Country Coach Owners Forum

Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Gwboard2000 on April 17, 2006, 12:11:29 am

Title: Oil Pan Damage
Post by: Gwboard2000 on April 17, 2006, 12:11:29 am
Yahoo Message Number: 22322 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/22322)
How can I keep oil pan damage from occurring again? Last week I posted a request for advise on repairing damage to the oil pan on my Cummins engine. Don't know how or when it happened. I do not believe that it hit on a bump, but may have scuffed when I went through a dip at a parking lot entrance off of a city street.
I would appreciate any advise on future driving. My CC is a 40" Allure with a tag axle.
Obviously, I should not go over tall speed bumps. Dips at the edge of the road, however , are much harder to judge. Should I cross these at an angle? Should I use the HWH air leveling to raise the suspension? How would I do that? Is there any advise on judging problem areas to avoid?

Thanks,

George Board
Allure #30871
Title: Re: Oil Pan Damage
Post by: Walt Rothermel_01 on April 17, 2006, 10:06:28 am
Yahoo Message Number: 22324 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/22324)
George, my 03 Allure is also 40' w/tag. I strongly recommend you install a skid plate to eliminate exposure to further problems. These " composition" pans will fracture very easily if scraped.

Walt Rothermel

03Allure30811
Title: Re: Oil Pan Damage
Post by: Dan & Ann on April 17, 2006, 10:26:29 am
Yahoo Message Number: 22326 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/22326)
When I come to a big dip like that it definitely helps to cross at an angle AND use the HWH to raise the coach, which will also raise the engine and oil pan.

As for judging them, just be paranoid! :>)

Dan

Allure #30180

Quote from: gwboard2000
How can I keep oil pan damage from occurring again? Last week I
posted a request

Quote
for advise on repairing damage to the oil pan on my Cummins
engine. Don't know

Quote
how or when it happened. I do not believe that it hit on a bump,

but may have

Quote
scuffed when I went through a dip at a parking lot entrance off of
a city street.

Quote
>

I would appreciate any advise on future driving. My CC is a 40"
Allure with a tag axle.

Quote
Obviously, I should not go over tall speed bumps. Dips at the
edge of the road,

Quote
however , are much harder to judge. Should I cross these at an
angle? Should I use

Quote
the HWH air leveling to raise the suspension? How would I do
that? Is there any
Title: Re: Oil Pan Damage
Post by: TWI on April 17, 2006, 04:15:31 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 22330 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/22330)
Make sure your tag axle lift is off going thru dips, over bumps etc.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731
Title: Re: Oil Pan Damage (oil pan clearance on newer Allures)
Post by: Herb Strandberg on April 18, 2006, 12:27:46 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 22346 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/22346)
We are selling our home and probably our 36' Allure 2002 (without clearance problems), and upgrading to a 2006 or more likely 2007 Allure 40' (maybe 42') -- Going full time!!!!

QUESTION: Does anyone know if the clearance situation has improved on the more recent 40' Allures ('06 and presume '07)? Does it make a clearance difference if one picks the 400 HP Cummins ISL over the 400HP CAT? What would be your (collective) impression of engine choice?
Herb

2002 Allure #30690
Forum Moderator
Title: Re: Oil Pan Damage (oil pan clearance on newer Allures)
Post by: Hughesnet BobLeger on April 18, 2006, 01:35:10 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 22347 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/22347)
Cummins without a doubt!

Bob Leger
Title: Re: Oil Pan Damage (oil pan clearance on newer Allures)
Post by: TWI on April 18, 2006, 04:09:50 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 22348 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/22348)
You most definitly want the ISL, more torque and no over heating problems, just an occasional shift to neutral if idling for long periods. You are use to IFS, but when I found my 42' Intrigue could out turn my 36' Allure I was thrilled. Of course the Allure of 06 has all sorts of features are 04 doesn't, but most of all that 42' has all that storage that the new Intrigue doesn't have underneath. Plus if you'll stay with an RV fridge and regular batteries, you'll have more storage space inside and a lot of extra carrying capacity. Our 42' going down the road weighs 39,400 and we have 2600 lbs left. With fluids only we can carry 9000 lbs. They are installing stainless plumbing bays in the new units, but I don't know about the 07 Allure. Why don't you come to Home Comming and see all the new stuff? Have fun.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731
Title: Re: Oil Pan Damage
Post by: Allure012000 on April 18, 2006, 06:54:48 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 22349 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/22349)
Hi George,

Here's my suggestions:
1. Do not raise Tag Axle this will only further lower the rear of the coach, better to scrap tires than be Dead The Road with no oil.

2. I installed "Heavy Duty" steel wheels attached to the engine mounting "horizontal brace". This design allows the wheels to hit pavement and raise the rear of coach. Purchased wheels through Camping World.

3. Do not raise coach with HWH you can "break the shocks", bad CC design, I've "been there" "done that".

4. The Skid Plate that Spiker recommends is OK, but I don't see it
as full proof as the Skid Plate rises up to the Oil Pan under extreme load, the Oil Pan will break.

Thanks, Mike - Allure #30898 - Country Coach Texans

Quote from: gwboard2000
How can I keep oil pan damage from occurring again? Last week I
posted a request

Quote
for advise on repairing damage to the oil pan on my Cummins
engine. Don't know

Quote
how or when it happened. I do not believe that it hit on a bump,

but may have

Quote
scuffed when I went through a dip at a parking lot entrance off of
a city street.

Quote
>

I would appreciate any advise on future driving. My CC is a 40"
Allure with a tag axle.

Quote
Obviously, I should not go over tall speed bumps. Dips at the
edge of the road,

Quote
however , are much harder to judge. Should I cross these at an
angle? Should I use

Quote
the HWH air leveling to raise the suspension? How would I do
that? Is there any
Title: Re: Oil Pan Damage (oil pan clearance on newer Allures)
Post by: G55521@inreach Com on April 18, 2006, 10:30:59 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 22353 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/22353)

My personal opinion would be the Cummins 400 ISL only or no coach at all!! If you watch this site and talk to owners with the CAT they have problems.

Gary Bender

04' Intrigue 11701

We are selling our home and probably our 36' Allure 2002 (without