"Bullet-Proofing" My CAT C-12 Coolant System

Today I am back at the shop working on my 2001 Beaver Patriot Thunder. Last time I took it out, I discovered that my 22 year-old engine coolant surge tank finally sprung a leak and I had to do an emergency roadside repair to get home. While there are many options, I decided to try to bullet proof the engine coolant system by replacing the plastic tank with a custom made steel tank from Beaver Coach Sales in Bend, OR. This is a well built tank and probably the easy swap I've ever had to do on a RV. Please note, this is not a sponsored or paid video, I just thought sharing the resources with other Beaver and Safari owners would be helpful. I also will show a few more of the upgrades I have done to the BEST RV EVER MADE, which I am more excited to show.
Thanks for watching!
www.beavercoachsales.com/

[@deanh7190]

⏱Let's all meet back here in 22 years to see how the new metal surge tank performed versus the original plastic tank🤔

[@lonniemillin4593]

You should always us distilled water in the radiator.

[@jimw3799]

the out takes at the end are the best. Gives a bit of insight into how difficult it is to make a video, with numerous revisions.

[@AZExpert]

I trip over words constantly, thank you! :)

[@Rock-Bottem1982]

JBweld is a beautiful thing for quick repairs. One lf the posts on my cat tree broke at the base, and of course this devastated my fur baby, so I got some JBweld(plastic type), and rigged up a solution that made it better and stronger than factory! She was super happy, she was meowing at me for days until I fixed her cat tree

[@dmc522]

So rewarding to do your own repairs. James, you are the best! So cool too.

[@zmotorsports62]

Nice. I replaced the plastic surge tank in our 2003 Monaco Dynasty several years ago as preventive maintenance. I was starting to see quite a few of them failing and was not impressed with what was available so I fabricated a custom one from aluminum and had it polished. Now not only is it reliable but when I open my engine hatch I'm proud to show it off. Mike

[@philw7174]

Really great to see the love that beautiful Beaver is getting. Always enjoy your videos, thank you James. Happy trails!

[@fastcoffee9878]

I just ordered 1 today. Mike said they have 3 in stock. March 4 '24🤘🏽. Gotta give it a coat of Cat yellow first

[@ron7447]

Always amazed how much you get done with one hand. An acquired skill I'm sure.

[@DLTJR1959]

Glad you got it fixed James. Really impressed that those folk are still supporting the brand. Looks like they have a great facility. As an orphaned Wanderlodge owner, we have some suppliers and manufacturers that still support our coaches too. We had a coolant hose go out on our last trip that had to be repaired on the road. Age and roads were the culprit like your surge tank issue. Bluebird manufactured a steel surge tank for our unit so that was a good thing. IMHO the cost of the surge tank was more than reasonable. Great content again as always. Really appreciate your content. It's a great resource for me.

[@KarasCyborg]

I'm glad you wrote down the name of the RV. I was somehow remembering to be "Cougar Beaver Thunder". Not exactly what I was looking for came up when I did a search for it.

[@rickhodges1731]

That is a well-respected brand! Looks like an excellent purchase! Would like to see you rehabilitate the boat.

[@Vaderbill]

And another website bookmarked for the future! Best RV videos anywhere!!

[@yvettewilliams2365]

Never "simple" or "easy" - always "straight forward" - saves on the jynxes

[@JohnJohnson-hl1vi]

I just love your projects to make the perfect Beaver. 2001 Classic!

[@grumpyoldman336]

Nice job the only thing id say.. as a plumber is when rolling the tape on the threads flip the roll over it makes for a more snug application and easier to do lol

[@DoRC]

Honestly for a small batch custom manufactured watertight sheet steel part like that 450 bucks really isn't bad.

[@stevendunn264]

You just need a caption HOT decal for the tank.

[@stevezb]

What you need now is a video projector so you can use power visor as a movie screen Star Wars would look great on it😂

[@NoelBarlau]

My favorite phrase is "Better than factory." That is one sturdy tank, and it is beautiful. Nice job on the upgrades as well, and I agree completely that your 2001 Patriot Thunder is better than many brand new coaches.

[@MotorManiaTV]

We are on our 3rd Plastic tank, having one custom built out of aluminum by my son. Will have it when this one springs a leak.

[@richoverton493]

Hey James Just a shout out to you. Been binge watching your videos. I own a older class A coach and a hard core DIYer. I also live in the valley (Litchfield Park). I have learned such a massive amount from you and from what I can tell from your videos you seem to be a pretty cool guy as well. Keep the lessons coming. You da man.

[@georgeelder8415]

Thank you James! I had a similar issue with my classic Range Rover... It looks like they used the same plastic! BTW, Beaver RV's are now on my Radar! Prior to your channel, only Foretravel and Tiffin were in the running! Thanx, again...

[@michaelcanto6175]

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous!

[@garyag45]

I feel about our 2006 Country Coach Inspire same as you do about your Beaver. 👍🦅😎🇺🇸

[@Julian-do7bv]

The driver visor is a great idea

[@chrisbengford812]

BPT! Best RV Ever!

[@ronbrown4551]

I love the outtakes

[@cruzer01]

Your too funny!! Great video. I had the same thing happen to my plastic tank on an 05 Allegro Bus and. It was replaced by a plastic tank. Now I wished I would have known there are metal tanks! We also upgraded to roller front shade best upgrade. We us the black screen part when parked to keep some sun out but still be able to have a view. Can't wait for your next vid

[@AZExpert]

I have screens that snap on the front of the windshield

[@DavidHBurkart]

James slayin' another dragon!! Great fixes. Ingenious visor. Beaver is definitely impressive.

[@michaelprue9024]

THAT is a very nice motor home ! Wow. I am very happy for you. And that Cat C12 is a great engine. Take care of her and she’ll take care of you. It’s been a while since I’ve worked on a C12 but I do know they are great engines. And dang, I am jealous of that coach ! Hope you do turn it into the absolute best coach ever !

[@AZExpert]

Thank you, I am trying, there's so much I want to do but then I figure I should make a video showing it and it slows the progress a bit. But I have many upgrades and repairs ready to start.

[@alatwood3274]

Great video as usual. Love the out takes.

[@rnreajr9184]

I can attest to how nice electric driving shades are. I do have a plastic surge tank, though, so I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks for another great video!

[@lorrieleaver2447]

You really are a very special man with so much knowledge of RVS. You never fail to disappoint James. See you soon 👋😎💫

[@mmanut]

There is no way I would drive that BEAUTIFUL BUS on roads like that. Those roads kill a BEAUTIFUL BUS, Like yours. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN ‼️🇺🇸 Vinny 🇺🇸

[@anotherjoe5675]

Not only that, but a diesel pusher draws air in from the rear grill through the radiator into the engine compartment and redirects it to the ground underneath the coach... This creates a dust cloud behind the coach obliterating the rear quadrant and anything you may be towing behind it... Never again...

[@jimnulton3148]

Love that shade really great idea... We have a two thousand country coach Is allure And I always seem to be fighting the sun lol😎 We just completed new slide cylinders and had to replace one hydraulic line. Got that? All working real nice excited head out from texas 2 ohio in fifteen days To see grand babies and great grandbabies... We gate guard in south texas near 1of our granddaughters everywinter... Thanks for all your efforts in sharing confidence... Jimbo

[@dueljet]

Looks like that sweet beaver has been to Elkhart lake (Road America) racetrack in Wisconsin.

[@terry3193]

Another great video…informative, educational, entertaining and I always find your videos to be “relaxing”. I love them all, plus “no drama”…just straight forward. I love all of the upgrades you’ve made…it truly is “the greatest rv ever made”, or it will be once your finished with it. Take care!

[@dondavis1203]

Same thing happened to my 2006 HR Imperial a couple years ago. We removed the old plastic unit and manufactured a stainless-steel unit at my small machine/welding oilfield manufacturing business.

[@scottparkes7563]

Same thing happened to my 2001 monico dynasty and I fixed it with eternabond that I happened to have on my trip and put the cap on loosely. Still on today and it's been a year. I will be building a new one before I go to far.

[@edwardneilander6427]

Thanks, good video! Love the outtakes!

[@guttermastersplus5613]

You are probably the most thorough and nicest repair tech I've ever seen I follow you on everything you do

[@JahRootsRadio]

The next video James makes will be him finding the vacuum leak on my Winnebago Journey 😆

[@williamhansen5498]

Beaver Thunder has always been my favorite Motor Home. Went through the factory more than twenty five years ago . My Grandmother use to call Thunder, Tunder so that is what I call the Thunder. Beaver Tunder.

[@pross263]

I can lay on my couch and watch you work for hours 😅 good video

[@mrmudstud5980]

Excellent video James, I was always on the impression and the instructions say to use distilled water “only” because raw water has minerals that will fall out and stick to the metal when it gets hot. Anyhow, that’s what my mechanical class instructed.

[@AZExpert]

oh sure, distilled is best practices but there are more minerals in the air as dust in my shop than will be in the water I added.

[@glenncoon6639]

Looking really sweet . I love the videos keep them coming.

[@unclechris3958]

Kenworth and peterbilt semi trucks also use plastic coolant tanks on some of the things as well as jeep

[@bobs7543]

The fiberglass patch looks like the same stuff my doctor used to repair my hernia last week. When I get the bill from the hospital I'm going to check the part number for the patch. Hope it doesn't start with napa.

[@deanh7190]

🤣🤣🤣...your patch bill will be like buying hardware at a Marina.

[@jeffstarkings5474]

Perfection ! Nice work!

[@daviscrt]

awesome video, Thanks Don

[@propperdad]

"2001 Beaver Patriot Thunder" = Drink! 🤪

[@hddm3]

Cool man. Great upgrades. Your gona love it now

[@1hasbeen531]

Good repair/upgrade. The out of synch audio was like watching an old Bruce Lee movie ;-)

[@bobmariano3731]

Another awesome video James 👍

[@jeffsteele1295]

Great video love all the upgrades you have done to your Beaver and I have been keeping up with most all of them.

[@matthewstrzelecki4280]

Nice job on that shade I love it

[@LayloNewt]

Really nice replacement tank.Would be great if Beaver did make a comeback as a Solid Build.

[@proudtexan5513]

Great job on that power visor!!

[@gereshomeE]

Well done! ☺

[@michelmichael8957]

Thank you James for your awesome videos. I know it takes time and effort to make them. So I forever grateful. Your so proud of your rv. It's nice to see how happy it makes you smile

[@AstrologerJoe]

Had the same issue with my Monaco, fortunately, I had a roll of Flex tape...did the trick! Thanks for the video James !!

[@brianbiggs3484]

Awesome video James !!! Thanks for sharing , the surge tank upgrade & information is priceless , along with your excitement of your upgrades 😁👍👍🇨🇦✌️🇨🇦✌️🇨🇦🔧🔧

[@derkvaider6756]

I wish you had made a video of the rewiring of the trailer lights. I need to do the same thing to my Beaver

[@stevesmith9173]

hey.... absolutely LOVE all of your repair videos, second to none!!! That being said, we took our 2005 Beaver Marquis to Beaver Coach and Sales (BCS) last month and... albeit ~$2,000 in travel expenses each way, #WORTH-IT!! BCS was AWESOME! So much so, that we're planning to drive back in 2024/2025 for additional (anticipated) repairs.... LOVE those guys!!! :)

[@gethecar]

I came for an education and stayed for the bloopers. lol

[@flexjay87]

Another job well done :)

[@cluuck4617]

I guess we all do that to our coaches, be going on 3 years of upgrades! Keep going man!

[@steveegbert3554]

I also replace the surge tank on my 1998 Monaco Windsor, got mine before it failed. I also have a roller shade for the windshield, mines not powered. I am in the running for the second best motorhome ever.

[@AZExpert]

Yes 😀

[@robertburgess6100]

The metal tank is a great upgrade for the plastic one. That should have been replaced a long, long time ago. And the wind screen upgrade is very cool.

[@MR-gl1fs]

Thankfully the second best motor coach made my 2000 country coach as a steel tank and not plastic thankfully. Great video thanks for sharing.

[@twodeadmice3321]

I replaced mine last year with original plastic version from RV supply in states. Even shipping to Canada it was half the price of this metal tank.

[@dougnorton5143]

Distilled water is the preferred additive to pure coolant.

[@cullenmiller8170]

Nice video and upgrades. My Marquis came with the power sun visors. Now you have me worried about the overflow tank. I guess i need to get one of those too. Unfortunately, I have a bad fuel injector in my C12 and just waiting on the estimate from CAT for that one.

[@Brokesville]

that's a coolant expansion tank you replaced if you want to fill it to the top put a recovery bottle on that hose to the ground. thanks for making these video's

[@KevinCoop1]

James, I bought one of those bin double cup holder things you had and installed it in out RV. Not near as good as your install but I really wanted the cup holders. Out Jayco Alante has the sun shade factory standard. It will only go partly down with engine running and all the way down when turned off. Keep bring us the quality videos that you do! Best wishes, Kevin

[@rjw8316]

Nice job as always. I would agree with your initial assessment that those tank brackets look really flimsy especially with the heaver tank. But with a 22 year coach and all the bouncing around and the rust on those brackets I would wonder about future fatigue failure.

[@bengorrell2658]

James I'm so disappointed, eternabond would have held it forever 🙊😱 your favorite product 😅🤣😂 safe travels my friend

[@AZExpert]

I used it to get to napa

[@QSSCEO]

Very nice tank... It will last forever. Sure is nice when you can do a repair and upgrade for yourself once and a while .

[@jerryplante4239]

Mine (Magnum chassis Safari) sprung a leak on the road. I was able to find a Ford replacement from a Ford dealer. At least in 2018 they were still available. I tried patching the leaker but, like yours, it didn't take. On a side note, you may be sorry you hit those rubber hoses with WD.

[@carmencolon3520]

When you said "Bullet proof " I thought yeah let's make a safe space in that rv for this crazy world . I wonder have you thought about it. , Any way thanks for taking time for your Beaver .

[@MountainSalsa]

Ty

[@JimmyShawsTidbits1]

I recognize your original tank. They had it on the 1995 Ford F800 with the 5.9 Cummins. Mine did the same thing. The worst idea a designer could have imagined for a cooling system.

[@YallAintRight]

Can you please share the link for your speakers? I need new ones. Thank you! Love this rig.

[@jdwond3673]

I have traveled through many western states, and I must say that a lot of Arizona roads are rough!😑

[@miketomas8564]

hEEEY... Welcome to the club. Did that last year. Standard Known issue with Beavers. Didja do the Headlight Relay upgrade yet?

[@stevebaker8966]

We use plastic tanks in big trucks not much problem. Maybe pressure no as high

[@QLFProductions]

Great job, the Cat C-12 is a highly regarded engine, may I ask how many miles does the greatest used diesel pusher on the road today have? Wondering if my Cummins 8.3 ISC can keep up.

[@ricks88s]

Hey James..... i wonder if your number 1 all time fix all eternabond would fix that....love your videos

[@AZExpert]

I did use it temporarily to get to napa

[@idahobob180]

AZ I just bought a 2005 Beaver 40 with a c9 cat 42k on motor 300hr on gen down in Medford Oregon need you to inspect you coming to Oregon.

[@Gadget0343]

Very nice! I do have a tip for you. Don't use WD-40 on the hoses to remove or install or any other oil type stuff. Use a spray cleaner like 409. It is slippery when wet, penetrates well and when it dries it helps the rubber stick well and will be way less likely to come loose or blow off.

[@stuartstuart866]

I use alcohol, slippery when wet and evaporates off quickly without residue.

[@amelbeecher6097]

nice job.. hope your old hoses do not blow.

[@Bewefau]

Hmm, question about that tank now sense it is steal. As you said before it does get hot. Does it got hot enough to catch paper on fire? You should test it Paper or Leafs might blow up in there and catch fire. Sadly this happens to some riding lawn mowers too. The leafs catch fire form the tail pipe tho.

[@jeffmill6683]

If it was me, I would've replaced the hoses at the same time. I drove over 6 million miles in a semi, and believe me that if a hose goes in the middle of no where.

[@peeweeacres]

Price of parts is equal to you want to play YOU HAVE TO PAY!

[@DoRC]

You really want to run distilled water in your cooling system. Regular water even filter will have minerals and other things in it that can not only alter the chemistry of the coolant but can leave deposits and encourage corrosion.

[@iiles1]

Should there be a glueing agent between the plywood and metal on a metal roof? I have to replace a piece of plywood under the metal roof on a 1988 ford coachman c class

[@guttermastersplus5613]

I know it's expensive but me and myself are swing when I was in there I would replace the radiator hose and the bypass hose and everything so you don't have to do it in the future but it's costly

[@vincetoscano7018]

Hi James, Beaver Coach and sales are great to work with!! Mike is a great guy to work with!! On another note We have a 2003 Beaver Marquis Emerald coach that has a c12 cat engine. Earlier this year the radiator started to leak. Bumer We also had the fluid tested and all was good. that was 2 years ago. last year I had the fluid change in the cooling system. I did think I was being proactive. We had the Radiator replaced, along with the 2 thermostats. I do think age was the determining factor??? Or just change the cooling fluid every 5 years?? Not sure?

[@DLTJR1959]

Vince, I had our Wanderlodge flushed last year. As a 2006 model, I had no idea the condition of the antifreeze. The sight glass located in the surge tank was cloudy so I figured that it needed attention. My service center told us that they had to flush it 3 times to get all the crud out. So far so good, but we did have a hose go bad on our last trip. Yes, I believe that age is the determining factor. Really love Beaver coaches. Great build quality. You own a fine RV.

[@matthewstrzelecki4280]

I was wondering how are you were going to feel that with no room I thought there might have been an access I'm looking at a 09 Patriot Thunder got my fingers crossed

[@user-wq1rv5qs8u]

James, this question has to do with the video you did 4 years ago entitled Advanced Monaco Diesel Battery Troubleshooting. You corrected the solenoid and replaced the faulty PC board. That board is the Intellitec 73-00824 BCC/BIRD PCB. I have encountered the same problem. Can you tell me where I can get that PCB? Thanks Ron.