2Scampers
SD or where my wheels stop
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Joined: 04/24/2007
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I am researching a 2002 Phaeton with the 3126 330 Cat engine. My question is with the rear radiator how difficult is it to perform maintenance such as oil and filter, fuel filters, water separator and general inspection and cleaning? I know there is a cover in bedroom but what can be done from outside? Any other comments on this unit are appreciated. I am not able to actually able to look at the unit until next month.
2002 Tiffin Phaeton
330 CAT 3126B
2001 Chevrolet Tracker Toad
Brakemaster Brake System
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gatorcq
Apache Junction, Az
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Joined: 03/15/2004
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First, go join the CAT Yahoo Group
CAT
Then yes, changing oil, fuel, even transmission can be done by a DIY.
But first join CAT, then look thru the files. Also the amount of oil will depend on standard sump or deep sump pan. 19 vs 21 qts.
The dip stick should be re-calibrated.
Dale, Susan, KoKo(rainbow bridge) & Della - DaGirls Rv
Alfa SeYa 2003, Cat 3126E 330Hp, HHR TOAD -
Roadmaster and Air Brake System
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fcooper
Richmond Hill, Georgia
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2Scampers wrote:I am researching a 2002 Phaeton with the 3126 330 Cat engine. My question is with the rear radiator how difficult is it to perform maintenance such as oil and filter, fuel filters, water separator and general inspection and cleaning? I know there is a cover in bedroom but what can be done from outside? Any other comments on this unit are appreciated. I am not able to actually able to look at the unit until next month.
A lot of this will depend upon where the coach builder put the cover in the bedroom. On my HR, there is a huge hatch under the queen bed that gives good access to the top of the engine. Also depends on where they put the water separator, etc. On mine (rear radiator), access to the two fuel filters & oil filter is good. Access to the belts is a little restricted. Changing something like the dash a/c compressor requires some gymnastics.
Hopefully, someone with a 2002 Phaeton will answer your question.
Fred
Fred & Vicki
Richmond Hill, Ga
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor/Freightliner/330 Cat
2000 Honda Odyssey toad w SMI Silent Partner braking system
Tire Sentry monitoring system
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RayChez
Barstow, Ca. USA
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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I have a 2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser with the 3126-E Cat engine. I change the oil and filter myself everytime and it is very easy with the Freightliner chassis. You crawl under the coach and drain the oil just like any other coach. Filter is done also from under the coach. Easy to get to, but you do need a real good ban wrench to unscrew the oil filter. On my coach you can fill pour the engine oil from the extreme rear on a oil spout. Just put a funnel and start pouring 19 quarts of oil if you have the shallow pan. I believe the deep pan holds 29 quarts, but the 3126-E does not have the deep pan only the older B models.
About the only thing that is hard to change because of the rear radiator are the fan belts and to lube the fan bearing. You almost have to be a contortionists to get in through the bed box and lube that bearing. I have only done it once in 51K miles, so I probably have to do it again pretty soon. Not sure how often it has to be lubed, but it only takes a squirt of lube. You don't want to over lube it. Other then those two items the rest is pretty easy to get to. The fuel filter/watersep is right on the outside of the radiator where you can get to it easy.
2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser
330 HP Caterpillar
3000 Allison Transmission
Neway Freightliner chassis
2005 Honda Pilot EXL 4WD
Aventa III
FMCA member
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randco
Sarasota, Florida
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It's interesting that this thread popped up. I spoke with Mark at CAT yesterday about my 3126E on a Freightliner chassis. I had general questions and he had the answers and a few tips. I don't have a Phaeton but my coach has a rear radiator and I have access to the top of the engine from a hatch in the floor of the bedroom.
Mark told me that 99% of the 3126E's have a single water/fuel filter separator. Mine is easy to get to, it's located behind the louvered door access to the radiator. He also told me the proper way to tighten the water/fuel filter separator. Screw it on until the rubber gasket touches the housing, then turn it another 3/4 of a turn. He also told me that if I changed the filter to pour diesel fuel into the small holes of the new filter and fill the filter up. (I already knew about that from this forum) He also told me that Freightliner did not request that CAT install manual pump to prime the fuel system.
The oil filter is easy enough to get to but I don't want the hassle of getting rid of 22 qts of oil.
My unit has a sealed bearing in the radiator fan hub. Some units have a zerk fitting and require grease periodically. Seems that this could be a hassle.
He told me about the radiator getting dirty which would create overheating. (again I had read numerous threads about this on this forum) He told me about the slobber tube (breather) and its misty discharge. I told him that I had an extension on the tube that discharged behind the radiator. He said the extension would help a lot but the rear radiator should still be cleaned about every six months. To clean the radiator he told me to use a garden hose with no more than 30 psi and spray the water from the outside rear access. He told me to flush it until the water being discharged was clear. I cleaned my radiator when I got my coach at the end of January this year. I traveled this summer from Florida to NY towing a 4,200 toad through the Smokies and never had a problem with overheating.
If you want to call CAT, their phone number is 877-777-3126 and they are available 24/7. They are going to ask you for the serial number of your engine, so get it before you call them. If you don't know your serial number call you chassis manufacturer, give them you coach's VIN number and they can give you the engine serial number.
So far, I have changed the fuel/water filter, changed the air filter and cleaned the radiator from the outside.
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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randco,
Couple of minor points:
Yes, Freightliner made the decision to save some money and go with a single fuel filter vs the much better water separator/primary filter and Caterpillar secondary filter with manual primer pump. But it affected no where near 99% of the chassis they built. They used two filters, then switched to one, then back in later years to two.
And with Freighliner's sandwiched cooling system (CAC in front of the radiator) it is not possible to clean from the back of the coach. Even double that 30 PSI will not go through the radiator, the air gap and the CAC with enough authority to knock the debris off the FRONT of the CAC where it is deposited.
Most of the cleaning has to be done from the front, accessing through the bedroom or closet and spraying inside the fan shroud/between fan blades-- NOT a fun or clean job. To see if this needs to be done, access the fan area. Shine a strong flashlight inside the fan shroud/between fan blades. Insure that the perimeter, particularly the lower perimeter is as clean as the center (the fan blades sling the dirt to the perimeter).
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
FMCA Forum: www.community.fmca.com/index
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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donsuefuggrwe
myrtle point ,or 97458
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Joined: 09/07/2003
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Mine is a 3126B Cat on a freightliner with rear radiator. Biggest problem is a fan belt change. Next is greasing the Zerk fitting on fan shaft. I have to lay out over the engine and reach down blind to fitting and have someone pump grease gun for me. Mechanic wants to put a solid fitting and hose leading under engine. 11 years and haven't got around to it yet. On engine fuel filter is a pain but doable. Air cleaner we now take off one end, 4 screws, and pull body of filter out, reinstall same way. Fuel water filter is no problem. Brake air dryer we take the whole unit off and work on it in the shop. Very hard to do on vehicle. My nephew is my under coach wrenchman now and we can do it all in a day. $430. for filters from CarQuest. $150. for nephew. A bargain.
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Joined: 08/11/2007
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When researching it is usually best to talk to actual owners. I suggest you check in at the Tiffin RV Network owners group.
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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donsuefuggrwe wrote: On engine fuel filter is a pain but doable.
Many relocate the secondary filter/manual primer pump to a more convenient location. All it costs is two longer fuel lines and a little labor. Makes servicing the filter MUCH easier.
Some coach makers did this automatically-- I know ours was located next to the primary filter at the factory.
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randco
Sarasota, Florida
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wolfe10 wrote:randco,
Couple of minor points:
Yes, Freightliner made the decision to save some money and go with a single fuel filter vs the much better water separator/primary filter and Caterpillar secondary filter with manual primer pump. But it affected no where near 99% of the chassis they built. They used two filters, then switched to one, then back in later years to two.
And with Freighliner's sandwiched cooling system (CAC in front of the radiator) it is not possible to clean from the back of the coach. Even double that 30 PSI will not go through the radiator, the air gap and the CAC with enough authority to knock the debris off the FRONT of the CAC where it is deposited.
Most of the cleaning has to be done from the front, accessing through the bedroom or closet and spraying inside the fan shroud/between fan blades-- NOT a fun or clean job. To see if this needs to be done, access the fan area. Shine a strong flashlight inside the fan shroud/between fan blades. Insure that the perimeter, particularly the lower perimeter is as clean as the center (the fan blades sling the dirt to the perimeter).
I am only posting exactly what the CAT technician told me during my telephone conversation with him last night.
Are you saying they are wrong?
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