Engine access from bedroom

[AFChap]

I had a mobile RV lube service do my oil & tranny fluid changes today along with chassis lube. When the service guy went to change the fuel filter, he found it was impossible to get the filter out of the engine compartment from below ...he could get it off, but could not get it out. It was too far inside the compartment to reach it from the rear, so he asked me to see if I could get to it by removing the access panels above the engine in the bedroom. We could see two access panels above the engine from inside the engine compartment. I discovered inside that I could get to the rear-most access panel by lifting the closet floor. I could not get to the forward access panel as it is under the platform/step between the bed and the closet, and that piece is not designed to be removed. That was where I really needed to be, but I did manage to reach the filter from the rear access hole by nearly standing on my head on top of the engine. I was able to pass it out the back to the tech, then take the new filter and put it back where he could get to it from below to install it.

I've had the filter changed twice before, once by a Western Diesel place and once by a Truck Fleet place. Have those of you who have changed the fuel filter (there apparently is only one on my engine ...not a primary and a secondary ...) run into this problem? ...or do you know if service places who have done it for you have had a problem with access? ...or is my 350 ISC Cummins unique?

[AFChap]

I had a mobile RV lube service do my oil & tranny fluid changes today along with chassis lube. When the service guy went to change the fuel filter, he found it was impossible to get the filter out of the engine compartment from below ...he could get it off, but could not get it out. It was too far inside the compartment to reach it from the rear, so he asked me to see if I could get to it by removing the access panels above the engine in the bedroom. We could see two access panels above the engine from inside the engine compartment. I discovered inside that I could get to the rear-most access panel by lifting the closet floor. I could not get to the forward access panel as it is under the platform/step between the bed and the closet, and that piece is not designed to be removed. That was where I really needed to be, but I did manage to reach the filter from the rear access hole by nearly standing on my head on top of the engine. I was able to pass it out the back to the tech, then take the new filter and put it back where he could get to it from below to install it.

I've had the filter changed twice before, once by a Western Diesel place and once by a Truck Fleet place. Have those of you who have changed the fuel filter (there apparently is only one on my engine ...not a primary and a secondary ...) run into this problem? ...or do you know if service places who have done it for you have had a problem with access? ...or is my 350 ISC Cummins unique?

[John_Canfield]

Paul,

Our coaches are different but the floor between the bed and the hanging locker (closet) is removable on mine. We had it off when the coach was new and they were troubleshooting a sensor problem.

If you only have one filter on the engine, I suggest you have another one installed. I'm not sure yet if I have a primary and a secondary on my ISL. I know where the primary filter is located; haven't yet spotted the secondary which could be buried anywhere on the engine.

[ichn2go]

Paul, John is right (as usual) the top step( floor between bed and wardrobe) is removeable. Have not seen the floor removed inside the wardrobe as of yet.
I think the screws are under the lip of the floor. Give Winnie a call as I know this is what my service center had to do...Good Miles and be safe...Jim

[Ptribbey]

I have a model 40K, but the same chassis as you. I have had many oil, and fuel filter changes without any problems that you describe. The fuel filter is located in the very rear of the compartment and you can easily see it through the real grill. Could the service people be changing something other than the fuel filter??

[JB Texas]

I had to have some fuel pump work done on my '02 UA 40J at Cummins South in Chattanooga, TN. In order to gain access we had to move the matress to the front of the rig and remove the flat hinged panel that the matress rests on. (The 40J has a fore-aft bed orientation). The fuel filter was changed at that time. There is only one fuel filter that I am aware of.

[Okie]

We have the 2002 Ultimate Advantage,,,40E...just had the fuel filter, oil filter, water filter , trans filters, and air dryer filter changed in Oklahoma City before coming to Florida....all was done from underneath ,,,the tech used a creeper and did not have any trouble with any of the filters on the engine...my fuel filter is the type with the water separator built into it....

[The Shadow]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Okie:
We have the 2002 Ultimate Advantage,,,40E...just had the fuel filter, oil filter, water filter , trans filters, and air dryer filter changed in Oklahoma City before coming to Florida....all was done from underneath ,,,the tech used a creeper and did not have any trouble with any of the filters on the engine...my fuel filter is the type with the water separator built into it.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Okie - what did all that work cost?

Don

[The Shadow]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ichn2go:
Paul, John is right (as usual) the top step( floor between bed and wardrobe) is removeable. Have not seen the floor removed inside the wardrobe as of yet.
I think the screws are under the lip of the floor. Give Winnie a call as I know this is what my service center had to do...Good Miles and be safe...Jim </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Exactly the case with our former 04 Journey - screws just under the lip. A tough one to get out the way it was wedged in. When we had some electrical problems it took the Cat tech ages to work off all 3 (yes - one in the closet, the one just outside and a third under the bed) access points open to see where the air inlet heater was located.

When we had other service done including a recall, we made sure we could get the tech right to the spot he had to be to do the work as quickly as possible and they really appreciated that help.

[AFChap]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The fuel filter is located in the very rear of the compartment and you can easily see it through the real grill. Could the service people be changing something other than the fuel filter?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Interesting difference in different floor plan of same year & model coach... The only filter visible through the rear grill on the 40e is the hydraulic/power steering filter right inside the grill. The fuel filter is toward the front of the engine on the passenger side, partially visible through the grill with a flashlight if you know right where to look ...it was definitely the fuel filter.

I did find the screws under the lip of the step ...that would be a lot of trouble to go to just to change a filter! The under closet hatch is easy to get to once you empty the "stuff" you have on the floor, and it worked for us. A really long arm through the rear hatch is what is needed.

[Okie]

Don,,,the cost was a little over $500.00...the most costly thing was the filters for the 3000mh transmission as both were changed and they come in a kit....also this includes having the automatic adjusters on the front checked and lubed and the adjusters on the rear adjusted since they are not automatic.

[kenbt]

I can tell you on my 2005 C7 CAT Engine that they need to go under the bed to get to the secondary gas filter. The primary with the water separator is at the rear of the coach behind the grill

[Ptribbey]

AFChap, interesting that difference. When was your coach built? Ours was built in May/2003. Maybe it would be worth relocating it to the rear??

[AFChap]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">When was your coach built? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Pat

As I recall, it was Aug 02, but a twin 40e to ours that was built in Spring 03 has the filter in the same place judging from the owner's description on Winnebago Owner's group list on Yahoo.