Allison Issues

Topic: Allison Issues (Read 2862 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Allsion issues

Reply #50 – July 04, 2018, 05:55:32 pm

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – July 04, 2018, 05:42:17 pm

This BAD experience is a lesson to all of us.

There is a reason why commercial drivers always perform a pre-trip inspection.
There is a reason why pilots always perform a pre-flight inspection.
Not that they are able or willing to perform needed service but that they can personally spot a obvious problem or something simple that somebody else neglected to do.

Yup, well said. It's another reason to demand being with the coach when being serviced. We prolly know more about our coaches than the pup that is doing the service.

Re: Allsion issues

Reply #51 – July 04, 2018, 11:25:57 pm

My engine dipstick is wrong and when it shows full it is two quarts over full. Since I have verified that full is the two quart down mark and do not fill past that point my oil consumption has gone way down from when I would try to keep it on the full mark.

Re: Allsion issues

Reply #52 – July 05, 2018, 07:14:50 am

Yup, calibrating the engine oil dip stick is a very good idea and FREE when you do an oil change.

The engine oil dipsticks are NOT provided by the engine manufacturer!

If anyone needs the procedure, let us know.

Re: Allsion issues

Reply #53 – July 05, 2018, 08:15:01 am

With so many directions that this thread has gone, may be best to start a new thread on specifics (such as calibrating engine oil dipstick) rather than change this one.

And, once the root problem has been determined (say, fuel vs Allison issue) either the OP or I can change the subject title.

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #54 – July 05, 2018, 10:57:32 am

...well she's in the shop still but they (service director Nate) are great communicators, two calls so far, permission to change coolant/water filter (dated 2015) & seems the wrong color of coolant was stashed in the bay, + there is only one fuel filter? I took them 6 filters, ($350 worth) & all fluids, but the coolant was in the bay already. All parts were good & to the specs of Beamalarm site + Brett's advice.....the other news is that the retarder performed flawlessly on the way to the shop, I am ecstatic about that....they are also checking everything for leaks....

.....more as it happens...for now, am a happy camper.... and thanks to the mods for correcting the spelling of Allison in the title, that bugged me, I am a former editor & every time I saw that again I cringed....was in a hurry when I made the post....

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #55 – July 05, 2018, 11:16:58 am

Be aware that the CORRECT water filter depends on what type of coolant you have.

If the new generation long life coolant, you need a filter BLANK (filter, but no SCA).

If the old generation "low silicate for diesel with added SCA" the SCA concentration needs to be tested and then and only then the filter chosen with the correct quantity of SCA. And, yes SCA can also be added as a liquid.

Did you determine how low the coolant was in the radiator (not just the overflow reservoir)?

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #56 – July 05, 2018, 11:21:45 am

Anyone driving these should haver a pre flight list near the door or on the dash . Tires/, oil levels/ coolant/ awnings/ fridge doors/bay doors/ LP off or on /decks cleared/windows closed /landing gear/lights/fuel level/waterpump off/..are all included on my list.

You can check the oil levels and run this list. , the dip sticks dont know gender , just determination. Google and U tube have eliminated my need around my house . Good thing I have a little cash and very small insurance.

I also have a post flight list .

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #57 – July 05, 2018, 12:30:36 pm

My neighbor didn't have a list and ripped a bat-tenna off the roof twice. Very expensive.

Pierce

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #58 – July 06, 2018, 02:23:52 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 05, 2018, 11:16:58 am

Be aware that the CORRECT water filter depends on what type of coolant you have.

If the new generation long life coolant, you need a filter BLANK (filter, but no SCA).

If the old generation "low silicate for diesel with added SCA" the SCA concentration needs to be tested and then and only then the filter chosen with the correct quantity of SCA. And, yes SCA can also be added as a liquid.

Did you determine how low the coolant was in the radiator (not just the overflow reservoir)?

Brett, I showed your post to Nate, he agreed it was done properly.....they changed the coolant filter, topped off the coolant using the new extended life coolant, ensured the radiator was full as well....changed the primary fuel filter, and changed the air filter. Dated all filters & returned my used ones. I have 2 filters to return that don't work in my coach, (apparently I do not have a secondary filter) will also get spares of all filters. I'm going back by there tomorrow and asking some more questions, I was sleep walking thru the day (lovely campground fireworks going off half the night) & still have some questions. Also, no leaks were found...

I also went by Dakota RV, small shop but nice people with good local reputation, will schedule service on interior issues next time coach is going out on a long trip, in October. Next is shopping for 6 new tires, 5 years old come January.

Today big car/work horse goes into shop....next week little car into shop....no rest for the weary....

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #59 – July 06, 2018, 10:19:04 am

Brett,don't doubt you but not sure what you mean by the dipsticks are not provided by the manufactuer,the Cat engines I have
worked on have a cat part number for a dipstick.Where do the dipsticks come from?I would think also that if my 8.3 engine is
identical to let's say Jerry's then our dipsticks would be identical.Also different oil pans,filter size,extra oil coolers,etc affect oil capacity.Whoever changes oil on an engine especially a shop should check the level when they are done regardless of what a book
or chart might say the capacity is.

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #60 – July 06, 2018, 10:27:02 am

The engine manufacturer's parts list WILL show a dip stick for their engines-- a short one, like for an OTR truck.

The chassis maker (Foretravel in this case) supplies the LONG dip stick tube/dip stick needed for a DP application.

Would be interested in any info on any engine-manufacturer provided LONG dip stick tube/dip stick.

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #61 – July 06, 2018, 11:10:05 am

Dani,

Wix has a great cross-reference tool. If you enter the number of any filter (like your water filter for example) it will tell you the specs including for water filters if they contain any SCA.

Also a good tool to verify that you are using the correct fuel filter(s). If you only have one fuel filter (hard to believe) it MUST, REPEAT MUST be a fine filter (likely 5 micron for a Cummins-- the engine manufacturer specs this). If you have two fuel filters, the primary fuel filter can be anywhere from 10-30 micron with the secondary fuel filter being the fine one-- likely 5 micron. So, even though all micron filter elements will fit on the filter base, the are NOT INTERCHANGEABLE.

http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/filterlookup.aspx

Here is an example-- looking up a correct water filter (no SCA). Common part number WF2077: http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/PartDetails.aspx?Part=15637

It shows the micron rating and critically the " (No Chemical Coolant Filter)"

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #62 – July 06, 2018, 11:27:46 am

Dani- I have seen your coach and engine before- remember when we got it started at the Ladies Driving School? I can tell you that you absolutely have 2 fuel filters. The Primary is over your start batteries on the passenger side of the coach- that is probably what they changed for you. The secondary is about 2/3 way towards the back of the engine, on the same side, high up. It is not easy to see or get to, but it is there. As Brett says, definitely it should be changed. My engine is the same as yours except it is electronic ( ISC) and the Fleetguard filter for secondary is FS1022. Hope this helps and you get everything taken care of.

Cya down the road..................

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #63 – July 06, 2018, 11:58:26 am

Quote from: Ted & Karen – July 06, 2018, 11:27:46 am

Dani- I have seen your coach and engine before- remember when we got it started at the Ladies Driving School? I can tell you that you absolutely have 2 fuel filters. The Primary is over your start batteries on the passenger side of the coach- that is probably what they changed for you. The secondary is about 2/3 way towards the back of the engine, on the same side, high up. It is not easy to see or get to, but it is there. As Brett says, definitely it should be changed. My engine is the same as yours except it is electronic ( ISC) and the Fleetguard filter for secondary is FS1022. Hope this helps and you get everything taken care of.

Cya down the road..................

WOW!.... Wow!.... I thought it was odd, that it only had one filter. WOW! Shaking my head in disbelief.

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #64 – July 06, 2018, 12:07:36 pm

Quote from: Lance Camper – July 06, 2018, 11:58:26 am

WOW!.... Wow!.... I thought it was odd, that it only had one filter. WOW! Shaking my head in disbelief.

My first fuel filter had been bypassed and had to install a new filter manifold. As I understand it. Back in the day, The filter from my era coach 1998 M-11. Had the glass sediment bowl on the filter and was notorious for leaking and getting air into the fuel rail and causing hard starting/no start issues. So folks bypassed them and relied on the finer micron secondary filter on the engine.

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #65 – July 06, 2018, 12:30:08 pm

Quote from: bigdog – July 06, 2018, 12:07:36 pm

My first fuel filter had been bypassed and had to install a new filter manifold. As I understand it. Back in the day, The filter from my era coach 1998 M-11. Had the glass sediment bowl on the filter and was notorious for leaking and getting air into the fuel rail and causing hard starting/no start issues. So folks bypassed them and relied on the finer micron secondary filter on the engine.

I've always had glass sediment bowls on the primary. Real handy to check every once in a while for grungus on board. Our secondary has the pump bleeder, which I would not be without, though I did have to change my pants one time when the bleeder became unscrewed and I was dead in the water. Brett did a smart thing by lashing a plastic bag over the bleeder, preventing 'oops!" and keeping the housing clean.

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #66 – July 08, 2018, 11:06:43 pm

Quote from: Lance Camper – July 06, 2018, 11:58:26 am

WOW!.... Wow!.... I thought it was odd, that it only had one filter. WOW! Shaking my head in disbelief.

I was referring to it seems that someone has misled her again by telling her she did not have a secondary filter. My disbelief was In a "Oh no, not again" kind of way.

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #67 – July 09, 2018, 12:05:28 am

Yes definitely you have 2 filters so go look for another mechanic as well!!!
Ted said it correctly and it is a touch hard to see but if you look down on engine it is about half way along the passenger side of engine. I too use the one me toned .
JohnH

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #68 – July 09, 2018, 03:32:07 am

Yeh they are supposedly a Cummins service center, & this isn't the most complicated engine....I just didn't know....I'm definitely not a happy camper & have a couple more outfits to talk to by the time the work gets done......she goes into storage Tuesday, not doing the work til I take her out again in October. Plenty of time to find a decent place by then.

In hindsight, I now see what they did...they put an inexperienced tech with an inexperienced owner & hoped for the best....when I was going over some of the work with the tech, asking about the left over filters, I mentioned the coach was 21 years old...the kiddo (with the baby face) replied "hey, she's as old as me" ...naturally, my heart sank...in looking around the shop I saw plenty of older techs but of course they obviously gave this kiddo the experience of "practicing" on my coach...not happy about it and intend to let them know sooner or later. I also saw plenty of tech books on engines, so you'd think they would have opened one of the books....

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #69 – July 09, 2018, 03:39:57 am

Dani,have you signed up for the Cummins serve,lots of info on your engine.

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #70 – July 09, 2018, 07:56:23 am

Quote from: John44 – July 09, 2018, 03:39:57 am

Dani,have you signed up for the Cummins serve,lots of info on your engine.

https://quickserve.cummins.com/info/index.html

Re: Allison Issues

Reply #71 – July 09, 2018, 08:40:58 am

.....thanks y'all for the link, I edited my post above to include the "hindsight" observation on the tech who did the so-called service...all I can say is next time I'll ask a lot more questions before I take her in....or go elsewhere......

I'll look into this program as well as the Cummins Power Club. In searching this site for the local Cummins outfit, I see the place I went to is not listed as a service outfit, but the Allison place is..(Eddie's, on the other side of town, & they are also the recommended Allison shop).

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