Engine access??

[ChckNDee]

Hello,
Tomorrow I am taking our 2017 Sunstar XL N27 for the first oil change since we bought it. I do not see any means of lifting the doghouse over the engine.
Is that not needed? If they ask, how do I tell them to access the engine. Really would like to know by 7AM Thursday(tomorrow).
Looked in the manuals but found nothing.
Thanks for any help so I can stop this worrying.
Chuck

[Chaffeekid]

Not familiar with yours but mine has a screw on each side low on the doghouse front hidden in the carpet, and an Allen type in the rear right of center also located close to the floor. They are well hidden in the carpet.

On another note they will probably not have to remove the doghouse to service the engine, on mine I don’t, (8.1 liter Chevy). I change my oil, filters on the engine and Trans, and the air filter, all without removing the doghouse, and then grease all those zerk fittings, then I know it was done correctly.

[BobC]

I looked at the 2017 Sunstar manual here and see the information about the doghouse on pages 3-10 and 3-11:

https://www.winnebago.com/owners/own...r-manuals/2017

[creativepart]

An oil change doe NOT require access to the engine via the doghouse. It doesn’t require a lift or anything other than sliding under the front of the RV to drain the oil and opening the “hood” to add new oil and check the dip stick.

Outside of the mess you could easily do it in your drive way. I did my first oil change in the driveway. Outside of the fact that the drain plug is located in such a way that when the oil comes out of the oil pan the flow hits a suspension member and splashes all over the place.

You are barking up the wrong tree worrying about the doghouse. Really almost no regular maintenance requires for access via the dog house.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by creativepart

An oil change doe NOT require access to the engine via the doghouse. It doesn’t require a lift or anything other than sliding under the front of the RV to drain the oil and opening the “hood” to add new oil and check the dip stick.

Outside of the mess you could easily do it in your drive way. I did my first oil change in the driveway. Outside of the fact that the drain plug is located in such a way that when the oil comes out of the oil pan the flow hits a suspension member and splashes all over the place.

You are barking up the wrong tree worrying about the doghouse. Really almost no regular maintenance requires for access via the dog house.

Agree with everything you said. I added this drain system which eliminates the mess. You can connect a tube to it and it drains right into the pan…

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Gentracker]

Hello all,
Thought I’d chime in on making oil change cleaner and easier.

I installed a Fumoto F106N FN series drain plug replacement on my ‘12 vista 35f. Now I attach a length of ckear tubing to reach drain container, pull safety clip and turn valve. No more cleaning up spilled oil or de oiling the cross member.

$26.30 on Amazon.

Happy travels (if gas prices allow that is?!)

Bruce

[John Mo]

I also added a Fumoto valve.

For the oil filter, I've found I can set a drain pan on the cross member. I can sit almost upright under mine with my back to the driver front tire while changing the filter.

Hardest part of the oil change is the top of the fill tube is too close to the top of the hood opening, so I have to use quart-size bottles (filled from a 5-qt bottle) and go slow when filling.

I think I may have opened the dog house once when it was new just to look around. Hasn't been opened since.

[Rick 99037]

In all of this, I hope a unit as new as a 2017, you have the Black Bag, with all the manuals in it. If not. I'd at least go to Winnebago and download and print out the Unit's Owners manual. The winterization section alone, is worth the effort by itself.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by John Mo

I also added a Fumoto valve.

For the oil filter, I've found I can set a drain pan on the cross member. I can sit almost upright under mine with my back to the driver front tire while changing the filter.

Hardest part of the oil change is the top of the fill tube is too close to the top of the hood opening, so I have to use quart-size bottles (filled from a 5-qt bottle) and go slow when filling.

I think I may have opened the dog house once when it was new just to look around. Hasn't been opened since.

You might consider opening it up again and adding this insulation. Watch the video and you’ll see the db reduction. Makes driving a gasser much quieter…

https://vimeo.com/429101708/f7919d43c3