Antifreeze help please

[Amtran17]

Hello Skoolie.net

I have a 96 Amtran Genesis that is in the process of being converted to a RV. Yesterday I removed the inside heaters that ride under the seats and removed the pump that feed the heaters and removed then rerouted the hoses. When I removed the heaters not much coolant came out maybe 1.5 gallons, but when I removed the hoses that routed from the driver side to the passenger side a lot of coolant out... a lot. So I went to Wal-Mart and bought 8 gallons of coolant to top it off.

I removed the grill and pulled out the coolant gooseneck, it only took one gallon, so I ran the motor for a hour and it started to get hot. The gooseneck was trying to spit out coolant and the reservoir under the driver side was completely full. The onky weep values I found was at the bottom of the radiator..

I fear I have air trapped inside, I am unable to turn on the heater right now... any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Njsurf73]

There is a possibility that you have air, or that you only leaked the antifreeze in those hoses. You may be full.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Amtran17]

Thanks for the reply. The antifreeze seem to really flow out from the hose that connect under the passenger side, not the hose with the water like valve. So I don't think it was all hoses, I think the heat that is on the passenger side dumped.

The attached image is the passenger box that has a hose from the front that really seemed to let it flow out

[Rusty]

Do NOT overheat the engine. $$$$$

Be patient, here. Good luck, I do not know specifics of that vehicle, just words from someone that may or may have not missed a step in burping a engine many moons ago....

[Amtran17]

When I removed the hose that connected to the stem I am pointing to the antifreeze really started coming out.

It filled one home depot bucked and three quarters of a 5 gallon water jug before I got the hose rerouted.

[Amtran17]

Rusty - I let it climb to about 210 before shutting it down because I feared overheating. That took about 30mins to a hour

[Amtran17]

The front of the radiator has like a bubble thing at the top but it just didn't scream weep hole, I think it needs to be bleed but have found any sources that helped yet.

Thanks everyone for the help, greatly appreciated

[Amtran17]

so when I bought antifreeze I just bought super tech 50/50... I have read now I need to add fleet charge SCA antifreeze or I can have issues (first diesel motor, first bus). I only ran the motor once after only adding 1 gallon, so I hope nothing bad happened. Surely not.

I plan to now drain the antifreeze and add fleet charge. My question is will the motor be damaged if it sits without antifreeze for two weeks? and is the weep hole at the bottom of the radiator the best place to drain it?

[Njsurf73]

Originally Posted by Amtran17

so when I bought antifreeze I just bought super tech 50/50... I have read now I need to add fleet charge SCA antifreeze or I can have issues (first diesel motor, first bus). I only ran the motor once after only adding 1 gallon, so I hope nothing bad happened. Surely not.

I plan to now drain the antifreeze and add fleet charge. My question is will the motor be damaged if it sits without antifreeze for two weeks? and is the weep hole at the bottom of the radiator the best place to drain it?

That should be the lowest point. I believe there is also an additive for regular antifreeze to make it acceptable in a diesel motor. Might be something to look into before you drain it. I would think leaving it with no antifreeze for that short an amount of time wouldn't be an issue, but I could be wrong.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[cadillackid]

yes there is an SCA additive you can add to the green stuff and then there are test strips you use to test for its levels and you will be fine.

-Christopher

[Njsurf73]

In the immortal words of Douglas Adams... "Don't panic"

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Yellowbus1984]

Hope you used pre mix not full strength


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[roach711]

Here's the SCA and test strips:



Fleetguard DCA65L Supplemental Coolant Additive at DieselManor

[Amtran17]

She done.... I stressed about her all day at work, but when I got off it all came together.

I went to autozone and got 8 gallons of final charge. Good for 1 million miles!!!!

Used the weep valve at the bottom of the radiator to let out about 5 gallons of antifreeze.

Parked the bus on a slight angle, engine facing up and added about 3 gallons,

Started the bus, set the idle on high and let her climb to 210. Around here the front grates in front of the radiator spring open. Previously when it was running if I tried to open the antifreeze gooseneck nothing but antifreeze tried to come out. Once that bugger made it to 210-220 I shut it off and tried again and nothing but steam came out. I then added about 2.5 gallons more of final charge. Started her up again on idle, she say around 190. Shut it off and tried to burp her again with very little steam but I added a few more drops.. did really she needed to be burped, literally.

I noticed the bubble eye thing at the top of the radiator that is visible through the grill shows antifreeze now, which I guessing means full.

And now at the end of it all I know my bus a little better, have 2.5 gallons of backup final charge in her basement, and feel happy!!!

Winning.

Thanks everyone and God bless.