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11-19-2020, 06:37 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Vista, CA
Posts: 127
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Cat C-7 dipstick is HOW MUCH???
Had our 05 Phaeton into Velocity Truck Center in Tolleson, AZ for service today. Engine is a Cat C-7 on a Freightliner Custom Chassis. Had an overheating issue on long climbs and they steam cleaned the radiator/Charge Air Cooler to clear out the accumulated gunk, most of which comes from the crankcase vent tube. Common issue with the C-7 I'm told, so they also added an extension to the vent tube to keep it from venting right in front of the rad. I also had them do the annual oil change/lube/fuel filters since it was in the shop, even though its a couple of months early. Since we full time, it made sense to get it all done at once.
NOW, here is what is making my head explode: Tech shows me the bottom 1 1/2" of my dipstick and tells me that piece came out of the crankcase when they drained the oil. Asks if Ive had trouble getting the dipstick inserted when I check the oil. The answer is, "Of course I do. It's a total pain, and has been for the 5 years I've owned the MH." He proceeds to tell me he checked on a replacement dipstick but they don't have one in stock, but I should know that the replacement for this rig is SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS. Yes, $600! I am aware that adding RV to the description of any needed part adds a significant markup to the price, but this????
I think I may still be in shock, several hours later...
Any thoughts on what my plan B should be?
P.S. Velocity Truck is an outstanding service location. I would not hesitate to return for additional work if needed.
__________________
TXwannabe
2005 Tiffin Phaeton 40QDH/2012 CR-V EX-L Toad
Invisibrake/Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bar
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11-19-2020, 06:43 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,454
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Don’t understand the question... how does an oil dipstick function incorrectly? It’s a simple item.
Try slightly rotating the dipstick while inserting...
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11-19-2020, 06:56 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Vista, CA
Posts: 127
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bpu699
Don’t understand the question... how does an oil dipstick function incorrectly? It’s a simple item.
Try slightly rotating the dipstick while inserting...
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Sorry - let me clarify. The original dipstick somehow broke off the last 1 1/2" and it came out with the drained oil today. So my dipstick is short by the broken piece. A replacement is $600 from Freightliner.
It has been a pain to fully insert since I became the owner of this MH 5 years ago. I have seen several other threads describing the same issue. The dipstick goes in about 90% of the way, then won't go in the rest of the way. Twisting usually gets it to finally fully insert, but it isnt easy and takes a few minutes of trying to get it fully seated, whether its me or a service tech.
__________________
TXwannabe
2005 Tiffin Phaeton 40QDH/2012 CR-V EX-L Toad
Invisibrake/Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bar
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11-19-2020, 07:06 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Washington
Posts: 307
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WOW! was he joking?
Try this: 1-800-FTL-HELP should get a part number and you can order direct from FCCC as well. Have the last six digits of your VIN handy when you call.
When you get a new dipstick, you will need to calibrate it. This will require changing the oil minus 1 quart, marking the stick, then adding that last quart and marking it again. (Calibrated Fill Method)
Good luck!
__________________
2003 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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11-19-2020, 07:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Odessa, Tx.
Posts: 845
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I’m pretty sure the dipstick is part of the cat motor so you’ll need to go to parts.cat.com enter your motor serial number and you look look up the part number and price and if your local dealer has one
__________________
John and Sue from W. Texas
2001 DSDP, 3126B Cat
"the Oilfield PAID me to retire, so I did" :-)
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11-19-2020, 07:36 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,870
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JNSNWT
I’m pretty sure the dipstick is part of the cat motor so you’ll need to go to parts.cat.com enter your motor serial number and you look look up the part number and price and if your local dealer has one
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No, it is a Freightliner part.
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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11-19-2020, 07:57 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,454
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It would be really easy to weld 1.5 inches back to the tip... goto amazon buy any dipstick for 5$ and find a welder... or weld back the original piece...
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11-19-2020, 08:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Lansing MI
Posts: 2,821
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If you go the welding route (I might braze it) don't forget to anneal it after it's welded so it won't be so brittle. I will admit I've never heard of a dip stick breaking before. Good luck
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11-20-2020, 06:11 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 305
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This has been posted before but I had the problem of the dipstick going in the last of it's travel. But as posted before I took two vicegrips and made a twist at the end of the diptick and when it gets stuck you just turn the dipstick and it will go right in.
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11-20-2020, 06:22 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 681
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Try a truck salvage yard.
JimB
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11-20-2020, 07:40 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Odessa, Tx.
Posts: 845
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FYI
Cat.parts.com lists it as a “gage-oil”
Don’t forget eBay for $45
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223969763539
__________________
John and Sue from W. Texas
2001 DSDP, 3126B Cat
"the Oilfield PAID me to retire, so I did" :-)
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11-20-2020, 07:46 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,870
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JNSNWT
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Fine for a truck with easy access to the side of the engine= short dipstick.
But, on a DP, the dipstick is L O N G and supplied by the chassis maker.
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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11-20-2020, 10:16 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,896
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfe10
Fine for a truck with easy access to the side of the engine= short dipstick.
But, on a DP, the dipstick is L O N G and supplied by the chassis maker.
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You are correct Brett but, SIX HUNDRED AMERICAN DOLLARS for a dip stick???????????????????????????? I'm sorry but, SOMEBODIES been on drugs waaaaaaaaay too long AND, DRINKING THEIR BATH WATER! The oil pan for my C-7 was quoted as $395 and the gasket was another $90 waaaaaaaaay back about 8-9 years ago when we first acquired the coach and it's oil pan was severely rusty. And there's a bit more to the production of that oil pan than there is to making a dip stick.
I'd have to be shown the computer screen, price sheet, description and corresponding part number to even think about believing that, that is a correct price for a DIP STICK, no matter what it fits.
I'd make one out of coat hangers before I'd pay anything near that much.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
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11-20-2020, 10:54 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Hoodsport Wa
Posts: 3,114
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For $600 bucks I'd get creative. Figure out the length of your original dipstick by adding 1.5". Hopefully they gave you the broken piece to confirm the original length. Fabricate one out of a piece of speedometer cable material and your old handle end perhaps. Mark a full/add mark to the cable end...plus a cable would likely be much easier to get in and out.
__________________
2000 Alpine 36 FDS #74058
04 Jeep Wrangler TJ
"On the road to find out..."
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