Reputable Diesel Shop in Albuquerque, NM

[MSkyrman]

I would like to check the valve lash while passing through Albuquerque. I see there is a Rocky Mountain Cummins there. I would appreciate it if anyone has had any good dealings with them or if there is another competent shop in the area they would trust this to. Also, about how much should this run me $$.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The best settings are . 010" intake, . 020" exhaust. Most shops use . 008 and . 012" feeler gauges for intake, . 018 and . 022" for exhaust. This way is quick and "adequate" but the engine is best with all valves set exactly on spec, not plus or minus . 002 of spec. As soon as you ask "how much" the shop wants to maximize profit at minimum effort, unfortunately. I always set the lash exactly and it takes much longer.

 

[Grizzly]

I had Rocky Mountain Cummins in Albuquerque set the valve lash on my (then) 95 Dodge Cummins when I had about 35K on the clock. They said that they set the valves to specs and that I should not need it again for another 50K miles. That was the one and only time I had the valve lash set. I was happy with them and I thought their pricing was reasonable and better than the dealers in town.

 

[MSkyrman]

They quoted me $150 today over the phone. They said it would take 2 to 3 hours. I don't know if that's reasonable or not, but doesn't seem too outrageous. I will insist that they use the 0. 010 and 0. 020 criteria (thanks Joe - above post).

 

[MSkyrman]

I had Rocky Mountain Cummins in Albuquerque set the valve lash on my (then) 95 Dodge Cummins when I had about 35K on the clock. They said that they set the valves to specs and that I should not need it again for another 50K miles. That was the one and only time I had the valve lash set. I was happy with them and I thought their pricing was reasonable and better than the dealers in town.

Thanks Grizzly, I made an appointment with them today but may call the dealer also to see what they say.

 

[Ducman82]

I have yet to go to them here in ABQ, but i have heard nothing but good things about them.

 

[pwerwagn]

I used to buy stuff from RMC and they are reputable.



Personally... Id take it to Joe and pay him to do your valve adjustment.



--Jeff

 

[MSkyrman]

Thought I would put this thread to bed (wow, that rhymed!)



I was overall pleased with Rocky Mountain Cummins in Albuquerque and the valve lash adjustment they did, though they were super slammed the Monday morning I was there (w/ appt) and made me wait 5+ hours to get it done. Now, I know it doesn't take that long to cool the engine down. The technician said they fell within specs but that he adjusted the valves to . 010/. 020 (intake/exhaust). I asked him specifically what the existing lash was, and he could not tell me, just that they were within spec, though slightly off from the . 010/. 020. Cost was $160 out the door. I would recommend them - anyplace that is that busy must be pretty decent... pretty cool to see them working on the gamut of vehicles - buses, motorhomes, pickups, cement trucks, you name it, it was there.

 

[jjdiesel]

So before you put it totally to bed, tell us... any improvement? Do you notice any changes?... . interested to know if you feel any improvement... TIA

 

[MSkyrman]

No, I do not notice any difference, which pretty much confirms what others told me. Plus, it was already within spec when I took it in, which made me feel good that I haven't been doing any damage to the engine in the 5 years that I've had it. I had also been told that you can do damage to the engine with out-of-spec valve lash and not know that you are doing any damage. So I figure I'll do this about every 5 or 6 years (about 100K miles for me) and not worry about it.