Oil Dip Stick Tube

[Beowulf2]

We recently purchased a 2005 Newmar KSDP 3907 on a Spartan chassis and a Cummins ISC engine. We have been RVing for many years and this is our fourth motor home but our first diesel. We have been very impressed with the quility, design overall layout of the coach.

In checking out the coach I found that the covering on the oil dip stick tubing has gotten hot at partly melted. There is no evidence of oil leaking but I am concerned that there may be a future problem.

I am going to contact Spartan about a replacement since there are Spartan part numbers on the tube.

Is this an unusal problem?

Should the tubing be wrapped with more high temperature insulation?

Any other suggestion would be appreciated.

Thank,
Beowulf2

[Mr_D]

Never heard of it and I run a Newmar DP specific forum as well as frequenting this one and others so I would think I'd know about it.

[read & learn]

Newmar had a small problem with the Oil Dip Tube. The fix is to reroute the tube away from the heat. Make sure you check where the oil is on the tube and check where it is on new and make NEW mark on Dip Stick.

[Iron Man]

There was issues with routing, check with Spartan they will want the last 5 digits of your vin to look it up.

[Beowulf2]

Thanks for the replys. I'll be contacting Spartan and possibly Newmar about my concerns. I'll be waiting for their responses and warmer weather before I will really get with the program.

[Vake]

I just had the dip stick tube replaced on our '06 DSDP on a Spartan Chassis with the Cummins ISL for that same reason. In a search on this forum, I found others with the same issue, and at least one case where the tube had melted thru and oil had blown all over the engine compartment and toad. I wrapped the tube in tin foil and duck tape and used zip ties to keep the tube away from the heat source while on the trip to Spartan where I was having maintenance done.
Spartan said they couldn't find a recall for this issue on my coach but did agree to cover the cost of the new tube and I paid for installation.

[Iron Man]

I don't think it was a recall. I think Newmar mounted the dipstick to close to a heat source and caused the plastic to melt.

[ottffss]

The "oil dipstick burn through" issue was a minor problem on 2007'ish Spartan K2 chassis (with the ISM). It typically happened only on K2 rigs used in long duration high output conditions (like long mountain pass climbs). The solution was an asbestos type tube encasing the dipstick just in the vicinity of the turbo. You can easily rig up the same for your chassis.

You are correct that the dipstick is installed by the chassis builder, not the engine maker.

[Iron Man]

There is a TBS on the issue see post #6

Oil dip stick tube

[Beowulf2]

I have recieved a reply from Spartan about a oil dip stick replacement about $90.00 and covering for $17.00 a foot. The tube is on the drivers side of the KSDP with ISC engine and rear radiator. The insulating tube has burnt or melted but not all the way to the plastic dipstick tubing. The dipstick itself can be removed and installed without any problem so maybe replacement will not be necessary.

I am going to change the oil and filter and check the dipstick calibration before attacking the dipstick tubing.

There is no oil residue on the bach of the coach and the dipstick shows full so the calibration seems to be close.

[GaryKD]

Hi Beowulf2,
I have had the ISC dip stick tube burn through problem twice. Once the tube burns through, small amounts of oil will be forced into the engine compartment and get all over the rear radiator and the toad. The first time the parts were replaced the work was done by a certified RV trained coach tech. The next time the work was done the work was done by a certified Cummins trained tech. This time should be the charm. The Cummins tech showed me what he was doing and why. Now the tube is routed and fastened well away from the engine. In addition the tech put heat shielding the full length of the tube.

Lesson learned, coach techs stick to the coach and Cummins techs repair the engine problems.