| Radiator/Tranny [message #329386] |
Wed, 21 February 2018 22:04  |
Jimmy_Bonez
Messages: 105
Registered: September 2017
Location: NH
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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In a previous post i had mentioned that when we first start up the coach on the mornings to head out from where ever we are the tranny "slips" going into first gear. It's pretty much every morning at this point. When we first started our trip 4 months ago this wasn't a thing. We would fire the coach up in the morning and hit the road with no hesitation from the transmission. Now it's more consistent even when starting the rig up if I let it sit going into the grocery store. Once we are driving there hasn't been any issue with it shifting but I'm not sure what the problem is.
Which brings me to my other issue, pin hole leak in the top of the radiator, fortunately it's high enough up where it doesn't drain the radiator. I used some bars leak to stop it from pissing out of the top as a temporary fix and yes I know bars leak is not the ideal situation but I needed something and we were in the middle of the desert. Now we are out of the desert and on the other side of the mountains just outside San Diego in El Cajon at the casino.
I'm wondering if anyone in the area knows a good place to scoop up a new radiator and maybe somewhere to repair it. We still have a lot of traveling we plan doing and I don't want either one problem to linger that long.
I'm digging out our original manual to see if it leads me to any answers but my copy is a little worse for wear and I don't want to miss anything. Thanks for any info/help guys and gals.
Jim D
Jim DeMellia and Jen Radefeld and our cat Ickis
NH natives
1975 GMC “Palm Beach” ,455, her names Linda
Full time RVers exploring the beautiful and unusual parts of the country.
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| Re: Radiator/Tranny [message #329389 is a reply to message #329386] |
Wed, 21 February 2018 22:17  |
77Royale
Messages: 461
Registered: June 2014
Location: Mid Michigan
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Id check the fluid level in the trans, Just to make sure its full and not low a pint or so. If thats not the issue, Id give Manny a call in San Jose. Hes about 450 miles away, but thats a solid phone call to make. Or Jim K as hes somewhat close out there as well. Both can get you a rebuild if needed or help troubleshoot.
Get rid of the old coolant and bars leak as fast as you can. Flush the system out as best you can. If its a small leak Id try some good old fashion JB Weld. Provided the hole is not in one of the cooling tubes.
Jim K has radiators if you need those too. your arguably in a decent spot as far as distance to get good parts and good help.
77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
Mid Michigan
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| Re: Radiator/Tranny [message #329390 is a reply to message #329386] |
Wed, 21 February 2018 22:42 |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 781
Registered: January 2015
Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Jim,
If it was me I would upgrade it to the aluminum radiator.
But if not, I would take it to Ronnie's radiator in Escondido. I can't tell you who is good in Chula Vista because that's where most of the rapist live.
But your close to spring valley. Yelp it. More reputable shops there. And good luck......
I'll be back there on the 24th if you need any help.
Scott.
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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| Re: Radiator/Tranny [message #329393 is a reply to message #329386] |
Thu, 22 February 2018 01:27 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I'm not sure exactly where your leak is but if it is where you can get to it then it can be easily repaired with some Plumbers Putty. I have tried lots of other things on the road including soldering and this worked by far the best.
I'm talking about the 2 part epoxy putty available at most any hardware store, building store like Home Depot, or Walmart. I have a tube of it sitting on the dash of my Blazer right now.
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Epoxy-putty-Glues-Glues-tapes/4294417395
Make sure the radiator level is below the leak. Then use brake cleaner to clean it up good. Mix the putty and pack it in. It cures with heat so let it sit for a while to cure before adding fluid again. I would leave the cap loose for a while to prevent pressure build up while the engine heat sets it to final cure.
I cut out an entire piece of tube once and fixed the tube ends with epoxy putty.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator/Tranny [message #329395 is a reply to message #329386] |
Thu, 22 February 2018 06:04 |
Dave Stragand
Messages: 307
Registered: October 2017
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I have had great luck with a product called Trans-X, which fixed that exact issue on several of our antique cars. It may take up to 509 miles to work.
Just add it to the trans fluid, being careful not to overfill. It’s only like $6 so if it doesn’t work, you aren’t out much, but it should buy you some time before a rebuild. For our ‘58 Plymouth, it has bought us 23 years so far.
Dave
1978 Transmode
Near Pittsburgh
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1978 Transmode (403)
Pittsburgh, PA
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| Re: Radiator/Tranny [message #329406 is a reply to message #329386] |
Thu, 22 February 2018 10:27 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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MGM GMC is in So-Cal:
MGM-GMC
Miguel Mendez
5179 Brooks St, Unit G
Montclair, CA 91763.
909-982-7747 C909-229-7508
Miguel should be able to help with any issues you may be having.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator/Tranny [message #329409 is a reply to message #329406] |
Thu, 22 February 2018 11:46 |
Jimmy_Bonez
Messages: 105
Registered: September 2017
Location: NH
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thanks guys. Going to drive a bit today to get everything to operating temperature and check the fluids. Need to find a nice flat spot to do so.
JimD
Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 22, 2018, at 8:27 AM, Carl Stouffer wrote:
>
> MGM GMC is in So-Cal:
>
> MGM-GMC
> Miguel Mendez
> 5179 Brooks St, Unit G
> Montclair, CA 91763.
> 909-982-7747 C909-229-7508
>
> Miguel should be able to help with any issues you may be having.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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Jim DeMellia and Jen Radefeld and our cat Ickis
NH natives
1975 GMC “Palm Beach” ,455, her names Linda
Full time RVers exploring the beautiful and unusual parts of the country.
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| Re: Radiator/Tranny [message #329421 is a reply to message #329386] |
Thu, 22 February 2018 18:36 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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Hopefully you know that the engine must be running in park to check trans fluid level. Otherwise if will read high and be underfilled in reality. That said it could be simple like a torn O ring on the filter tube causing your morning sickness. Or someone installed a Chinese filter where tube size is wrong and they suck air. Don't panic about Bars Leak. I keep it installed to prevent road side break downs if used as dirrected. What is important is to drain and refill Ethylene Glycol coolant every 2 years.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator/Tranny [message #329423 is a reply to message #329421] |
Thu, 22 February 2018 19:26 |
Jimmy_Bonez
Messages: 105
Registered: September 2017
Location: NH
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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So we got parked for the night in Bonita,California. Put the rig in park while it was running, got the coach as level as I could so as to not skew the dipsticks to much. Added a 1/2qt of oil which is pretty normal for the miles we’ve put on. Topped the coolant off. Checked the tranny fluid and it said it was below at least a pint. So I put a pint of TransX in and let it settle in there and it read full but I’m a little skeptical. The dipstick read really low when I first checked. I buttoned it all up and will check it in the morning again when we head out. Maybe on a little leveler ground will give me a better reading. As for the bars leak. I haven’t had any leaks since adding it to the system. I’ll keep an eye on the radiator for any future leaks until we can get the funds together to change the parts out. We’re still on a budget with this trip if we plan on making it last.
Thanks everyone
JimD
Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 22, 2018, at 4:36 PM, John R. Lebetski wrote:
>
> Hopefully you know that the engine must be running in park to check trans fluid level. Otherwise if will read high and be underfilled in reality. That
> said it could be simple like a torn O ring on the filter tube causing your morning sickness. Or someone installed a Chinese filter where tube size is
> wrong and they suck air. Don't panic about Bars Leak. I keep it installed to prevent road side break downs if used as dirrected. What is important is
> to drain and refill Ethylene Glycol coolant every 2 years.
>
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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Jim DeMellia and Jen Radefeld and our cat Ickis
NH natives
1975 GMC “Palm Beach” ,455, her names Linda
Full time RVers exploring the beautiful and unusual parts of the country.
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It also works very well in power steering systems. Best way to do it is drain the current fluid and replace with new and substitute the additive for some fluid so the level is correct. Overfilling can cause foam in transmissions which will cause all sorts of erratic behavior after the air gets into the fluid circuits.