What are costs and materials for fluid change on 350?

[920codyroad]

I'm in negotiations on a diesel coach and was wondering what is involved and what are the costs in doing fluid changes and regular maintenance on a Cummins 350? It's a 2002 coach.

Is this something I can do myself? I know my way around a gas engine very well, but first time near a diesel.

Are the materials readily available?
What are the items and steps to do it?

[radams]

Check this Speedco web page for what they charge to give you some idea as to cost:

http://www.speedco.com/2650f1a188_si...eetMay2011.pdf

For the typical coach usage it would need to be done annually. You can do it yourself if so inclined. At Speedco they let you watch so you could pay to have it done once and then you'll know what to do and whether you want to. Hopefully you're reasonably close to a Speedco. Other shops might allow you to watch also.

[920codyroad]

Originally Posted by radams

Check this Speedco web page for what they charge to give you some idea as to cost:

http://www.speedco.com/2650f1a188_si...eetMay2011.pdf

For the typical coach usage it would need to be done annually. You can do it yourself if so inclined. At Speedco they let you watch so you could pay to have it done once and then you'll know what to do and whether you want to. Hopefully you're reasonably close to a Speedco. Other shops might allow you to watch also.

Speedco is about 30 miles from me, so it's fairly close. Costs aren't horrible, but once I have them do it and I can watch, then I'd feel comfortable enough to do it myself. Once a year is probably the timeframe for me. I figure the spring when I would take it out of mothballs.

What about dealing with black slime during winter storage? Anything special I need to do besides biocide in the fuel?

[radams]

Store it with the fuel tank as full as possible (don't need to go crazy about getting it full though) and use a biocide. You'll be fine by doing that.

[Mr_D]

If you've ever changed a filter and oil on a car then there is no problem with an ISC. The Allison filters take a little more care, be CAREFUL and use a torque wrench on the bolts. They thread into the aluminum case and can be stripped out. The filter kit comes with GREAT instructions though. The air dryer can be hard to change depending on it's location, get a large fabric strap wrench and it's easy.
I get my DELO 15W40 oil at Costco, filters come from Cummins, uses a LF9009. I've used a fabric strap wrench on it but finally got a steel strap wrench and it's lots easier.
There is nothing really hard or much different on a diesel, although installing a Banks Power Pak on an ISC might be a bit much for some. Mine wasn't hard, just had a mismatched joint on the new turbo housing and a bad wiring loom.

LF9009 is around $32, oil is about $60 for 6 gallons (1 case)
Trans filter kit was about $40 but the TranSynd oil was $32 a gallon and you need about 6 gallons to do a full change.
The other thing is coolant, be sure to use only Cummins approved coolant, and some claims to be and isn't!! Prime is one that doesn't meet Cummins specs.
You will also need to test the SCA levels and add DCA to keep it at the proper level UNLESS Cummins approved Extended Life coolant is installed.
On a 2002 the tires should have been replaced by now, check the dates molded into them.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by 920codyroad

Speedco is about 30 miles from me, so it's fairly close. Costs aren't horrible, but once I have them do it and I can watch, then I'd feel comfortable enough to do it myself. Once a year is probably the timeframe for me. I figure the spring when I would take it out of mothballs.

What about dealing with black slime during winter storage? Anything special I need to do besides biocide in the fuel?

You need to change the oil/filter BEFORE you store it for the winter otherwise water and acids can harm the internals. This is the normal manufacturer instructions
Here's what Cummins answered when I emailed them about winter storage:
"Deen this is a very good question. From the perspective of the
Cummins engine it is good to do either one of two things:

1) Start the engine and drive it or 2) do not start the engine.

Our engines do not gain anything by idling. In fact a diesel engine
on low idle will not ever get up to operating temperatures which is
bad for the engine and can cause an increase in soot production.

The other side of the story is that starting the engine and letting it
idle is probably good for other things like air brakes, heating and
cooling, etc. So probably the best answer to try to get both worlds
to meet is to occasionally take the unit out for a drive during times
of prolonged storage."