Reno area Cummins repair recommendations

[Smitty77]

I have a coolant leak that I have not been able to pin down. Hoping to get into a shop on Monday for a pressure leak test, to see if we can identify where/what is leaking.

I checked RV Service Review, but also was hoping someone may have had a repair place they had good luck with?

So far, it looks like I should check with:
- Rocky Mountain Cummins

- Ramage Truck & Equipment Repairs

Anyone have any other suggestions?
TIA!

Best to all, be safe, have fun,
Smitty

[Smitty77]

We're in Ely, NV KOA, with a ring side seat to the tale end of a storm front thats blowing thru.

Stopped twice on the way from Reno/Sparks, and no signs of seepage from either of the compression nuts.

That being said, I agree with 2gypsies that it is always prudent to get yourself prepared before heading out on any travels - let alone, the 'Loneliest Highway Road':)!

I had a high level of confidence, that even with seepage, that I had enough extra coolant on board to cover me for quite some distance. Hope I never need to test that...

I will, the next time we're I'n the shop, have both of these compression nuts properly re-torqued to proper spec's.

By thew way, our first drive on that stretch from Reno/Sparks to Ely - beautiful country, and a rolling vista highway.

Best to all,
Smitty

[2gypsies1]

I wouldn't advise traveling Nevada's Hwy 50 without having the problem definitely fixed. You do know Hwy 50 is the 'Loneliest Road'. We've always had good fast service at any Cummins facility.

[Smitty77]

Thanks for the input and suggestions. I picked up a proper telescoping mirror (Have a few of them, of course, they're all in my home tool box.), instead of the semi shiny piece of metal held with needle nose pliers I had used the last few times looking for a second leakage point.

Found another compression nut, on a 7/16" tube, that also attaches to the block. This came in about 6-8 aways from the first one that was leaking, and was completely out of sight without the mirror. Napa trips for a few more tools to add to my tool RV tool kit - and I think I got a few bites on the nut to get it snugged up some. No more seepage after two hours, and I'll run the engine for good warm up when the park thins out, and then recheck. Even if it does start seeping again, I feel better knowing it's not a hose about to rupture. And I suspect a real mechanic's toolbox would have the proper tools, and the shop would have a pit, to make access to firming these compression nuts up properly a simple job.

Still no clue as to what these two 7/16" tubes feed, with both of them coming into the block on the passenger side towards the front 1/3 of the block.

Will probably head out Tuesday, and then monitor the compression nuts each night when we stop. Next time it's in the shop for anything, I'll ask them properly reset these two compression nuts.

Best to all, and thanks again for the info sharing on Reno shops!
Smitty

[exgman]

I had an alternator go out on my CC coming home a couple years ago and stopped in at Rocky Mountain Cummins to have it fixed. They took me in, replaced it, and I was on my way. They seem to be a well run shop.

[Smitty77]

Thanks! I should have added that the leak is on the passenger side of the engine, towards the front about 4-5" towards the rear of the engine from where the lift pump is located. I had found one leak, a 7/16" tube going into a right angle coupling, from the same area. A compression nut needed snugging up about 1/3-1/2 turns, stopped that leak. Added 2 gallons of 50/50 Final Charge to the radiator tank reservoir. And thought I had everything fixed:)!

A few days later, the puddle was still not dry under the coach. So went back under and found moisture running down from the top side of the block, again a bit back towards the rear of the engine
lift pump. Squirted everything off well with a stream of water from a bottle. Wiped all that I could reach down with rags. Fire up the engine and let it idle for 35 mins at 1000 RPM, silverleaf showed 154 temp. Got back out and under, and all looked good. Again, thought I was good to go...

Next day, got out to take another look to be sure, and same trail of coolant coming down from the same location. Using a mirror on a stick, could not determine the source.

I've asked over on the IRV2 Cummins Forum, if anyone knows of any potential sources from the passenger side up towards the top side of the engine. Looking over all the manuals I have, I can't see any coolant sources that come from that area. But, maybe missed them. Will tear out the bed and closest to get access from above, if anyone can think of a potential source.

And of course, even though I see it leaking down the block, from a 3-4" recess like ledge, from the passenger side about about 1/3 from the front of the engine. It does not mean that is where the leak is, fluid will travel...

I'll check out Smith's. We stayed over a few more days here in Sparks/Reno to get this resolved, before heading East on Hwy 50. Everyone was closed down for the 4th of July on Friday, when I determined I should get it looked at with a dye leak test. (I did not mentioned, I had a mobile gent come and look things over, and he thought the compression nut leak had left enough fluid blown around the engine while driving, and into the conduits that protect with wire harnesses - that I was just seeing residual flow. That is why when he left, I went ahead with cleaning the block the best I could with a full spray bottle of water, and ran the engine for 35 mins to let things sort of bake off.)

Have not posted for awhile, and I start back up with a long thread:)!

Best to all,
Smitty

[William_B]

We had an fantastic experience with Smith Products in Sparks, NV. Highly recommend them. Met us at their shop on a Saturday to pin down a leak we had on the transmission. Fast and reasonable and fixed!

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Smitty, saw your post here and I also post on the CC forum. I don't have a service recommendation for Reno but we just had our '04 Allure radiator repaired at Cummins in Ocala FL. They found 2 leaking gaskets between the radiator and the tanks attached to each side. We have had good service in most Cummins locations we have used. Rocky Mountain Cummins has one good review on www.rvparkreviews.com If you decide to go to Cummins, make sure you join the Cummins Power Club for discounts if you're not already a member.