How is your Heater Core on MH?

[RonJudi]

Is there a Potential Problem with Heater cores in the LANDYACHT of the 90s? My 93 model is still in the shop for heater core replacement. (over two weeks) FYI: This heater is built by Acme for Airstream and is part of the Airstream installed items not the orginal P30 chassis from Chevrolet. Acme makes these units for the MH industry, school bus folks and others. I am told by the Airstream dealer, who is new in my area, that replacement is a real chore in a very tight situation. The core took only one week for Airstream to have this produced at ACME and delivered to my dealer. I pass this on so other will know but I am curious if this is a frequently occuring problem or just unique to my unit. I promise to clean my system frequently after the work is done, use only distilled water and change antifreeze every 24 months.

[swebster]

Good to know this info. On the Classic 345s there are two heater cores. One in the dashbox and one under the sleeper sofa. I've removed the one under the sofa for repairs but can't seem to get to the dash box without disassembliing the dash and passenger side kick panel. Mine seems to be working too well...stuck in the "ON" position. I believe that any dealer would dread this job.

One other note: The heater hoses are a serious weak point, especially on the sofa heater where they pass through the floor. Mine blew on a trip and dumped about 2 gallons of (brand new) coolant under the sofa and onto the rug. Luckily it happened within sight of an AutoZone...but it was not fun. Ruined the carpet and damaged the subfloor.

[TexasStars]

Originally posted by swebster@myrvadvanta
Good to know this info. On the Classic 345s there are two heater cores. One in the dashbox and one under the sleeper sofa. I've removed the one under the sofa for repairs but can't seem to get to the dash box without disassembliing the dash and passenger side kick panel. Mine seems to be working too well...stuck in the "ON" position. I believe that any dealer would dread this job.

One other note: The heater hoses are a serious weak point, especially on the sofa heater where they pass through the floor. Mine blew on a trip and dumped about 2 gallons of (brand new) coolant under the sofa and onto the rug. Luckily it happened within sight of an AutoZone...but it was not fun. Ruined the carpet and damaged the subfloor.

Reading this thread and wondering if this could be the reason I keep getting wet or moist carpet in front of my couch, could not for the life of me figure out where this was coming from ?

[swebster]

TexasStar - If you open the rear door on the sofa you will see the heater ducting. The middle door will give you access to the hoses. They exit through the floor right above the LP tank.

Check those hoses! If they are slow leaking into the carpet (why AS carpeted under the sofa around these hoses escapes me, then they could cause rot in the OSB floor (I have a little around the holes themselves). Or, like me then can blow and scare you half to death.

Here is what happened to me:I am an Idiot Post

BTW - these continue further back on many 345s to the water heater as well.

Basically the routing is as follows: the two original heater hoses Y off of the outlet and inlet between the radiator, water inlet and front heater core [original routing]. They run along the pass side floor, across the transmission and down the driver's side of the coach where they Y split again into the aux heater, and then they finally end at the water heater.

Mine were probably never replaced even though my main heater hoses looked like they were. I ended up replacing my main heater hoses and inserting a loop on the first Y to bypass all of this since my aux heater fan was out and needed repair. Besides, its cold I didn't feel like running 20' of hose under the coach. Now I just run the front furnace. Although I do miss the free hot water when I stop.

[TexasStars]

Thanks a million for the info. and gives me a good place to start because I was clueless, thought maybe someone had died in that spot and thier ghost kept coming back to remind me I was in thier domain...lol

[wb13798]

i replace my heater hose after your problem . it took 40 ft of hose to do the job . i have a piece left over less that six inches. my hose does a series loop at the water heater and the aux heat unit. in to the water heater out of the water heater into the aux heater and out of the heater back to the the y in the heater hose coming from the motor block. i didnt use standard heater hose. i used a heavy duty truck hose it has two plys of reinforcing cord. fleet pride has a truck hose but i didnt use it as it was 3.25 a ft. i found a red hose that a no name parts house not a chain store had and the sold it for 70 cents a ft. standard at autozone is 99 cents a ft. had to scratch my head on that one.

[ALANSD]

The core on my 82 started leaking last spring. I bypassed it intending to pull it and have it recored. I went all summer with no cooling problems, with the bypass...but had added crc coolant additive ith the new aniti-freeze distilled water mix ,after a back flush of the radiator and system.
Since it doesn't get real cold here, and my roof heat strip seems to be effective to about 30 degrees in heating the cabin, I have left it as is for now.
Evidently the cores for our classics are not available, and you have to have to old one redone.

[RonJudi]

My understanding is that my heater core was built by Acme after it was ordered and sent directly to the installer. May I suggest you give Acme a call and see if by chance they still have your pattern in file from Airstream. They are on the Web and I quickly found their site and pictures of heaters you might recognize. By the way at 30 degrees my feet get so cold that I had to get a couple of snowboarding socks from Bass Pro Shop to make it the 310 miles home from where I picked up the MH. It was not confortable at all and my hairdryer working off the generator was no match for the leaking cold air on my feet. That is why my MH is still at the dealer going on three weeks. I have an aux heater by the rear passenger chair and the heat exchanger for the WH. I guess I have been getting soft and taking heaters in autos for granted too long. I remember when I was a kid they were considered an option. Boy, have times changed.