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Topic: Chassis service question (Read 1299 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Chassis service question

Reply #25
Again, the tow truck operator called the shop to be sure they'd work on my radiator before he left me there. They looked at it and said it was too difficult. I definitely wasn't foul mouthed and I had money to pay for the repair. I was very polite. They told me to get it towed hundreds of miles to the next big city at my own expense. I didn't have the money for both the long range towing and the repair. It cost a couple thousand dollars to recore a radiator that large and it had to be sent back to Detroit for some reason. They called every other diesel mechanic in town and none of them would work on it, even after looking at it. I did the job myself and it really wasn't as difficult as they all thought it would be. I called Foretravel and they told me exactly what to do, and it worked out exactly like they said it would. I have no idea if this was a "normal" case but for me this one repair was exactly 100% of my experience with getting towed to a diesel shop. Please be absolutely sure the shop will repair your rig before the tow truck operator disconnects. You'll be stranded wherever he leaves you unless you're willing and able to pay for long distance towing to another repair shop. This is from personal experience unfortunately.
  Sounds like something that could have pushed alot of people over the edge! I certainly wouldn't relish a radiator removal and reinstall on the road, especially with my wife camped out in the coach with me ! :o
Tom
1998 U320 40'

 

Re: Chassis service question

Reply #26
When I had a problem with my Cummins ISL400, a fault code the truck shop 500 miles from home couldn't fix, I limped home to the local Cummins Cal Pacific shop where the problem was diagnosed and fixed for a very small charge.

When I had a radiator leak, Cummins Cal Pacific wouldn't touch it. They did recommend a radiator shop I might drive to.  I lived with the small leak for a while, then my regular mechanic, who works on everything but is good with diesel RVs, took the radiator out, took it to be repaired, and reinstalled it for a good price.  He has also correctly lubed my brakes and rebuilt my air dryer.

When I thought I might have a transmission or retarder fault, I took it to the local Valley Power, the nearest Allison shop.  They hooked it up to the computer and told ne the transmission and fluid were ok.  No charge.  I asked about the Meritor brakes, and he pointed out all the fire engines in the lot, yes he knows what to do.  I asked about regular service, and he said he can do anything but computer code stuff, as they are a Detroit Diesel shop, not Cummins.  But regular service is the same.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer