Used Cummins Diesel Questions
Thinking about buying an older motorhome (100K miles or less) with Cummins but not sure something(engine) won't be masked at purchase to be a problem after writing the check. Internet sites list a lot...
Forum Discussion
If your going to start getting your hands dirty, which is kind of fun actually...
When I started playing around with 5.9 (they are in a pick up's and older motorhomes) here are the tools I ended up buying. Some other specially tools might be necessary for newer models. You'll find out.
Service manuals...they cost a fortune. E bay sometimes has them, hard copy if you can or CD. With labor costs over $100.00 an hour, they pay for themselves quickly. $50-$300
Fuel pressure tester... mechanical with along hose with a needle valve. Even if you have a built in gauge, still need one to verify your on-board gauge (or scan gauge). $40-$80
Couple thin bladed wrenches to get bolts off in really tight places. $30.00
Tools for pulling Injection pump $30.00
Injector puller stuff $ 50 ( or make your own)
Better quality volt meter (while harbor freight type is OK for a good guess on something, electronics on modern diesels can be complicated and down to the .02 level $150
Bigger oil drain pan for changing oil $15.00
A big mondo oil filter strap wrench $12.00
Replaced my cheapie torque wrench with better quality $60.00
Santa going to bring me a deep well 3/8 socket set that is 12 point
I've meet a retired Cummins engineer and now after hours of talking, all my maintenance items are by the book minus 10 percent, Example if something is due at 10,000 miles, I service the item at 9,000 miles.
When stuff does break, mostly strap on stuff that is easy to fix...(starters, alternators, belts, etc) but hard to get to sometimes.
There are several tests you can do before buying to make sure or at least a good guess that nothing major is wrong with the engine before buying.
Most of break downs I've seen in RV's is due to owner not keeping up on stuff IMO.
On the computer we travel with, I've got every trouble code and how to fix listed. Complete wiring pic's
I feel I know very little but diesels because the more I learn, the more I understand just how much I don't know. But at the same time, I notice when someone is working on their diesel and I ask if they need a hand that I know more than most. Cummins employees has many engineers, so don't let some hack mechanic or local part store guy talk you into jerry rigging something.
Hope this helps
When I started playing around with 5.9 (they are in a pick up's and older motorhomes) here are the tools I ended up buying. Some other specially tools might be necessary for newer models. You'll find out.
Service manuals...they cost a fortune. E bay sometimes has them, hard copy if you can or CD. With labor costs over $100.00 an hour, they pay for themselves quickly. $50-$300
Fuel pressure tester... mechanical with along hose with a needle valve. Even if you have a built in gauge, still need one to verify your on-board gauge (or scan gauge). $40-$80
Couple thin bladed wrenches to get bolts off in really tight places. $30.00
Tools for pulling Injection pump $30.00
Injector puller stuff $ 50 ( or make your own)
Better quality volt meter (while harbor freight type is OK for a good guess on something, electronics on modern diesels can be complicated and down to the .02 level $150
Bigger oil drain pan for changing oil $15.00
A big mondo oil filter strap wrench $12.00
Replaced my cheapie torque wrench with better quality $60.00
Santa going to bring me a deep well 3/8 socket set that is 12 point
I've meet a retired Cummins engineer and now after hours of talking, all my maintenance items are by the book minus 10 percent, Example if something is due at 10,000 miles, I service the item at 9,000 miles.
When stuff does break, mostly strap on stuff that is easy to fix...(starters, alternators, belts, etc) but hard to get to sometimes.
There are several tests you can do before buying to make sure or at least a good guess that nothing major is wrong with the engine before buying.
Most of break downs I've seen in RV's is due to owner not keeping up on stuff IMO.
On the computer we travel with, I've got every trouble code and how to fix listed. Complete wiring pic's
I feel I know very little but diesels because the more I learn, the more I understand just how much I don't know. But at the same time, I notice when someone is working on their diesel and I ask if they need a hand that I know more than most. Cummins employees has many engineers, so don't let some hack mechanic or local part store guy talk you into jerry rigging something.
Hope this helps
