Re: '07 CC Affinity Cummings 600ISX, Allison 4000, 12.5K Generator & Chassis service
Reply #2 –
Hey Phillip - Enjoyed this slightly older post. And before I go on - Thank you for Serving!!
(I've been a bit sidetracked from more normal volume of forum readings and postings lately - and probably will be for another month or so:)!)
I know Cummins is expensive. But, I personally like knowing all of the parts being used for service, are all within spec for shelf life (Have seen too often, where shops use inferior and in some cases expired shelf life filters, when doing these kinds of services.) And of course Cummins Power Clubs gets you a bit of a discount. IMO, Coburg Cummins is one of the better Cummins shops. I've had their help on a few items over the years.
And a big YES to building into your maintenance budget timeline, the EGR Tune Up. I plan do do mine at 60K, and again at 120K, and at this time, I plan to have Coburg Cummins do the work.
Another tip I got from a few PM's, and I think RAWZE speaks to this some too, is to not be afraid to down shift and run the ISX600 at higher RPM's. So much Torque is available, that these engines can often chug along at very low RPM's for long periods of times. I've started the practice, when practical to do so, to towards the last 1/2 hour or so of a days travel, down shifting to keep the RPM's up higher. More fuel is burned, and I believe the input that a higher volume of air flow thru engine & EGR 'could' help keep the EGR's tube from 'dunking' up. I figure the higher RPM's costs me some at each fill up - but that is not a great expense. I also use OptiLube Summer Blend in each tank, and when I know I'll be climbing mountains, a dash more of additional Cetane (I say that with the 'vast' experience of still under 2K miles of highway travel since we bough this coach. But running South from Premier to AZ, I did treat ISX to a bit more Cetane, in addition to the OptiLube, which has some Cetane in it also...). Our CM870 engines, were designed to run on Type II ULSD fuels, so OptiLube is not really required for added lubricity, as it was for my CAPS era ISL. But don't think it hurts anything, and is cheap insurance, and is what I've done for 10 years before... The added Cetane, should hopefully, allow for the maximum fuel burn at combustion, and hopefully less 'gunky' exhaust flow thru into the EGR. (Or thus the input I received speculated.) Again, not a major cost in the scheme of things, and if it helps keep the EGR tube and other related components a bit cleaner - that can not be a bad thing. If it does not, again, not a major cost!. I also go out of my way to stay away from Ethanol High Percentage ULSD, whenever possible. 5%? OK, not too bad. But when 20% Ethanol is in the mix - you get less overall combustion/power per gallon. And if I'm not able to burn a tank of higher percentage Ethanol before parking for extended periods, I always add Biobor JF to help control moisture...
As our 07 Magna had about 36K Miles on it when we bought it, and the bulk of that by the 1 st of three owners. That means from about 2013 to last year in 2020 when we bought it - the last two owners did not put on a great deal of miles. Inside stored from what I could tell, which helps... But, better to be running these machines, then sitting:)! So, want to learn our coach, and that is why I'm thinking the EGR Tune Up at about 60K is a good investment. I'll then have a solid EGR baseline to run with, and maintain.
I know Tommy Townsend has over 200K on his CM870 ISX600, and runs the heck out of it. And knock on wood, has not had EGR related issues. So that is a comfort to have heard:)!
Enough rambling, and best to you and all,
Smitty
07 Magna CM870 ISX600 - 6755