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Topic: Too much heat on passenger side (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
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Too much heat on passenger side
Yahoo Message Number: 56676
When the gas engine of our 2004 MB LD is hot we get a lot of heat especially into the passenger side of the front.  Is this common or do I have a problem?  I tried to lift the dog house and resealed it ok as far as I know. I was unable to see any leaks that way but the heat is definitely coming from the engine compartment.  Any comments or ideas appreciated (esp by my wife).  I am thinking about adding some firewall insulation to the area above and forward of the passenger foot area.

Jack in Reno
Re: Too much heat on passenger side
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56686
From what I understand, it's the nature of the beast.  I don't know why Ford and GMC don't build cutaway truck chassis for RV manufacturing with the engine where it belongs; under the hood instead of the passanger compartment.  Apparently, a Banks system can significantly reduce heat (or so the claim goes).

Chris
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Too much heat on passenger side
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56689
There may be some truth to that - our '96 has a Banks system, and I am always cold on the passenger side! I've been known to shove cardboard and such in the passenger vents just to keep warm! :)

csgreenefdp wrote:

Quote
From what I understand, it's the nature of the beast.  I don't know why Ford and GMC don't build cutaway truck chassis for RV manufacturing with the engine where it belongs; under the hood instead of the passanger compartment.  Apparently, a Banks system can significantly reduce heat (or so the claim goes).

Chris
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Too much heat on passenger side
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56704
Jack,
 We also have an '04 MB and Pauline has never complained about heat on her side. I've not felt uncomfortable either. Perhaps you should let Ford have a look?

Paul NE 50
Re: Too much heat on passenger side
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56705
" I tried to lift the dog house and resealed it ok as far as I know. I was unable to see any leaks that way but the heat is definitely coming from the engine compartment.  Any comments or ideas appreciated (esp by my wife).  I am thinking about adding some firewall insulation to the area above and forward of the passenger foot area."

Jack

Its easy to have the dog house slightly misaligned. I've had it happen more than once on both of our LDs. The seals will wear out over time but only after many years. The seal can be damaged during removal and installation but its more likely that the doghouse just needs adjustment.  I would loosen the hardware, pull the dog house out a little bit so you can take a look behind and above, to see if a wire or hose has accidentally become entangled in the seal (this happen to me). When its pulled out, you can see under the dash.
Have you had the cover removed for engine or radio work? Have you added exhaust headers?
 It takes a very small leak to overheat the foot-well. I had a leak in our 83 LD,  next to my foot. Barely any air flow could be felt but it was enough to cook my foot.  A 15 minute stop, to remount the doghouse, cured the problem.
We have not noticed heat problems in our 2003 LD. Actually, its the opposite problem. The lowest A/C setting is still too cold most of the time. Adding a little heat makes it comfortable.
Driver and passenger  heater-A/C  controls would be an appreciated upgrade for Ford to offer.

Hope this helps.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Too much heat on passenger side
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56706
One alarming source of excessive heat in the passenger or driver footwell area is a catalytic converter that is starting to plug up.
The exhaust gases can't escape as quickly, and they heat up the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe in front of the catalytic converter.
This condition should cause the "check engine" light to come on.

This is pretty unusual, but it does happen...don't ask how I know!

--oryoki
Re: Too much heat on passenger side
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56708
Quote
When the gas engine of our 2004 MB LD is hot we get a lot of heat especially into the passenger side of the front.  Is this common or do I have a problem>

Jack in Reno
This issue was recently discussed in depth on the RV.NET Class C Forum. It's a fairly Class C issue. There are a variety of after- market insulating materials available to help with the heat problem.
Much like the insulation under the hood of your car.
C.W. has one; your neighborhood auto store or building materials store may also carry an appropriate product.

Ed
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Too much heat on passenger side
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56715
Oryoki, That was a pretty subtle post- I too have that problem. Could you elaborate as to costs associated with this fix? I've had that problem from the get go-

Arnold
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Too much heat on passenger side
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56719
Arnold,
 You don't say if you're the original owner, or state the year of your chassis, but my warranty guide (2004, E-450) states, on page 12, that the catalytic converter is warranted against defects for either 5 years/50,000 miles or 8 years/80,000 miles depending on whether Ford considers our rigs to be under or over 8,5000 (with house or not). A call to the Ford motorhome customer service line (800-444-3311) should clear that up.

Would plugging-up not be a defect? Do you think you're eligible for this warranty?

Paul NE 50
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Too much heat on passenger side
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56721
If the catalytic converter is plugged up, you will lose so much power there won't be any question about it.

We once had one plug up on an Audi sedan.  We lost about 70% of the horsepower.  The dealer kept the car for two weeks.  Took the top-end of the engine apart, took the turbo apart, exchanged various components with other new cars, and called in the factory rep.  No one could figure it out.  Then the shop foreman decided to disconnect the exhaust system at the manifold.
Voila!  Power back!  It was just a plugged cat converter.  Can't answer why they didn't check for that earlier.

Dick
Re Heat and Mirrors
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56740
That being the symptom (loss of power) I don't think that I have a plugged catalytic converter then. But, both me and my wife find the head unbearable.
And it seems to be coming from those areas around the engine cover. Since I have more then enough power(we tow a Element no problem up the 5 grade going out of LA) then I' m curious as to what else causes it? Also, does anyone know a fix on how to keep the side mirrors from being so lose? I mean while driving the wind just shoves them up against the glass and I 'm continually adjusting them.

TIA- Arnold
Re: Re Heat and Mirrors
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56744
"Also, does anyone know a fix on how to keep the side mirrors from being so lose? I mean while driving the wind just shoves them up against the glass and I 'm continually adjusting them."
 If the mirrors are like mine, there is a set screw at the pivot point, use an allen wrench and thighten it. Mine loosen up every so often, but only slight movement, just enough to get it out of adjsutment.

I have a '99 model.

Chris Hunter
Re: Re Heat and Mirrors
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56745
My kids used to have an older Ford sob motorhome (sob=some other brand) and it came equiped with the foot roasting option, along with many other such enhancements.  I was greatly pleased to find that Elsie lacked this feature, even when we drove up to China Lake (next to Death Valley) on a day when the temperature was over 110 last month.
We have not had to open or remove the doghouse yet, and I hope we can get it tightly sealed again after we do.

Judy G Elsie 23.5 2004