RR8S Radiator Panel '08 Contessa 40'

[Kirk Foster]

I've been thinking about doing some cleaning around the radiators on my coach. How is the side panel opened?  I see two bolts along the edge of the panel on the inside at the rear edge, but I can't tell if it is hinged along the side or the top, or otherwise how it is attached.  Anyone have experience with this?

[Joel Ashley]

Kirk-

As I recall, when I had mine open for a repair in 2007 it was hinged at the top and there were two bolts underneath the bottom lip, one near each end.

By the way, while you are in there, check the mounting of the air conditioning fan assembly;  Monaco didn't have a great design when ours was built in '06, and the wimpy mounts let go, allowing the fan shroud and all to fall, badly damaging fins of the outermost (AC) radiator.

Joel

[Kirk Foster]

Thanks for the info and the tip!  That looks like an expensive repair!

[Joel Ashley]

No, it wasn't costly, other than my time spent with a pocket knife carefully realigning hundreds of fins.  I managed the fan until a technician later built a better mount platform consisting of an aluminum bar spanning the top of the radiator to which the fan shroud more firmly fastens, all under warranty.  A person could easily do it himself without difficulty.

I was lucky that the radiator tubes were not damaged, just fins.

Joel