Considering A 2004 Jouney 36G C7 330hp

[colemole]

Hello
Considering buying a 2004 Journey 36G with the C7 330hp Cat engine. I see some folks have had troubles with the C7 Fan hub bearing. Not sure if this is a wide spread problem or just a few. Any other issues? Nice coach but don't need trouble.
Thanks

[Chuck 1935]

colemole, I have a 2004 Itasca Meridian, which is the same set up as the Journey. It is the best most troublefree Coach I have ever owned. I have just short of 80,000 mile without ANY problems. Another thing is the Winnebago tech service line, they are very helpful and can give you any information about your Motorhome. I have heard about the fan hub bearing but never had a problem with it myself. I would think that there were not very many failures for the amount of Cat engines that are on the road. I hope this helps !

[tomsm]

colemole, I have the same model and engine you're considering. I have had zero problems with the drivetrain. Like Chuck, I have heard of the hub bearing failures, but have no idea how widespread the problem is. I'm sure you'll hear about every failure, but not the ones that have worked perfectly. I know there are a ton of C7s out there in service, so if it is a big problem, I think we would have heard even more about it. Just an opinion based on my experience, but I feel the C7 and Allison 3000MH are as smooth and bullet proof as any drivetrain out there.

We really like the 36G floorplan. It's very well balanced, drives and handles great.

You probably know this, but be sure to check tires and batteries. If either are original, you'll probably have to replace them soon.

[jimmccreary]

Colemole,
Our RV had 11,000mi when we bought it and after 2 years has 35,000mi. We have had no significant problems but have had minor issues as all coaches seem to have.

Very good: engine, transmission, electrical, 8.4mpg, power, minimal tire wear. gas and electric heater, A/C, plumbing, refrigerator, exterior and paint, awnings, easily pulls towed car, chasis, power conversion and distribution (chargers, inverter, shore and generator power), no problem with hub

satisfactory: steering & handling (added koni shocks, MCI control units, Safe-T-Plus)

needed attention:
1. odor from uncapped drain pipe intended for washer
2. radiator degrease and clean once every 10K mi (maintenance item)
3. extended engine oil breather tube beyond rear to reduce radiator grease buildup
4. unglued front hood and rear grills and side panels in rear and rear panel
5. black and gray water tank internal sensors not reliable even after cleaning (replaced with external sensors)
6. propane tank leak due to crack at mounting bracket
7. sliding pantry door latch needed repair
8. sanyo convection over needed damper motor replaced
9. water pump vibration needed repair
10. front A/C went out
11. backup video camera needed to be replaced
12. disk/VHS player went out
13. difficult to fill gas tank (both car and truck nozzles shut off for high gas flow) still have not solved this one
14. built-in hand held 2way radio (built-in chargers failed even with new batteries)
15. added xantrex echo charger to charge engine battery from shore power
16. fog light switch or relay went out

Overall we are very happy with our RV and I have come to appreciate that an RV like a house needs regular maintenance. This forum has been very helpful to me. I am very satisfied with overall performance of the major items and I would buy our coach again. Our dogs also approve. Hope this helps.

jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H, CAT C7 330 HP

[colemole]

Thanks for your comments. Appreciate the help
Colemole

[Sammie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmccreary Colemole, Our RV had 11,000mi when we bought it and after 2 years has 35,000mi. We have had no significant problems but have had minor issues as all coaches seem to have. Very good: engine, transmission, electrical, 8.4mpg, power, minimal tire wear. gas and electric heater, A/C, plumbing, refrigerator, exterior and paint, awnings, easily pulls towed car, chasis, power conversion and distribution (chargers, inverter, shore and generator power), no problem with hub satisfactory: steering & handling (added koni shocks, MCI control units, Safe-T-Plus) needed attention: 1. odor from uncapped drain pipe intended for washer 2. radiator degrease and clean once every 10K mi (maintenance item) 3. extended engine oil breather tube beyond rear to reduce radiator grease buildup 4. unglued front hood and rear grills and side panels in rear and rear panel 5. black and gray water tank internal sensors not reliable even after cleaning (replaced with external sensors) 6. propane tank leak due to crack at mounting bracket 7. sliding pantry door latch needed repair 8. sanyo convection over needed damper motor replaced 9. water pump vibration needed repair 10. front A/C went out 11. backup video camera needed to be replaced 12. disk/VHS player went out 13. difficult to fill gas tank (both car and truck nozzles shut off for high gas flow) still have not solved this one 14. built-in hand held 2way radio (built-in chargers failed even with new batteries) 15. added xantrex echo charger to charge engine battery from shore power 16. fog light switch or relay went out Overall we are very happy with our RV and I have come to appreciate that an RV like a house needs regular maintenance. This forum has been very helpful to me. I am very satisfied with overall performance of the major items and I would buy our coach again. Our dogs also approve. Hope this helps. jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H, CAT C7 330 HP

Jim, I have a 2006 Journey and when filling my fuel tank I need to turn the fuel nozzel to the side in order to get the pump to fill on high fuel flow.

Sammie

[Chuck 1935]

Sammie;Jim, I have a 2006 Journey and when filling my fuel tank I need to turn the fuel nozzel to the side in order to get the pump to fill on high fuel flow.

Sammie

When I got my coach I streightened out some of the curves in the fill hose and re routed the filler vent hose to above the fill hose. Big change.

[jimmccreary]

Sammie, Chuck,
I have to do the same thing. Hold the nozzle sideways but still I can never get high flow.
Chuck, can you tell us more about how you straightened out the flow path. I would really like to see some pics also if you have them. Let us know how you solved this terrible problem

jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H

[Chuck 1935]

I don't have any pictures but if you look at the filler hose you can see how to make a more direct run from the filler neck to the tank. On mine the smaller vent pipe was actually hanging below the filler hose so that it trapped fuel in the vent hose, thereby choking off the filler vent.. I just moved it above the filler pipe. There is also a vent hose attached to the top of the fuel tank that can only be accessed from under the coach, Just reach up to the top of the tank and make sure th tank vent pipe in not pinched off.

[MaverickBBD]

I have an '05 Journey 36G. It just past 51k miles. I put 15k miles on while gone for seven months this year. I love the thing. Did not intend it to be my ultimate rig but it may end up being that way.

I too have heard about fan hub failures. Seems they occur around 30k miles. Supposedly Gaffney check for bearing "slob" on M3 service (which I had done in April). Never had the lifters adjusted but am considering it at this time. Don't know why, but just considering it.

Do have your oil dipstick calibrated by a reliable place. Very carefully metered flow in. Then absolutely stick to the 19 qt. capacity. Will help tons on radiator issues.

[jimmccreary]

Tom, thanks for comment on 19qt oil. Engine specs call for 22qt and that's what the dealer puts in. At this level I will get a thin film of oil on one side of toad. Will try 19qt next time.

Just had my valves adjusted at 36K mi only because I heard on the forum that would not be too early. Valves required a slight adjustment. I could not tell any difference in engine performance or power.

Chuck, thanks for your comment on fuel filler tubes. Will give it a try.

jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H

[JC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by colemole Hello Considering buying a 2004 Journey 36G with the C7 330hp Cat engine. I see some folks have had troubles with the C7 Fan hub bearing. Not sure if this is a wide spread problem or just a few. Any other issues? Nice coach but don't need trouble. Thanks

Here is an extensive thread on the Cat C7 bearing failures.
C7 Fan Bearing Failure

and several other threads here:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1212697

[JoeT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmccreary Tom, thanks for comment on 19qt oil. Engine specs call for 22qt and that's what the dealer puts in. At this level I will get a thin film of oil on one side of toad. Will try 19qt next time. Just had my valves adjusted at 36K mi only because I heard on the forum that would not be too early. Valves required a slight adjustment. I could not tell any difference in engine performance or power. Chuck, thanks for your comment on fuel filler tubes. Will give it a try. jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H

22 qts is overfill for the CAT C7. CAT calls for 19 qts. Check the CAT web site or call the CAT help line. Your dealer is wrong.

[pameridan04]

HI CM:

Winnie & Itasca 36G with

CAT C7... Allison Trannie... Freightliner Chassie... is about as bullet proof as you can get mechanical wise IMO.