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08-09-2018, 06:35 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Richmond, TX
Posts: 109
M.O.C. #20452
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Lippert Technical Support Rates Five Stars!!
I was having problems with my Lippert Level-Up hydraulic system, which refused to run sometimes then quit completely. I searched the Lippert website for technical support, and found a lot of references on trouble shooting and repairs. Someone suggested calling Lippert's tech support center and I found them to be very helpful. They talked me through some diagnostics, using my multimeter to measure the voltage reaching the hydraulic power unit. We confirmed that the power unit motor was faulty on my 2012 Montana 3150RL. They also mentioned that tapping it lightly with a hammer might make it work again, at least on a temporary basis, and this was not documented on their website. I was very happy with the support, especially since it gave me a temporary 'fix' and confirmed what part needed to be replaced.
The components of the Level-Up system are expensive, and I was glad to not be at the mercy of an RV tech, who might take the shotgun approach of replacing parts till it was fixed. The hydraulic power unit is a $900 part, which I ordered, replaced myself (not too hard), and I avoided an RV service center wait and labor charges. It works again. The new motor sounds strong, and to my now educated ear the old motor sounded weak and the sound oscillated.
My advice is to call them early on any problem with a Lippert component, and there are lots of Lippert components in these campers! They can help you avoid frustration and costly labor charges. If you are a little bit handy and have tools, you can replace faulty components yourself.
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08-09-2018, 06:41 AM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Richmond, TX
Posts: 109
M.O.C. #20452
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PS: If you have never read your service manual on how to manually operate your hydraulic system, you should. Also, make sure you have the tools needed which for me were a power drill, a 1/4" hex drill bit, a 5/32" hex wrench, and a right angle drill bit adapter.
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08-09-2018, 07:05 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
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I agree that Lippert has excellent service over the phone. It sounds like the Hydraulic systems are relatively trouble free. I wish I could say the same for the 6 point electric system
__________________
James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
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08-09-2018, 07:47 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Always came thru for us as well.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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08-09-2018, 11:43 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Shady Cove
Posts: 154
M.O.C. #18031
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Awesome tech support a real pleasure to deal with unlike Keystone support
__________________
2015 GMC Denali 2500hd D/A
2016 Montana 3160rl Legacy
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08-09-2018, 12:18 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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John-- You should have received a quarter inch hex head long extension in your unit when you got it unless you bought it from an individual. They may have taken it out and kept it. Our unit came with one and I also have a spare-- just in case! LOL It was in with my manual in the plastic bag and if you didn't find it there it may have been in one of the drawers in the kitchen area. It is a flex extension and is to be used on the hydraulic pump IF it should ever fail. There is a stick on label on the pump where the hex extension goes into. Just peel that label off, stick the extension in the hole and attach a drill and hang on for the pump to bring in the sides and level-up legs up in an emergency of no power or whatever. Glad you got it working and you're able to use the unit for what it was made for "enjoying the great outdoors"!
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08-09-2018, 01:16 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,359
M.O.C. #4831
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goodellj
<snip>
...We confirmed that the power unit motor was faulty on my 2012 Montana 3150RL. They also mentioned that tapping it lightly with a hammer might make it work again, at least on a temporary basis, and this was not documented on their website....
...The hydraulic power unit is a $900 part...
</snip>
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I had the same experience on my 2012. The motor was intermittent but usually would work after hitting it up alongside the head with a screw driver handle. When it finally quit, I went through the LCI diagnostic process and identified the pump motor to be the culprit. I call LCI and talked to their tech support. He had me re-do the diagnostics and agreed it was the motor. He had mentioned earlier that the motor is basically a 12V starter motor so you could say I was SURPRISED when he quoted $900 for a replacement. I had planned to do it myself, but at this price point I turned it over to my extended warranty company. That way it only cost me the $100 deductible of the $1,100 bill (parts and labor). That covered over 1/2 of the extended warranty policy cost and I still have 4 years to go (with a leaking galley tank and hard to open shower dump valve yet to be replaced.
The LCI guys are great and more than willing to help. They are a pleasure to deal with.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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08-09-2018, 01:20 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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LCI also has an app for your phone where you can call up their videos. Very helpful company, too bad more aren't that way.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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08-09-2018, 01:25 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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I have read and reviewed tons of Manuals. I have to admit percussive action to start motor has not been in any of them.
Nice to hear they were able to help.
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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08-09-2018, 01:35 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Acres
Posts: 492
M.O.C. #13354
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffba
I have read and reviewed tons of Manuals. I have to admit percussive action to start motor has not been in any of them.
Nice to hear they were able to help.
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Oh I have used percussion adjustments on many things, most of the time it did not work, but at least I felt better!
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08-09-2018, 01:38 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leemedic
Oh I have used percussion adjustments on many things, most of the time it did not work, but at least I felt better!
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Agreed, but it treated as an undocumented workaround.
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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08-09-2018, 06:49 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Richmond, TX
Posts: 109
M.O.C. #20452
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It did not come with my Montana, and I did purchase from a dealer. Oh well.
__________________
John & Janet from Texas via Connecticut and Vermont
2012 Keystone Montana 3150RL 5th Wheel
2012 Ford F350 Diesel 4x4 Lariat Crewcab SRW
6.7L V-8 diesel, 6-sp automatic, 3.55 axle ratio
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