How To Service and Inspect a RV or Motorhome.

[@Adam_Poirier]

I am a heavy truck and equipment mechanic myself and I can honestly say after watching your videos that if there was anyone I wanted to work on my personal stuff it’s you lol. Very nice work man

[@DrewGangl]

A great tip I learned from an old tech: use your filter wrench to break the filter free before punching a hole in it! Then, when it’s hand tight, punch your hole. That way, you won’t be messing around trying to break free a tight filter with oil dripping on your head 👍

[@NOOTSMAZDAS]

Pro

[@Fix-it-tony]

Just a couple more points when doing an inspection, checking the production date in the tires, air filter indicator, and power steering fluid level. Lots of people are scared of working on their rigs, but it’s not complicated, just like working on a car, but everything is bigger and uses a ton fluid.

[@aerialrescuesolutions3277]

Good call on the tire dates, If the filters say 2007, then that rubber may be a bit cracked as well? Jim.

[@giggiddy]

Brought to you by one of the most knowledgeable (cat) diesel mechanics on KZbin! And thank you for making the video long and detailed. Nice job!

[@AdeptApe]

Thank you. Not sure about most knowledgeable Cat guy, but I know a thing or two.

[@otheusischirosathanatos1035]

@@AdeptApe Hello sir can you do a video about hydraulic trouble shootings like low power or implements malfunctions thank you

[@tb3687]

Don’t have an RV, but always watch your videos. Always something to get out of each one. Keep up the good work!

[@AdeptApe]

Thank you.

[@duaneb193]

As the owner of a DP with a Cat 3126, thank you!!

[@youtubeisawesome2487]

i hate rvs, great that you show the pictures on the side of a filter, its amazing how many mechanics that have been in the business for years have no clue how to fill or not fill filters.

[@AdeptApe]

Everyone has their own rational for stuff I guess. I generally go with the manufacturer recommendation on stuff and figure if something goes wrong it's more on them then me that way, plus they designed the machine.

[@rickl6697]

@@AdeptApe Out 2003 Newmar has a 3126E (HEP08621) on a Freightliner xc chassis. It only has 1 fuel filter (I think it's a .5 micron)with a clear water separator and no fuel primer pump. Would it be ok to prefill the fuel filter with fuel through the small filter holes(as in an earlier video). Or would it be possible to add a fuel primer. Thanks!

[@youtubeisawesome2487]

@@rickl6697 tilt the filter to the side and slowly poor fuel in the little holes, best filter i know of is a cat 2 micron filter, anything that has a clear water separator on it would be or should be a 25 micron filter or you starve cat transfer pumps for fuel as they are on the suction side, the 2 micron filters are after the transfer pump and on the pressure side, look for another filter somewhere.

[@rickl6697]

@@youtubeisawesome2487 I think you're right, it's a 2 micron. On coaches with two fuel filters the 1st filter is a 10 micron w/ water separator and the second filter is a 2 micron. However for a couple of years freightliner produced motor home coach chassis with only one filter and CAT required it to be the 2 micron filter. We have that model. It has a water separator sump attached to the bottom of the fuel filter. We don't have a lift pump. And we don't have a fuel primer either. (I got .5 micron on the brain from looking at water filters for the RV.)

[@stevek6921]

Now we're talkin'. My Cat is in the back of a class a so this was great. Thanks!

[@johngoldsmith6629]

I torque all oil pan drain plugs. I also helicoiled numerous oil pans, because people use an impact to strip out drain plug threads.

[@jimw3799]

Hey, great video for what you covered. I'm pretty good on the basic service, but was really looking for info on servicing the air filter, water filter, air brakes system filter. It seems like most people forget that last one all the time.

[@a.g.pennypacker3464]

Thank you for a great video and to tool recommendations I will be purchasing.

[@localcrew]

Heh. He said “Swapping fluids”. My favorite oil filter wrench is the 1/2” drive square tube with a length of seatbelt in a loop on one end. It works GREAT!

[@brendanclark1779]

Nice to see how well you do your job. Most people aren’t this thorough on their services. Nice video.

[@PureRocker20]

22 minutes gone like 5! Your videos are always very interesting. Cheers!

[@AdeptApe]

Thank you.

[@larrytalley117]

MMMMM, RV stuff. I'm drooling and I haven't watched it yet...

[@AdeptApe]

Figured it would be right up your alley.

[@larrytalley117]

@@AdeptApe up my street and around the corner... :))

[@larrytalley117]

Had my own destruction of the week this past week. Customer came in with a towable (5th wheel) for a 2 axle wheel bearing pack...missing a wheel...rear on the drivers side. Axle was tied up...the entire wheel was gone...only thing there was a burned looking spindle...obviously they waited a bit too long for the bearing repack. Lots and lots of damage underneath when the wheel and hub separated...goofy cat guy would have loved it.

[@AdeptApe]

Would have matched this week's perfectly.

[@larrytalley117]

I learned a lot from this video...not sure my diesel service center is actually lubing my chassis, this spring I will make sure it is done. Also my C7 does not have separate fuel filters...only 1 large fuel water separater that serves as the fuel filter. One note about Motorhome tires...they really NEVER wear out or look worn...however they EXPIRE. Always important to look at the DOT date code molded into the tire...for 22.5" tires, 6 years is pretty much the end of the road...literally. Another incredible video from the CAT master.

[@kyleguenette2196]

Can you do an episode soon on after treatment systems again? I like how you explain shit and ive learned so much from you i just want to thank you for taking the time to do this!

[@toddcodd2714]

Do you think you could do a video or a service video on a tractor or dumptruck?

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

Glad to see an RV on your channel. I know some heavy equipment shops don’t like them

[@AdeptApe]

I don't mind working on them at all, a lot of guys hate them, but they need serviced just like every other piece of machinery out there.

[@benjaminzapchenk4850]

This was extremely helpful and so informative, thank you!

[@georgeof78]

There was a time when I didn't use a torque wrench and thought it was good. My dad was the same way and then someone show him what torque feels like on aluminum and he then showed me. Didn't realize we over torque everything. Now we use a torque wrench religiously.

[@bigcheese370]

Torque related topic, when setting valve lash on John Deere engines was told to tighten lock nut by hand with a wrench. I was like you might be under torque, wrench it first then checked with torque wrench. It was pretty much dead on every time with the wrench. Only go to like 30 or 40 ft lbs though.

[@MagaRickn]

Very informative video! Good job! I need to get one of those pumps for my Alfa coach as I have to use a little Harbor Freight hand pump to service my fluids, due to inaccesibility issues as well. ;) May invest in one of the Locking grease couplers as well. :)

[@byronewhite]

Love your videos . Presently have a gas motorhome but looking for a DP and want to learn all I can.

[@AKRichardM]

Thank you for the video!

[@mitchstephen5491]

Great video, I have a lock-n-lube grease coupling and they are the best for greasing my excavator. My cat truck has a Lincoln automatic greaser on it so there is only the driveshaft to grease on it.

[@AdeptApe]

Yeah, makes greasing stuff slightly less miserable.

[@brianfreeze1873]

Another awesome video! How often should your Allison trans filters be changed on an RV?

[@johnmartin2079]

Ape I'm the same guy that mentioned the spun wheel bearing in Brazil, my lifer mechanic job has. Been super highline RV busses for 39yrs. Felt like you were mind reading?

[@Mmmmmppppppp]

Great topic! Very well done.

[@mohammadalissa8255]

nice video Mr.josh

[@702BattleBorn]

Yo AA, Can you give your opinion about putting Jet A in a diesel engine. Hear alot of opinions on people that do and those that say dont. What say you?

[@josemangampovlogs3710]

Good morning idol keep safe and God bless idol

[@kerrygleeson4409]

Alway helpful Josh thanks for sharing 🇦🇺🦘👍

[@ralphwilliams6123]

I have the CAT primer. Please do a video on how to use that primer.

[@badgerpa9]

Thanks for the video. Have you ever seen the channel AZ Expert? He is an RV tech, he has been very clear he does not service the engines he thinks the CAT service places are better for that be he does go and remove the flooring for them on the ones that need that.

[@AdeptApe]

I haven't, but I generally spend a lot of time making videos and rarely watch other people's videos.

[@badgerpa9]

@@AdeptApe Thanks for making videos.

[@Quiescent-TRU]

I have a 2000 Newmar Dutchstar with a 3126B 8YL serial and I am really appreciate all the information. How many miles were on that coach

[@davidwalle5025]

Great video

[@downshifthard]

Your videos are great. I have that same rig but with a C7.. What would a shop charge to do that whole service would you estimate?

[@mikemorse8592]

Drain plug the single most important bolt on an engine also the one that almost never sees a torque wrench🤷‍♂️

[@jaydunbar7538]

No reason to mess with a plug, quick change valve is the way to go.

[@jaydunbar7538]

Why no electric grease gun? I use a Milwaukee electric, makes the chore a breeze. Haven't found a zerk yet that the 10,000psi won't blast through and open back up.

[@musayau3318]

Good job

[@Senkino5o]

You have to replace the oil pan if you strip out a drain plug thread? What about helicoils? Or just dropping it and tapping out the thread?

[@nombr]

Good video man, I’m getting into the market for a class A pusher. Or possibly C (may entertain gas for both) Are the pushers a huge pain to work on with the engine in the rear?

[@atomasze]

My RV with C7 doesn't have a fuel primer. I figured i would change primary/water separator, Then run engine to fill filter, then change 2nd filter and do the same. Have heard people mention having a tough time getting the engine running after changing both filters and getting air lock. Any suggestions for the best way to do fuel filter changes in this type of system? Great videos, learned alot from you, Thanks.

[@AdeptApe]

I would recommend either adding a filter housing that has one or prefilling them from the dirty side with a very small funnel. Better than getting it air locked and running air through the injectors.

[@cullenmiller8170]

I had that destruction of the week moment before. I lost a set of duals of my three axle reefer trailer in Northern BC one night in a snow storm. Didn’t even know it happened until I walked around after I stopped. I guess the bears are rolling those around the bush. When I drove for companies I had several sets of duals come loose when the tire guys not torqued them correctly.

[@charlesb4267]

I am curious if the duels that were coming loose and you caught it before they parted ways, if they had been retorqued after a short period of use from the initial installation, also if they were steel or aluminum wheels as it seems aluminum is more prone to settling into place I'll call it and causing the need for retorquing. Certainly one issue I have seen which isn't the correct way of installing the lug nuts for the hub piloted wheels and seen them do this every time at a certain local tire shop is they are not following the wheel/hub manufactures procedure. The procedure calls for lubricating the threads with a couple of drops of oil and a drop of oil where the two piece style lug nut turns within itself. So a truck or trailer can come in with rusty studs and bone dry nuts and they do NOT put any lube on them as certain key people who own the shop are dead set against lubricating studs ( indeed most passenger vehicle wheel hardware is said not to use lubrication ) . Not lubricating dry threads and that two piece nut for hub piloted wheels on a truck causes the wheel studs to be under torqued even though the torque wrench reaches that 500 food pounds, the stud is not clamping the wheel sufficiently because a lot of that torque force of the wrench is going into turning a dry hard turning lug nut. Other truck tire shops I've been to I see them out there with the squirt can doing it correctly. Here is some information from a wheel end manufacturer although I don't have access to the TMC RP237 mechanics manual for this procedure but this link does lay out a lot of good information. www.accuridecorp.com/sites/default/files/resources/2019-07/W1.009%20Rev.%201%20Best%20Practice%20for%20Wheel%20Torque%20and%20Clamping_0.pdf

[@cullenmiller8170]

@@charlesb4267 You hit the nail on the head with most tire shops doing a terrible job of mounting tires and installing wheels. When I was a company driver we would switch trailers all the time and you had no idea if the lugs were re torqued after initial installation. After the third set of wheels coming loose I actually bought a torque wrench and torqued the lug nuts of each trailer I picked up. I ran to Alaska for years and breaking down was always a pain in the rear. Most of the time I had no phone service and sitting on the side of the road I wasn't getting paid. When I had my own truck I did all my own tire work and never had a problem. I also had torque checks on each lug nut and would have seen it on a walk around if any lug nut decided to back off.

[@charlesb4267]

@@cullenmiller8170 I don't even have to guess that you have numerous stories of trucking to Alaska and with it a lot of experience in far less then ideal conditions to put it mildly. Are you from western Canada or from the States and ran loads all the way to Alaska. I drove up to Alaska as a tourist about 15 years ago one summer although a rushed trip as I never have much time in the summer ( I farm ) and went to Dawson City and over the Top of the World highway and on up to just north of the arctic circle but didn't chance going the rest of the way to Prudhoe Bay as my air con was making slight bearing noises. I did go to Denali NP, Anchorage and down to Homer, around to Skagway and down the Cassiar highway to Telegraph Creek, Hyder and area etc. I stopped at a few break downs and was able to greatly assist a couple of times as there is next to F all on some of the lesser travelled roads including other motorists to come along. I had an uncle to who hauled mail up to Whitehorse from Dawson Creek for many years and then for the last while hauled goods to Canadian Tire in Whitehorse with two drivers. Back to the tire/wheel off issue, of course sometimes its the bearings that fail and expect in a certain number of those cases its human error in hub assembly and as simple as doing a crappy install on the wheel seal or re using bearings that should not have been put back into service. And the torquing of wheels, if a shop does the tire change on a dirty floor and also doesn't check for any debris on the mounting flange I can see some gunk with sand mixed in for example stuck between the two wheels and that is all it would take to prevent a sound mount. And as I mentioned before with this local tire shop, most times they have two guys out there to torque the wheels to make it go quick and easy with one pulling and the other lining up the socket on each lug, and so they can go through all that but if the nuts and threads are dry they have failed doing it properly but what they are doing is what they are being told to do by the owners of the shop but goes to show how these mistakes can go on for many years.

[@cullenmiller8170]

@@charlesb4267 I am from the US and hauled all the way through BC and YT into Alaska. I specialized in time sensitive temperature controlled freight. Definitely had my share of interesting break downs, weather extremes and a lot of luck for never going off the road. Had several close calls due to wet ice. Had my share of run ins with the local wild life too. The worst was taking out a moose at about 60mph on the Cassiar. Luckily I had the heaviest model moose bumper from Magnum on my Western Star to save the truck. Sounds like you got a good loop in on your vacation. I have done that trip on a motorcycle before too. Running the haul road to Deadhorse is a rough road and brutal on your equipment. Crossing Attigun Pass is the gate to the tundra and year round snow storms. I have been in Deadhorse at the end of May with a foot of fresh snow.

[@charlesb4267]

@@cullenmiller8170 One of my guesses was correct then, you were doing the looooong haul and what a long haul. A few trips like that would wear out a truck, all those wonderful whoops in the Alaska highway in a section west of Whitehorse, never mind the conditions the Dalton would be in at times. Did you go up to Deadhorse in the dead of winter as I understand that can be insanely brutal due to the extreme temps they get ( it got down to -47F one night here back in Feb and yes actual ambient temperature which still isn't near as cold as it can get up there ) . The summer I was there I assume it had rained just the day before so the afternoon I headed up to the arctic circle it was muddy part of the way but otherwise fine. Wasn't so fine for some couple on street bikes that someone having come down from Deadhorse had helped out a couple of days prior as they talked about those people wiping out repeatedly on their bikes as you can well imagine what a typical street bike would be like on a snotty road never mind a hill they were trying to climb. That was at the fuel station at the Yukon river where I was hearing about all of that and right at that moment a very well equipped SUV comes through to fuel up and they were on their last leg of the Pan American drive from the southern tip of South America if you can imagine, but they were from South America so all the way back they would be heading. Funny you should mention Magnum bumpers ( didn't think they would be found down in the States ) as the so called newer truck I have which is a 2005 Pete 378 set forward short hood and original owners were an oil field company had equipped it with a Magnum bumper and I managed to put a slight bend in the right hand side of the bumper beam in Dec from hitting a deer while hauling grain. I ended up having it replaced along with a shop repainting that hood fender due to the bumper pushing back a bit onto it but that is typical deer rather then a moose which can wipe out a truck in an instant even with a bumper so you were lucky. The old bumper had the pipe rake assembly under it where as this new one is a deeper bumper beam with nothing under it which suits me fine. Definitely a lot of oil field trucks seem to run the Magnum bumper up here and some highway haulers who custom haul grain want to get stupid fancy go with the herd road train with a zillon clearance lights on it. I am curious as to what state you grew up in ( or am in now ), my dads mom was born in Nebraska and my dad in Oregon although they moved up to no mans land for some crazy reason ( meaning here in Alberta ) as per the depression years of just trying to exist without standing in a soup line.

[@jamesgutsche007]

Great video , I used to own a service shop back in the day and took pride in my work and payed to attention to detail like you ! I have bought a 1991 Beaver motorhome with a 3116 Cat with Allison 4speed with only 94k and i am looking for a shop for service and would like to have you be my technician , where is your shop located ?? look forward to doing business , Thanks Jim

[@stratman50th]

This was awesome, thanks for posting! I'm going to get my coach serviced at our local CAT shop. Will they do all of this or do I need to specify? I wanted an oil change, belt and hose inspection. What's a rough cost to expect to have all done that you did here?

[@wiz12]

Fan grease zerk is a major pain and often overlooked

[@georgehorwell4271]

What fluid do you suggest for an allison 4000mh trans? Is there a cheaper alternate than the allison recommended stuff?

[@Coxtrans]

I have a 3208 in my RV can i fit a turbo or is there a major difference between the 3208 and the 3208T

[@oldnorthsider]

Hi, I have an 04 gulfstream motor home with a c7 and 5 speed Allison trans. The Trans fill tube is rusted and they don't make them anymore. What can I do?

[@AdeptApe]

Well if it is a similar tube that runs about 8 feet from transmission to the fill area, you could remove it and then cut the rusted sections out, then gets some thick rubber hose that that is oil resistant and replace the damaged section. Or take it to a fabrication shop and they could make you a new one although that would be somewhat expensive.

[@elvaqueroverga6980]

Me: diesel mechanic for 3 years. KZbin: wanna see how to service a RV at 1 am? Me: Hellllllll yeaaaaaa!

[@Nudnik1]

I have a 1998 3126 Cat in Freightliner chassis Rv.Only 40,000 miles sat around inside building. No start New ecm $1500 flashed by CAT $700 New IPR valve. Power ground to all pins on ecm . Heui pump fail? Some oil comes out of heui pressure sensor but no 800 psi . I tried unlpuging ips sensor still no start. Ran perfect then no start. Any tips? Also my Cando scanner reads codes from connection plug on the CAT motor as a Freightliner only no CAT communication???

[@bajamedic]

Dude I thought you were a so cal cat mechanic. What are you doing in in the snow?

[@electric7487]

He's somewhere in Idaho right now. Can't tell you exactly where, and don't ask him either.

[@Storyideas81]

What is the difference between house and chassis batteries?

[@georgehorwell4271]

House batteries power all the dc stuff inside the coach like lights etc. Chassis batteries run the engine and accessories just like a car battery.

[@badgerpa9]

If you want a channel to look at RV tings and he explains the batteries check out AZ expert on youtube.

[@paultoombs4341]

just found your channel , I have a C-15 and am interested in finding your shop, could you advise where you are and if you might be interested in a through inspection of my coach?

[@matthewhansen5008]

Would say that transmission filter is the one from the factory.

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

I got a red engine, but oil is oil. I need to check the water in the batteries

[@jw4620]

That's a big invetment to have let it go. But I know stuff happens, too.

[@hawkins8765]

Big fan of stabbing oil filters except when the shop stock is out and supplier is almost closed for the day whoops

[@ianatkinson8464]

😎

[@chrisleggett685]

Get rid of that hand pump grease gun! But a Milwaukee M18 grease gun. You can adjust how many pumps you put in and how fast. You're hand will thank me.

[@AdeptApe]

A lot of guys have them at work, I haven't gotten on the Milwaukee bandwagon yet, but since they make a 3/4 drive electric impact I'm debating it.

[@tenseventeen4953]

What did you just say 12:28

[@jaydunbar7538]

My cat doesn't leak, it sweats horse power in 3 or 4 locations

[@jaydunbar7538]

Cost you about 1800 for a new cat oil pan, had one crack on my 5ek.

[@Formaldehydex]

Now I see why you wear a hat. Love your videos.

[@AdeptApe]

Not a fan of the haircut huh, you should see what it looks like when I wear a headlamp all day and it's all over the place.

[@dunkly85]

Never ever ever do any kind of filter up tighter that hand tight, still cant believe what i just saw!! That filter will be an absolute pain in the arse to get off, filters will never fall off if you do them hand tight. A few heat cycles and it will be locked on there anyways

[@AdeptApe]

You can't believe that I followed the filter and engine manufacturer recommendation for installing their product?

[@dunkly85]

@@AdeptApe thats all it is, a "recommendation" your climate looks alot colder than mine, im not sure if that is a factor or not but where i work (Western Australia, Pilbara region) doing filter up that tight you will have massive problems getting them off. 500 hour intervals. Ive seen guys break and bend filter straps, myself included. Maybe your experiences are different? If i see anyone at work using a strap to tighten filters i stop them and inform them hand tight is plenty

[@dunkly85]

@@AdeptApe not trying to bash you or anything just sharing my experiences. Love your channel 👍👍

[@AdeptApe]

The Cat recommendation is quite tight in my opinion. I generally go hand tight, then a little bump past that with the wrench, which is usually close to their "full turn" but a little under. Some of their filters say 3/4 turn. I've removed my own filters many times on the next service without a problem, I know the filters you speak of though where you have to get the chain wrench. No offense taken from your comment, I always value a respectful opinion even if they disagree.

[@jondavidmcnabb]

Cheap people ruin perfectly good equipment every single day!

[@sethnonya8566]

First

[@kevinwatt5629]

Love your videos, but you really need to stop showing all your tools! Wife is getting mad at all the tools I am buying!

[@AdeptApe]

Toolbox tour video in the works!

[@kevinwatt5629]

@@AdeptApe that jabsco drill pump is sweet!

[@phprofYT]

Easiest way to service a motorhome. Don't buy one.

[@ceaser6411]

Lolololllll so true money pit

[@lllateralus]

So that’s your attitude toward life? What if you WANT an RV? Sounds like the path toward a boring ass life. I love my Alpine coach diesel pusher with 8.3 Cummins. 110k miles and chargin hard.

[@electric7487]

You must be fun at parties.

[@jeffsmith8066]

How to work on RVs? Move to power systems and work on generators lol. No more RVs for me!

[@dakotaireland4070]

I know you are a cat mechanic but you are just paying for the name and nothing else I don't use Motorcraft filters on my ford engines I use what ever

[@jimmyoakeslift4374]

That’s not necessarily true, not all filters are made to the same standard

[@dakotaireland4070]

@@jimmyoakeslift4374 some filters have more filter media inside them but they all do the same thing filter out the crap in oil

[@dakotaireland4070]

@D Bear I'm not spending extra money for a filter when the cheap one's work. I also don't spend the extra money for oil for my automatic atvs I use 15w40 Rotella with stp mixed in

[@AdeptApe]

You can definitely use whatever you want and cheaper filters definitely do work, but to say that a Baldwin filter is the same as a Cat is inaccurate. I've cut many filters open looking for damage in an engine and In my opinion Cat filters are definitely better in my opinion. This isn't meant to be in any sort of offensive manner to your comment, just wanted to express my view. Not everything Cat makes is better, they make some real junk sometimes.

[@dakotaireland4070]

@@AdeptApe I also wasn't trying to offend anyone but not everyone can afford expensive filters, a cat engine at work had a bad oil pan and I would have to add a gallon of oil every day before my boss drove off with his truck