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MD-Keith · 11-16-2018, 09:07 PM

On our most recent trip we developed a coolant leak at the side radiator in our 2017 Mountain Aire. Fortunately we were in a city with both Freightliner and Cummins service centers. Freightliner didn't want to hear it, and passed the ball to Cummins. I got in to the Cummins shop right away and the problem was a loose clamp on the large hose to the radiator -- a fairly common issue it seems. Cummins tightened the clamp and then installed a second clamp and then pressure tested the system -- problem solved. But, Cummins said this falls under Freightliner or Newmar warranty and charged me $150 for the work, which seemed pretty reasonable. So now I will being the arduous process of trying to convince either Newmar or Freightliner to reimburse the $150. I am thinking this isn't going to work out well...

As noted, this is apparently a fairly common problem, so those who have the Cummins 500 might want to consider having a second clamp added during your next service appointment.

redbaron73 · 11-16-2018, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD-Keith

On our most recent trip we developed a coolant leak at the side radiator in our 2017 Mountain Aire. Fortunately we were in a city with both Freightliner and Cummins service centers. Freightliner didn't want to hear it, and passed the ball to Cummins. I got in to the Cummins shop right away and the problem was a loose clamp on the large hose to the radiator -- a fairly common issue it seems. Cummins tightened the clamp and then installed a second clamp and then pressure tested the system -- problem solved. But, Cummins said this falls under Freightliner or Newmar warranty and charged me $150 for the work, which seemed pretty reasonable. So now I will being the arduous process of trying to convince either Newmar or Freightliner to reimburse the $150. I am thinking this isn't going to work out well...

As noted, this is apparently a fairly common problem, so those who have the Cummins 500 might want to consider having a second clamp added during your next service appointment.

What reason did freightliner give to not look at it? Which location was this?

Mr_D · 11-16-2018, 09:19 PM

Cummins doesn't make a ISL 500. Probably an ISX 12.

Sidewinder4 · 11-17-2018, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD-Keith

On our most recent trip we developed a coolant leak at the side radiator in our 2017 Mountain Aire. Fortunately we were in a city with both Freightliner and Cummins service centers. Freightliner didn't want to hear it, and passed the ball to Cummins. I got in to the Cummins shop right away and the problem was a loose clamp on the large hose to the radiator -- a fairly common issue it seems. Cummins tightened the clamp and then installed a second clamp and then pressure tested the system -- problem solved. But, Cummins said this falls under Freightliner or Newmar warranty and charged me $150 for the work, which seemed pretty reasonable. So now I will being the arduous process of trying to convince either Newmar or Freightliner to reimburse the $150. I am thinking this isn't going to work out well...

As noted, this is apparently a fairly common problem, so those who have the Cummins 500 might want to consider having a second clamp added during your next service appointment.

Just encountered a similar situation. Called a very highly recommended Freightliner Service Center with two Cummins related issues: turbo charger and DEF.
Freightliner let me drive some five hours and the understanding they could handle my issue. Coach was there a week, only to defer issues to a Cummins Service Center.
So I am down for another month, found a service center, dropped off yesterday, but will not even start work now until after Thanksgiving.
So, I only post this for fellow Rv'ers to understand, that some issues that come up with Coaches are only going to be resolved by responsible manufacture i.e Newmar, Freightliner, and Cummins to name top three.

Kajen · 11-17-2018, 05:05 AM

I had a coolant leak in my new to me 05 KSDP..... got it to local Cummins shop and after 16 hours labor to put new sleeves in (old were rusted), I had a 5k bill.... wasn’t happy at all, but engine is now sound and ready to go.

lostinfla · 11-17-2018, 05:33 AM

I had the 1 1/2" hose blow off the top of the engine on our evacuation trip from hurricane Irma due to faulty installation. 11 gallons of coolant ended up on my Jeep and all over the back of the coach. Pulled up the bath floor, reinstalled the hose and filled the system from our onboard water to limp to our destination campground (only another 3 miles down the road). Had a mobile "mechanic" (yet another story) come the next day to replace the coolant. Didn't seem to know much about the engine, but luckily I do. I assisted in installing a new slightly longer section of hose at my request, refilled the system with the correct coolant and he left me with an 800.00 bill. I contacted Freightliner, sent them some pics of the original problem, and long story short, got my money back after about a 4 month wait.

Sidewinder4 · 11-17-2018, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kajen

I had a coolant leak in my new to me 05 KSDP..... got it to local Cummins shop and after 16 hours labor to put new sleeves in (old were rusted), I had a 5k bill.... wasn’t happy at all, but engine is now sound and ready to go.

Feel your pain brother, when I left my coach I had to initial that labor cost are $162.00 an hour. I do not get the high rates.
Freightliner Service Center was $100.00 an hour. I will say that I was charged $150.00 to download data from data port from coach and for a tech to test drive. Wonder how backbreaking that was!

Chief Alen · 11-17-2018, 06:38 AM

Was at the factory service center in SC had a coolant leak, they fixed it under warranty, the tech said it was the clamps all loose, couldn't get any more out of him.

Also the trans cooler was replaced, leaks crack.

FLJOE · 11-17-2018, 07:57 AM

We had a oil pan leak on our Cummins at less than 6,000 miles this summer. FL truck center was close by but obviously warranty work had to be done by a Cummins diesel mechanic. They would have fixed it that day except the mechanic they needed was working in another shop in another town. They had him do it the next day all covered under warranty through Cummins that they handled.

MD-Keith · 11-17-2018, 01:54 PM

To previous comments -- yes, it is an ISX, not ISL. Freightliner was "very busy" and said the problem would be better dealt with by Cummins. At the time of the call we did not know the cause of the coolant leak. Both shops were in Little Rock, Arkansas. Cummins view was that the Freightliner warranty (or Newmar warranty) should cover the cost, since according to him, the radiator is installed on the chassis by Freightliner. Cummins said that the neck on the radiator is 5 inches long, and one clamp is never enough to effect a good seal. At the end of the day $150 isn't all that bad, and I am almost certain that Freightliner will decline to pay, but I think its an important "heads up" for those with Cummins engines. Its a $10 clamp and can easily be added during regular service.

WoodyS · 11-17-2018, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidewinder4

I will say that I was charged $150.00 to download data from data port from coach and for a tech to test drive. Wonder how backbreaking that was!

Terry & Kathy,

No sweat that one, but they have to pay for the annual Cummins software license fee -- which is a killer. And that's why only a few of the big independent mechanics can download Cummins engine data -- the rest aren't willing or able to pay Cummins the annual fee.

timekeeper · 11-17-2018, 08:24 PM

I left the Newmar FPU with our NA only to have a coolant leak heading down to Hilton Head. I called ahead to Gaffney Freightliner service center on the way back to NY. They were able to work me in and fixed the leaking coolant hoses that go into the top on the engine manifold. There are 4 of them all with those silly cheap compression clamps??? They replaced them all with proper screw clamps and didn't charge me at all.