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Topic: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address? (Read 824 times) previous topic - next topic

Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Have had coach a year next month, love the coach, not quite so enthused about the $$$ laid out in the past 12 months to get the ol girl up to snuff.  Still have satellite to add, and possibly change out the dash radio...I like my music.
My question is this, yearly service coming up next month, I do not want to put money where it need not go and having said that if it needs to be done I will have it done. The following is a list of what I had done last May, should I repeat this list or are there some things to soon to redo?  I have put 3000 miles on the coach in 12 months and very few hours on the generator:
Changed oil and filter (this will be done...need to calibrate dip stick and also send oil for analysis)
Changed fuel filters (this will be done)
Changed rear diff. oil
Changed hydraulic filter
Changed coolant filter
greased chassi (probably good idea to have this done right?)
Changed air dryer (after all the probs I had with the air system this will be changed again)
Brakes adjusted
Checked front hub oil
Generator changed the oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter. (with so few hours on generator should I fool with this...my gut feeling is like everything else I have...change the oil at least once a year even if only used item once or twice a year).
Plan is to also have the front end aligned (paperwork left with coach shows only once incident of PO having this done..about 5 yrs. ago), in addition to whatever needs to be addressed on this list.  If anyone sees something I should have checked or I have omitted I would truly appreciate any input.  Like I said, just 12 months under my belt, trying not to miss anything, I'm on this forum every day...and what concerns me most is the "I didn't know that", that could jump out and bite me on the behind...momma pretty much gets first crack at chewing on my tail so I try to keep all others incidents to a minimum...Have a good day.
Thanks,
dave
Dave
2002 295 36'
Build 6006
Motorcade Member 17931
Toad 2003 Jeep Wrangler
2008 BMW R1200 GSA

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #1 –
You will get different opinions, but here's mine. Skip differential change, just check level, just check oil and coolant on the generator. I personally would  pass on hyd. filters, but that is up to you. The rest of your list should be done. Has the coolant ever been changed? 15 years would be too long.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: craneman –
You will get different opinions, but here's mine. Skip differential change, just check level, just check oil and coolant on the generator. I personally would  pass on hyd. filters, but that is up to you. The rest of your list should be done. Has the coolant ever been changed? 15 years would be too long.
I had MOT check the level of "coolant protection" and the test came back "ok".  Coach currently has Texaco Extended life coolant (TELC). I see where Cummins approved this coolant back in 2001. Is there something better to use now or should I stick with what was orig. to the engine? My thought would be to stick with what was OEM...thoughts?
Dave
2002 295 36'
Build 6006
Motorcade Member 17931
Toad 2003 Jeep Wrangler
2008 BMW R1200 GSA

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #3 –
Check your documentation or call the manufacturers to see if there are any needed items such as engine top end maintenance needed.  Cummins and Allison.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: dke1955 –
I had MOT check the level of "coolant protection" and the test came back "ok".  Coach currently has Texaco Extended life coolant (TELC). I see where Cummins approved this coolant back in 2001. Is there something better to use now or should I stick with what was orig. to the engine? My thought would be to stick with what was OEM...thoughts?
The extended life is the right coolant but it does not go 15 years. Were they checking freezing an boiling points? I don't think there is a test for the other properties of ELC It is good for 3 years then with the extender another 3 years. I changed out the engine and generator to have a known starting point on ours. Final Charge is the newest ELC and is available at most automotive stores. I put some extender in the AH as it doesn't deteriorate there the same as engines. 
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #5 –
Here is what we live by:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #6 –
Hydraulic oil and filters every three years is what is recommended as I recall.  If you don't know when it was done get it done sooner than later.  It is a pretty easy DIY project.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #7 –
In trying to quickly educate myself before I take coach to Old Town tomorrow, I found the following re. Texaco Extended Life:

Texaco Extended Life Prediluted 50/50 Coolant/Anti-Freeze is a 50/50 mixture of Texaco Extended Life Coolant/Anti-Freeze with deionized water for freeze protection down to minus 34'F (-36.7'C) and boil over protection to 265'F (129'C) with a 15 lb.  Pressure cap.  These products need no precharging or recharging for 300,000 miles of on-road use (three years or 6,000 hours of off-highway use).  After 300,000 miles, simply add Texaco Extender, and Texaco Extended Life Prediluted 50/50 CoolanVAnti-Freeze is good for another 300,000 miles of on-road use (three years or 6,000 hours of off-highway use).  Texaco Extended Life Prediluted 50/50 Coolant/Anti-Freeze is compatible with other traditional silicate antifreezes, but the extended life benefits may be reduced if mixed.

And I read the following re. Final Charge NOAT

FINAL CHARGE® NOAT Extended Life Coolants/Antifreeze is an advanced nitrited Organic Acid Technology (OAT), globally formulated, ethylene glycol-based coolant which uses organic acid inhibitors to provide guaranteed protection for all cooling system metals. With proper maintenance,† FINAL CHARGE NOAT Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze delivers guaranteed cooling system protection for 750,000 MILES of on-road use (8 years or 15,000 hours of off-road use) without the use of Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs). FINAL CHARGE NOAT Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze is phosphate-free, silicate-free and borate-free. (Cummins approved)

And then there is this from Cummins: (this bulletin was posted after my coach was built...containing the Texaco Product)
Here is link to the complete pdf file:
http://www.dieselclass.com/Engine%20Files/Cummins%20Coolant%20.pdf
Service Bulletin Number Date
3666132-02 1-N0V-2002
Design Application Market Application
All All
Service Bulletin
Cummins Coolant Requirements and
Maintenance
This service bulletin supersedes prior service bulletins concerning Cummins Inc. coolant requirements and maintenance; replace those service bulletins with this one.
This service bulletin outlines the proper application and maintenance of coolant for all Cummins engines, including gaseous fueled engines. It also updates and simplifies Cummins recommendations and guidelines for the end user.
Summary of Recommendations
Cummins Inc. cooling system general recommendations are listed below. These recommendations apply to both Standard Service Intervals and Extended Service Intervals. Refer to Section 2 or 3 for complete instructions.
• Fill up and top off cooling systems with a fully formulated antifreeze/coolant meeting CES 14603
• Replace the coolant filter(s) at every recommended coolant filter change interval
• Add liquid Extender/SCA at each filter change as necessary
• Test coolant at least twice per year for liner-pitting protection (nitrite and molybdate levels)
• Test coolant for replacement limits every 240,000 km [150,000 mi ], 4000 hours, or once per year, whichever occurs first
• Replace coolant only if replacement limits have been exceeded.

As I said in my orig. post I will do whatever is best for the coach so I am at the point of trying to understand what the two manu. have said here....for simplicity sake looking at the Texaco product...Texaco is assuming a motor will go 100,000 a year, check coolant properties in 3 years (300,000mi) add extender and be good for another 300,000mi.  My coach has 70,000 mi and is 15 years old...is the age of the coolant the determining factor in when to replace OR is it the amount of miles on the coolant the major factor in determining replacement.  If max. time is 6 years for the coolant than I wouldn't think the manu. would want to "suggest" in their wording that the coolant is good for 300,000 miles. 
WOW been a long day of reading...more tornado watches, thunderstorm warnings, poor Nacogdoches is getting pounded again...only good thing is maybe this storm will blow all those @#$%&* love bugs ( I call them something worse) out to sea!
thanks
dave


Just started looking in the Cummins manual....page 2-4 "replace antifreeze at 72000mi, or 2000 hours, or 2 years)....OK ...wow...Cummins and Texaco need to get it together...wow.
Dave
2002 295 36'
Build 6006
Motorcade Member 17931
Toad 2003 Jeep Wrangler
2008 BMW R1200 GSA

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #8 –
Service the air dryer if you don't know when it was done last. Cheap insurance.
1998 36' U295 Mechanical 8.3

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #9 –
Did tons of coolant research the last few weeks,determined the best coolant for me is the Fleetguard oat (red).I found the coolant
at a local dealer for $7 a gallon premix.With this coolant you use a blank filter,(no sca).As I am doing it myself I can flush the old stuff out all I want.
If you are taking it to a shop to do it's a different story,your stuck with what they use or bring your own and the price can add up
at $100 an hour to have them flush it out 2 or 3 times.

If none of your hoses have ever been changed would seriously considering biting the bullet and get them all replaced while changing
the coolant.Every hose you have will probably run close to $400 to$500 just for the hoses and clamps.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #10 –
With this coolant you use a blank filter,(no sca)

What is a "blank filter"...no sca??
thanks
dave
Dave
2002 295 36'
Build 6006
Motorcade Member 17931
Toad 2003 Jeep Wrangler
2008 BMW R1200 GSA

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #11 –
Dave,

You are in great hands at Old Town. I have had them

tell me the better way to do something and what is

more economical than what I wanted. Different concept.

Carter-

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Texas Guy –
Dave,

You are in great hands at Old Town. I have had them

tell me the better way to do something and what is

more economical than what I wanted. Different concept.

Carter-
I'm looking forward to the visit. They have a great reputation on this board, I was there when they were first opening up...just getting their shop set up etc., very nice people.
Dave
2002 295 36'
Build 6006
Motorcade Member 17931
Toad 2003 Jeep Wrangler
2008 BMW R1200 GSA

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #13 –
If your caliper slide pins on the brakes have not been removed and checked I would do that every other year especially if you let it sit for a while.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Maint. coming up, see anything I need to address?

Reply #14 –
Dave.. was really enjoyable to meet you when you dropped off your nice looking (I'm jealous) coach @ Old Town...
they will treat You right!
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel