1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

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1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

October 25, 2019, 04:24:56 pm

We are getting ready to schedule service at a Cummings place in Virginia and have been combing through our manual trying to figure out what all needs to be done... I officially have a whopping headache!
Manual says oil and filters on the engine every 6 months... well almost everything says every 6 months! When we got the coach we had the oil & filters changed as well as a service on the Gen Set, but this was done at a Truck place and we are not honestly sure what all they did!

Found a spreadsheet and have been trying to format it to our rig...
What do y'all recommend we do every 6 months?
Annually?
Anything that should wait until we visit Nacogdoches?
Need to have a clear plan before we start calling places

Note: We will do as much as we can, but are limited as to what we can do in a campground with limited tools (no home base)

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #1 – October 25, 2019, 04:33:58 pm

Most including me go with miles vs time..

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #2 – October 25, 2019, 04:37:15 pm

Oil and filter annually OR at recommended mileage-- which ever comes first.

Remember, many manuals are written for OTR trucks with the same driveline components. Not particularly relevant for most of us.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #3 – October 25, 2019, 04:40:28 pm

I do once a year which is usually about 10K miles. With today's new I'll formulations, and improved filter media, just can't see dumping oil two times a year.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #4 – October 25, 2019, 05:02:18 pm

I have same engine. I service mine annually or every 6000 miles, which ever comes first. I change fuel filters at same time. Pre-fill oil filter. It holds a gallon. Also pre-fill fuel filters. I also do an oil analysis with Blackstone Labs.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #5 – October 25, 2019, 05:06:33 pm

Some of us use Amsoil,I go about 20K miles and change filters at half way point,and use oil sampling.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #6 – October 25, 2019, 05:18:28 pm

We will hit the 6000 mark this month. Will look into the synthetic oil...

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #7 – October 25, 2019, 05:27:06 pm

As far as mileage to recommended change interval, look in your engine owners manual.

Intervals are different for different engines and even year models of the same engine.

If no manual, call your engine manufacturer with your engine serial number.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #8 – October 25, 2019, 05:51:23 pm

don't see the necessity for using synthetic when putting less than 10k on an oil change-- Talked to cummins mechanic he said not worth the extra expense on that low of mileage between oil changes. But as with anything else, do what you think is best for your situation
Chris

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #9 – October 25, 2019, 05:57:01 pm

Quote from: Chris m lang – October 25, 2019, 05:51:23 pm

don't see the necessity for using synthetic when putting less than 10k on an oil change-- Talked to cummins mechanic he said not worth the extra expense on that low of mileage between oil changes. But as with anything else, do what you think is best for your situation
Chris

I agree. Today's diesel oils are VERY good.

Another criteria I have is that I can pick up a gallon anywhere there is a Walmart. So, Shell Rotella T 15-40 and Delo 400 15-40 are toward the top of the list. Certainly there are other excellent choices, but inexpensive availability is a consideration.

Again, if you have a DD 2 stroke, your choices are limited and different. For you, Delo 100 single weight is the right answer.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #10 – October 25, 2019, 07:03:53 pm

I've also got the same setup. Here are my notes from the documentation:

Filters
Air: Donaldson P14-8043 (RyderFleetProducts: W26 P148043 ($56))
Oil: LF-9009 ($36)
Fuel Primary: FS-19532 ($35) or Baldwin BF-1329-0 every 12,000 mi
Fuel Secondary: FS-1251 ($15) or Baldwin BF-1221 every 12,000 mi
Coolant: WF-2077 (blank) ($13) every 6,000 mi
Generator Oil: LF-3462 ($13) every 250 hours
Generator Fuel: FF-5114 ($13) every 500 hours
Generator In-Line: MicroGuard 33046 (O'Reilly's)
Generator Air: WIX 46270 (O'Reilly's)
Generator Coolant: every six months
jor

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #11 – October 25, 2019, 07:53:01 pm

Quote from: jor – October 25, 2019, 07:03:53 pm

I've also got the same setup. Here are my notes from the documentation:

Filters
Air: Donaldson P14-8043 (RyderFleetProducts: W26 P148043 ($56))
Oil: LF-9009 ($36)
Fuel Primary: FS-19532 ($35) or Baldwin BF-1329-0 every 12,000 mi
Fuel Secondary: FS-1251 ($15) or Baldwin BF-1221 every 12,000 mi
Coolant: WF-2077 (blank) ($13) every 6,000 mi
Generator Oil: LF-3462 ($13) every 250 hours
Generator Fuel: FF-5114 ($13) every 500 hours
Generator In-Line: MicroGuard 33046 (O'Reilly's)
Generator Air: WIX 46270 (O'Reilly's)
Generator Coolant: every six months
jor

We found some documentation with filters! Many of the same numbers. Ours states 6000 miles/6 months though.... well it says the fuel filters should be changed every time the oil is changed.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #12 – October 25, 2019, 08:18:02 pm

That's one of the plusses of the synthetic oil,extended oil changes.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #13 – October 25, 2019, 09:24:33 pm

Take an oil sample when you change at 6K, I'll bet it will say continue to sample at regular intervals. But changing oil at 6K can't hurt any thing.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #14 – October 25, 2019, 09:54:23 pm

Quote from: bbeane – October 25, 2019, 09:24:33 pm

Take an oil sample when you change at 6K, I'll bet it will say continue to sample at regular intervals. But changing oil at 6K can't hurt any thing.

The only thing that hurts is your wallet.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #15 – October 26, 2019, 09:10:31 am

Changed at 6000 miles or yearly. Many times with parking they were the came. Let's see, $200 worth of oil vs. $15,000 engine...need I say more???

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #16 – October 26, 2019, 07:27:48 pm

Whether or not we have the oil changed was never a question. We are almost at 6000 miles, so that will be done. My questions for maintenance as listed in my first post were:

Found a spreadsheet and have been trying to format it to our rig...
What do y'all recommend we do every 6 months?
Annually?
Anything that should wait until we visit Nacogdoches?

I've gotten some good answers and opened the "oil, can of worms" LOL

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #17 – October 26, 2019, 07:33:02 pm

If you would "copy and paste" your list in a post along with frequency recommended on your list, it would be much easier for us to add "our "2 cents".

Many of the items on that list would fall into my "waste of $$" category. Others such as coolant changes/coolant filter changes depend on what fluid you have in there.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #18 – October 26, 2019, 08:46:14 pm

It's not that bad a can of worms,we all seem to respect the others choices.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #19 – October 26, 2019, 09:42:17 pm

Quote from: Vossx2 – October 26, 2019, 07:27:48 pm

Anything that should wait until we visit Nacogdoches?

Ha - loaded question that in part depends on shop rate. Many shops charge more (especially for RVs) and some charge less than the ETX shop rates (but not all shops are created equal). Especially in the off-season when ETX shops are running specials.

Do make sure the shop, if it is not in Nac, does NOT lube the brakes (search for the caveats of not using the correct lubricant on the particular ones used by FT). Go so far as to make it difficult for them to screw up if you need to (zip ties).

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #20 – October 27, 2019, 07:45:07 pm

Here is what we have:
Tire Rotation Every - 12,000 Miles
Brakes - Inspect, Lube & Adjust - 6 months/6000 miles
12 VDC Air System Inspect & Replace Dessicant - annual
Coolant Filter Replace - 6 months/6000 miles
Differential Fluid Change - annual
Engine Belts - Inspect & Adjust - 6 months/6000 miles
Engine Oil & Filter Change - 6 months/6000 miles
Fuel Filters Replace - 6 months/6000 miles
Suspension Component Inspect - ?
Allison Transmission Change Trans Fluid - ?
Allison Transmission - Main & Lube Filters - ?
Cummins - Adjust Engine Valves - 2 years
Cummins - Check & Adjust Injecters - 2 years
Chassis - Lubricate & Check/Change Fluid Levels - 6 months/6000 miles
Ride Height Check & Adjust - ?

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #21 – October 27, 2019, 09:03:29 pm

Quote from: Vossx2 – October 27, 2019, 07:45:07 pm

Here is what we have:

Brakes - Inspect, Lube & Adjust - 6 months/6000 miles

NO to lube - can only do once or twice in the lifetime of the Meritor brakes FT used.

Quote

12 VDC Air System Inspect & Replace Dessicant - annual

Rebuild air dryer every 2-3 years as well. Reman'd unit can be more cost effective. We did 18 months desiccant, 36 reman'd unit.

Quote

Coolant Filter Replace - 6 months/6000 miles

Excessive

Quote

Differential Fluid Change - annual

Seriously excessive. Especially with synthetic.

Quote

Fuel Filters Replace - 6 months/6000 miles

excessive unless you get a bad tank of fuel

Quote

Allison Transmission Change Trans Fluid - ?
Allison Transmission - Main & Lube Filters - ?

Transynd? Can go quite a few years, plus you can sample the fluid and change only if results dictate.

Quote

Cummins - Adjust Engine Valves - 2 years

100,000 miles. Otherwise, excessive

Quote

Cummins - Check & Adjust Injecters - 2 years

See above

Quote

Chassis - Lubricate & Check/Change Fluid Levels - 6 months/6000 miles

6 months is excessive

Quote

Ride Height Check & Adjust - ?

Keep an eye on it and no reason to pay anyone to check the ride height valves when you can do it yourself.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #22 – October 27, 2019, 10:45:58 pm

Thank you Michelle!! I will adjust my spreadsheet.

I will have to do some research on this one as I really know nothing... not even sure I know where this is! LOL

12 VDC Air System Inspect & Replace Dessicant - ~~annual~~
Rebuild air dryer every 2-3 years as well. Reman'd unit can be more cost effective. We did 18 months desiccant, 36 reman'd unit.

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #23 – October 28, 2019, 06:19:54 am

Quote from: Vossx2 – October 27, 2019, 10:45:58 pm

I will have to do some research on this one as I really know nothing... not even sure I know where this is! LOL

1. 12 VDC Air System Inspect & Replace Dessicant - ~~annual~~
2. Rebuild air dryer every 2-3 years as well. Reman'd unit can be more cost effective. We did 18 months desiccant, 36 reman'd unit.

1. On a '97 your 12VDC air system only has a moisture trap with an automatic drain that was OEM. Now someone could have added a dryer element at some point in time. You need to look on the same frame in the basement where the HWH compressor is located.
2. Your system air dryer is located in the engine compartment. OEM it was a Haldex Pure Air Plus. Should be on the left side of the engine compartment when you open the door down low.
3. While in the area of the air dryer, you need to think about the last time you changed the engine air filter. (you might add this to your list)
4. The tires on most coaches age out before they wear out no need to waste $ on rotation.
M covered most everything else.

Mike

Re: 1997 U295 CUMMINGS C8.3-325 325HP Maintenance Schedule

Reply #24 – October 28, 2019, 08:45:38 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – October 28, 2019, 06:19:54 am

1. On a '97 your 12VDC air system only has a moisture trap with an automatic drain that was OEM. Now someone could have added a dryer element at some point in time.

I was thinking of the main engine air system, not the air leveling system.

Mike is correct regarding both and my response applies to the engine air dryer.

Oh, and on the coolant filter, you need to know your coolant chemistry. ELC, OAT, etc. different coolants require different filter "contents". Search the forum for things like "blank filter" or SCA.

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