much easier to work on.  On my V drive AMGeneral, I can get my radiator out within an hour by myself-including dismounting the air to air intercooler-by myself just using a floor jack to lower it down.  Being copper/brass, it is heavy.  New truck radiators are now all 2 row aluminum and you can pick them up by yourself.  But-there isn't anyway to repair an aluminum radiator-so when they need work-it's remove and replace.  I'll keep with my old fashioned 6 row copper/brass.  On our Western Star trucks, copper/brass radiators are still an option over the standard aluminum radiators.  Good Luck, TomC

[belfert]

It takes me by myself about 45 minutes to pull the intercooler.  I did that last night.  The radiator is a whole different story.  It isn't just the radiator that has to come out.  The surge tank, radiator fan/clutch assembly, and the framework supporting the radiator have to come out too.

I'm glad Ken and Ruth were able to get radiator problems fixed, but I don't envy the money they probably paid for the work.

[luvrbus]

10 or 12 years is about the life of a radiator in a bus when used every day,I replaced a Prevost that was only 5 years old road debris cut the life short in a prefect environment maybe a 20 years life span

good luck