Freightliner M3 service at 24,000 miles - Have you done this?

[LK23]

I called the local Freightliner service facility and asked about having the M3 service performed since my coach just exceeded 24,000 miles. The service consultant said they had never performed an M3 and could not give me a price. He said most people just perform parts of this service. They offer an oil and filter change with a 35 point inspection/lube for around $350. I have had this service annually since my coach was new. What service did you have performed at 24,000 miles?

I am considering the following service items that are included in the M3 and wonder how necessary they are:

1. Wheel bearing removal, cleaning, repacking
2. Hydralic reservoir filter changing
3. Service air dryer filter
4. Power steering fluid changing
5. Neway suspension fasterner torgue checking
6. Ground cables checking and cleaning
7. Camshaft bracket bushing lubricating

I would appreciate yours comments and opinions on this subject.

John Canfield, I know you recently had the M3 service and would appreciate your comments. Would you have it performed again based on what you received and the price.

Rex

[Pusherman]

An M3 service is defined as 24 months/24kmiles. Since most of us don't put the miles on, then one should go by the time line.

Here's what's in a M3:
Change engine oil/filter
Chassis lube
Fuel/H2O separator replace
Secondary Fuel Filter replace
Coolant - check SCA's

Note the above is also the M2 (annual list). Add to the above list for the M3:
Air filter change

If you are at 36 months of service add:
Air Brake dryer filter replacement
Coolant change
Main/Lube Transmission filters (Note: assumes you have TranSynd fluid. Fluid is specified to be changed at 48 months; I would change when doing the filter change).

When I had an M3 done on my prior coach, they also went around and cleaned all the electrical connections, cleaned and regreased the S-cam rollers, and more. I had mine done at Gaffney. Don't know where you're located, but Gaffney really knows what they're doing, and it's well worth the trip if you can make it.

[LK23]

Still no M3 cost quote from Transwest. I called and asked to speak with the service manager, Jim, who said they cannot quote a package price because every coach is different. ??

He said I will have a quote based on the hourly rate by tomorrow noon.

[boulderado]

I wish we could go to Gaffney, but it's a hike from Colorado and not in the cards for this year.

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[Pusherman]

I called Gaffney regarding the coolant change interval, as I was confused as well. My manual states change at 36 months/75kmiles.

Here's what FL told me: The Fleetguard coolant, which is what is put in at the factory, is NOT extended life coolant. If the SCA's are checked every 6 months, then the change interval is 5 yrs/100k miles. If the SCA's have never been checked, then the technician told me that the coolant should be changed every 2 years/24k miles.

Hope this solves this mystery.

[boulderado]

I guess we're getting ready for the M3 on ours as it is about two years old, but only 11,000 miles. We use Transwest in Frederick as well (nice facility) and I will call Matt or Tom Monday to ask about the M3.

[LK23]

John,

Both are the same company, Transwest. They built a new facility north of Denver in Frederick, CO. This new facility specializes in RVs and truck trailers. This is where I intend to take my coach and also where they have never performed a M3 service. It is a nice facility and they have taken good care of me when I only needed oil changes. Evidently, no one has asked for a M3 until now. Seems strange since they do a lot of RV business.

[Savannah]

Also tell Pat in Gaffney that they are pressing you for additional stuff. She will pass it on to the people that need to have that info to make it stop.

Your best defense is to be very prepared when you go into a shop with all needed info OR go to Gaffney for your service

[John_Canfield]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by boulderado:
--snip-- Also, they claim we need a coolant flush and replacement every two year regardless of long-life coolant or not. Are they just blowing smoke or should we have the coolant replaced?--snip-- </div></BLOCKQUOTE>It's so smoky I can't even see them If the Freightliner maintenance schedule doesn't call for that, tell them to go pound sand. If there is any doubt, call Pat in Gaffney.

Our Jeep dealer keeps at us every time we take it there for service that our transfer case (or was it the differential?) should have a fluid change. According to our manual and our driving scenario, it clearly doesn't need to be done. That doesn't stop them from asking every time, though.

It REALLY bugs me when dealerships keep trying to dig a little deeper into your wallet when it is clearly not necessary. I don't have much respect for those who grub around and try to pad the bill with unnecessary items.

[Pusherman]

LK23, When you call FL and if you talk to Pat in service, she has a sheet which details all the things they do for an M3. Possibly she could either send it to you or fax it to you.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[LK23]

I called the local Freightliner service facility and asked about having the M3 service performed since my coach just exceeded 24,000 miles. The service consultant said they had never performed an M3 and could not give me a price. He said most people just perform parts of this service. They offer an oil and filter change with a 35 point inspection/lube for around $350. I have had this service annually since my coach was new. What service did you have performed at 24,000 miles?

I am considering the following service items that are included in the M3 and wonder how necessary they are:

1. Wheel bearing removal, cleaning, repacking
2. Hydralic reservoir filter changing
3. Service air dryer filter
4. Power steering fluid changing
5. Neway suspension fasterner torgue checking
6. Ground cables checking and cleaning
7. Camshaft bracket bushing lubricating

I would appreciate yours comments and opinions on this subject.

John Canfield, I know you recently had the M3 service and would appreciate your comments. Would you have it performed again based on what you received and the price.

Rex

[John_Canfield]

Rex - both of your Freightliner dealers in Denver are listed as Oasis dealers. Maybe try the other one and ask them about Freightliner Custom Chassis maintenance schedule.

[Pusherman]

John is right -- if your manual doesn't call for the service, then tell them to 'take a hike'. Especially at the low miles we usually put on our coaches.

Relative to the coolant, if the SCA's are checked and managed, then I see no reason to replace it before what FL recommends. For myself, I will go back and research the coolant replacement interval, as my manual states 36 months. Will let everyone know what I find out.

Remember that the coolant is added at FL, not the engine manufacturer, which can add some confusion on this point (refer to above posts).

My final source on all these issues is to call FL.

[smlranger]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by LK23:
Don,

Thanks for the great information.

As I understand it, the coolant is good for 100,000 miles if the SCA's are checked and recharged if necessary. I will call Freightliner tomorrow to verify this. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

When I checked with FL on my coolant, they told me all MH chassis from 2002 and later had an extended life coolant...good for 5 yrs. They said to check SCA's every 6 months.

[LK23]

Don,

Thanks for the great information.

As I understand it, the coolant is good for 100,000 miles if the SCA's are checked and recharged if necessary. I will call Freightliner tomorrow to verify this.

[Savannah]

Oh one of the things Mike told us at Camp Freightliner is to ask if the M3 etc are sold in packages since having the work done ala carte is far more expensive. Pat in Gaffney is a help with this.

Also post your service outcome at www.rvservicereviews.com

[LK23]

John,

I live in Denver, CO and Transwest is the only Freightliner RV service center in this area as far as I know. They do a lot of Freightliner RV service. I was surprised at their response that they have never performed a M3.

Unfortunately, I cannot afford to drive to Gaffney for this service.

I either ask them to do their first M3 or I elect what is important to have performed.

[John_Canfield]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Savannah:
Get a list of what an M3 covers, print it out and take it to your dealer. We used this for a dealer that also was an Oasis dealer but not familiar with an M3. We also asked them to call Pat in Gaffney for info on cost etc. They were willing to do so and to charge accordingly. Since each shop has different rates the prices will vary.

We now carry copies of each service list so we can give it to the servicing dealer. Also be sure and post your service visit. That helps us all. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>A most excellent idea!

Freightliner in Tolleson had a package price for M3.

[boulderado]

I just dropped off the rig at Transwest in Frederick and they are going to do what they call a B service. That includes oil and filters (oil/fuel), 55 point inspection, road simulator test and chassis lube.

Also, they claim we need a coolant flush and replacement every two year regardless of long-life coolant or not. Are they just blowing smoke or should we have the coolant replaced?

The rig is 2 years old come December and was built in April 2005.

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[John_Canfield]

Rex - I think $1100 is ball park for what Freightliner Tolleson was charging for M3.

Most of these places are charging ~$100 an hour for service and I think a properly done M3 service should take one tech a full day. Then you throw in the air filter, hydraulic filter, etc. and there's your kilobuck.