Monaco Issues

[Redsoxfan1]

Hello, New guy here.
My Name's Joe

Looking for a little advice and also dropping some helpful tips with a story line.
My Wife and I just purchased a 2006 Monaco with an ISL 400.
The unit is very clean with 18 k miles but it only has 18k miles so that seems
to be a not so good thing so far.

First a few questions if anyone can help me.

I am wondering what to use to clean the rig and keep the clear coat shinning nicely?

What is the average price for an oil & filter change and where is the best place to go? I am in the CA in the East Bay Area.
I don't want to do it myself..

Does Anyone have a starting point for an intermittent loss of right camera on the Aladdin System?

Rattles Everywhere... YIKES!

What is the groups recommendation for New Shocks? Rig is bouncing a bit.

That's Allot Sorry..

Here are a few of the issues we had to deal with in short order.. Prepare!

Genset would not Start.

My Generator worked fine until I brought my coach home. I got this no problem.... Wrong!
(Mind you I am a Former Coastie & Machinery Tech).

The unit turned over, Won't start. I got Code 3 or service engine code.
After verifying I had Fuel even changing the fuel filter. Nothing?
I Cleaned the Squirrel Nest out of the intake checked the over all
condition of the unit including the doing the various factory recommendations for checking the fuses under the panel.
I was Stymied..
The Problem ended being an electrical connection on the top right side of the engine at the glow plug coil. Pulled off the little spade connection, tighten just a little and reconnected. ( 10 mm Ratchet and Extension Required to disassemble cover.) Caution: Don't Run Gen Set Without Cover.
After Repair, The Unit fired on the first try!. &^%)$+

One trick I would recommend if your doing your own fuel filter; Clamp the Supply and Return line to prevent being completely showered in # 2 Diesel.

If you have a Similar Coach or Similar Year that has the ISL 400 Cummings
you might want to check the condition of the Fuel Supply line from the fuel pump to the fuel rail or manifold.

My Wife and I drove to Sacramento to get an alignment and new tires..
"Why with only 18k miles? " 5 years max is what I was told.
Our unit's tires looked new but they were made in 05.. $$$$$$$$

On our return trip we thought we smelled fuel. I just figured it was the
other diesels not us.. As we rounded the corner of our street to our house.. OMG...
We were pouring fuel out the back right off the engine on to the street.

I killed the rig and ran back to the engine compartment.
Fuel was everywhere and running down the entire engine and through the radiator. My rig was smoking!
Visual.. When it happened I jumped over the rear bed to the engine cover like a Gazelle.


Caution don't try this at home. ***High Pressure Fuel System***

I had my wife fire up the rig while I stood over the engine to see if could identify the source. Sounds reasonable, right?

What I found was pretty shocking to me.
The main high Pressure Fuel Supply Line from the Fuel pump to the Rail had split.

To Find this was fairly easy..
With the Engine Running and My wife Ready to Run out during my
stupidity, I had her start the rig.. I immediately saw the fuel spraying out of the supply line. She killed the engine after I said Kill it! She almost Killed me..
Crazy but I had to fix my Rig and figure out why I had this failure.
Should have never happened in my opinion..
The is a thick wall rigid tube with a compressed fitting.
This should be the last point of failure considering it's fuel..

I called a local Cummings Engine shop and identified the part.
Fuel Line Item 10 Part No. 3964144
This part is not available but it happens to come in a fuel line kit.
Part No. 5285580.
The Kit Contains misc bolts and a bracket. I am assuming Cummings
had issues and so this was a retro fit to avoid engine explosions...

The Fuel line cost was a measly $89.00, I would have paid $ 200.00
The Shop; (PLUG FOR AWESOME SERVICE) Righetti Enterprises in Stockton CA-209-464-8306 helped me immediately.
Kim from Inside Sales took my order over the phone.
She also used her personal cell phone to the Txt back and forth to make sure they had the correct item for the repair.
She even put it in a paper bag and hid it on the property so I could pick it up after hours.. That is above and beyond!

Repair took 20 min plus drive time.


that's about it.

Hope I get some feed back on my questions and hope my venting helps some of you.

[Twomed]

Welcome to the family...and your new career as Monaco Machinery Tech. We jokingly refer to those issues as EOD (Event Of the Day).

They do tend to lessen as you get more time in the rig.

PS// the fuel line was a retrofit free part campaign that should have been serviced years ago. Glad you got it fixed without incident.

[H. Miller]

We use Maguires Waterless to clean... SpeedCo is a truck/motorhome oil change chain and it looks like one is in Ripon, CA. It should be $225-250 for oil & filters (2 fuel-1 oil) Keep in mind, we buy oil by the gallon, not by the quart

[DtBt]

Joe,
You did not say which model you have. Many higher end Monacos came with Bilstein shocks that last much longer ( assuming no leaks) than the Monroes that came on some models. Check ride height, weigh coach loaded and adjust tire pressure. Search this forum for plenty of helpful info on you ride issues. It will bounce much more empty than packed for a trip. Northeast roads don't help.

[38 Special]

On rattle, take the range top griddles off and see if that is it. There are replacement feet and also a fix somewhere using valve stems. Next plates, put something between them.

[MikeyG]

Joe:
If you're in the East Bay, Cummings Pacific is on Wicks Blvd. in San Leandro. I have not used them, but I hear good things about their service. I use R Mechanic in Livermore for everything I can't or don't want to do. Not the cheapest guy in town, but in my opinion, certainly the best.
I put Konis on my coach last year. Expensive, but I am really happy with the new ride.
I put Michelins on this year with the Monaco International tire program. It's changed some, but still a good deal. We use Bruce's Tire in Fremont.
Good luck with your new coach.
If you're not working on it, you're not using it.
Cheers,
Mike

[Dr4Film]

Since you are a new Monaco owner I would suggest also joining the Yahoo Group called Monacoers.

There are over 4000 members with a significant amount of expertise and knowledge regarding the Monaco family of coaches.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[YC1]

Welcome.
My advice is you aren't good with tools you better be good with the check book. Seems you have found a new hobby.

Rattles and squeaks drive me crazy but they can be dealt with. The electric drop down shades sometimes need to be dropped a tiny bit, the screen door will require some felt pads somewhere, the electric floor cover can rattle and just tapping the button in or out a tiny bit can solve that. Wind noise coming through the week holes is easily resolved. Wind noise on the outside of the entry door can be dealt with. Pots and pans need towels placed between them.

As for shocks I installed bilsteins around 16000 miles. The originals were shot.

If your coach wanders or handles poorly there are a couple of long threads with some tremendous solutions. On is being tested currently and looks to be a real treat.

To get detailed information on your coach you can have Monaco send you the build sheet that shows model and serial numbers of everything on the rv. That is a really nice thing to have if you need a thermostat on the engine for example.

Use the search feature here and you will be amazed at the days of reading you will find.

If you got the owners manual I highly recommend reading it several times and making notes and highlighting things. Seems I find something new all the time.

Have fun.

[Stretch]

I live near Morro Bay Ca. Would highly recommend that you take the coach to Grass Valley, Ca to DiMartini Rv. They are a Monaco dealer with years experience, highly trained mechanics. I have tried many of the local hd mechanic duds. As you can see I drive quite a distance to have my work done by real experts they were able to fix things like the Alladin and diagnose and repair a charging problem (big solenoid that controls when each battery bank is charged and by what means). Actually I am in Fairfield for the night on my way to Grass Valley to have the dash air refrigerant leak repaired and four new front shocks installed.

[Redsoxfan1]

Originally Posted by MikeyG

Joe:
If you're in the East Bay, Cummings Pacific is on Wicks Blvd. in San Leandro. I have not used them, but I hear good things about their service. I use R Mechanic in Livermore for everything I can't or don't want to do. Not the cheapest guy in town, but in my opinion, certainly the best.
I put Konis on my coach last year. Expensive, but I am really happy with the new ride.
I put Michelins on this year with the Monaco International tire program. It's changed some, but still a good deal. We use Bruce's Tire in Fremont.
Good luck with your new coach.
If you're not working on it, you're not using it.
Cheers,
Mike

Mike,
Thanks for the Advice about local service. I Appreciate the all the comments..

I tried Livermore.
Hard to get into. There is also a local guy in Brentwood.
He is booked through August.

I made an appointment at Demartini's in Grass Valley. Oil and Chassis lube won't be cheap but they are very reputable..
Going there because I need some detail work. The roof coping or the round section above the seem needs clear coat so work.
It seems like a better choice sine they sell mainly Monaco.

Thanks again,

Joe

[Redsoxfan1]

Originally Posted by H. Miller

We use Maguires Waterless to clean... SpeedCo is a truck/motorhome oil change chain and it looks like one is in Ripon, CA. It should be $225-250 for oil & filters (2 fuel-1 oil) Keep in mind, we buy oil by the gallon, not by the quart

Originally Posted by Stretch

I live near Morro Bay Ca. Would highly recommend that you take the coach to Grass Valley, Ca to DiMartini Rv. They are a Monaco dealer with years experience, highly trained mechanics. I have tried many of the local hd mechanic duds. As you can see I drive quite a distance to have my work done by real experts they were able to fix things like the Alladin and diagnose and repair a charging problem (big solenoid that controls when each battery bank is charged and by what means). Actually I am in Fairfield for the night on my way to Grass Valley to have the dash air refrigerant leak repaired and four new front shocks installed.

Hey Stretch,
Thanks for the input. I just responded the Mike and said I was heading up there to Grass Valley. It will be two weeks before I get in. But I feel like it the better way to go knowing they have the experience.
Let me know about the shocks you're putting in. I had the rig looked at by Les Schwab and they they were fine. I disagree so I am doing them regardless.
There are several opinions about shock replacement here. Are Koni shocks the best?? btw, I love the area you live in. My sis and brother in law live in Sand dollar up the road. My wife and I go to Morro Bay all the time.

[OLYLEN]

You may need a lot more than an oil change, like air filter, fuel filters, air brake system filter, and a general look over the entire coach. Being a good dealer you are going to the right place.

LEN

[Redsoxfan1]

Originally Posted by Twomed

Welcome to the family...and your new career as Monaco Machinery Tech. We jokingly refer to those issues as EOD (Event Of the Day).

They do tend to lessen as you get more time in the rig.

PS// the fuel line was a retrofit free part campaign that should have been serviced years ago. Glad you got it fixed without incident.

Hey there,
You mentioned the Cummings campaign to replace the Cummings fuel line.

I am looking for the drawing for that retrofit. I did the line but not replace the bracket part they gave me but I need to do that before the next road trip.

Any help would be great!

Thx
Joe

[itdave]

At one time the fix to the fuel rail was a Cumming recall. I would call Cummings with your engine serial number and see if included in the recall. Mine was done free of charge back in 2008.