Cummins service support is a primary concern

[HeadedToTexas]

There are many discussions here about the service manufacturers provide being an important variable when choosing among different brands. Standing behind their product is a primary concern when selecting electronics systems. Garmin? Simrad? Raymarine? When the chips are down and the free manual doesn’t produce answers, you really want and need someone to answer the phone to walk you through the issue.

That’s where I am with Cummins. Especially at this point in the life of my 2007 boat, it is not practical to choose Detroit or Yanmar instead of Cummins and I am stuck with their support. The answer Cummins provides is “call your local dealer.” I am in Columbus, Ohio and while there are plenty of Cummins shops here, none of them are Cummins marine and everyone I have talked to goes quiet when I ask about SmartCraft.

One exchange lead to the rep suggesting a Cummins dealer in Tampa as “they a lot more boats down there.” Perhaps, but when the guy in Tampa found out I am in Ohio, the support went cold.

How have you Cummins owners found support after striking out with the manual?

 

[ksanders]

A huge part of your issue is your location.

Columbus Ohio is not really a huge boating market, especially for large boats.

Plenty of support exists in the coastal areas though.

 

[HeadedToTexas]

That’s reassuring. Explaining that to Cummins has so far fallen on deaf ears.

 

[ktdtx]

Cummins Marine Diesel Repower Specialists

Lot of info here and for a fee (at least used to) he will sell you some of his time for consultation.

 

[DavidM]

I would take a different approach to this issue.

I would first spend a lot of time on the Sbmar.com site. Carefully read the articles in Tony’s Tips that are applicable to your situation, particularly after cooler servicing.

Then if you have a specific problem or question, ask it on the Sbmar Forum. You won’t find better Cummins advice anywhere.

Then if you are capable of doing the work yourself, do it.

Otherwise find a preferably independent marine mechanic and show him the forum or the Tony’s Tips response and see his reaction. If he poo-poos it, find another mechanic.

Then if you can find a mechanic who will respect Sbmar’s advice, go with him.

This approach lets you manage the work and doesn’t rely on some unknown telephone answerer.

David

 

[HeadedToTexas]

I have spent a lot of time reading Tony’s articles and went a long way down the path of dumping SmartCraft altogether in favor of J1939. While J1939 may be more simple than SmartCraft including being “Garmin ready,” dumping SmartCraft has wide reaching impact and I needed someone to quarterback the project. No problem if I was in LA (or maybe Tampa), I struck out here in Ohio.

At this point I have committed to SmartCraft. I’m confident it will work, but the tricks appear to be buried in a myriad of manuals and bulletins that only Cummins understands.