Danger, Will Robinson! Danger, Will Robinson!

Whoa! That brings back memories…

Memories of carefree days and afternoons in front of the tube.

If your not familiar with the phrase “Danger, Will Robinson” or have no idea what the “tube” is or was, then Google It!

What’s this got to do with Engine’s and what’s a DPO?

DPO is short for Diesel Pusher Owner, I’m an ex-IT guy and seems like everything in the IT world has an acronym.

Which, now that I think of it, I really despised…

Enough dilly dallying because there is a point here.

Close your eyes, take a deep breadth and recall the first time you heard the soft murmur and throaty rumble of a diesel pusher.

There’s something sweet about that sound, as it rumbles into town, down main street and into the campground.

A finely tuned machine whispering a song…

“I’m big - I’m Bad” (theres a song there somewhere)

The sweet whisper that says - “Hey, Look at ME!”

Oh - Yeah!

OK, to the point of this post.

There’s a silent killer of diesel and gas engines that far to many people ignore.

The radiator.

Diesel pushers suffer far to many engine failures as the result of failed cooling systems.

Front engine coaches and vehicles experience these failures but, with the radiator located in front, directly in the drivers line of sight, the failures are less common.

Diesel pusher owners aren’t so lucky.

The engine and radiator are way, way back there.

Often 40 or more feet behind the driver.

So far back that problems, and signs of problems often go unnoticed until it’s to late.

Heck, I can barely hear the exhaust sing from the front.

And as my age continues to climb my hearing continues to decline.

Sound familiar…

So here’s the point.

The cards are stacked agains’t us DPO pilots and there not getting any better.

And the cost of rebuilding or replacing that powerhouse in the rear is staggering.

And you know what else?

Cleaning that monster of a radiator doesn’t appear to be a priority for many owners…until the damage is done.

Diesels love heat, heat makes power.

The more power, the more heat.

That heats, gotta be shed or the results will be felt.

So, heres DPO Tip #1 : Clean the radiator annually at the least.

Your banker will thank you.