Servicing interval for the Oasis

[J&JD]

I was talking to a fellow Dutch Star owner yesterday and the service interval for the Oasis came up. He said it was recommended by a tech that he get his Oasis serviced annually and yet he could not find that statement in any of the Oasis manuals. So, I went through all 60 pages of the service/troubleshoot manual and also had no luck finding a service interval.

We are not full timers and use the Oasis almost exclusively for hot water. In fact, a check just now showed our unit has a total of 157 hours in 5 years of use. Only about 30 hours/year even though the coach now has over 50k miles on it. IMHO, the unit should be serviced each 100 hours or so or perhaps every two years if the 100 hour mark is not reached.

I know, some will say service service every year regardless, even though the manual does not mention doing this. That’s fine. Think I’ll stick with 2 years, 100 hours, whichever comes first.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[Neal]

As a new RVer I thought since they sold "annual kits" that was the plan. Then there are 3 and 5 year kits as they contain different items to change at those year points, still annual service, but different parts at year 3 and 5. Now 5 years in and having done all my OASIS servicing myself including those lovely pumps, rewiring for electrical shorts too many times, I'd say leave it alone unless there is a problem. Keep a kit such as the 3 year kit on hand so you have parts should you need them. The only item of concern is the diesel filter which for me is at the front of the coach and at the last change I added the meter that shows when it's bad, not sure how it knows the lifetime of it, but I added it. If anything maybe change that every 2-3 years.

I've learned RVers love to spend money and companies prey on retirees money. I watch Facebook posts about people buying stuff and thinking how great it is, it falls in that part that RVers just love to shop and spend money on their hobby. It is what it is, I went through it, my amazon deliveries have dropped to every other day now.

OASIS 1 Year Service Kit

OASIS 3 Year Service Kit

OASIS 5 Year Service Kit

 

[Buly]

In 5 years, never bought a service kit or anything else. Just remove the nozzle and rinse it with WD40 and install it back. There is nothing in the nozzle to wear out.
But that’s me.

 

[J&JD]

In 5 years, never bought a service kit or anything else. Just remove the nozzle and rinse it with WD40 and install it back. There is nothing in the nozzle to wear out.
But that’s me.

If I were going to do that, I would probably replace WD40 with brake cleaner.

 

[Buly]

That’s what I had. I’m cheap

 

[redbaron]

My 2013 I did the annual kit every year. I kept all the old parts (except the garber filter).

When buying my 2019, I decided that the maintenance wasn't necessary on this item. I run it frequently, as every shower includes generous oasis assistance. Winter heat I leave it on.

I sold it in 2021 with 827 hours, and all the original equipment including fuel filter.

I plan to do the same with my LADP. I have enough barely used spare parts to cover me for a while.

 

[lostinfla]

I would think it's all dependent on how often the unit is used. Full timers that use it daily probably should at least change the filter annually, but in our case, we use the electric elements and only turn the burner on when showering in colder areas. I would recommend keeping a spare pump on hand though.

 

[Rich W.]

As a new RVer I thought since they sold "annual kits" that was the plan. Then there are 3 and 5 year kits as they contain different items to change at those year points, still annual service, but different parts at year 3 and 5. Now 5 years in and having done all my OASIS servicing myself including those lovely pumps, rewiring for electrical shorts too many times, I'd say leave it alone unless there is a problem. Keep a kit such as the 3 year kit on hand so you have parts should you need them. The only item of concern is the diesel filter which for me is at the front of the coach and at the last change I added the meter that shows when it's bad, not sure how it knows the lifetime of it, but I added it. If anything maybe change that every 2-3 years.

I've learned RVers love to spend money and companies prey on retirees money. I watch Facebook posts about people buying stuff and thinking how great it is, it falls in that part that RVers just love to shop and spend money on their hobby. It is what it is, I went through it, my amazon deliveries have dropped to every other day now.

OASIS 1 Year Service Kit

OASIS 3 Year Service Kit

OASIS 5 Year Service Kit

I carry the 5 year kit because it includes the ignitor and flame sensor which are prone to failure, will put the unit out of service, and can be hard to get, but it easy to change. I also carry a spare pump.

I like to get my money’s worth out of parts, so generally I wont change out a working part because of a maint. interval unless it could leave me stranded (such as a serpentine belt on a rear radiator coach). I also tend to service equipment such as generators and my Oasis unit based on the hour meter and not the calendar.

 

[Neal]

I noticed when viewing a link Amazon was smart enough to include a suggestion for hose clamp pinch off pliers, something you'll want (2) for changing a pump.

Amazon.com

This is is the one I have two of:

Amazon.com

 

[NWIP]

We do full time however spend most of our time in warmer weather so use the burner very little. Our first service was just done in Feb after 27 months. I do carry a spare pump and annual service kit.

 

[Rich W.]

I finally serviced mine, mainly because it would not stay running. It would run for a while, flame out, re-start then run for a much shorted period, and on and on until it would only stay on for a few seconds. So I figured it was the flame sensor and planned to do the rest of an annual at the same time I replaced that.

It was serviced to some level when I bought it in May of 2020, but probably just an annual. I bought a 5 year kit so I’d have everything although I wasnt neceeesarily going to use everything in the kit. Until I finally opened it up. Granted it’s been two years and I’ll have to look up the hours on it when I bought it (if I recorded that), but it was really dirty in the burn box and the flame sensor was melting down.

So I cleaned it up, used everthing in the kit but I suspect the problem was soot build up obscuring the flame sensor even though the old one looks a little worse for wear (see pics). The main thing was just cleaning it all up and given how dirty it was I think I’ll get in there annually from now on as recommended, even if unofficially.

Also it was very dusty inside the main cover but outside the combustion box and that dust could easily plug up the compressor air filter. Another good reson to get in there more often and just clean it up. I cleaned up all the old stuff and I’m saving most of it for spares, including the flame sensor because it probably still works.

If you’ve been procrastinating about servicing your Oasis take a look at the pics, especially the fuel block. I did not expect it to be this dirty. Second to the last pic shows the date on the flame sensor - obviously the original. The semi-out of focus last pic of the fuel block is to show the flame sensor hole - completely obscured with soot when I opened it up.

 

[SteveMA]

Did you find a field service manual or just wing it? We have low hours (almost never use the diesel burner) but should be due for at least a check up.
Thanks

 

[Rich W.]

On a 2020 with low hours, I wouldnt worry about it yet. Maybe open it up at 100 hours? I did read the manual because I was also replacing the flame sensor, but there is a very good youtube video for the annual here: . I don’t know how many hours were on mine when I bought it, but I’ve put on 100 hours since last year when I replaced a pump. So I’ll guess the condition mine was in happened in about 200 hours which I would say is definitely too long. Also unlike many RV chores, I found this one easy and enjoyable. Just get all set up first, take it slow, and be gentle. You’ll have good results.

Oasis manuals:
https://myrvworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Oasis_Service_Manual.pdf

https://itrheat.com/wp-content/uplo...tion-and-Operating-Manual-October-29-2018.pdf

 

[JRS]

Did ours for the first time at 3yrs of full time use last month. Used the 3 yr kit. The unit was fairly clean..... We rarely boondock (roughly 30 days total) so rarely use the fuel burner. Where we camp (temperature wise) the 2 electric elements provide plenty of hot water. I was most concerned about the fuel filter rusting through. I actually added some paint to the top of the new one installed to delay the rusting.

 

[Rich W.]

So a couple things on Oasis maintenance:

1. I found working on it is easy and even enjoyable - didn’t expect that after 3
less than pleasant pump replacements.

2. The maintenance kits are appallingly expensive and full of unnecessary stuff. If you want the kits, they are about 15% cheaper than Amazon from Hydronic Warehouse Cost Saving Kits - Fuel Filters & Nozzles, Racor Kits, & More | Hydronic Heating Warehouse

3. Once you have installed a 3 or 5 year kit, you have good working spare parts.

So my new annual will cost me $25.76. I’ll blow out the compressor air filter, clean my fuel nozzle and replace the internal stone filter, and use my spare ignitor and/or flame sensor if the ever fail. I just can’t see any reason for paying the high prices of the 1, 3, and 5 year kits.

Parts and prices:

Gar Ber spin on filter 23.16
Fuel Nozzle brass filter 2.60
Fuel nozzle O ring 3.30
Compressor air filter (opt) 11.68
Fuel Nozzle (opt) $85.00
Igniter (opt) $69.00
Flame Sensor (opt) $145.00

General Fuel Filter with O-Ring FLE-120-100

Nozzle filter Oasis CH50 and Combi (14024 )

Oasis Air Compressor Filter, Brass sintered 1/8 MPT (6020)

Oasis Ignitor 12V 9002

Digital Flame Sensor Assy V2001

14017 Nozzle assembly 30609-33 (CO45,H2,HWH)

Also there will be no more $300 pumps or fighting in the $216 3/4” retro pump. My next pump will be one of these $82.00 1/2” units and it will drop right in: C1-E Circulating Pump | US Solar Pumps

Edit: I just did the math - purchased individually all the parts in the maintenance kits add up to $327.94 if purchased separately. Thats cheaper than the five year kit.

 

[Rich W.]

One more thing on servicing my Oasis - I’m going to watch the hour meter and take a look at the general condition of the burn box and specifically the fuel block after about 25 hours of use and then every 25 hours after that to determine my new maintenance interval.

I wont let it get as dirty as it was and if that is happening more quickly than it should I’ll chase down that issue as well. But regardless, my maintenance interval will be based on the hour meter and not the calendar and it will be triggered by the amount of time it takes to start looking like its in need, not a published spec.

I’ll report my findings here when I make this determination for anyone interested. I was surprised to see how dirty it was but that was after at least 100 hours (probably more) and 2 years. Unfortunately I havent been able to find any notation of the hours on the unit when I bought it. But that doesn't matter now - what’s important is just keeping it in good shape and reliable.