Preventative Maintenance

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I mentioned the other day in my Waterless Wash and Welding Project post that I was considering a lift pump for my truck. I’ve been working to catch up on preventative maintenance for everything, which includes new engine oil and filters for both trucks (Amsoil Signature for the Frontier and Amsoil Signature Max Duty for the Duramax), Amsoil filters, tire rotations, new OEM spin-on Allison transmission filter, OEM fuel filter, greasing and checking torque where applicable, etc. Painting over rusted frame areas (mostly on the RV) and cleaning out the holding tanks because the sensors aren’t reading reliably. I’m trying to decide what kind of interval to follow on the transmission and differential oils for the Duramax, since the initial transmission oil is supposed to be good to 45K under “severe operating conditions”, and there is no official statement for the differential. I’m thinking I’ll wait another year and swap both out to Amsoil synthetics around 25K.

I used Ebay’s “Best Offer” feature to pit several dealers against one another with the goal of a good discount off the lift pump. I didn’t quite get where I wanted, but paid enough under retail to cover the costs of fuel line disconnect tools, a 16oz manual transfer pump,  new center punch, and a couple bottles of Liquid Wrench dry lubricant to use on the RV slides. All in all, not a terrible deal. I’m concerned about water in my fuel because the exposed, vented cap for the transfer tank is always filled with water (internally) after it rains. It gets into the vent and has to make its way into the fuel. Adding a large fuel/water separator and additional fuel filter seems a good idea. That should be in next week and I may detail the install on here when I get around to it.

I’ve also been working to gather the parts needed to convert the generator in the RV from propane to gas, and now only need the fuel tank. I’m having issues finding one that will fit where I want it, so am not sure exactly how to proceed. I do have an aftermarket electric fuel pump and all the differing components between the propane and gasoline generators according to the parts diagrams, sitting on a shelf in my garage. Once I find the tank it should be a quick job to change it over. And (possibly) last, I have warm windows filling, fabric, and all the miscellaneous materials to make insulated roman shades for the RV sitting at the house, and need to break out the sewing machine and get to work. We’d really like to have them done by the time the heat of summer comes along.