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Coolant smell when dash ac or heat on. Raised up the dash and took out the ac/heat "box. Took the box apart and heater cores leaking. Well known failure.
coolant was maintained at Newell for majority of coaches life.
Newell wants $1000 for core. not sure if thats per unit!  anyone know who the manufacturer is? part number search for 82643Q0624A and 625A nothing . also pn 30127

I am finding similar ones from thermal solutions for $100 each. Of course a mod to the outlets is needed but will go to radiator shop to get estimate.
Any clues appreciated.  I get the idea Newell does not encourage home repair as several parts I have obtained quotes are at least 3 times what you can find from distributors if you can get the real part numbers.

I just went to do some basic check and maintenance and found the Passenger side engine access door compartment ceiling had fallen down at the rearmost section. Looks like the wood is all rotted there. Will be removing tomorrow, but what would cause that? Some water ingress from the outside? We've had a ton of rain lately. Or something above? Any idea what's up there. It is near the rear bath, could be the rear microphor or the shower? Neither of which is being used.

I am in the process of replacing the radiator in my coach #375. What type.of antifreeze should I use for replacement?

Thank you,

Jeff

Passed a Northbound Newell at Leadville, Colorado today.  Hello! 

So I wanted to put in Toms 6 pack rebuild kit in my front 6 pack, and decided that it was located in a terrible place for service and troubleshooting. I pulled the whole unit out from the space behind the driver side headlight. I moved it into the front bay just under the driver seat. There was already a big hole drilled and covered with a piece of aluminum plate, assuming it was to access a pressure switch. I pulled the plate off and put some edge molding on it and passed the air lines and wiring through the hole. I may put some sort of cover on this but I will see how much crud gets through and decide if it’s worth closing it up. 

Here it is in its new home:

   
   
   

In researching our next Motorhome Im seeing some on this site looks to have owned Newells and will say sold and they have Prevost listed. Curious reason to go to a Prevost from Newell.

Will sell cheap. Dont have time to use and its getting waisted. Rather see someone else enjoy it. Has some problem with suspension air lift. Need to sell asap

Well here we go. This is a critical potential hydraulic emergency notification for the early steerable tag crowd. 

I'll do my best to convey the problem and yes, it is of DOT importance.  

1. Symptoms
2. Troubleshooting
3. Cause
4. Cure
5. Conclusion

1. SYMPTOMS

 Started out on a summertime trip looking forward to a relaxing get away.  As most of us know the relaxing part may or may not happen based on the rigs behavier. Three miles from home I start merging on the highway. 1 mile later I scan my instruments and I see I'm overheating. Pull over on the shoulder, leave the rig running and head to the rear.  The cooling fan not running.  First thing, I pull the connector on the manifold, still no fan. 

 I did install the fan overide cockpit controlled switch, or if adopted, in the official Newell Gurus Glossery, the FOCS.  Installing FOCS, IMO, is one of the best modifications to have in order to have some control for engine temp. Heat kills and so does my X wife when she feels the need.

Where were we? ADHD MOMENT.

 She's running around 215 degrees so I milk it to the next exit 1 mile away.  So since the fan is not working properly it's time to put my aviation skills to work. Check the hydraulic and coolant fluid levels, they are normal. Next I get my ball peen hammer and gently tap the manifold lightly repeatedly. Low and behold as I tap and the fan comes alive slowly. The more I tap the faster the fan responds. Within 20 secounds the monster is alive and spinning like she should. All is well so let's roll again and see how the temp is.  The temp stayed around 184ish so I feel comforitable and safe operationally. So I drove it this way for the excursion. 

2. TROUBLESHOOTING

Obviosly it first appears we have a spool valve that is not porting fluid properly within the manifold.  First step is to pull it out for examination. Suprisingly the fluid loss was minor when I pulled it out. Maybe 10oz but not much more. I examined the spool valve and orings and don't see anything that makes my eyes bug out. Next I put my finger inside the valve like a prostrate exam. There is someting in there so I keep examing the patient. The first piece I get out is a piece of metal and the 2nd 3rd and 4th piece are too.  This has to be the culprit but what the heck is it? The next move I reassemble what appears to be a big washer with an orifice drilled hole. They all fit together nicely, see pics.

It appeared that this was made intentioinally but for what purpose and where does it belong?  Time to call Newell on the bat phone.  I should have written down the names of the factory guys because without their knowledge this condition would forever keep me up at night. 

3. Cause
The pics of this washer orifice was uploaded and they said they would get back to me.  Maybe 15 minutes later I'm back live with the boys.  The guy they get gives me the Paul Harvey story. So Paul says, he remembers the issue, he goes back in time when they first encountered a pulsation after they installed the ZF tag.  He said when they first started with the steerable ZF tag there was a steering wheel pulsation that developed. 

4. Cure
Someone thought trying to reduce it by limiting the fluid flow and effectively dampening it. There was born the washer with a hole in it for the fix. Well it worked but in my opinion the fix was not properly done. I have worked on many hydraulic systems that use restriction orifices that either were bored out to a design specification in the manifold itself. Another method is to utilize a orifice fitting threaded into the manifold itself. Either way is considered a properly approved design or device. The washer was OK if it was used for developing a fix, but only temporary prototype testing.  Someone at Newell felt otherwise and used the homemade washer orifice as the cheap fix.

Anyhow, he asked if I had any pulsation issues with the steering wheel and I said I did not have any. He said, as long as there is nothing pulsating just go without it. Now we know the part of the story but there's more to it. There was a couple of other anomilies that need to be mentioned.  I've had the rig for a few years and always wondered if the steerable tag was in working order.  I never saw the tag wheels in my mirrors at low speed when turning so it was also on my radar to validate its operation. In addition after removing the FOD, Foreign Object Damage, the tag came alive and I could see them functioning in slow turns. That was a good moment for sure.  One other condition was my front wheel steering. Sitting still there were times when I could not turn the wheels effectively. When moving slowly and driving the steering control was normal. The most pressure required is highest when you are not moving. Well that also went away. Restrictions from the floating washer parts also migrated around and induced these problems as well. 

Worse case senario, I really don't want to think about but could have been catostrophic in my opinion. So my hope is to convey to all of you that have early steerable tags to be aware of this washer and I RECOMMEND, REMOVE IT ASAP. 

5. Conclusion
Food for thought. There has been hydraulic fan motors that have failed and I wonder if this condition could be a canidate for some of those. Steering tag and steering wheel control problems as well for sure. Also call Newell if you think you need more information and advice.  This is a real potential killer so I strongly urge that this becomes, as the FAA folks know an Emergeny AD "Airworthiness Directive". For now let's call it a Newell Service Bulliten. Unintended consiquences like this has taken down many aircraft, much more comforting pulling off to the side of the road!

I have Coach 145 and I have a inverter question. It only has 1 plug hooked up and I'm wondering what it goes to. It's a small inverter so I know it can't run much. I may be looking to upgrade soon but I do know this one works, I just don't know what.        

So been on the road a few months down on the east coach and just got back in. Doing a little maint. on coach 480 and leaving out again.  heading from Texas to rapid city, Sd area then towards glacier national park.  anybody have any great ideas on where to stay and what to see between these areas ?  Seen mt rushmore, devils tower, etc. Any roads to stay away from ??  Nice resorts to stay in along the route ??. I see lots of KOAs that can handle the length, but would like some advice.. Thank you..