Coolant testing procedure help

[Scott & Heather]

So my coach has been running cool and fine in 90°F heat as of a month ago. I weep a little coolant here and there especially when it's cold out. So I added 3 gallons before we left on our trip out of Texas. Temps today in the upper 60's to low 70's and I'm struggling with heat. Is it possible I've been constantly adding coolant (some 50/50 premix and some just straight concentrate) and have too much coolant and not enough water and I'm getting hotter because of it? I need to test the coolant/water ratio but where can I pick up a coolant tester with a really long pickup tube? Or do you guys just add a longer tube to it and take a sample of your overflow tank? Can I really overheat with too little water and too much coolant concentration? Is that a thing?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[eagle19952]

https://www.amazon.com/Antifreeze-Refractometer-Measuring-Automobile-Condition/dp/B01CQVHTCW/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_469_lp_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P1H80Y40WM5V33PKQKM9



you can use anything to get a sample...chopstick or tubing works.

[Scott & Heather]

Awesome! I just ordered one. So my question really is if I have an over concentration of coolant, and not enough water, well it actually cause the coach to overheat? Or at least run hotter than it normally does? Only thing that is changed in the last several weeks between it running just fine and now running hot with me adding 3 gallons of straight coolant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[eagle19952]

Awesome! I just ordered one. So my question really is if I have an over concentration of coolant, and not enough water, well it actually cause the coach to overheat? Or at least run hotter than it normally does? Only thing that is changed in the last several weeks between it running just fine and now running hot with me adding 3 gallons of straight coolant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

the one i posted is centigrade... this one is Fahrenheit... https://www.amazon.com/Ade-Advanced-Optics-aaogabf100atc-Refractometer/dp/B00GDH4YCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509315716&sr=8-1&keywords=Refractometer++Fahrenheit

you may not care... tho this one shows coolant %.

if you are a prime member (or not) u can return one if it matters...

[chessie4905]

Yes, it can run hotter if your antifreeze percentage is too high. But it would be 65 to 70 percent or higher of coolant to water. Straight antifreeze doesn't conduct heat as well as straight water, but then you don't get rust or water pump seals protection. Usually, 50-50 is what is commonly used. Man, that would take a lot of straight coolant in a system in your coach to get it that high, but possible. You should also get an IR gun and check temps on rad cores. Maybe they need cleaned or rodded out. Also fan drives, shrouds, etc. If your fans are operated by belts, make sure they aren't slipping. Maybe this problem has been creeping up over time. BTW, IR guns are cheap nowadays. Even harbor freight carries them.

[Scott & Heather]

Ok so I just figured out what's going on. I have a passenger side cold radiator. Used the temp gun and realized my right Tstat is stuck closed. Probably from sitting in the cold weather for a month. Ugh. How hard is it to do this in the field?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Scott & Heather]

All right I just talked to Clifford on the phone, but I forgot to ask him for NAPA part numbers for my 8V 92 thermostats. Can anybody quickly post those for me? I need a thermostat in the gasket. I'm going to do a field repair on this possibly tomorrow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Seangie]

All right I just talked to Clifford on the phone, but I forgot to ask him for NAPA part numbers for my 8V 92 thermostats. Can anybody quickly post those for me? I need a thermostat in the gasket. I'm going to do a field repair on this possibly tomorrow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Scott - did this on my 692 was pretty straight forward.  A hammer and 1"x4" piece of wood helped me seat them. (There is a special tool for this but the wood and hammer works great) 

I'll see if I can find my post and link it here.

-Sean

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Seangie]

http://www.herdofturtles.org/2013/02/05/while-your-at-it/

-Sean

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Brassman]

You might want to test your coolant's SCA's too. Your '92 would be much happier.

[azdieselman]

A coolant test strip will show freeze point along with other things. Read the instructions carefully and test the coolant when it's cool for best results.

[Scott & Heather]

Thanks guys. Any chance anyone has a NAPA part # for these tstats? I'm going there tomorrow morning.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Iceni John]

When I replaced the thermostats in my 6V92 last year I used
Weir Stat 23503825 thermostats (180°), 5132155 t'stat seals and 5117786 t'stat housing gaskets.   These numbers are also in my Detroit engine parts manual.   I don't know for sure if they are the same for an 8V92, but maybe they are?   Before I installed the thermostats I tested them in hot water, and they both began to move at about 180° F.   (I always test my thermostats and temperature gauges before installing them.)

John

[eagle19952]

   (I always test my thermostats and temperature gauges before installing them.)

John

i definitely test the old ones...often there is nothing wrong with them..

[Scott & Heather]

Ok got the one side RR'd. Anyone have a trick on getting the tstat housing out from under the DDEC computer tray?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro