Oil change

[TriCitySam]

So my local Cummins guy says $750 to change oil and filters. Can this be right?

[Poohbear7278]

Yes the previous owner of my coach payed $1000 for coach engine and generator service. I do my own but still not cheap

[dbircky]

It’s right if that’s the price he’s getting. I’d never pay that for such a simple task. Under $200 for oil and filter in my ISL. Can’t see paying $550 for the labor. Not a difficult job.

[Bigd9]

Originally Posted by TriCitySam

So my local Cummins guy says $750 to change oil and filters. Can this be right?

You indicate "oil and filters"

If the service center is going to change all of the filters then $750 may be a good price to pay. Engine air filter, air dryer filter/cartage, fuel filter/filters and oil filter cost alone could be $300. If a few of those filters are as hard to get to as mine are, the labor hours could easily eat up the $750.

[deandec]

Originally Posted by TriCitySam

So my local Cummins guy says $750 to change oil and filters. Can this be right?

Will they do the lube service also. That takes as much time as the oil change.

I learned many years ago to source engine maintenance from third party shops, not Cummins, since my engine warranty was expired.......

[Mr_D]

Shops here wanted $450 for oil and oil filter change. I did it myself for about $350. Oil alone was almost $300. I actually saved very little as I had to buy a small child's wading pool to catch the oil, then transfer the old oil to the empty containers, then transport to oil recycler 5 gallons at a time.
But, I know what I did and took the time to be sure it was done right.

[tcharsch]

Speedco charges about $310 for PM service - lube, oil and filters.

[gjames50]

The low side should be around $230 to $275. Mid range would be $310 to $410. If it costs more than this you need to be finding out what 'special' oils and products they are using to justify that cost. But yes I have heard of folks being charge higher amounts. It doesn't necessarily mean you are being ripped off. But you need to get an itemized quote that breaks out parts and labor and then you can shop it.

For $750 I would just buy my own equipment and do it myself. Unless there is some really special thing they are doing for you that sounds HIGH IMO.

There are plenty of Heavy Duty shops that do oil changes and have specials. I would be careful of what Filters they use on mine. If you owned a CAT you would want to ALWAYS use CAT Filters (there is no better filters for CAT).

Since you own a Cummins (or Detroit) you can use Fleetguard, Baldwin, WIX, Luber-Finer or CUMMINS (some other brands may be OK but that is what I would trust).

Then the oil, prices are all over the map on those. And if it is Synthetic or even Semi-Synthetic that will be the biggest variable on price. So find out EXACTLY what oil they are using. If they won't tell you RUN Forest, RUN!

I'm sure it also depends on what part of the country you are in for the Labor costs. So keep that in mind.

And just a note, reputable shops have OVERFILLED my friends Crankcases with Oil. So you need to double check the work that is done on your rig. I was shocked by this but apparently they let the lowest on the totem poll do these oil changes and nobody at these shops are double checking the work.

We even had a big service company (OTR and RV) tell one of my friends that they wouldn't use the filters he provided. And while he was waiting over 45 minutes they come in and tell him they can't perform the oil change because they didn't have the filters in stock. Then and only then did they use the filters he bought and brought. After all of this they overfilled his crankcase. What a JOKE!

So question, question, inspect, inspect. You have to protect your expensive investment. Don't just blindly trust anyone with your rig.

Good luck!

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by TriCitySam

So my local Cummins guy says $750 to change oil and filters. Can this be right?

For us to be able to do anything more than give a generalized opinion, we need to know exactly what engine (and generator if servicing that is included) and exactly what they will be doing for that price.


And, are you willing to do the work yourself. Certainly less $$ and likely the same or better quality work.

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by TriCitySam

So my local Cummins guy says $750 to change oil and filters. Can this be right?

Nope... find another shop.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by 77Travco

Nope... find another shop.

Any more comments? I like the 'to the point' answer. Especially when it's right.
To me a labor charge of over two hours would be a rip off. The generator oil and filter change could be done while the engine oil is draining. Does the oil change service include a complete chassis lube or any other perks?

[TriCitySam]

It's a Cummins ISL 425. Service quote was for: Oil change, fuel and air filters. I live in town, so really don't have a place to perform the service myself, and really would rather not.

[96 Wideglide]

The air filter is creeping up on $200, so your down to $550 for the rest.

[Alpine36]

I just changed ours. ISC 8.3
20 quarts Delo400 $63
Fleetguard Oil filter $24
Fleetguard WS Fuel Filter $22
One tube lithium multipurpose grease $5
Air filter did not require replacement. Yours may not either.
Labor, about one hour and a couple beers. Doing it yourself, priceless.
Yeah, $750 seems steep.