Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

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Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: eyeteeth on 10/30/10 03:47pm

Hoooray!!!! I finally got the Generator completed!

I bought mine with the wrong exhaust set up. I should have gotten it with an 'under floor' set up. Since I don't have the $$$$ to swap parts, we cobbled up an exhaust solution. I'm happy enough with it. I have the remote start installed and everything.

Yea!

[image]

On the down side. I need to do something with the regular exhaust. I think it's getting lower.

[image]

Also, ran into a strange issue that has me a little baffled. I have a coolent leak. It looks to be weeping from around the bottom of the water pump at the top of the hose. The hose is new from last fall when I rebuilt the engine. Running it last weekend, the gas guage moved more than the temp... I never added water (after we initially worked on it) and would be perfectly dry when I'd stop, but ten minutes later is would leak a little again. I 'thought' maybe the radiator cap pooped out, that it wasn't venting anymore so it escaped at the next weakest point when the coolent was no longer circulating and getting the extra temps from sitting in the motor. However, after replacing the cap... now I noticed a small puddle again under the hose. 3 days after replacing the cap? Anyone have any other suggestions.

Posted By: goreds2 on 10/30/10 03:53pm

Great job on the generator.

See Picture In My Profile
I have a 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Class B - Purchased 10/15/10 IN CASH
Fiance' purchased a Class C 2002 Dynamax Carri-go on 5/1/15 IN CASH
We've got the best of both worlds

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 10/30/10 06:16pm

eyeteeth- your installation looks great, but did you consider the back pressure that the square corners on your exaust piping might cause. I know everything I've seen recommends curved transitions for this, however, I'm no expert. It might be no problem at all, but might cause valve problems.

Jerry & Gerry, our pets (dogs), Byron, Coco
1976 Monaco, 440 ci. Dodge Sportsman chassis

Posted By: eyeteeth on 10/30/10 06:42pm

Well... we used 1 1/2 pipe. The Onan part to port out the side was about 1 1/8, and about a 110 degree bend. We talked about it, and yes, flow is important. In the end we figured we had less restriction in the exhaust, and weren't doing any greater disservice than the stock Onan part. Given the space, and circumstances, this was the best solution. We just didn't have enough space for any bending. It is what it is...

Someday maybe I'll be able to get back to work, and afford an actual Onan exhaust setup. Until then... It's working. [emoticon]

Posted By: oldtrucker63 on 10/30/10 08:27pm

Nice work on the Generator, I would like to find a good deal on one like this......Nice.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 10/30/10 08:33pm

It sounds like you handled it pretty good. Sometimes stocks parts don't work and I do feel your pain. I've been on disability for over 10 yrs. and it doesn't go far enough. Have a good Halloween. Jerry

Posted By: eyeteeth on 10/30/10 08:59pm

I'm not sure how 'good' of a deal I got. I picked it up back when I was employed, let it sit a summer (as I had to rebuild the engine) and winter... finally mounted it this spring, and eventually got around to 'finishing' it this last weekend. It was much less than a Honda, but definitely more than a few hundred bucks.

The description was that it was gone through and rebuilt... definitely all clean and shiny when I first got it.

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Posted By: oldtrucker63 on 10/31/10 12:10pm

That looks good This is just what I need, I have found a few on E-Bay But I'm going to hold off a bit and look for the deal, If I don't find one before I get to where I really need it Then just pay the big bucks I guess.

Posted By: John H on 10/31/10 03:22pm

There is a dye that you can add to the radiator to trace leaks. It would require that you wipe clean all possable leak points that can be any suspects, and of course any wet areas around the block. There use to be a aluminate one using a black light. don't know today as this was a few years back. We would run the engine warming it up, all of us standing there in the dark, with & passing the light, like vultures waiting for that first sign........

John H

Posted By: Trish Davis on 11/03/10 04:00pm

eyeteeth--

Check around the nozzles /spouts /whatevers where the top & bottom hoses connect.
Most people never take hoses off properly, they just pull on them.
Take the clamp off and CUT the hose with an exacto knife. Ditto for heater hoses.

You find "wet" there, fix it up with 24-hr JB Weld.
What? You think that rad shops don't do that.

Another thing folks don't realize is that coolant is only good for 4 years. Like tires, miles don't matter. Anti-freeze breaks down and becomes acidic. Acid eats right through hoses and aluminum.

Hey, I know that trick. It still works.
I snagged some dye from an A/C buddy. Low-tech is my best thing.

John H wrote:

There is a dye that you can add to the radiator to trace leaks. There use to be a aluminate dye using a black light. don't know today as this was a few years back.

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