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Filters and belts best/worst brands

May 04, 2021, 05:18:16 pm

About to get into changing fluids and belts for the journey to Texas. Mine is a '93 Grand Villa u280 8.3 Cummins with a propane generator. Any recommendations on particular brands of filters or belts? Any brands to stay away from? This is all new to me so I'm as green as they come. I took a picture of the page in the manual that lists filters and belt part#s , I haven't had a chance to check to see if these would be valid numbers for a 28-year-old MH. TIA

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Re: Filters and belts best/worst brands

Reply #1 – May 04, 2021, 05:36:13 pm

Those numbers should be good but if they have changed they should be able to cross reference.
I like Cummins parts or NAPA gold.
What's on the coach now?
You can also look at beamalarm.
I

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Re: Filters and belts best/worst brands

Reply #2 – May 04, 2021, 05:57:14 pm

Gates Green Stripe ribbed belts are very good.  The belt numbers on your list should work (just add "HD" to the end of the number).

For air filter I use the FleetGuard AF954M.

If you plan to change the engine coolant filter (on the 8.3) you first need to know what coolant is in the engine.  The type filter you use is dependent on the type coolant installed.  It can get rather complicated.

Link below to a old Forum technical discussion thread that I think still contains good timely info:

Coolants for Diesel Engines

While on the subject of coolants and coolant filters, you should be aware of a possible potential problem with the coolant shutoff valve.  This valve is part of the mount for the coolant filter.  The purpose is to shut off coolant flow to the filter so the filter can be changed without spilling (much) coolant.  The potential problem: the original valve is made of plastic and it MAY break in half if you try to close it.  Some do - some don't.  If you are replacing the engine coolant at the same time you change the filter then you can simply ignore the valve and not use it.  Problem avoided.  If you only want to change the filter, then you must decide if you want to take a chance on trying to close the valve.  More info in the thread linked below:

C8.3 Water filter shut off valve broken

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Re: Filters and belts best/worst brands

Reply #3 – May 04, 2021, 06:55:23 pm

Baldwin, Donaldson, Gates, Dayco, Fleetguard, Wix (NAPA), Continental are all good. Others good too but these are just the first I thought of.

Pierce

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Re: Filters and belts best/worst brands

Reply #4 – May 04, 2021, 10:09:23 pm

Quote from: Lt403 – May 04, 2021, 05:36:13 pm

What's on the coach now?
I

Important note here b/c some of mine were incorrect.
Guessing a shop using what they had on the shelf or an incorrect cross ref.

Either way they're all "by the book" now.

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Reply #5 – May 05, 2021, 06:46:48 am

Amsoil,Caterpillar for your Cat.Gates green stripe.

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Reply #6 – May 05, 2021, 09:33:37 am

On my M11 I use Baldwin oil filter.
Donaldson on the air.
Would have used Donaldson for the oil filter and had one but unfortunately was wrong filter. That was a costly mistake relative anyway.
I believe I use racor for the fuel filter and that's for both the engine, the generator, and my aqua Hot but only because I put aftermarket racor filter diesel water separators in.
I haven't changed the coolant yet. On the list to do this year. I think I'm going to have somebody else do that I'm not sure I want to get rid of all that coolant.
Bob

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Re: Filters and belts best/worst brands

Reply #7 – May 05, 2021, 09:50:49 am

Bob,

Contact your city vehicle maintenance department.  I have had good luck in their taking and recycling the coolant.

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Reply #8 – May 08, 2021, 04:53:26 pm

Cannot go wrong with OEM.  Stay away from Fram products.

Keith

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