T&T: Cummins Manuals

[Albin43SDtr]

'Lo All Again,

A few years ago, I wrote about replacing a temp sender on the 
Celestial. The problem started while returning from a short cruise to 
Alabama. I intended to return to Panama City, and immediately proceed 
to a rendezvous in a favorite anchorage about 10 miles south of 
Panama City with friends in the Panama City Coastal Cruisers. One 
engine was indicating a continuous overheat problem and I suspected 
it was just a malfunctioning temp sender. I confirmed this by 
switching temp sender leads between engines and the high temp 
condition switched to the other engine. I would not have continued on 
to the rendezvous without fixing the problem, or knowing I had the 
parts to do so, as a real over-temp condition could then go unnoticed.

I had the Cummins Parts Manual on board. So, I called the local 
Cummins dealer and told him what I wanted and asked that the sender 
be delivered to the Panama City Marina, where I would pick it up. 
They did and I did. We continued on to the rendezvous. I installed it 
that evening and all has been well since. Knock on wood....(but who 
is ever superstitious??) :)

Anyway, the point is that without having the proper parts manual on 
board, I probably could not have pre-arranged to get the parts, as 
there are a couple of other senders available, depending upon 
installation and type of instruments. Temp senders are relatively 
easy to find replacements for, but other items are not so easy and an 
exact knowledge of the part(s) required is essential. For anyone 
contemplating any kind of cruise away from home port, I believe that 
having the proper manuals ON BOARD is essential. This includes the 
Owner's Manual for generic care and feeding, the Service Manual to 
help troubleshoot any problem and for guidance in repairing it, 
including disassembly as required (often not really intuitive), and 
the Parts Manual to order the exact correct part(s).

I attempted to find the temp sender on the Cummins QuickServe Online 
(QSO) site, but could not. One would have to pay for the advance 
service. Of interest, if I remember correctly, the QSO does not have 
manuals in PDF format for engines older than 1994. You have to buy 
hard copies of them anyway.

Of course, there are always options.... the easiest possibly being to 
just pull out your wallet....

JMVHO


Take care and be safe.

Wayne
Celestial
Albin43 Sundeck
Panama City, FL area