Tiniest Hymer Promaster Carrado/Axion

[mumkin]

Everyone who has a Promaster based RV built by EHGNA with an underhood generator should be checking this hose system regularly... forever. On a poll about 1/3 of reported owners on one Facebook page have had minor leaks, but about 10% have had a serious rupture incapacitating the van and at least 2 people have lost their engines.

A few of the minor leaks were caused by Promaster, but most are the fault of the UHG installation.

I take a glance under my van every time I walk past.

[kite_rider]

Originally Posted by mumkin

Everyone who has a Promaster based RV built by EHGNA with an underhood generator should be checking this hose system regularly... forever. On a poll about 1/3 of reported owners on one Facebook page have had minor leaks, but about 10% have had a serious rupture incapacitating the van and at least 2 people have lost their engines.

A few of the minor leaks were caused by Promaster, but most are the fault of the UHG installation.

I heard about an infamous coolant leak over on the Facebook page but was trying to figure it out. Since I don't have the UHG on my rig am I free of infamous coolant leak issues?

Can you expand on 'A few of the minor leaks were caused by Promaster'? I ask since my coolant level has been a bit low for a while, so I'm a bit concerned though I've never seen a leak. Finding the factory spec OAT coolant has been tricky, I guess I need to make a run down to the dealer..

[Merlynda]

Originally Posted by mumkin

Everyone who has a Promaster based RV built by EHGNA with an underhood generator should be checking this hose system regularly... forever. On a poll about 1/3 of reported owners on one Facebook page have had minor leaks, but about 10% have had a serious rupture incapacitating the van and at least 2 people have lost their engines.

A few of the minor leaks were caused by Promaster, but most are the fault of the UHG installation.

I take a glance under my van every time I walk past.

Can you send pics of exactly what to check? Do I check from under the engine? I am worried now.

[mumkin]

Have either your Carado dealer or a Promaster dealer check it for you. I have no photos.

As to the Promaster leak issues, I recommend everyone join the Ram Promaster forum which is where some have reported issues with leaks. I don't know what model year it referred to.

[jradwan]

Originally Posted by mumkin

Have either your Carado dealer or a Promaster dealer check it for you. I have no photos.

As to the Promaster leak issues, I recommend everyone join the Ram Promaster forum which is where some have reported issues with leaks. I don't know what model year it referred to.

Yes the Promasterforum.com is an invaluable source for all Promaster related issues. The knowledge shared and ingenuity of the solutions offered are invaluable.

Also the Facebook Carado Axion and Banff groups are a great source for all Carado related problems. Some of the groups members are full-time RV'ers and their experience and diagnosis of problems have been a tremendous resource as well.

[jradwan]

Originally Posted by Merlynda

Thank you so much. I will check mine. Maybe will just tighten it for good measure.

You're welcome. Since you have the UG, another issue I encountered has to do with the plastic protective cover underneath the UG. One of the rivets sits right against a UG plugin wire (blue wire). It's a Carado installation error that could be addressed by a Hymer dealer. Or a diy solution by simply trimming the rivet or a small piece of the plastic cover around that rivet as done in this image.

[Merlynda]

Oh my several problems. If you hear of more please post. I am not on Facebook.

I am hoping to get the Voltstart installed and will have dealer check for these issues.

Thank you so much!

[mumkin]

Another great group to join on Facebook is the Roadtrek Zion and Simplicity Owners because it is all Promaster owners and a large and experienced group. There are a number of Carado owners on there.

It is worth signing up for Facebook just for the available help.

[Merlynda]

I cooked some pasta in it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077B43CCT..._t3noCb25XZ7RJ

.

[jradwan]

Originally Posted by Merlynda

I cooked some pasta in it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077B43CCT..._t3noCb25XZ7RJ

.

clever idea.. thanks for posting.

Btw, another issue I ran into had to do with water leaking into the engine compartment. There is an extensive thread on Promaster forum detailing the problem and solutions. It's not a comforting thought knowing that rain water can drip into the engine and electrical components, but there are diy fixes as well.
https://www.promasterforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=84639

[mumkin]

I have read about this issue on the Promaster forum, but we have had zero issues with it on any of the FB groups that I am on... for EHGNA Promaster conversions. Or perhaps it is just that none of us have noticed it.

[Merlynda]

I drove the Axion for about sixty minutes today and put paper under engine area. Will report results.

[jradwan]

Some of the users on that thread didn't experience this problem with their PM either, it's possible this is not a generic problem. Though the consensus is it's related to the windshield cowl. Simple way to determine if the problem applies to your PM is to open the hood right after it rains and see if there evidence of water anywhere.

[Merlynda]

I don’t think I have the water leaking into engine compartment. But will check that too. I may have the coolant leak. I will check the paper I put under the engine and report results.

[MsNomer]

Our PM has a coolant leak that the dealer could not find. We have added a small amount of coolant twice in 90,000 miles. Recently on the PM forum, someone found a clamp with a small leak in an obscure spot that some speculate could be the culprit, but it’s hardly worth the trouble to track it down. We chuckle at the Sprinter and Transit owners who try to make this a big deal.

[Merlynda]

Twice in 90,000 miles? Doesn’t sound like a problem to me. Thank you for the information. I found the transit/sprinter smaller than the PM. I wanted a gas engine and I like having front wheel drive.

[Merlynda]

Axion sitting for three days so far. Not a drop of any fluid on my paper.

Will let it sit some more.

I don’t think I have the water seepage issue. My engine was covered in gravel dust. Had it in rain, a truck wash, still covered in gravel dust until I wiped it off.

[MsNomer]

Merlynda, just keep an occasional eye on the coolant level, which is immediately obvious when you open the hood. When cold, ours is normally a bit below the min mark, but there appear to be no adverse effects.

Relax and Enjoy.

[jradwan]

Originally Posted by Merlynda

Axion sitting for three days so far. Not a drop of any fluid on my paper.

Will let it sit some more.

I don’t think I have the water seepage issue. My engine was covered in gravel dust. Had it in rain, a truck wash, still covered in gravel dust until I wiped it off.

That's great Merlynda. I wish I could say the same for my Axion. Just keep an eye on the cowl's drainage holes not getting clogged, particularly the two tiny ones on both ends of the cowl.

[Merlynda]

Getting Voltstart installed in the Axion on 1/29 from Sunshine State RV in Gainesville Florida. Quoted me $1900. Will keep you posted. Other things on my list are:

Vertical kayak hitch carrier
Rear ladder
WiFi booster
Front cab carpet