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Steve Ownby · 12-08-2014, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cristelectri

My problem is that I'm going to Milton Florida (which is in the panhandle area I believe) & pulling a horse trailer with (2) horses on it. I will need to see if there is a location near where I will be traveling?

Thanks

Here is a link to their web site:

http://www.speedco.com/index.php

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

Dutch Star Don · 12-08-2014, 08:15 PM

"cristelectri".......I owned a Monaco Diplomat for 9 years and did all of my own servicing. After the initial service I got good at it, taking about a half day to do everything. When I bought the Dutch Star, it had a side radiator with some new challenges in terms of the fan drive. I was anxious about doing the first service which Freightliner calls for at 6 months.

After I finally got motivated, it was pretty easy since this was my first side radiator and everything was easy to get to. I new I would have to locate the grease fittings for the first time, but was surprised that there are very few on the front since I have IFS. The Dutch Star sits a little lower so I had some issues getting my big ole butt under it, so I ran it up on blocks.

If you're going to do your own, there are a couple of things to know. To start, it's recommended that the driveshaft of a DP be lubricated every 5000 miles because of the torque they endure. There are two grease fittings on each u-joint. If they are working properly, one should fill all four caps. Also on the u-joint is a slip joint with a fitting in the middle. This slip joint takes a lot of grease and when it's full, it pushes out the end of the slip joint between the slip joint and the u-joint via a small hole. It's difficult, but you need to take a finger and hold it over the hole until the grease comes out the front of the grease seal on the slip joint.

Typically the brake cans have two - three fittings. Never go crazy on these. Usually 2-3 shots is good.

Oil and filter you know how to do. I finally added a Fumoto valve to mine to make life easy. I think many use either Delo or Rotella 15-40. The Delo is available at Costco, but I use the Rotella and buy it at Walmart in 2.5 gallon jugs. The large oil filter needs to be prefilled. It takes a little over three quarts on an ISL filter.

Air cleaner.....your choice when you change that.

The dessicant filter in your air dryer should be changed about every three years. There are different types so I won't describe. My previous coach was simple with a spin on filter. The Dutch Star has a Bendix unit with an internal filter mounted in a location only a small boy can reach (between the frame rails).

Most coaches also filter the power steering fluid. Some are ATF and some are hydraulic fluid. My Monaco had a canister with an internal filter that was just lifted out. The Dutch Star has a second cap on the power steering reservoir that when removed has the filter on the back side (screw on). Should be at the rear of the engine or in a side bay near the rear.

Fuel filters......Both my Monaco and the Dutch Star have two. (I keep referring to my Monaco since your Spartan chassis may be more similar to one than the other). Both of my coaches had the ISL 400/450. When I changed the filters on the Monaco, I always prefilled my filters, because the Cummins method of turning the key on several times and letting the pump fill them never worked. On the Dutch Star, I have a hand primer pump at the main filter that lets me pump them full after changing. On my Monaco they were in a side bay in front of the rear wheels. On the Dutch Star they are just inside the engine door.

The Onan generator is pretty simple with a couple of things most should be careful with. The drain plug is typically a 3/8" square hole and can be removed with a 3/8" ratchet or ratchet with an extension. Many strip this drain. Make sure you have a good press fit before turning. The fuel filter is behind a door on the underside of the generator and probably the most difficult to deal with. A specialty tubing wrench should be used on the two fuel lines. It's the type of wrench that looks like a box end wrench with a slot cut out. It keeps you from stripping the tubing nut. I believe one is 1/2" and one is 9/16".

When changing this filter, wrap a rag around both wrists. It will keep the fuel from running down your arm. I also use a small plug when I pull the lines off. If you've ever cut the tip off of a tube of silicon off, the end piece works well as a plug.

I know some of this is basic, but if you've done farm equipment you should easily be able to do the motor home. The first time will take you awhile, but it will be a snap the next time.

One of the BIGGEST reasons I do my own.....is while I'm crawling in and around the coach, I get to look at everything and often find things coming loose and in need of repair.

cristelectri · 12-09-2014, 08:13 AM

Thanks Don! I've added a stop @ Speedco on my Good Sam's trip planner for later this week when we go to Florida just in case I want to stop & learn where all the parts are located.

PeterE · 06-01-2021, 10:27 PM

I just found this old thread because i want to do a full service myself.
I still have a 2008 Dutch Star with 46,000mi after all the years.
I have bought the oil (Fleetguard 14000NN (replaced the LF9009)) and fuel filters for the ISL (425hp). I looked at the filters on the rear passenger side and found a SF6505 with a gauge on top of it. A quick search said it is a hydraulic filter. It was probably never changed.
But where is the oil filter located? I don't see it.

Dutch Star Don · 06-02-2021, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterE

I just found this old thread because i want to do a full service myself.
I still have a 2008 Dutch Star with 46,000mi after all the years.
I have bought the oil (Fleetguard 14000NN (replaced the LF9009)) and fuel filters for the ISL (425hp). I looked at the filters on the rear passenger side and found a SF6505 with a gauge on top of it. A quick search said it is a hydraulic filter. It was probably never changed.
But where is the oil filter located? I don't see it.

Crawl under the coach and on the driver's side of the engine, about midway, you'll see the filter. It's up near the frame rail. It should be prefilled before installing. Takes almost a gallon of oil.

PeterE · 06-06-2021, 05:32 PM

I found the filter, but how can I get it out? I ordered a tool from Gearwrench (Nylon Strap Oil Filter Wrench: it is like a seat belt on a 1/2" squared metal stick), but the filter is stuck.

Tigerfan1 · 06-06-2021, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterE

I found the filter, but how can I get it out? I ordered a tool from Gearwrench (Nylon Strap Oil Filter Wrench: it is like a seat belt on a 1/2" squared metal stick), but the filter is stuck.

When I get a filter that is stuck I use a long handle breaker bar for extra leverage.