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rogelling · 12-09-2017, 09:12 AM

I'm happy to report the shop in Buda that was doing the ball joints recall found the coolant leak and it wasn't a radiator leak. Broken hose clamp. They replaced both clamps for $95. Unfortunately they also found engine oil leak from valve cover. Back to Cummins.

dave&ginny · 12-09-2017, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogelling

I'm happy to report the shop in Buda that was doing the ball joints recall found the coolant leak and it wasn't a radiator leak. Broken hose clamp. They replaced both clamps for $95. Unfortunately they also found engine oil leak from valve cover. Back to Cummins.

The valve covers are pretty easy to tighten down from the top. Unless you're close to a cummins dealer, I think I'd do it myself. Just start in the middle of the cover and work out while tightening and criss-cross.

rogelling · 12-09-2017, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave&ginny

The valve covers are pretty easy to tighten down from the top. Unless you're close to a cummins dealer, I think I'd do it myself. Just start in the middle of the cover and work out while tightening and criss-cross.

Here's the kicker. One of the bolts is broken. The service manager at the shop pointed it out to me. How did it get broken? No clue or maybe the shop tech attempted what you just said and broke it. I'm concerned now Cummins is going to deny warranty claim. All I know is I did not touch it.

DSL417 · 12-09-2017, 06:23 PM

I'd simply ask the service manager, should he question, how a 70+ short guy (no offense) with no tools could begin to get at it, even if you know where to start. Although, a broken bolt in this area would be extremely unusual, unless you had had previous work done. JMHO

Hayman · 12-10-2017, 06:33 AM

Radiator R & R completed. Spartan sent out the complete cooling pack and Lazydays Chassis Shop did the job. 12 hours to complete and 1 night in a hotel.

In this particular case I give an A+ to the service we received from Lazydays. I and many others have not always made that comment after receiving not so great service.

When I discovered the radiator leak and contacted Spartan they gave me a suggestion list in Florida in no specific order and the first 2 closest did not have time for 10-14 days to perform the required pressure test. I called Doug Earle, Lazydays CC service manager and he arranged the test with the chassis shop for 3 days later on our way through. He kept us informed over the next 2 weeks via email as to the order, shipping and receiving process of the radiator and then scheduled our replacement appointment as it worked best for us.

Hopefully this is yet another sign of a dealership/service center realizing they need to step up to the next level to keep up with the competition !

brobox · 12-10-2017, 06:39 AM

Brian, JMO but I think the Spartan shop is a separate entity or management of LD. It is also the only area of LD that I have received decent service. Nothing I would like to hear more than a good report about the service bays like NIRVC is receiving.

rogelling · 12-10-2017, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSL417

I'd simply ask the service manager, should he question, how a 70+ short guy (no offense) with no tools could begin to get at it, even if you know where to start. Although, a broken bolt in this area would be extremely unusual, unless you had had previous work done. JMHO

x2 Dave. I'll post a pic of bolt see if anyone can figure out how it broke.

brobox · 12-10-2017, 09:57 AM

Roger, as tight as the oil filters, generator filter and drain plugs are from the Cummins factory, it is possible they same thing may have happened to the valve cover bolts. Cummins has always been good to me on warranty repairs.

rogelling · 12-10-2017, 11:21 AM

I'm staying positive.😎

rogelling · 12-10-2017, 11:38 AM

The bottom pic is oil leak on coolant hose. The upper is the broken bolt. The pic is upside down.

DSL417 · 12-10-2017, 04:22 PM

Rog,

I am assuming that the bolt goes into a threaded hole in the motor body, so it is not only strange that it broke, but also strange that it backed out that far. You can bet the previous owner didn't work on the engine. I would be surprised if he even had a crescent wrench. I would keep both Spartan and Cummins aware of what is going on. They should also have a record if your coach went in for anything unusual that would have impacted the engine as well.JMHO

rogelling · 12-10-2017, 04:29 PM

Ok as far as being backed out, the shop manager where I did the ball joints recall told me they tried to remove it but it wouldn't come out. So they obviously messed with it. It is threaded to engine block. I suspect the shop broke it trying to stop oil leak. But how to prove that? Will have to wait till Cummins looks at it.

navychop · 12-13-2017, 06:11 PM

I am joining the radiator repair club. Techs at the Alvarado Spartan class said dripping was it. Spartan had me take it to Holt Cat outside Austin TX. They pressure tested and sent pics. Spartan is sending the replacement. Warranty expires end of Feb 2018. 12905 miles. Had no issues while we were in it full time for 15 months. Next week we hope to have it back in the barn first time the refrigerator and inverters are off in two years. Winter and spring trips coming up. Retiring again the end of February. 6 years driving Entegra, this is #2. Love it.

bj0287 · 01-16-2018, 08:13 PM

I just returned from a six month 18K mile trip. The Good, The Bad and The ugly Good - lucky for me we made it back to Florida before realizing the radiator devil had struck my 2013 Entegra Cornerstone. The Bad - the unit is out of warranty and there is a 60 day back log waiting period for the $1400 radiator not including S&H, R&R. The Ugly - Spartan does have the complete radiator and cooling assembly set available for $3100 + S&H and $2400 R&R. Over $6500 for a radiator that sounds like it has to be replaced multiple times. Shame on you Spartan

Bennie and Dianne Jackson
2013 Cornerstone
F-150 Platinum Toad