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GTMADNS's avatar
GTMADNS
Explorer
Mar 20, 2016

Had my first break down yesterday

Well went to pick up the 2006 cross country out of winter storage and bring to rv dealer to have a few items repaired and did not make it far. The alternator seized up and broke the belt off the engine.
First we have State Farm ins and they were great with arranging a tow 30 miles away. The tow cost me out of pocket 58.00 and insurance covered the rest which was about the same as what my annual premium is.

Question its already going to be taken apart for the alternator and belt and having oil change done on the engine and generator.

How often do water pumps fail on the Cummins 300 isb? I'm thinking may be a good time to replace it.

How often do you replace engine fuel filters? Coolant flush? Air filter display says that's still good. Anything else worth looking at?

Thanks for input
Class A

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  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    We had the opportunity of talking with a retired Cummins engineer. He was a firm believer that all OEM's "stretch" their maintenance schedules. He personally (with his own equipment) backs off all maintenance items 20%. I've started doing the same couple years ago.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Mar 20, 2016
    Just carry a spare water pump with you. That way the original one will NEVER fail you. :B
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Mar 20, 2016
    I wouldn't automatically replace the water pump. No guarantee a new/rebuilt one will last any longer than the current one. But consult your crystal ball.
  • imgoin4it's avatar
    imgoin4it
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    Now it is recommended one change the air filter every three years. It is a papper filter element and the three years is supposed to insure the element does not disintegrate and end up in the turbine or engine.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Mar 20, 2016
    Lot of people say filter change is "cheap insurance" and I think most of filters go to the garbage still having 3/4 of their life remaining.
    If you are handy and can change the filter, just carry spare with you.
    I did it with my F450 flatbed truck. Ford recommends new filter every 30k, I was towing heavy for 86k before engine started to hesitate on grade.
    Took me 10 minutes on the side of the road to have new filter install.
    Air filters are more tricky. I can make 100k miles on air filter in California, or 5k miles on roads in Mexico.
    Have installed filter minders even on cars that did not have one.
    Water pump used to be lifetime item on diesels.
    So did alternators. Brushes might wear out at 100k mark, but bearing freezing???
  • DonBaja's avatar
    DonBaja
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    Just replaced my engine fuel filters today. It's been over 4 years and they likely could have gone much longer. If they were like the air filter with a visual indication we probably wouldn't change them nearly as often.
  • GTMADNS's avatar
    GTMADNS
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    Thanks for input we have had the rv for 1.5 years. I will have the coolant and fuel filter replaced.

    As far as water pump, I guess I'm debating on waiting for another issue or do it now. The motor has 31,000 miles and we drive it about 7500 miles a year.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Mar 20, 2016
    Fuel filter? At minimum yearly. More often if you put a lot of miles on.
    Water pump failure? About as often as any other motor.
    Fuel filter? Every oil change, which should be yearly at minimum.
    Coolant? Every three years.

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