First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Topic: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins (Read 1326 times) previous topic - next topic

First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

July 18, 2018, 11:39:08 pm

Just finished my first major annual service of fluids, filters, lube etc. Some observations and questions.

When changing the fuel filters, primary and secondary, I made a mess. Should I have drained both filters before unscrewing them? I did fill new filters with diesel and it only took three attempts to start the engine and it ran great. I did install the valve for the oil drain (Fumoto); Cummins tech really tightened the drain plug when they installed it after dropping pan, fixed a stripped drain plug, and did the oil change. They also did coolant flush, fill, and transmission filter change and fluid change. That hurt my wallet.

Pumped oil out of hydraulic reserve and did what everyone warned me not to do, wing nut flew out of my slippery fingers and dropped to bottom of reserve. It's under a fair amount of pressure from the spring. Pumped it down, went fishing with a grab tool, mirror and flashlight and eventually dove in and grabbed it by hand. It was on the edge of the gaping hole in the bottom. Next time I will fully drain the reserve tank, put in towels to catch that slippery wingnut if it gets away from me again.

Changing the coolant filter was a comedy show. I didn't try to turn the dreaded weak shut off valve, I lost a full gallon of antifreeze in my not so smooth removal and replacement. I ordered a new set of filters and an SCA test strip. Have not yet tested the solution, project for this weekend.

Bought a new grease gun that self vents. Lubed everything but the calipers. First zert was plugged up, so after failing to get it cleaned replaced it and rest went fine. Had to go back and find the upper fittings for the kingpins. Missed them first go round.

Appears the air filter indicator is not working. Ordered a new (old) one on Ebay. Filter had a lot of dirt in the housing that I removed with shop towels and shop vac. I had 10,000 miles and two years on air filter. How often do you inspect?

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #1 – July 18, 2018, 11:51:34 pm

Only on the air filter....did you pull the rubber hose off of the filter end and suck on it to positively prove the indicator doesn't work? The specs insist not to open the air filter until the indicator shows less than max flow.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #2 – July 19, 2018, 12:02:19 am

No I did not check the filter minder in that manner. Is it normal to have a significant amount of dirt in the housing?

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #3 – July 19, 2018, 12:23:40 am

Driving on lots of dirt roads will do that. If your filter is doing it's job it will keep the dirt out of your eng.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #4 – July 19, 2018, 06:59:31 am

Always drain the fuel filters before unscrewing, then put a plastic bag around it as you are unscrewing the rest of the way to prevent spillage. Who dreads the water filter valve? Mine has always worked smoothly. It has never been messy changing the water filter. Did you grease the two fittings on the steering wheel shaft? Also the driveshaft while you're greasing the universal joints?

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #5 – July 19, 2018, 07:05:15 am

What type of anti freeze did they use,if it was not SCA compatable you need a blank filter.
Probably would'nt hurt to at some point take the piping from the intake vent to the air filter apart and clean out.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #6 – July 19, 2018, 07:18:13 am

Quote from: John44 – July 19, 2018, 07:05:15 am

What type of anti freeze did they use,if it was not SCA compatable you need a blank filter.
Probably would'nt hurt to at some point take the piping from the intake vent to the air filter apart and clean out.

Yes, very important.

If one of the new generation OAT-based coolants (usually red) you do NOT, repeat NOT use SCA.

SCA is only used with the older generation "low silicate for diesel with added SCA" coolant.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #7 – July 19, 2018, 07:25:32 am

I am getting ready to replace my fuel filters, also. Could someone be a little more explicit regarding the procedure to drain the filters. I know it sounds easy, but I don't care to learn things the " hard way". Twig.....are you saying that we can't check the condition of the air filter visually?? Where does it say that?? Thanks

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #8 – July 19, 2018, 08:50:45 am

Quote from: Realmccoy – July 19, 2018, 12:02:19 am

No I did not check the filter minder in that manner. Is it normal to have a significant amount of dirt in the housing?

Yes

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #9 – July 19, 2018, 08:59:44 am

Quote from: GleamB – July 19, 2018, 07:25:32 am

Twig.....are you saying that we can't check the condition of the air filter visually?? Where does it say that?? Thanks

That's what I'm saying. Actually, you can do anything you want.

Cleaning Air Filters | Cummins Filtration

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #10 – July 19, 2018, 09:05:02 am

Quote from: GleamB – July 19, 2018, 07:25:32 am

...are you saying that we can't check the condition of the air filter visually?? Where does it say that??

It is not a prohibition - rather it is a recommended practice. Try the link below for another logical explanation (then do what makes you happy).

Air Filter Replacement Instructions

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #11 – July 19, 2018, 09:18:06 am

Clarification: when the Cummings shop flushed and refilled my coolant they used green antifreeze. This is what my coach came with as well.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #12 – July 19, 2018, 10:04:02 am

Quote from: Realmccoy – July 18, 2018, 11:39:08 pm

Look for ALL the grease fittings on the U joints and drive shaft. Easy to miss one.

Pierce

Actually, the U joints have two zirks, but they both go to the center grease reservoir. The reason for two is that one is usually easier to access.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #13 – July 19, 2018, 11:32:06 am

I used the diagram from my Foretravel manual to find the grease points including drive shaft, ujoints, steering shaft extension. I copied the sheet, put it in a plastic sleeve and take it with me under the coach.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #14 – July 19, 2018, 02:26:30 pm

A visual air cleaner inspection is only good to see if rodents have eaten a hole in it and most filters have screens to prevent that. Don't second guess the restriction gauge and your engine's recommendations, just read the numbers on the side of the gauge.

OK, here are a few shots of my last oil change. You can see the new installed filter and the old one in the collector top. A sharp pointed chisel was driven an inch into the filter. The collector is then placed under the filter and the chisel removed allowing the oil to slowly drain without causing any mess at all. Only then is the filter turned and removed. The same can be done for the secondary fuel filter. Caution must be used on the primary as it may be below the fuel tank level. The clear plastic bottom on many is handy as it has a drain installed. I've got two coats of concrete sealer and two coats of epoxy paint everywhere in the pit so don't want to have to clean up any mess.

An old gallon oil container can be used with the quick drain so it's then easy to take it to a recycle location.

The oil filter comes with instructions on the side making it hard to make a mistake.

A vacuum cleaner hose connected to the oil fill makes changing to a quick drain easy without even one drop on the ground.

Pierce

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #15 – July 19, 2018, 04:46:22 pm

Would the vacuum connection also work with the coolant filter change over?

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #16 – July 19, 2018, 05:11:01 pm

Quote from: Realmccoy – July 19, 2018, 04:46:22 pm

Would the vacuum connection also work with the coolant filter change over?

Not putting me on the spot or anything.

The coolant is coming from two different directions. It might minimize the loss with a connection to the pressure tank but I'm not sure. With the small coolant filter combined with pulling the pressure cap off should not result in much of a loss. The addition of a vacuum could minimize the loss but not sure.

The vacuum was NOT my idea. I just took it from another forum member. I connected it to the fill tube, loosened the drain plug and then slowly started unscrewing the plug. I expected a little loss so had the container right below. When I finally removed the plug, there was just a sucking noise. No oil, not even a drop came out. Not a good time for someone to turn off the vacuum cleaner.

So, three cheers to the member whose idea it was. I would like to take the credit but I would get caught and be banned from the forum.

Pierce

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #17 – July 20, 2018, 06:29:07 am

Don't remove the pressure cap when changing the coolant filter to minimize coolant loss.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #18 – July 20, 2018, 08:59:38 am

The folks at Cummins told me that if you open your air filter canister replace the air filter after thoroughly cleaning the inside of the canister and the cover. This $50-75 filter protects you from a $25,000 engine rebuilt. Watch the filter minder and replace when indicated.

If you have a new to you coach and do not know when service has been done then replacing all of the engine filters and fluids, the engine air filter and all of the generator filters and fluids, the hydraulic system oil and filters and the drinking water filter will establish a known service point for these items going forward. Then get on a regular maintenance schedule and follow it. It will make your coach last longer, reduce the potential for problems and get you further along on the trust in your coach curve.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #19 – July 20, 2018, 10:10:21 am

Quote from: amos.harrison – July 20, 2018, 06:29:07 am

Don't remove the pressure cap when changing the coolant filter to minimize coolant loss.

Brett, yes with a cold engine. Otherwise...

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #20 – July 20, 2018, 12:29:17 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 19, 2018, 07:18:13 am

Yes, very important.

If one of the new generation OAT-based coolants (usually red) you do NOT, repeat NOT use SCA.

SCA is only used with the older generation "low silicate for diesel with added SCA" coolant.

My mechanic.. the one that works in the shop I own, saw fit to add a bottle of sca to my extended life coolant. I know it isn't necessary but you make it sound like it could be harmful, or am I over reading your text. He is one to use overkill but I don't want to kill something using it. He had poured it in the radiator before I knew it.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #21 – July 20, 2018, 01:41:56 pm

Dub,

Not sure one bottle of SCA would do much harm, but a question probably better asked of Fleetguard or whoever made your coolant.

Re: First oil change, fuel filter changes, air filter, hydraulic etc C8.3 Cummins

Reply #22 – July 20, 2018, 02:41:33 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 20, 2018, 01:41:56 pm

Dub,

Not sure one bottle of SCA would do much harm, but a question probably better asked of Fleetguard or whoever made your coolant.

10/4

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