Service Work

[PSYCHOFREAK3]

Well guys it's about that time for an oil change and since I bought the truck used I might as well get the fuel filter changed. So do any of you guys know a credible place that will do an oil change and fuel filter for a diesel around Rockford IL. Also, the truck has 170k on it, this will be my first change since buying it is there anything else besides the oil and fuel filter that I should have done. Finally about what cost are you guys looking at when getting this work done?

Thanks.

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2001 Ram 2500 6sp HO K&N air filter 5" Gibson exhaust Silencer Ring MIA Glowshift gauges pyro, boost, and FP

[Headhunter]

do it yourself!

as far as a place I can't be of too much assistance! I know of a lil Ma & Pa shop in Freeport! but that's a 30+- drive from Rockford!

I'll see if I can't talk to a couple of guys and see what they might know!

all else fails.... buy the filter & the oil and DIVE IN!! or bring it down here and I'll do it!

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Illinois Cummins Crew President Illinois Chapter Forum
2000 Ram 3500 6x4x2 dually, Hand shaker, 5 inch Bullhaulers (homemade KIT) , ISSPRO Guages, Flip up tow-mirrors, Air Dog, Smarty
2007.5 Ram 3500 6X4X4 DUALLY, 68RFE, Laramie H Pack, Line-X, Luverne Running boards, Front & rear Sunglasses! 6.7L of fun! Sunroof, Auto pilot

[Motorboat]

If you know nothing about the maintenance history on the truck, start from scratch.

Change all the fluids to those of your choice. Flush the radiator and watch what comes out. I even changed the brake fluid but, I'm anal. Look the truck over real well, belt, hoses, leaks, etc.

This will be a bit pricey if you have it done, $300 to $400 would be my guess, less of course if you do it yourself as has been suggested.

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1997 Ram 3500, auto, 4X4. 4" Diamondeye, Icebox, Danin/Optix pyro, boost and trans. Deep trans. pan. LED marker, tail and clearance lights. Mr. Bob's hoses, 330s and a little adjustment here and here. Some stuff added some stuff removed, KDP tabbed.

[PSYCHOFREAK3]

Thanks guys for the info, but I usually drive to Freeport a couple times per month so what is the name of the place up there. But I am not incredibly knowledgeable about trucks in general but I feel like a 2 year old learning to write when it comes to diesels. But thank you for all of your input so far.

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2001 Ram 2500 6sp HO K&N air filter 5" Gibson exhaust Silencer Ring MIA Glowshift gauges pyro, boost, and FP

[Headhunter]

Sawicki Motors is the dodge dealership in Freeport!

not a bad shop, @ least from what I knew when I worked there in town!

other than that if you are looking for a place to just change the oil etc. I can't think of the name of the place we took all our work trucks to!

I'll do some lookin and see what I can come up w/!

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Illinois Cummins Crew President Illinois Chapter Forum
2000 Ram 3500 6x4x2 dually, Hand shaker, 5 inch Bullhaulers (homemade KIT) , ISSPRO Guages, Flip up tow-mirrors, Air Dog, Smarty
2007.5 Ram 3500 6X4X4 DUALLY, 68RFE, Laramie H Pack, Line-X, Luverne Running boards, Front & rear Sunglasses! 6.7L of fun! Sunroof, Auto pilot

[Dad]

I would suggest reading the owners manual so you understand what needs to be done so you can make sure it is done correctly. Most run of the mill repair shops don't know diesel motors either. Is there a Cummins shop near you?

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High Rider: 98.5 Ram 2500 4x4, 5 Spd, SB 13", A3000 turbo, DDP Stage 3 sticks, studded, 4" TB,, AEM Intake, Gauges, FASS95, S-Chips Tune
Low Rider: '06 Chevy 1/2 Ton, Victory Red, 2/4 Drop, roll pan, sport mirrors, rollin on 20's

[oldhand10]

Maybe I'm sort of paranoid concerning most shops, but think I have good reason. Won't name the shop, but back in 96 I'd just bought my first brand new Dodge 2500 Diesel with manual transmission. Had 3 "free" oil and filter change coupons, so took it back for the free service. Asked if I could furnish Shell rotella, as I wanted the Turbo protection, and could use their oil in my farm tractor, and no problem there, but was then reminded of the rule of no customer in shop. I stood outside watching the so called tech drain all of the oil, drop the filter, and put the plug back in, then start dumping the gallon jugs of oil in the engine. When he was about half way through the third jug, I asked him if he was not going to fill the filter, and he should save some of that new oil to do so. He told me "he did not fill filters, the oil pump would do that", and I told him he was going to fill mine, as I figured dry starts caused more wear than many thousands of miles use. He still refused, so I went inside, pulled the keys from the truck and put them in my pocket, which caused much confusion. Soon the Service Manager was there, telling me I could not talk to the tech, and go wait in the waiting room, and when I told him I did not dare to let that truck out of my sight, after seeing what I had, we had a serious discussion, almost an argument. I told him even I as a customer knew it was always beneficial to fill a filter with new oil, to speed the flow of oil into the engine at start up, and he said that was a tech's choice. Even after showing him the owner's manual with this suggestion in print, he stood up for his technician. Finally, he did tell the teck to use the last of the oil to fill the filter, just to appease me, and after seeing that, I gave them back the keys, so it could be started.
Upon going to the cashiers window, I was told to absolutely never step foot in his shop again, I could turn my vehicle over to his well trained people, as they knew what they were doing. With that statement, I took the remaining 2 coupons, showed them to him, and tore them into little pieces, stating my vehicle would never enter their shop again, and it did not.
Shortly afterward, I received the "Customer Satisfaction Survey" from Chrysler, and unloaded on them about the lack of concern of my purchase by the service manager and his folks. Ended up with a personal face to face conference with the dealership owner, and Service Manager, as Detroit had jumped on them hard. So anyone with just a very few basic tools, a good drain pan can do their own basic PM service, and know it was done properly. You then know what brand of oil in installed, can choose the filter brand and filtration size, plus save quite a few bucks as well. Shell Rotella, which is my preferred mineral oil, can be purchased from Sam's for about $8.50 per gallon in a six gallon case, which will do for two changes. Some time in your travels, stop in any Cummins shop, purchase either 3 or 8 micron filtration size, in Fleet guard filters, get a spare fuel filter, for much less than Dodge charges for their filters, and you are set to do some of your own work. It is easy, takes less than an hour, and should save you about $55, plus assure your truck of having your choice of oil & filter. BTW, that Dealership is still in business, and I still drive a Dodge Diesel, but it was purchased from a more distant dealership, as were the last two my Son bought. I also advertise as much as possible for their service dept. Give it a try, maybe with someone to watch and make sure you do it right, the first time, but it is easy.

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:woot

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Last edited by oldhand10 : 07-26-2007 at 07:36 AM.

[PSYCHOFREAK3]

No I don't know of a Cummins dealer around here, I tried to search the web to find out but came up with nothing. So if anyone knows of one that would be great. But I will contact Sawicki Motors and get their info.

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2001 Ram 2500 6sp HO K&N air filter 5" Gibson exhaust Silencer Ring MIA Glowshift gauges pyro, boost, and FP