when to get valves adjusted

[AKBrick]

Sorry Folks,
I mislead you all. We got our valve adjustment done at Quin Cat in Bakersfield, CA. We originally brought the MH in due to a power loss going up the mountains between Palm Springs, CA. and Bakersfield, CA. It turns out that we had a bad #3 fuel injector and had it replaced under CAT warranty. While they had the valve cover off I (conveniently) remembered that I needed to get the valvetrain adjusted. They said they would do it and all I had to do was pay the labor for that. Luckily it only took the mechanic a half hour to do the adjustment. They only charged me $80.00!!!
Our motorhome's engine is under the bed. We only have to lift up the bed to get to the 3ft x 4ft engine hatch. The mechanics LOVE this!! It's not like I bought this MH because of that. I was blinded by the cool paintjob and layout.
When Holt CAT suggested a charge of over $600.00 were they thinking of labor to get to the engine? That price is scary!!
In a wierd way we were lucky when we had a bad fuel injector to change out because that is what lead to the cheap valve adjustment.
Cheers,
AKBrick
aka; Tom Brickwell

[wagonmaster2]

Originally Posted by AKBrick

Sorry Folks,
I mislead you all. We got our valve adjustment done at Quin Cat in Bakersfield, CA. We originally brought the MH in due to a power loss going up the mountains between Palm Springs, CA. and Bakersfield, CA. It turns out that we had a bad #3 fuel injector and had it replaced under CAT warranty. While they had the valve cover off I (conveniently) remembered that I needed to get the valvetrain adjusted. They said they would do it and all I had to do was pay the labor for that. Luckily it only took the mechanic a half hour to do the adjustment. They only charged me $80.00!!!
Our motorhome's engine is under the bed. We only have to lift up the bed to get to the 3ft x 4ft engine hatch. The mechanics LOVE this!! It's not like I bought this MH because of that. I was blinded by the cool paintjob and layout.
When Holt CAT suggested a charge of over $600.00 were they thinking of labor to get to the engine? That price is scary!!
In a wierd way we were lucky when we had a bad fuel injector to change out because that is what lead to the cheap valve adjustment.
Cheers,
AKBrick
aka; Tom Brickwell

Glad to hear that it only takes 1/2 hour to do an adjustment after getting to the valve compartment. Foley Cat in Wichita wants $450 for a valve adjustment and getting to the my engine is as simple as yours was. When asked for an estimate they don't even ask were the engine accessibility is, just that it will be $450. Guess they figure some jobs may take longer and some less time so they just quote one price. I'll ask them again but tell them all the mechanic has to do is raise the bed and remove the plate. Maybe they'll come up with a different estimate.

Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

[AKBrick]

Folks, please remember that the mechanics already had the valve cover off when they changed out the fuel injector which was work under CAT warranty before they did the valve lash adjustment! Don't use the $80.00 that they charged me as a guideline for another dealer's labor charge.
Cheers again,
AKBrick

[supercub]

I talked to Cat yesterday concerning the valve adjustment on my Cat C-7 and they said, they recommend adjustment at 25,000-30,000 miles or the 3rd oil change........and then each 100,000 miles after that. They said approx 4 hours of labor.......which is inline with the qoutes I've received, which have been been from $450 to $650. Accessibility is a big factor in price.

[Teach]

Just had my valves adjusted this week at Fabick Cat in Springfield, MO. Coach has 35,000 miles on it. Cost was $350 that included a full service with fuel filters replaced.

[wagonmaster2]

Originally Posted by Teach

Just had my valves adjusted this week at Fabick Cat in Springfield, MO. Coach has 35,000 miles on it. Cost was $350 that included a full service with fuel filters replaced.

What did a "full service" include besides the fuel filters and valve adjustments? What all do they have to do on your coach to get to the engine. Four hours labor seems awfully long just to uncover the engine and adjust the valves when several of the back-yard mechanics say they can do it in a couple of hours, that is unless it includes driving the coach into the stall, gathering up tools, checking the repair manuals to be sure the right clearances are used, washing hands and tools after the job, writing up the statement, and moving the coach from the stall. Agreed this all takes the mechanics time but $120/hour for this menial stuff seems a little steep.

Wish Springfield was about 150 miles closer to me, I'd sure head there for my adjustment.

Wagonmaster2

[Teach]

Full service included oil and filter change, two fuel filters, air cleaner and chassis lube. To get to the top of the engine they had to take a floor panel up in the bedroom (I raised the bed for them).

[photoadjuster]

On my C-12 425 hp, it is called "Running The Overhead" and it is a three part process.

1. Adjust the valve lash.
2. Adjust the pre-load on the injectors.
3. Adjust the engine compression brake slave (jake brake)

Total Cost was $ 291.00

They showed me another customer's C-12, that was disassembled prior to overhauling. If you don't keep the valves adjusted, performance is down and there is a lot of wear and tear going on, that shouldn't be.

I did the prep work including running plastic from the front door to the engine so the only labor was the actual hands on work. This way they charged me the truck rate per hour rather than the RV rate which is $ 40 per hour more.

[wagonmaster2]

Originally Posted by Teach

Full service included oil and filter change, two fuel filters, air cleaner and chassis lube. To get to the top of the engine they had to take a floor panel up in the bedroom (I raised the bed for them).

Wow, what a deal you got there. Foley's Cat in Wichita, Ks wants $450 just to adjust the valves on a Cat C-7 330 HP.

Wagonmaster2