Yahoo Message Number: 80130 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/80130)
Oh, the joys of buying a pre-owned coach!!!
It is now been determined that we have a cracked oil pan. The coach is currently at a Cummins repair facility. The one that is on it is a composite material and cannot be repaired. They are having trouble finding one that will work. The one that they ordered that is supposed to fit is too low to the ground and they are afraid to use it.
Engine is Cummins 400
Anybody have suggestions?
Jurhee
2003 Intrigue 11542
Yahoo Message Number: 80132 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/80132)
I have had mine replaced four times at Cummins in Coburg, OR. The last replacement was with a metal oil pan which fit just fine and holds less oil than the composite one. The composite pan was a Country Coach specification, why I'm uncertain.
You didn't say which Cummins facility you are using. If you give Cummins Coach Care in Coburg at 541 687 0000, they can probably help you out.
Chuck Penque
03 Intrigue 11673
Yahoo Message Number: 80135 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/80135)
Thanks, Chuck,
We are in Texas and a trip to Oregon is not possible--especially without an oil pan (LOL) I will have the Austin Cummins dealer call Coburg and talk to them.
Does the current oil pan sit lower than the composite one?
I had an '03 Allure. After a few people mentioned problems, I had a skid plate installed to protect the pan. It was a worthwhile investment because I know it scraped more than once.
Thanks again,
Jurhee
'03 Intrigue 11542
Yahoo Message Number: 80137 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/80137)
Jurhee:
I too, had the skid plate installed after I cracked the first one, in fact Country Coach installed it. There really wasn't much to that skid plate, rather flimsy and all it really accomplished was to deflect flying gravel. It was a gasket failure in the second one and the drain fitting that wore out in the third one. The skid plate also allowed stones to lodge between the skid plate and the bottom of the drain pan.
The metal one is the same depth as the composite one, but the shape prevented the skid plate from fitting properly due mainly to the new location of the drain fittings which are now on the side and lower. I haven't had any problems with the metal oil pan which has been on for about three years. Of course, I'm really careful what I drive over especially backing into a spot that has a car stop.
Chuck Penque
03 Intrigue 11673
Yahoo Message Number: 80149 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/80149)
Jurhee- Cummins engines come in various configurations as to oil pan. Deeper pans hold more oil and contribute to longer mileage runs between oil changes. Some are 22 quart, some are 27, etc. You can replace yours w/a shallower pan or deeper, as long as it fits. BUUUUUUT, I'd highly recommend not leaving the pan exposed to road debris, and that includes any sort of skid plate that wouldn't hold up the weight of the coach. Cheap skid plates are an invitation to break the new pan w/a bent skid plate. I believe in fixing the problem, not putting a cheap band-aid on it. Better to have more frequent oil changes than an always-in-harms-way oil pan. As you've experienced, a broken oil pan is a major pain.
IIWMI'd get the shallower pan, have Cummins estimate the fill volume required, then log the actual # of quarts required to just hit the fill line w/new filter. CC marked the fill line, not Cummins as CC installed the dipstick tube and its length was determined by CC. That's why the actual fill volume may vary slightly, and you should know what it is. This will mean a shorter fill interval which Cummins can determine for you. Mike