Accident - Car lost tire

[Renipladlo]

Ok, I hope this is my last post in this thread. The front upper CAC hose and Clamp had slipped off the connection on the CAC and I was losing boost pressure under load. At idle, or low power it was ok, they fixed it to the tune of $1100.00, had to figure out what was wrong, and then take up the floor in bedroom. I believe this was another case of not paying attention to work performed, and Avondale Cummins should have caught this lose clamp and fixed it. Since they only give 90 warranty on labor, I was denied a credit on the bill. We have only put 2350.0 miles on the coach since that repair, and I don't feel this is fair. I have written a long letter to the CEO of Cummins expressing my displeasure at this charge based on that I specifically directed Avondale to inspect and check each and every CAC, Turbo, Water Line, Transmission, etc., fitting/connection and "certify them to be complete and tight". FWIW- On our trip home, I personally fixed 4 coolant leaks, and Coburg, Oregon got the unit back in April, to fix other coolant leaks which did not get fixed in Avondale, plus found a upper hose with a hole in it. I hope someone high up reads the letter and my attachments, suffice to say, I am not pleased at the way the work went, nor in all the money I have had to spend, on repairs "which were supposed to be checked out and fixed". Regardless it now works like it's supposed too. I guess I should go someplace, but afraid something else will break.

[MKelley]

Monty
These repairs should be covered by the insurance company that paid for the original repairs.

[Renipladlo]

The insurance company has told me they are not paying for the same repair twice, so what options do you offer? Cummins still failed to fix it correctly or inspect if correctly, so they really should stand behind their work.

[MKelley]

The insurance company is liable for the proper repairs of your vehicle. You can go to your ins. and have them subrogate against the liable ins. co. or call the Az.state ins. commissioner and discuss it with them.

[Old Scout]

Do a search on ths forum regarding Avondale Cummins--it wont be very flattering. I am afraid you have become yet another of their RV victims for excessive make-work and overcharging.

[JMonroe]

The insurance company can not, and will not, warrant the work done (assuming you were free to choose your own repair shop. If they directed the work to this specific shop, or restricted it to one of their "select" shops, that may be different). They paid an amount equal to their clients liability assuming competence on the part of the shop you chose.

That said, if I were made aware of this type of situation I'd make a courtesy call to the repair shop and ask if they were interested in getting any more insurance repair business. If so, it would behoove them to take care of this. That usually worked, but not always.

This type of situation is another reason I usually suggest you let your insurance company handle an accident claim. You have more leverage when you have a contract with the company. The other party's company represents them, not you.

[MKelley]

I was under the understanding that the ins. co. directed Monty to the repair shop.

[Renipladlo]

Today, in fact 5 minutes ago, I received a phone call from Someone at Cummins in IN who is working on my concerns, the letter made it now the attachments need to be sent to this gentleman so he has the whole package, he told me my 4 page letter was well written and laid out very good. I expect some resolution to this by middle of next week.

[Renipladlo]

Today, the fellow from Cummins called me back. They are going to refund my money I paid them, and give me a Level A service and brake fluid flush for all my trouble at no charge. That is what customer service is all about. I knew I should not have to pay for something that was not fixed correctly, and they agreed with me.

FWIW - Today I moved the coach to a different storage place which is covered, it ran just fine. Once my Jeep is finished at the dealer, I am going to go someplace and see how she works. Might go North, might go west. Might go east and south, don't really know, just depends on how I feel when I hit the road.

[TVH475]

Hope it goes great for you! Good luck & safe travels!

[Renipladlo]

All - The latest, left home yesterday heading down to Yuma, AZ. This morning, getting ready to head out of the casino I was parked at, and found three more coolant leaks. I am thinking the wrong sized hose clams might be installed, since I cannot tighten then up any more.

I am going to write the Cummins Fellow, and see what we can do.

Another issue, went to check the oil, the yellow handle broke off in my hand, so now I need to replace that. Is that a Cummins Part, or a WRV part? I need to get one and I believe it's just held on with a split pin through it, so drive out the pin, remove the old handle and put the new one on, and tap in the split pin. If it's not Cummins, any ideas on where I can get another one, thank you in advance.

[Jeff and Cheryl]

Monte,
There was another Alpiner that had to replace the oil dipstick check posts for the last few months. IIRC it was not costly at all.

[Renipladlo]

Thank you, found the company, plus the other owner who broke his, has two extra one's, sent them an e-mail, maybe I will get two.

They are not well made to stand up in really cold weather, my suggestion is to check the oil after 20 minutes after arriving, then it won't be cold. I did it the next morning and it was 30 outside.

[Wrinklemeist]

Renipladlo, Sure hope all is ready for the coming season. You have been through so much. Hope all is well now.
Mike