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Topic: Oil change cost (Read 1445 times) previous topic - next topic

Oil change cost

I've got an appointment to get the oil and filters changed Friday. Any guess as to what it might cost? I'm having the work done at the Detroit Diesel place in Springfield, MO.

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #1 –
David, didn't they give you a quote?
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #2 –
I buy the filter and 7 gallons of Delo 100 SAE 40. I only use 5-1/2 gal but keep the rest to top off on the road. The price for the filter and oil is about $95. Add an hour max labor in MO so about $140-$160 total.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #3 –
Thanks. I forgot to ask about the cost. I remember that they charge $125/hour for work on motorhomes, so maybe $225 total.

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #4 –
I would make sure that they know about the brake calipers as when some mechanics get under a coach, they grease everything in sight.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #5 –
I have seen comments on the forum about not allowing the brakes to be greased.  Does this apply to all Foretravel coaches?
Kearn
Kearn
'92 U300 40 ft.  WTBI  6V-92  #4130
GMC Yukon toad
'08 Casita Spirit Deluxe 17ft

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #6 –
In a word, yes. Meritor recommends greasing brakes once or twice in lifetime of coach
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #7 –
Just make certain they use the clay-based grease..
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #8 –
 Actually the real answer is NO, as many models/years use the Drum Brake system so is not affected by the Disc requirements.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #9 –
Quote from: rbark –
In a word, yes. Meritor recommends greasing brakes once or twice in lifetime of coach

I wonder if that might be lifetime of the brake pads and not lifetime of the coach.
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #10 –
John, you are right about all brakes. I was referring to disc brakes only.
Larry, right on that
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #11 –
My Detroit 6V-92 uses Chevron Delo 40 wt oil. I just bought three gallons at O'Reilly's a couple of weeks ago for $55-$60. I'll find out Friday what it actually costs. An oil change on the Jeep last week cost me just over $30, but I don't think they charge anywhere close to $125/hour for labor.

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #12 –
David,

For my first oil change I went to the Detroit Diesel service center here because I didn't have the the time or knowledge to service it myself and I wanted some Detroit experts to look at it.  I also wanted to establish a baseline/timeline for service work since I didn't have one from the PO.  I had them change the oil and filters on the engine and generator and test the antifreeze.  They did that and also did a test run to check for leaks.  They used 22 Quarts of Exxon XD3-40 for the engine.  The specs for the XD-3 are suitable and very close to the specs for Delo 100 40wt.

Before the service work I would recommend getting an oil sample and sending it to Blackstone Labs for analysis.  My first results showed wear metals higher than average across the board.  "Universal averages show typical wear levels for this type of engine after about 7800 miles on the oil.  Sodium can show coolant, which might be contributing to the high wear, though this much isn't enough to say for sure.  Fuel dilution was present at 3.0%, which could show a fuel system issue, maybe a leaky injector, though this much fuel normally wouldn't be responsible for all this metal.  Check the engine closely and resample in 2000 miles".

Since the oil change I've been using Howe's Diesel treatment and have gone through about 3 tanks of diesel.  The engine is starting and running much smoother now and mpg has improved.  I've also run a cylinder cutout test with my Pro-Link and all the parameters look good.  The second oil analysis should show improved results. 

The shop rates here were $93/hr and of course I had to by their oil and filters.  I had the generator serviced also but next time I will do it all myself.  They inspected the brakes for squeaking found no problem, only surface rust. They greased the chassis but I'm not so sure they got all the right places.  Even though they service big trucks they were not experts on the Foretravel chassis and Meritor brakes.  When I had FOT inspect the chassis and brakes last December I found out the pins on the front calipers were rusted out and only the rear brakes were working!  I didn't know any better because of the stopping power I had with just the rears working and the Jake. A real testament to the Foretravel brand.  They replaced both front calipers and the stopping power now is awesome.  FOT also replaced both rear ride height valves and a leaky valve on one of the front air tanks.  I would recommend only Foretravel or someone knowledgeable of the Foretravel chassis and Meritor brakes to do a thorough chassis inspection. 

Jerry
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Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #13 –
The total bill was about $460 at the shop, plus about $150 +/- at O'Reilly's for a new air filter. They didn't charge me anything for replacing the lower radiator hose on the generator. I bought the replacement hose at O'Reilly's, they cut it to size and put it on. I did have to pay for the antifreeze, which is included in that $460.

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #14 –
And that is why I do my own oil changes.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #15 –
David, OUCH.... I know you have the DD, but my Cummins was a lot less than that. 6 Gallons of rotells at 13 a gallon, 32 dollar filter. Total Oil change 110 bucks plus an hour of my labor.  Air Filter O'reillys about 80 bucks if I recall and then two fuel filters for about 20 bucks, looks like the garage business is profitable.  Not putting you down,I understand having shops do the work.  Glad I am out of it as physically I can no longer do the service work and would have to depend on shops.
Gary B

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #16 –
I've always done my own oil changes, but disposing of that much oil might be a bit of a challenge. Also, as Gary mentions, the ground is getting harder and the print is getting smaller. Fortunately, oil changes are an annual event for the coach, and it is a good opportunity for someone who knows what he is looking at to cast an eye over things.

The actual breakdown of the bill is: Labor, $274.68; fuel filters, $4.49 and $4.58; oil filter, $10.69; oil, 111.66; antifreeze, $14.90; shop supplies, $25.00. I bought the air filter at O'Reilly's myself, $132.34. They didn't charge me for replacing the lower radiator hose on the generator (I bought the hose myself at O'Reilly's).

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #17 –
I've even gotten to the point that I have the Jeep dealership in town change the oil on the Jeep. When the Jeep was ready for the first oil change I put it up on the ramps and crawled under. I couldn't even find the oil filter! Turns out it is well hidden. Putting the car up in the air with a helper holding a light while the guy without trifocals finds the filter works well.

My wallet doesn't like letting go of the money to pay someone else to do what I used to do, but I have to remember that I'm not 20 years old anymore.

Re: Oil change cost

Reply #18 –
David, Im just about to go down pay for service road. We are full time now, and after about March of next year I'll be retired. No more big shop with a pit and all the tools. It's going to make my wallet cry to pay someone to service the coach. It will get one more trip through the shop before we head out so that should take care of all the big stuff for a couple of years.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country