Tap's 1981 280 Motorhome (Purchased January 2016)

[bkahler]

The sensor should be a standard GM 0-90 ohm unit. Unfortunately I don't have a part number.

[Tap]

Looks like my sensor is fine, it's the gauge that I need. Anyone know which specific one I need?

And any chance it's available on Amazon?

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Tap

Looks like my sensor is fine, it's the gauge that I need. Anyone know which specific one I need?

And any chance it's available on Amazon?

Tap, need to see a good picture of your existing gauge. Most likely it is a Teleflex Eclipse gauge. The one in the link may or may not be correct for your application. Basically we need more info to determine which gauge is correct.

The other option is to buy a generic 0-90 ohm temperature gauge to replace your old gauge.

Brad

[Tap]

Thanks Brad.

Are you able to see it in this photo?
I'm not near it tonight to take a better, new photo:

[bkahler]

Unfortunately I can't tell. When you get a chance get a good clear picture post it.

[Tap]

Did a temporary setup with a modern gauge.



Someday I want to replace it with an old school original one, but I'm thrilled to finally have a working one and a cool engine and radiator!

Knock on aluminum, I gonna try to take her on the road this weekend!!!

Man I hope it finally has a successful run!

[mehes]

Hey Tap........Be Cool!

[Tap]

I like it! Thanks! Hehe!

[Paul and Tam]

Sorry to hear about your blown head gasket. I had a similar issue with my Subaru.

My 345 runs about 205. I currently have a stuck fan clutch, which is a little noisy but better than one that never engages. My problem started with the lower shroud coming loose and interfering with the fan a little. I think it must have overheated the clutch and bound things up inside. Lesson - make sure the fan shroud is firmly attached. If it comes loose it will end up with a nice cut in the lower edge and the ends of the fan blades will get a little bent. The new fan clutch is in a box ready to be installed. I need a trip to You-Pull-R-Parts for a new overflow tank, and may as well look for a BB Chevy with the same fan as long as I'm there. I've had trips where the total cost of parts is less than the gate admission fee.

Two questions:
- Where did you camp lakeside? We were just at Burlington Bay in Two Harbors last weekend, and we're always looking for lakeside camping.
- Have you visited the Minnesota AirStream Park in Clear Lake yet? http://www.airstreampark.com/ Just west of Becker on Hwy.10, a bit east of St.Cloud. Great campground, excellent people, nice little golf course. Roads seem like they are a little tight for a 345, but people pull 30 ft trailers in and out all the time. You'll be fine in a 280.

I'm on the north end of the Twin Cities, not far off Hwy 65. Let me know if you need an extra pair of hands when you get brave enough to replace that window.

[Tap]

Another attempted RV trip, another day lost stuck on a narrow highway shoulder, waiting in the dark for ANOTHER towing.



Man I am SO sick of this stupid motorhome.

[Tap]

I've never loved and hated something so much at the same time

[STstudios]

Originally Posted by Tap

I've never loved and hated something so much at the same time

Oh no! What happened now?

Hang in there Mark! I've been there as well with Dali. Loved, hated, contemplated selling a few times and back to loving her. Her she is on a flatbed being transported to a shop in South Dakota!

[martin300662]

I feel your pain Mark, but hang in there.

The Airstream Gods are just testing you, and making sure you are of the right stuff to become a custodian of one of these beauties!

[Isuzusweet]

Mark

You still hanging in there bud.......What happened?

Cheers
Tony

[Tap]

Radiator issues again. After putting over $1,000 into other new parts under the hood. It never ends. *Sigh*

[Tap]

Originally Posted by martin300662

I feel your pain Mark, but hang in there.

The Airstream Gods are just testing you, and making sure you are of the right stuff to become a custodian of one of these beauties!

Thanks Martin.

[Tap]

Originally Posted by Paul and Tam

I'm on the north end of the Twin Cities, not far off Hwy 65.

Paul, thank you SO much for posting here. I had no idea that there was another Twin Citian here!

I would LOVE to get together with you. I've felt so all alone in Minnesota in my classic AS troubles.

It feels so good to know that you're around. Any chance you're around this weekend?

Do you know anything about radiators on our classic mohos?

[tevake]

Aloha Tap, so glad to see you have caught your breath and rejoined us.

A number of us have been thru a lot of the same pain, especially with the cooling system. It does usually come around to biting the bullit and either replacing or having the radiator recored. Some models have radiators that are hard to find new other than with plastic tanks. That was the case with my 345,
So I had it recored with a high effeniecy core. This after many fan clutch replacements , flushes and other attempts to get it to run less hot.

A way to diagnose the cooling of the radiator is with a lazer thermometer, that you can aim at different parts of it when at temp. You will probably find the lower corners are blocked and not reaching the temps of the center part.

I have read here that on some models the Rad can be dropped down thru the frame. Mine had to come out the front. This allowed me to redo the airdam which should also help

Getting this done on top of your other repairs should turn the tide on the cooling system.

Wishing you the best, Richard

[kyote]

Good luck Tap. I've read through this thread and it has been helpful in making a checklist of things I need to be addressing in the future.

speaking of radiators,

I drained mine, but it literally took days because i was getting one drip per second! So, obviously I have a blockage. Coolant was low, dark and cloudy, but the Isuzu TD hadn't been overheating when idling.

What is others experience using coolant flushes?

or a backflush system like this?:

https://www.amazon.com/Prestone-AF-K...=coolant+flush

[Paul and Tam]

Mark also sent me a PM, same content, so I thought I'd share my PM reply:

Hi Mark,

We have seen a number of other AS Classics around the twin cities. At least two other 345's. One was parked at a repair shop a couple of miles south of our place so we peeked in the windows. It had the twin beds in the back. Ours is a queen.

If you camp at the MN AirStream Park you will meet Tim over on the E strip, and he has a 345 very similar to mine but better cared for.

We are home this weekend, as far as I know, but I have a little project that will probably consume my Saturday.

I do not know anything about radiators, other than I replace them when they are bad. There used to be a warehouse on Co.Rd.B2 in Roseville that sold radiators and gas tanks (bought one each from them years ago). I see people paying a lot for new/rebuilt radiators, and I'm thankful ours is doing so well. The cooling system has a lot of plumbing - back to the water heater, heater core, etc. I used some conditioner/water pump lube a couple of years ago, but I know we are due for a flush.

But if you need a second set of hands this weekend, let me know. We'll try to find a time that works on Sunday or Monday.

- Paul