Heater Problem

cyko · 12-29-2008, 10:42 AM

I put my coach (2003 Journey DL, 330 CAT) away last August to have knee surgery. Got it out yesterday to get ready to go south and found that I had no dash heat. Plenty of air, no heat. I wonder if this is related to the fact that the last thing I had done before storing the coach was to have my coolant changed. I had this done at a reputable truck service center. Is it possible that there is an airlock or something that is keeping the heat exchanger from getting hot coolant? It is not big deal because the heater never does put out much heat and I can deal with the problem by other means until I get South, but I am curious. I also have no idea where to find the heater mechanism; I suppose (and hope) it is under the front hood someplace.

cyko · 12-29-2008, 10:42 AM

I put my coach (2003 Journey DL, 330 CAT) away last August to have knee surgery. Got it out yesterday to get ready to go south and found that I had no dash heat. Plenty of air, no heat. I wonder if this is related to the fact that the last thing I had done before storing the coach was to have my coolant changed. I had this done at a reputable truck service center. Is it possible that there is an airlock or something that is keeping the heat exchanger from getting hot coolant? It is not big deal because the heater never does put out much heat and I can deal with the problem by other means until I get South, but I am curious. I also have no idea where to find the heater mechanism; I suppose (and hope) it is under the front hood someplace.

Rocket Heart · 12-29-2008, 11:40 AM

I haven't got a clue to your heat problem but the way I first read your post it sounded as if the motorhome had the knee problem - just my sick sence of humor.

Don't know if your unit has a thermostat in the engine block or not - perhaps they didn't put it back in?

becks · 12-29-2008, 12:09 PM

Look around, there may be a shut off valve somewhere that just needs to be opened back up.

Garbageman · 12-29-2008, 12:31 PM

Becks is probably correct a coolant valve was shut off when they changed your coolant. The valves look like regular hose spiket valves and are located around or near the engine, most of the time.

Paul

cyko · 12-29-2008, 01:34 PM

No, it was me, not the coach, that had knee surgery. One of the results is that I can't get down on my knees, which makes looking for valves and stuff like that tough. I think I will wait till I get to Texas and see what I can find out
Thanks for the suggestions.

autofish · 12-29-2008, 03:47 PM

Could be a air lock had the same problem with my unit last time I change the coolant used a vac to suck out the air and this took care of the no heater problem.

cyko · 12-29-2008, 05:07 PM

At the risk of displaying my ignorance, just where did you get access to the coolant line to use the vacuum cleaner? I would appreciate a little more detail. Thanks.

GG1 · 12-30-2008, 02:59 AM

Speaking of collant questions,,,I had mine changed recently and now when I start the engine I get a low water warning light and buzzer for the first few minutes then it goes away even though the coolant is up to cold level. I spoke to Freightliner in Gaffney the tech said there is air in the system and not to worry about it. He gave no solutions to stop this just put up with it.

autofish · 12-30-2008, 05:20 AM

Put the vac on the raditor cap opening or the coolant tank.This low pressure will pull out the air then the coolant can rush in. You will need to keep adding coolant and repeat till air is all out. Make sure you use a wet /dry vac as you will also pull out some coolant as the air comes out. Hope this helps.