Oil Change

[alluran]

HI All.

We have a 40' Monaco Diplomat 2004 and have had it for one year, I was told that I should change the oil every year regardless of how many miles we drive. I this true, and what else is needed.

Thanks.

[Ray,IN]

Your engine, transmission, chassis, and coach owners manuals trump any advice you obtain elsewhere. Generally you are right. Cummins advises to change oil and filter every 15,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first. New fuel filters at the same time, they are filtering the lifeblood of the engine. The fuel water separator should be drained monthly,(unless in storage) even though you do not find water every time.
That, IMO, is the most critical of normal maintenance items; there are many more, as you'll read in the owners manuals.

[D Lindy]

We put about 3,200 miles on our unit last year and I had the oil changed. Just because you don't put a ton of miles on the oil it will still accumulate, moisture, fuel, etc. and really should be changed yearly.

[lanerd]

Many go by this 1 year maintenance (I do). However, if you feel this may be a little unnecessary, you can always take a sample and send it off for analysis. Blackstone is one company that will provide you with a complete report on the state of your oil. The analysis will tell you how your engine is performing and what condition your oil is in. Typical analysis cost about $30.

I change my oil every year along with changing the oil filter, both fuel filters, generator oil, and filters. I typically change my air, dryer, and hyd filters every other year. Allison recommends changing the fluid filters every three years and the fluid every four years but I do both every three years.

Of course, I lube all Zerk fittings every year and change water filters at lease twice a year. Some coaches require an annual change of the coolant filter (not all engines have this).

Hope this helps

Ron

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by alluran

HI All. We have a 40' Monaco Diplomat 2004 and have had it for one year, I was told that I should change the oil every year regardless of how many miles we drive. I this true, and what else is needed. Thanks.

Here is a fairly complete list of maintenance points on a typical diesel motorhome. This is somewhat generic:

Complete base line service for Cummins diesel motorhome:

Engine: filters to be Fleetguard
1. Oil/filter
2. Fuel filters (2)
3. Coolant filter if equipped and test/ adjust SCA level if standard coolant. Change coolant @ 5 years. Add extender at 3 years if OAT type coolant.
4. Air filter if over 3 years old. Inspect plumbing between filter and turbo inlet for evidence of dust. Inspect CAC plumbing.
5. Inspect hoses & belts.

Transmission: filters to be Allison high capacity.
1. Change filters @ 36 months & top up.
2. Change fluid @ 48 months or test sample.
Always use TES295 fluid as approved by Allison.

Chassis:
1. Complete lube including lifting front axle from ends to unload king pins.
2. Including 3 zerks on steering column and one zerk on steering box.
3. Change Hydraulic filter & top up.
4. Change air dryer cartridge @ 2-3 years.
5. Grease front wheel bearings 3-5 years or change to oil hubs & inspect.
6. Change differential gear oil @ 3-5 years.
7. Inspect brake surfaces.
8. Inspect oil level tag axle hubs.

Generator:
1. Oil/ filter
2. Fuel filter
3. Air filter
4. Perform valve lash, belt/ hose replacement and generator unit service before 2000 hours. Replace thermostat and coolant @ that time.

AquaHot:
1. Replace fuel filter
2. Replace burner nozzle
3. Exercise tempering valve.
4. Inspect coolant level at top of AquaHot unit and at expansion tank.

Inspect and clean all battery terminals.

[Papa_Jim]

I do all my own service work, so I guess that changes things.

I change oil and filters once a year, regardless of miles. I change air filters, air dryer dessicant filters, hydraulic filters, coolant, coolant filter, grease front wheel bearings, transmission oil and filters, differential oil and all other service work and items every two years. It doesn't cost me anything in labor, and keeps the coach in mechanically 'like new' condition.

Whoever gets my coach when I'm done with it is going to get a real jewel.

Jim

[Lobstah]

A lot of diesel folks go the analysis route. Same with boaters.
That will give you a scientific analysis of the state of your oil, and tell you whether you need to change it, or just change filters.
If you change oil yourself, it takes part of the bite out of it, but 35-40qts of oil will cost some $$$.
I don't like changing things because of some spurious random figure.
I change my gasser's oil about every 7500 - 10,000, depending on how it's driven, and I use Mobil 1... so it's not real expensive when I do it myself. I've heard of people paying upwards of $700 just for an oil change. I would definitely go the analysis route before doing that, and an added benefit is you get an idea of what's going on in the motor.

Jim

[alluran]

Thank you ALL that helps me a lot.

[calhyatt]

Having experienced an engine oil related failure I have started to change oil much earlier than the 1 year-1000 gallon of fuel recommendation from my engine manufacturer. Spend the money, change the oil. JMHO