Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Carol & Scott on January 25, 2015, 01:17:22 pm

Title: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 25, 2015, 01:17:22 pm
The engine cover on the front of the engine - pointing to the rear -  has always had a small amount of oil and dirt on the cover.  We were advised by Cummins about a year ago that this was from the Front Main seal and should be replaced some time in the future wen it started to drip.  We have been keeping an eye on this area and never seems to get any worse.  Yesterday while screwing around with the AC compressor I thought I'd clean of the small amount of oil/dirt on the casing and noticed that around this rubber plug I could see a Twinkling of liquid.

What does this plug actually do?
Could this be the source of the small amount of oil and dirt on the casing?
Can I replace this plug?

I have an appointment weth Bernd in Nac on Fri to replace the front main seal.  Thinking I will drive to Nac. and see what appears to happen.  If I can replace this plug it might eliminate the need for spending the $$$ to replace the seal.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Jim McNeece on January 25, 2015, 02:55:39 pm
Mine had some oil and oily dirt around it and Cummins replaced it during my visit about a year ago.  No oil since then.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 25, 2015, 04:31:42 pm
What is that part called???
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: rbark on January 25, 2015, 06:05:49 pm
Scott, you can replace that plug. Cummins and maybe any truck supply shop will have them.
 As for the name, not sure what it is exactly called other than a front cover plug.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Barry Beam on January 25, 2015, 07:59:04 pm
The engine cover on the front of the engine - pointing to the rear -  has always had a small amount of oil and dirt on the cover.  We were advised by Cummins about a year ago that this was from the Front Main seal and should be replaced some time in the future wen it started to drip.  We have been keeping an eye on this area and never seems to get any worse.  Yesterday while screwing around with the AC compressor I thought I'd clean of the small amount of oil/dirt on the casing and noticed that around this rubber plug I could see a Twinkling of liquid.
What does this plug actually do?
Could this be the source of the small amount of oil and dirt on the casing?
Can I replace this plug?
Thoughts?
I had mine replaced a few months ago. Part # 4082974 Cummins 4082974 PLUG,GEAR COVER (http://www.truckhelp.com/parts/cummins-4082974)
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 25, 2015, 08:18:15 pm
Thanks for the replies.

Barry you are a gem - as usual.  ;D
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Johnstons on January 25, 2015, 10:43:00 pm
Scott, seems like everything you post is on my list already.  Have had some oil around that plug for a while.

Replaced a black water tank sensor today and put a toggle switch on the #15 ground wire so the tank sensors appear to be working now.

In the future is the hot water bypass.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 25, 2015, 10:50:11 pm
Hey Rick -

We are only nine units apart.  Go figure.  Hot water bypass??????
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Johnstons on January 25, 2015, 10:53:37 pm
Solonoid valve to get hot water to the center of the coach before turning on the faucet.

I haven't washed my hands in hot water since we bought this thing.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on January 26, 2015, 12:55:19 am
Scott, Rick
We are at Xtreme for at least another week.  My hot water recirculator in in and running.  Works nice.  Stop by and look if you are coming to NAC.  I have a parts list and am working on a Forum post.

Roger
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Johnstons on January 26, 2015, 06:59:22 am
How about coming to Oklahoma when you get done and we can have a work day?

I've also got radiator repair on my list now.  Trying to decide whether to have it done in OKC or take it to Nach.  I'm apprehensive going anywhere but Nach.

We dropped off our kids coach at MOT Saturday for some repairs.    The wait at FOT is longer than we can deal with.  I had called in right after Thanksgiving for our slide seal and Josh said they were booking 90 days out so I had it fixed at MOT.  They did a great job.  Can't wait 90 days or longer for the radiator. 

I guess we just hijacked this thread.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 26, 2015, 08:59:27 am
New Part Number is:  3688144 per Cummins - $10.00 +/-.  A local Cummins shop is bringing it in tomorrow AM.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Old Hippie on January 26, 2015, 09:33:59 am
What is behind that cover that requires oil? Timing gears?
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 26, 2015, 09:39:26 am
Don't know.  Whas hoping that Brett would see this thread and chime in - think he is on the road some where.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on January 26, 2015, 12:35:27 pm
Cummins Gear Cover Plug is 3688114  List price $7.06
No idea where the other number & price came from, not from Cummins.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 26, 2015, 02:23:28 pm
Hi Dave -

The guy at a local Cummins repair shop gave me the "NEW" part number this morning.

Will double check.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 26, 2015, 02:34:46 pm
Just checked the Cummins Distribution Center in Houston.  $6.36 in stock.  I'm on my way.  Thanks Dave.  Only 6 more miles.  ;D
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Kemahjohn on January 26, 2015, 06:32:44 pm
You are correct, Brett is on the road ( sung to the tune of " On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson)  :))
At least that's what he said yesterday, something about dodging a snow storm!

On the cummins marine engine, that rubber plug is the source of many oily bilges-- it could be the culprit.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Michelle on January 26, 2015, 06:41:38 pm
I had mine replaced a few months ago. Part # 4082974 Cummins 4082974 PLUG,GEAR COVER (http://www.truckhelp.com/parts/cummins-4082974)

Ok, that's 2 in our year range.  Going on the 2015 list....
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 26, 2015, 06:45:22 pm
I hope.  :)
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 26, 2015, 06:52:07 pm
Another hijack -

Rick - Are you guys Motorcade "Plus" Members?
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Johnstons on January 26, 2015, 08:49:08 pm
I sent the money. 

When I called it was before we'd heard of the two tier system.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 26, 2015, 08:53:34 pm
Was just interested to see if you actually got preferential treatment with the 90 day appt. lead time. 
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 31, 2015, 11:22:10 am
Spent the day at Bernd's yesterday where he was scheduled to replace the front main seal.  After chatting with Bernd and his inspection, it was his opinion that the leak/weeping that I was experiencing was from that rubber plug that I replaced.  So...we decided that he would adjust the valves along with fixing our dash AC.  He also replaced the rubber hoses that are attached to the radiator.  Both hoses were bulging and some cracks in the material were starting.

Had a successful day there.  A little lighter but all is good.

Very happy with Bernd, Tony and the rest of the crew.  Had two to three guys working on our Old Girl from 11 AM until we left at almost 8 PM.

The sure appear to know our coaches.  :D
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Jimmy Freytag on January 31, 2015, 11:27:22 am
Hey Scott, did you notice they don't shut the doors at 4:30PM each day.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Carol & Scott on January 31, 2015, 11:58:02 am
Did not notice when FOT shut doors but they were not very busy.  Maybe 10 in CF parking.  Seemed like a few bays were always open.  Have only been to FOT 3 or 4 times and the slowest I've seen it.  They said it was normal about this time of year.

The only thing that FT did for us was a little paint work.  Only walked thru the shop a few times.  ;D
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Kemahjohn on January 31, 2015, 05:01:32 pm
I talked to them a couple of days ago and they informed me that the first available service appointment was in April---- and I am a frequent customer.  They are full up, the bays may not be, but they couldn't even squeeze me in for an inspection.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Jimmy Freytag on January 31, 2015, 05:14:51 pm
I talked to them a couple of days ago and they informed me that the first available service appointment was in April---- and I am a frequent customer.  They are full up, the bays may not be, but they couldn't even squeeze me in for an inspection.


Sound to me like they need to extend there service hours, hire more techs,and open on Saturday to take care of that kind of backlog.  How much service business is going somewhere else, because a person can't wait 60-90 days for service.  Just my point of view from being in the auto service field for 30 years.
Title: Re: Another leak - Front Engine Cover Plug?
Post by: Johnstons on January 31, 2015, 06:35:44 pm
We spent several coach bucks at MOT because when I called right after Thanksgiving FOT said they were booking three months out. MOT got us right in when we needed and did a great job.  Our kids coach is at MOT right now for a few coach bucks of repairs and they got it right in when we needed.

I now feel a loyalty to MOT that I once had for FOT.