Routine service.....Very high costs!...Beware!

[Rook]

OK, I knew that when I took my Tradewinds diesel to the Cat servce place it would be costly.....but not THAT costly!!

I took my new to me (used ) 98 Tradewinds to the Cat service place, Thompson Caterpillar, in Tanner, AL for a lot of ROUTINE service, and I knew that it would cost more than using a local truck service place......maybe as much as 50% more. But, I wanted it done RIGHT and with professional care. I figured $500 locally and as much as $800 at the Cat place.

This is what I had done:

Oil change and filters (2).
Radiator drained and re-filled with CAT ELC fluid.
Tranny drained, filters changed and re-filled with Dexron lll
New engine Air intake cleaner.
New air cleaner/filter for Air brakes system.
Chassis lubrication.
Radiator fins back-flushed.

Cost......ready for this?.......$1782.00......!!! UGH!

Lesson learned! Rook

[w6pea]

Okay

I took my RV a class-c to Beaudry RV when they were still in San Marco, CA.
I had then do the oil change and a chassis lube, clean the battery terminals.They charge me $250.00, that was almost 5 years ago. I take my RV to Kearny Mesa Ford in San Diego, CA. now and get the same service done for $125.00 So going to a Cat Service center is probably about right for all of the things you had done. JMHO

[Billieg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rook OK, I knew that when I took my Tradewinds diesel to the Cat servce place it would be costly.....but not THAT costly!! I took my new to me (used ) 98 Tradewinds to the Cat service place, Thompson Caterpillar, in Tanner, AL for a lot of ROUTINE service, and I knew that it would cost more than using a local truck service place......maybe as much as 50% more. But, I wanted it done RIGHT and with professional care. I figured $500 locally and as much as $800 at the Cat place. This is what I had done: Oil change and filters (2). Radiator drained and re-filled with CAT ELC fluid. Tranny drained, filters changed and re-filled with Dexron lll New engine Air intake cleaner. New air cleaner/filter for Air brakes system. Chassis lubrication. Radiator fins back-flushed. Cost......ready for this?.......$1782.00......!!! UGH! Lesson learned! Rook

Ya, you got hammered. I figured on $1,250 - $1,450 depending on if they totally flushed the trans and coolant. It takes 4 hrs. to flush and refill the coolant at $25 a gallon plus the labor.(usually about $450) 2 hrs to flush and fill the trans with 12 qts of fluid at $12.50 a quart plus $94 for the filter and gasket set.( Usually around $425) Around $120 for the oil change. The filters are expensive too. I'd say you paid around $350 too much...

Live and learn....

My oil cooler went and Ford wanted $1700 to replace it. I found a local guy who does it all the time for $950... It pays to shop around.

[sdennislee]

$1300.00 to change the oil in CAT C7 and Onan generator, change fluid in Allison transmission (Transynd), change all filters and lube chassis. Pacific Diesel in Anchorage.

[BigSkyBob]

Just had my 400 ISL oil changed and the filter. Replaced both Allision filters, which I had, and drained and replaced 5 gallons of Transynd to do the filters. Lubed the chassis and the service guy took an oil sample of the transmission oil for me. He checked the differential and was sure to do the slack adjusters and drive line U joints. $496 out the door. Used Rotella 15-40 oil in bulk. Last year the same place did all the above except the transmission plus the generator oil and filter and it was $269. J & D Truck Repair, Helena, MT.

[docj]

If they refilled your transmission with Dextron III instead of Transynd you were definitely robbed. It is my understanding Transynd is the only fluid Allison recommends these days.

[Rook]

Some added info......I totaled up all the parts costs and it came to $860.00. I figure that amount was about 150% over what I could have purchased them from other sources. The real "zappo" was their labor rate! .....that was $150.00 an hour just to do ROUTINE service! The one plus was that they were thorough and clean.

[w6pea]

I think the going labor rate at a auto Dealership is about $120.00 an hour for what I will never know.

[Rook]

I've had a "nagging" feeling about this post since I wrote it. To many, it comes off as "whining" after a bad decision. And that's partly true. But, I don't want that. My intent and hope was to "alert" unsuspecting new owners to the perils of taking your MH to the DEALER for service. Truth is, there are a lot of good, reliable and REASONABLE independent service shops and it's well worth your time to discover them and give them your business. Rook

[Mr_D]

Now for the bad news: GM no longer licenses Dexron III to anybody and they quit making it. So what you got may not even be the right fluid as anyone can now slap a label on a bottle of anything and call it Dexron III. You need to get TES-295 compliant fluids, there's a listing of some that are certified by Allison on their site. DO NOT use Dexron VI either, it's not compatible with the seals in older transmissions.

I have 6 gallons of Detroit Diesel Power Cool Plus in my shed waiting for me to finish the TV change. It is the 600,000 mile stuff. I paid just over $15 a gallon for the concentrate. No, it's not CAT certified but it is OK for Cummins engines. Just comparing cost.

Yep, you're right, now you know why I do my own work!! You did pay way too much.

[Francesca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rook Oil change and filters (2). Radiator drained and re-filled with CAT ELC fluid. Tranny drained, filters changed and re-filled with Dexron lll New engine Air intake cleaner. New air cleaner/filter for Air brakes system. Chassis lubrication. Radiator fins back-flushed. Cost......ready for this?.......$1782.00.

OUCH!
Gives me a new appreciation for all the time my husband spends maintaining our "fleet"!!!

Something nice for dinner is definitely in order...

Francesca

[Vegasdan]

My first service experience for my Tradewinds was at Freightliner in Las Vegas. It included oil change with fuel and oil filters, new air filter (some bracket work was done due to corrossion), chassis lube, radiator removal and cleaning, radiator surge tank removal and replacement (including more new brackets because of rust) radiator refill, rewire of marker lights and trans check. $2100. Pick me up off the floor.

[Scooter]

Yo, Rook: Next time you go somewhere for service, ask for a written estimate and a phone call if they plan to exceed their estimate. Does AL state law say anything about this?

[Full.Monte]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francesca OUCH! Gives me a new appreciation for all the time my husband spends maintaining our "fleet"!!! Something nice for dinner is definitely in order... Francesca

I have done almost all of my own work for 46 years...since the first day I got my own car. I often tell people that I wouldn't have a penny to my name if I had paid to do all that work. I think it's pretty close to accurate. Right now, our "fleet" is 5 vehicles.