Called Southern Plains Cummins in Houston and made an appointment, [two weeks was the quickest I could get in].
I told service writer coach would sometimes take 5 to 10 seconds to start, and if he could read codes and update ecm, if
necessary, and check fuel system.
Service writer said it would be $250 for diagnostics and inspection. I said fine.
When I arrived they put the coach in the lot for a hour, then moved it into a bay. After several hours in the bay, I inquired
on the status of the inspection, Service manager told me techs had just returned from lunch and would check it out.
After 5 hours there, I told them I had to go. They said they were finished and told me I had had a secondary fuel filter leak,
possibly a bad sensor, and needed 23 ecm updates. They also told me it would be $450 charge for the inspection.
I explained that I was quoted $250, he said no, all rv's are $450. Luckily the fellow I made the appointment with, was there,
and admitted to the quote. Chris, the service manager then proceeded to tell me, not once but 3 times,
that next time I came in, it would be $450. He also quoted me $1300 for the filter and sensor repair and ecm upgrades.
Draw your own conclusions.
I had 28 updates to the ECM including 5 for hard starts. I think it cost me 75 dollars but the risk was the ECM could fry. I was at CUmmins Atlantic. Good people there and no difference for an RV vs a truck.
Wouldn't be a next time.
Pretty serious. I paid IIRC somewhere around $300 at Cummins in Tampa for a prepurchase inspection. I have my doubts as to how thoroughly they inspected the right but they did dyno test it and hooked it up to the computer so I got all of the juicy bits like hours, idle hours and lifetime high speed. They did not suggest any ecu updates.... My engine is kind of off the wall. Sometimes it'll start in 2 seconds, sometimes it'll crank for 7+.
I'm used to my old Cat in the U280, so was concerned about the crank time in the new to us U320 with M11. Foretravel suggested that I always put the battery boost switch "on" before any start---- they said it would save me a starter replacement later. They were right, the crank time with the boost switch on is shorter. Mine now cranks in 2 seconds all the time with the switch on.
Cummins NPower Coach Care in St Paul, MN is great. No run around. Done when promised. Prices what they tell you it will be. They have no trouble getting what ever I have needed. Service managers are top drawer. Too bad you had a different experience.
Roger
In OH, IN, MI & Western PA Cummins Bridgeway is the Cummins subsidiary (51% CMI owned) that is the Cummins dealer. I can think of no other outfit to do my Cummin's maintenance. The Cincinnati facility is also certified coach care. May be pricey, but certified factory trained techs.
(edit) If you had a bad experience; then call Cummins and complain...
Cummins Southern Plains has been offering terrible Coach Care services for years. I got screwed in 1997 (never again) and it is still going on. They cover a large geographic area so driving out of their service area from Houston is a ways.
Coach Care is fine when the provider is fine like so many other services too. These updates are available only from Cummins dealers so my several engine fixers are not privy to this software.
I used Coach Care in Houston at Christmas time 2010. Had oil and lube job and said to check the start batteries. Oil and lube was reasonable but they wanted $650 to replace the Red Tops. I said thanks and went to Sam's Club for $125 each and put them in myself in 20 minutes. Paid myself the difference and get a nice Christmas present. :P
"After 5 hours there" they said they were finished... obviously they didn't work on the coach 5 hrs... $1300.00 bucks for a filter... sensor repair..ecm upgrades.... i suspect a hosing... True my coach is manual without the computer and sensors but I have a parking lot full of diesel rigs that do...
Not just a hosing, they had a poor attitude as well, as if rv's were just something they had to put up with.
Next trip east, I will stop in at some other Cummins dealer and get the ecm upgrades.
However, I did get a left handed compliment, They wrote on the service ticket Nimbus, instead of 320.
Don't feel alone J.... I have surely had a mile and a half of hose in my 44 years on the road in various shops... We just do the best we can do at the time my friend..
Any thoughts on the Coach Care facility in Jacksonville, FL?
I had to stop in with a Check Engine light. They took good care of me and fixed the problem right up. Tight parking by the hookups and when they were done I had to get them to move a truck so I could get out. It was a good experience when I was there and they seemed to know their stuff on RVs.
I have had a lift pump replaced here and it was a good experience. I am going to get the valves adjusted there in a few weeks. It is close to my house.
Mark
wse'll be at CoachCare in Jacksonville on Oct 27th for annual service. Thanks for the responses. ^.^d
The only business I do with Houston Southern Plains is avoid the trip (I don't even buy parts from them.)
Their Dallas operation is my preference.
Glad we have the equipment to work Cummins/Allison including a Master Tech.. pc
Can anyone direct me to a Cummins shop in San Antonio/Austin area for an overall, first look for our new-to-us '95 coach? I'd like to start a baseline of service and kick it off with a fresh fluid change. The PO said I can wait 2,000 miles but it would be good to sleep soundly. I don't know if all shops are created equal. Thanks, Paul