TRANSMISSION COOLER REPLACEMENT

[Bill and Carol Jacobs]

[face=Times]We just experienced a leaking transmission cooler (2004 Patriot Thunder-C12). This is an air cooler mounted inside the rear side radiator. Fortunately, there is no chance for a compromise of mixing coolant from the radiator with Transynd in the Allison transmission. Our transmission cooler (radiator) was removed and sent to a local (Medford, OR) to be repaired. They determined after air tests that it was not reparable; thus, a new transmission cooler has been ordered. This cooler has to be fabricated by the company that provided these coolers to Monaco (sadly, Monaco Parts in Coburg, OR does not have any of these in stock. The cost for a new transmission cooler is estimated to be $2,000.00. This is a big "ouch" for us. We don't see any good alternatives. Does anyone have any advice?
Bill Jacobs, F1[size=14][/size]43644, 2004 Beaver Patriot Thunder with C12 [/face]

[Gerald Farris]

Bill,
I do not Know what is available in your area, but I recently needed to replace for the rusted through steel air cooled transmission cooler on my farm dozer and Caterpillar wanted $2,000 for a steel replacement. So I went to an industrial cooler manufacturer in Dallas and had a drop-in replacement made out of rustproof brass for $1,000. I ended up with a better cooler for 1/2 the price.

Gerald  

[Bill and Carol Jacobs]

Gerald:
Many thanks for your comment. I'll snoop around for a brass alternative.

[Bill Schneider]

Bill,
You might want to contact this business. They are in OR and do Radiators, coolers and heat exchangers in brass. I would use them when and if I ever needed a radiator or cooler. They offer pretty reasonable prices on their products.
  http://radiatorsupplyhouse.com/
Good luck with the repair,
Bill

[Karl Welhart]

Bill,

Here is another place to try:

Denny Engelmann
Customer Service Manager
Northern Factory Sales Inc.
2701 4th Ave SW
Willmar MN 56201
Phone: (320) 235-2288
Fax:     (320) 235-2297
dengelmann@1nfs.com

[Mike Merchant]

Bill,
Sandy and I just spent 10 glorious days in Eugene at Kaiser Brake and Alignment getting our rear axle un-bent and noticed Northwest RV Supply right next door. They purchased Monaco's parts inventory and I couldn't believe all the stuff they have. This was their small store, the big one is minutes away on the south side of town. Might be worth a call. South store 541-746-9092.
                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                            Mike

[Joel Ashley]

Bill Schneider's suggestion sounds real good, Bill and Carol.  Sweet Home is not far from Junction City and Harrisburg/Coburg, the old heart of Oregon motorhome manufacturing, and not a huge distance from you.  Call them up;  if you can get the coach or the old cooler there, I'd certainly give it a shot, since they could build you a new corrosion-proof one, as Gerald suggests.

Joel

[Bill and Carol Jacobs]

My problem has been resolved. However, I'm sad to report that my first reporting was NOT accurate. I was misled by the owner of Oregon Light Truck & RV but not the mechanic who actually worked on the job. Our 2004 Patriot Thunder C-12 experienced a failure of the rear HYRDRAULIC FLUID RADIATOR, not the transmission cooler as had been reported to me. The Hydraulic Fluid Radiator had to be replaced. My cost estimate of $2,000 (for the part) was what I ultimately paid. Garland Land (who also has a 2004 Thunder) told me that my problem must have been the Hydraulic Radiator since I could not have an air cooled transmission radiator in that model. He was correct, and the owner of Oregon Light Truck was incorrect. Fortunately, his mechanic made the correct repair, albeit expensive. I wish I were as mechanically gifted as many of you. In any event, I'm on the road again (or will be around July 1). :K)
Regards, Bill Jacobs F143644