Dodged a bullet at Speedco yesterday!

[wa8yxm]

What would have happened if oil had mixed with the coolant?

Actually, not much, nothing in the engine that I can think of that would be damaged should that happen since all the gaskets and seals and such are oil resistant.

Water pump might have enjoyed a bit of additional lubrication, That's about all.

[Grimesy]

How true that mistakes happen, but not telling anyone that a mistake was made so that it could be fixed without causing trouble later on down the road is not a mistake.

Don G.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

What would have happened if oil had mixed with the coolant?

Actually, not much, nothing in the engine that I can think of that would be damaged should that happen since all the gaskets and seals and such are oil resistant.

Water pump might have enjoyed a bit of additional lubrication, That's about all.

I just wonder what the oil would have done to the radiator. It's so much thicker than the coolant I wonder if it would have clogged the radiator?? Also, there is the question about the cooling properties of the oil compared with the coolant. Lots of unanswered questions in my mind. I'm just glad I didn't have to find out!

[Rusty years]

There's no excuse for making dumb mistakes. I won't accept any excuse for incompetence. Poor training isn't an excuse either, doing a LOF is too simple to mess up. When I just had servicing I discovered that the fuel filters were original. I'm new to this vehicle and have learned that I better watch techs closely and I need to have a check list to give the tech to fill out. Making a mistake changing oil is strictly unacceptable and dangerous.

[Chuck 1935]

Sounds like you figured out why these guys are so much cheaper . Could it be that sometimes a bargain is not a bargain after all . If I have to watch their every move to make sure they aren't screwing up my Motorhome, I think I would take a pass.
The other problem is that they are not well enough versed to warn you of an issue that might be developing under your coach.
I'm not trying to be critical , just passing on my thoughts on the subject.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935

Sounds like you figured out why these guys are so much cheaper . Could it be that sometimes a bargain is not a bargain after all . If I have to watch their every move to make sure they aren't screwing up my Motorhome, I think I would take a pass.
The other problem is that they are not well enough versed to warn you of an issue that might be developing under your coach.
I'm not trying to be critical , just passing on my thoughts on the subject.

Chuck
Right....... can you say that with a straight face?
I've paid $120 an hour for shoddy/questionable service at both Cat and Cummins shops!.
IMO, you have to watch most places, (even then you can get fleeced).

In 10 years, 105k miles, with my coach I would guess that more than 50% of the repairs/service/maintenance I paid good money for where flawed one way or another, (some more than others).
Mel
'96 Safari

[Chuck 1935]

Originally Posted by mel stuplich

Chuck
Right....... can you say that with a straight face?
I've paid $120 an hour for shoddy/questionable service at both Cat and Cummins shops!.
IMO, you have to watch most places, (even then you can get fleeced).

In 10 years, 105k miles, with my coach I would guess that more than 50% of the repairs/service/maintenance I paid good money for where flawed one way or another, (some more than others).
Mel
'96 Safari

It is a sad state of affairs. When I bought my Motorhome, the previous owner took it to his trusted service guy to go completly through the Coach and service everything.(not only trusted, but writes and demos service and repairs for the magazines). When I brought it home I checked everything myself and much to my surprise, the batterys were dry ! Why ? who knows.
Fortunatly for me I do all of my own Maintainence. I feel very fortunate that I have ability and the place do do it. It's not even about saving money, it's about getting the job done right.
That why it is good to post these things on http://rvservicereviews.com/Index.asp for all to see.

[wb7auk]

Originally Posted by Fl_Richard

That would be a differential problem not the brakes.

You'll have to apologize for blaming the brake tech, nothing he could do would result in the axle coming out.

This was a much deeper pre-existing mechanical problem

You are very wrong.
A failure of the rear hub bearings the hub will come off and attached to
the hub is the axle.
Good they are as this would have been a very bad accident.
In order to inspect the brakes one must remove the hub and if you over
tighten the bearings they will burn out in short order.
The dealer agreed an error had been made and covered all cost.

[Doggy Daddy]

Another reason why customers are not allowed in service areas and why I try to check/inspect all maintenance, repairs and installations and ask questions.

[Pds47]

oil in the coolant is a problem just as water in the oil is a problem . I would not bet my genset on the fact the oil was placed in the tank. Watch levels very carefully for some time to be sure. oil is pumped into the cooling system by higher oil pressure when running. but after engine is shut off the pressure drops which then allows the pressure in the radiator to push water into the oil passages . the water is then mixed with the oil the heat of running causes the water /coolant to evaporate. look for a gray sludge on the underside of your oil fillcap and your dipstick if you see this you have a major problem. Diesel mechanic 45 plus years.

[Smitty77]

Sure glad this was taken care of without any major impact to the generator.

I've always gone with the thinking that if someone makes a mistake, it happens. It is the test of the individual and the management of the shop, on how they respond/resolve mistakes. We all had to learn sometime, and even under supervision mistakes happen.

On being allowed in a shop while work is going on. Many shops have firm rules against letting anyone in the work area. Sometimes this is regulatory or insurance mandated reasons. Other times it is to reduce the complexity of needing to answer question and hold hands of an owner while in the shop. And yes, I'm sure also that sometimes owners will interrupt the work in the shop, and that can result in accidental mistakes by the tech's on missing steps in a process.

My personal rules in a shop new to me, is I like to ask for a brief tour to get the lay of the land. If I'm OK with what I see in, and outside, of the shop - I then ask the Service Manager to let me take a good look under the chassis when it is inside the shop. (Either pit, or sometimes up on small ramps.) This way I get to meet the mechanic, and access the situation in regards to them specifically. I can also then keep abreast of the condition of the chassis from a visual inspection view point. (I do take an annual slow crawl underneath with a flashlight, looking for chaffin wires, tubes, loose bolts, bushings, etc., etc.).

I then try to leave the tech alone do their job uninterrupted.

I can also tell you that I've left shops after my first walk thru several times over the years. Shops are places of grease, grime and dirt. But how well that and parts under disassembly are cared for, tells quite a bit about how well the shop is managed and the pride of workmanship of the mechanics. I've also been known to ask questions about cars, trucks or RV's parked outside. Some shops will get too many projects going at a time, and I've seen them sort of 'hold hostage' work that is started. (And in fairness, sometimes these are parked and collecting dust due to parts shortages and owners not giving the OK on major repairs.)

Once I find a good shop, I support it with my business and referrals. I also ask the owner or Service Manager if I could talk directly with the mechanic that did the work. If I'm pleased with the results, we shake hands with some folded green paper exchanging hands.

I have also found that many times the shop rate of $120+ is more of a bargain then the $80-90 shop rates of lesser quality establishments. I will pay more for work being done correctly, the first time.

My wife thinks I go to far about checking shops out. But it in my nature, and I do feel it has been to our advantage over the years.

I have not used Speedco yet, may do so when we're out traveling more and I feel it is time for service. I've so far, been able to schedule my RV repairs and annual services that I don't do myself, while in my neck of the woods where I have built relationships with shops. I will also drive a few hundred miles for the right service on the RV. For example I have Colton Truck do my coaches alignment, and that is driving up from San Diego for that service. I drive to San Clemente to Rincon Trucking for mechanical/chassis yearly service. And use Cummins Cal Pacific for specialized Cummins work (recent ECM bump from ISL370 to ISL400). My coach routine house maintenance, generator, hydro hot, etc. is about a 60 mile drive each way to Temecula Valley RV. And early next year we'll drive from San Diego to Oregon Motor Coach, after we checked out their shops, and others in Eugene, OR, for some interior customization and upgrades. (For sure not the least expensive. But one stop shopping for the work we will have done, and with Country Coach experts - one of the top 3 shops I've been in from an RV viewpoint.).

My rambling is over, just sharing my thoughts on working thru honest mistakes with a shop/individual when they happen and they're upfront about it. And my way of checking out shops in advance, and sticking with good ones when they're found!

Best to all, be good, have fun, be safe,
Smitty

[Chuck 1935]

I was at a Walmart getting tires for my CR-V. I stood at the door to the garage waiting . As the "technician " was putting my car on the lift, the car slid off the lift when it was a few inches off the ground. He lowered the lift and I came popping in to rescue my car from these idiots. He shouted "only techs are allowed in the service area" as I was dragging his dumb butt from my car. He was not pleased with my reaction but was wise enough that I was much more less pleased than he was, and quickly piped down.
So much for "entry level techs" !

[docj]

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935

I was at a Walmart getting tires for my CR-V.

I know this could have happened anywhere, but I, for one, would never let anyone at a Walmart shop work on my vehicle. We all know what they pay the majority of their employees; why would you expect that they pay all that much more to their shop "technicians"?

[Mentor]

Originally Posted by HHg

We all should also remember, mistakes happen. They happen to us all.....every single one of us. Of all the many people I know, not a single one has gone through life without making a mistake occasionally.

Hhg

There are 2 kinds of people that never make mistakes
Those that never do anything
Those that lie about it

ps: Stupid should hurt