Spartan/Cummins Preventive Maint. Charlotte, MI

[Chickadee]

Hi ALL:

We're scheduled to bring our 08 Diesel Pusher/Cummins ISM 500 with 30,000 miles in to the Charlotte, Michigan Spartan/Cummins shop for a "thorough" Preventive Maintenance Service Appointment.

Since we're gettin older and less capable by the minute and live full time in our MH we really rely on properly working systems in our rig, but just don't know what should and should not be needed. Some have said that the Spartan shop will "push" service items ya might not really need.

Now, we're NOT mechanics, so how do ya know for sure what's good to have done and what might be costly excess??? For example, some of talked about Spartan's "42 Point Inspection." Sounds like a good idea, but can't find what is included. Should cooling system be flushed, refilled, air filter changed even though vac indicator still below red. At 30,000 miles should tansmission be flushed and TranSynd replaced...!costly!! Etc. Etc.

Any pointers sure would be helpful, not only for us, but I'll bet for others as well.

Thank you for any guidance.

Steve & Lynette

[buck62]

Spartan will have a 30,000 mile recommended PM schedule and it can be costly some of my friends have told me that have spent $1500 on the Spartan recommended PM. I do not think the factory would recommend and "push" services just to do them. They will recommend PM services and it will be up to you to say yes or no. Since you are full timers and cannot easily do your own PM anymore I would rely of the expertise of the factory service department and do the recommended PM items.

[Coached]

I can appreciate your concerns with this subject ... sit down with your Spartan and Cummins Owners' manuals, a cool drink, and a pad and paper ... all the normal maintenance requirements and intervals are listed in each manual - just write 'em down on your pad and away you go! Ask for a price to accomodate your list only; maybe there's a "package" that covers all your needs plus a few more for the same, or less money? A Spartan chassis with a Cummins engine really is big rig stuff, built to go many, many miles without trouble; if it aint broken or acting like it's gonna then it's most likely ok for now?

[Parkerrs]

I wouldn't worry with a flush and fill on your radiator yet. Spartan has been factory filling their units with extended life coolant for a long time now. My '07 was filled with ELC from Spartan so I'm sure your "08 was. Extended life coolant should be good for five years and your rig is only three or maybe close to four. Have them test the anti-freeze and run it for the full life cycle.

With 30,000 miles and 3 or more years I would "definately" change that air filter regardless of the restriction gauge. They are paper filtration elements and will break down after a long time period. Don't "blow" out an air filter. The price of the filter now is cheaper than the damage it can cause from trying to penny pinch, especially if it fails. Remember large trucks turn 100,000 miles a year usually, mileage is nowhere near as big of a concern on a coach, age is the primary factor for most srvice items.

No also to the transmission service. According to Allison if it was factory filled with transynd, no service is neccessary until 100,000 miles.

I would r&r the engine oil and filters, fuel filters and air filter. I would do the same for the generator. Replace the filter element on the air dryer for sure if it's never been done. Check and adjust all slack adjusters on the brakes. Lube, "grease" the chassis along with checking the air bags and lines for any damage or chaffing. Check all belts and hoses, hoses should be good and I wouldn't worry with any hose changes until coolant change unless they show damage. A new belt or belts might not be out of the question for better safe than sorry, but if they show no signs of cracking or rot and are not overly stretched then run them.

[Iron Man]

I think with the K2 chassis and the Allsion 4000 the trans filters change at 3 years and a complete fluid change at 4 years.

[Ann n Gene]

I am not sure that I agree on the air filter replacement. New ones are actually not as efficient at dirt retention as used ones until after a few thousand miles. Cummins recommends that you not replace it until the indicator gets to the red. The problem with frequent replacement besides the efficiency factor is that every time you open up the system you run the risk of getting dust and dirt into it and that risk is greater than using the old filter until the restriction guage tells you to replace it. All just what the Cummins factory reps have told me and my experience running over the road trucks for many years. Your decision, but we do not change air filters until the restriction guague tells us to, and then very carefully.

[GaryKD]

Hi Chickadee,
This is a cut and paste from the same question you posted in the Newmar forum .

"You know what I'm going to say, but I'm going to say it anyway. The 42 point check is when you pay them to do the work they will do for free. When your coach is in for service they will check everything possible to ensure as much of your credit limit as possible is spent at their shop. I hope there is no cost to actually have them do the 42 point check. That would be really obvious highway robbery."

Now that that is out of the way, I do not have a K2. My assumption is the following is valid for your chassis. I'm with replacing the air filter. air dryer filter, all annual maintenance. Consider hydraulic fluid (if it is brown or foaming) and hydraulic fluid filter replacement. Let them show you the front wheel bearing lube oil. If it is green it is okay. The rear end oil may need replacement, check your manual. These items are based on time, not miles.

Hold on to your wallet. The guy who you deal with, get his business card. His title will be Inside Sales. It tells you what he is there to do.

[Cat320]

As noted above...check your manuals...they are full of what should be done and when it should be done.

[Chickadee]

THANKS to all of you for suggestions and input. Really helps!!

Steve & Lynette

[Coached]

Just a quick note regarding air filters. Several years ago I had my Tiffin at the factory who sent it to Bay Diesel for some maintenance. While visiting my coach I looked at a $500,000 Zephyr that was sitting there with the engine access doors open. Of course I asked, and Chris showed me. The inside column of the air filter had imploded and shredded sending handfuls of junk into the engine. The filter from the outside looked like new and the filter gauge showed lots of wear left. The filter was just over two years old and, yep, you guessed it, no warranty from Cummins due to negligence. Filters of all types are cheap but the components or systems they protect usually are very, very expensive. Change that filter regularly, preferably 12,000 miles or yearly - we do.

[Iron Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiff Inn Just a quick note regarding air filters. Several years ago I had my Tiffin at the factory who sent it to Bay Diesel for some maintenance. While visiting my coach I looked at a $500,000 Zephyr that was sitting there with the engine access doors open. Of course I asked, and Chris showed me. The inside column of the air filter had imploded and shredded sending handfuls of junk into the engine. The filter from the outside looked like new and the filter gauge showed lots of wear left. The filter was just over two years old and, yep, you guessed it, no warranty from Cummins due to negligence. Filters of all types are cheap but the components or systems they protect usually are very, very expensive. Change that filter regularly, preferably 12,000 miles or yearly - we do.

What negligence on the owners part? I thought the change interval was 3 years for the air filter? Was it made by fleetguard?

[Perry White]

I changed my Transynd at 30,000 with filters because I didn't know if it was changed at the first 5,000. It was like new and the filters had a 2007 date on it so it was the second on the filters for sure. If I had known I wouldn't of touched it for 75,000. I did it myself so it was only about $280 for everything, but I know it's done. JUST REMEMBER THAT TWO 16 QUART CONTAINERS WON'T HOLD 10 GALS OF OIL.

[Chickadee]

Perry:

Just curious....did ya try it?????

Steve