Cummins ISB Exhaust Brake for 2003 Engine

[UFO Pilot]

I am posting this question for a friend who has a 2003 Coachmen Cross Country with the Cummins ISB engine. He does not have an exhaust brake and would like to have one installed. The Coach is pre wired but the exhaust brake is not there. He needs part numbers so the Freightliner service center can order the necessary parts. Freightliner headquarters in Florida wants $250 plus $100 per hour to research the part numbers.

[chasfm11]

If that coach were mine, I'd spend the money to drive it to Gaffney and let them install the exhaust brake. It's probably a simple installation but one I'd rather let them do. A couple of years ago, we drove from Texas to have them install anti-sway bars on our RV. They are a first rate organization and, unlike many local Frieghtliner dealers, believe in good customer services.

Here is the link. http://www.freightlinerchassis.com/m...p?page=service

[Pigman]

Call the Freightliner Help Desk (800) 385-4357, and talk to those folks. They'll give you the straight information on being able to do this and may also have some good suggestions. Be sure to have the chassis and engine serial numbers available before you call. You also might have to call the Cummins help line at (800)-343-7357

John

[Tcloud7]

So What did you find out???

[J Walker]

It is simple to install the exhaust brake if the wiring is there, but all of the controls are far from simple if they have not been set up or wired. The exhaust brake controls sense the accelerator and brake pedal and automatic downshifting is done as well. I had a wire cut on my MH when it was new that prevented the automatic downshift and it took a good dealer 100 shop hours to troubleshoot and fix. The controls are extremely complicated. There is no way to know how much has been pre-wired or set up. It might be a piece of cake or it could be something for Gaffney. I would go there in retrospect if I were to do it over.

[Tcloud7]

Thanks Walker. I will call and find out.

[UFO Pilot]

The Freightliner shop in Sacramento, CA has located all of the parts and they are supposed to do the install this week.

[EngineerMike]

I hear good things about the Freightliner shop in Sacramento, CA, called Sacramento Truck Center, 916-286-2000. Per a friend who just had trans serviced, the motorhome section is separate from the truck shop, the tech's put on booties anytime they enter your coach, and the service writer is working hard to make helpful suggestions to save money. If you need any spares, ask the service writer about the cost if you have them put on your service ticket and you will probably get them at a good price.

Good luck w/the PacBrake install. IIWM I'd have it installed about 30 degrees off vertical. PB says not to, but I believe it cuts down on condensation accumulating in the lower pivot of the butterfly and corroding the pin, so less sticking over time. Still needs to be lubed regularly, maybe every 2 years @ 30 degrees, every year if vertical. Make sure lubing it the first time is on their list. In theory the kit should include the lube, but if not they should have it in stock.

[J Walker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wthomas1 The Freightliner shop in Sacramento, CA has located all of the parts and they are supposed to do the install this week.

Good luck with the installation. Let us know how is goes. I am curious why the Cross County was manufactured without an exhaust brake. All DPs need them. When testing the exhaust brake be sure see that the butterfly valve is actually working by an ON/OFF sequence, and see that the automatic downshifting is working.