Resolved Radiator squeal

[Neal]

Calling them now to ask, what the heck...

 

[Rich W.]

Do you work for Visa?

I would probably need to chase a part again, may just defer this to the annual FL Gaffney visit.

Anytime I’m paying for the labor anyway I look for other things they can do that will only add the cost of the parts. The crankcase filter is another one - if they have the floor open anyway you might as well have it done early. And we all know you love to spend $$ on the Vantessex anyway…

 

[Neal]

I'm not sure they would access these parts through the floor or if they access it from below. We'll see what they say, anything to avoid a breakdown. Been there done that once, not fun at all.

 

[Neal]

The tech said he didn't see any sign of leaks and says they are reliable but it's up to me. When I go to Cummins to pick up the tensioner I'll see what the water pump kit costs, may just get it and put in the spares kit if I don't have them install it. Sure wish I was at Gaffney, labor elsewhere always sucks.

 

[Rich W.]

Did they pull your radiator or leave it in and go in by removing air cleaner?

 

[Neal]

No clue, I'm at home.

 

[DennisT]

Even at Gaffney they may not have it.

Based on discussions here I picked up an “emergency” group of spares while we were there. They had everything except the belt. Don’t think they get many M2 chassis’s there though. Did get me the part number so I can pick up one myself.

When we were pulling out Saturday morning, we pulled next to a Dutch Star hooking up their toad. When I got out to hook ours up he looked over, belt in hand, and said “we didn’t even make it out of the parking lot”. Belt had come off.

4th time they have lost the belt and nobody can seem to figure out why.

Good idea to carry spare parts just in case.

 

[Rich W.]

Even at Gaffney they may not have it.

Based on discussions here I picked up an “emergency” group of spares while we were there. They had everything except the belt. Don’t think they get many M2 chassis’s there though. Did get me the part number so I can pick up one myself.

When we were pulling out Saturday morning, we pulled next to a Dutch Star hooking up their toad. When I got out to hook ours up he looked over, belt in hand, and said “we didn’t even make it out of the parking lot”. Belt had come off.

4th time they have lost the belt and nobody can seem to figure out why.

Good idea to carry spare parts just in case.

I carry filters and a belt but with a rear rafiator coach changing the belt on the side of the road would be a very unpleasant task. Because of that I had my local Freightliner shop change the belt at around 55k when I was there for something else. it was way early for a belt change but I viewed it as preventative and I feel better about it. Also had them check everything the belt turns while they were in there.

 

[Neal]

Got the coach back today with new rear shocks (4 x Koni's) and a new belt for the radiator. Squeal is gone. Thanks all for the tips. They wanted to replace the tensioner but could not get it off and were afraid of breaking it which concerned me and made me regret saying anything until next Gaffney visit but all worked out. I'll take the unused tensioner back to the local Cummins location and get my $300 back which is nice. Happy it all worked out.

Can't notice any difference on the rear shocks but never felt an issue before. This is in hopes to protect the tag axle wear but time will tell, 62K miles so probably time for a replacement.

/end

 

[Rich W.]

Got the coach back today with new rear shocks (4 x Koni's) and a new belt for the radiator. Squeal is gone. Thanks all for the tips. They wanted to replace the tensioner but could not get it off and were afraid of breaking it which concerned me and made me regret saying anything until next Gaffney visit but all worked out. I'll take the unused tensioner back to the local Cummins location and get my $300 back which is nice. Happy it all worked out.

Can't notice any difference on the rear shocks but never felt an issue before. This is in hopes to protect the tag axle wear but time will tell, 62K miles so probably time for a replacement.

/end

Interesting- thanks for the update

 

[jaydee325]

Can't notice any difference on the rear shocks but never felt an issue before. This is in hopes to protect the tag axle wear but time will tell, 62K miles so probably time for a replacement.

/end

Have you had an "all around" alignment done?

I'm going to get new tires this fall (aging out) and my local Freightliner shop recommended an alignment before new tires.

 

[Neal]

Have you had an "all around" alignment done?

I'm going to get new tires this fall (aging out) and my local Freightliner shop recommended an alignment before new tires.

No. They asked last time I asked about this if I felt any issues with the alignment and I said no. I'm not sure it's needed, will think about it. It's not cheap and I don't want to waste money on an unneeded alignment, open to other opinions/suggestions.

 

[Joe Hogan]

A competent shop should align all wheels after a tire change in my opinion.
Having just completed an alignment on my 2024 DutchStar with ~3500 mikes on it, the improvement was very noticeable.
Mine being a new Coach, After the first couple thousand shakedown miles, everything finds its “home”. There were many adjustments made to the alignment.

 

[Neal]

I don't know...it's not a car. The question is why wasn't your alignment done off the line at Spartan like FL does? If I was you I'd have Spartan cover it under warranty. I don't know many else in the Newmar gang have experienced that, sorry you did. Same with your steering wheel slop issue, again, should be a warranty item as it shouldn't have been like that. Several here have had the tag axle wear issue, I personally thing it's a scrubbing issue as the tire is not raised when in reverse such as turning into a site in reverse and it's dragging the tag tires causing this. We'll see, but my coach tracks perfectly since day one and I don't want to pay near $1K (I think it was 750) to hear "it was good."

 

[Joe Hogan]

Possibly I am more sensitive to alignment adjustment. On the CanyonStar I could “feel” the caster was out. Sat with the alignment tech to discuss as rv was on the rack. Sure enough the Caster was off, and a bitch to change.
The tech said he would just have left it alone, I had him adjust it. Could feel the difference.
Regarding approaching Spartan for warranty coverage, good thought, I’ll do that on Monday.

By the time I finished with the CanyonStar chassis, it drove like a large sedan. Others that drove it were amazed how well it handled.
Drove much better than most DP, in my opinion.

 

[Neal]

With comfort drive (working correctly) I don’t think you would know. It’s doing its thing to keep you straight. For that reason I don’t think we could tell if we had an alignment issue but I could be wrong. And that may be a reason I should have mine checked. What’s another $1k?

 

[Piros1]

Thanks all. I called the shop this morning and asked them to take a listen when they pull it in to do the shocks.

I know you have resolved your issue but was wondering what model and year of coach you have?

 

[Neal]

I know you have resolved your issue but was wondering what model and year of coach you have?

2017 Newmar Ventana

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Can you give me the belt number? NApa?

 

[Neal]

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