99 Pace Arrow 37 engine issue

[Sailshak]

I'm brand new to this forum. I have a question for you. My 99 Pace Arrow threw a rod. 454 Chevy motor. I paid $33K for this MH in July 2008. I have a warranty which is trying to deny the claim saying it took water in thru the intake. The intake is waist high. I would have had to have water in the coach for that to happen. My mechanic says the warranty people are idiots. He took apart the entire intake and found zero water. The piston that let go (#1 cylinder) had anti-freeze in it. Tim thinks this is what caused it to seize up. Here is the question. The dealer is willing to give me $30K for it as a trade in, as is (they take on the burden of fighting with the warranty company-they are the warranty co9mpany's 2nd largest customer). This is the 2nd major problem I have had with it. The brakes locked up and it took forever to find the issue and then the warranty didn't want to cover a lot of that. I would trade it in on a 2000 Tiffin Allegro Bus 39 Diesel with a cummins motor. The Pace Arrow is paid for so If I get the note right on this on the difference, my mind says jump on it. What is the opinion of the forum?

[Gary RVRoamer]

An Allegro Bus is a great coach. If you can afford it, go for it!

Most lenders are now requiring that you have at least 20% equity in the coach before granting a loan. That's 20% of the book value, typically NADA or Kelly book.

[Sailshak]

Gary,

I will have about 40-45% down (my $30,000 in trade in value) so, I should be ok on the loan I would think. I have some numbers from them on the coach. Looking at a difference of about $40K right now between my trade-in and the Allegro Bus. I am trying to get that a bit lower. We shall see. I kinow one thing, I am going to Good Sam for the extended service plan. Mine on the Pace Arrow is thru Choice Protection Plans, and this company absolutely stinks! If I don't trade mine in, I will be getting an attorney and I will stick it to them. They have made my life miserable.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Good luck with both the Allegro Bus and the old warranty company.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

If you do trade be sure and let the warranty company know you'll be looking elsewhere for a warranty for your Allegro Bus.

By the way which warranty company is it?

[Sailshak]

Gary,

We are approved on a loan but the note is too high. I am going today to see about the interest rate. We are going to get this thing but we may do another way of financing. My wife seems to think her father will finance it for us. I think he will as well and at a better interest rate than what they seem to want to charge. They want $611 per month for 10 years. While I can pay that, I would certainly like to pay less. I also would prefer to pay the interest to family instead of a bank. So, we shall see. If I finance with my father-in-law, I am going to try to get the price down a bit.

[Sailshak]

Also, if I trade in the Pace Arrow, the dealer has said that they will deal with the warranty company. Being the 2nd leading seller of this company's warranty contracts, they should have a little pull and should get it fixed if they are the owner of the vehicle.

[Sailshak]

Bob,

It is Choice Protection Plans. I will see if I have a better name on the company. I spoke to them yesterday. Here is basically what was said. Engine failure due to hydrolock in #1 cylinder caused by unknown liquid from source that cannot be determined. My mechanic says that he found antifreeze in the #1 cylinder. They dispute that was the liquid. Couldn't find any cracks in the intake manifold and no leaking gaskets or seals (which they do not cover). They feel that water came in thru the air intake. I said: Wouldn't there be water throughout the engine, not just one cylinder?" The adjuster said he supposed that could be. Then he said that we cannot prove to him that the damage was caused by the failure of a covered part. This warranty really isn't worth the paper it is printed on in my opinion. I will buy a Good Sam Warranty on the Allegro aftermarket.

[Sailshak]

Also, as the air intake is around waist high, wouldn't there be water in the coach? I would have had to drive in a flood and a half to get water that high.

[GOLDWINGER2]

I would finance the repair with my father in law. Get a fresh big block and have it installed.
J

[Sailshak]

Goldwinger, I hear ya on that. However, my wife is worried that the transmission will go next. She is afraid to go on the road with ours now, and it is our hurricane escape plan. We have 4 dogs, 2 cats and my son has a hamster. I didn't plan on more than 2 dogs but, we have found 2 strays to go with our 2 dalmatians (I found the owner of one of the strays and he said : "I don't want the dog" a wonderfuil, sweet black lab). I can't take a dog to the pound.

The Allegro Bus is a bit bigger, nicer, has the diesel engine, allison transmission, drives much better, rides much better (the air suspension is another issue in my Pace Arrow that I need to get checked out) more room overall. I also know the diesel will last longer. The top factor? my wife and kids like it too!

[Seajay]

Concerning your comment on the transmission I have the following ....
I have a 2000 Pace with two slides and the v 10 ford engine ....
We had a transmission failure at about 105,000 miles last year. We intend to keep the coach because we love it ...... the repair ran about four thousand complete but it is a Ford Factory rebuild and it is covered with three year ... one hundred thousand mile guarantee and it covers the complete tranny. All labor, parts etc......
one suggestion...... CHANGE YOUR TRANNY FLUID EVERY 50,000 MILES AND CHANGE THE FILTER IF YOU HAVE ON ON THE TRANNY....
Seajay the sailor man
ps. if you use this valuable info you will owe me ten cents and you must pay me the next time you see me ..........
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND BRING THEM HOME SOON AND SAFE
GOD BLESS OUR VETS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THIS GREAT NATION.......

[LVJ58]

Sailshak, your current and past experience with your coach, is just a preview of things to come. Personally, if it were mine, I would choose the option of getting a different coach rather than pouring good money after bad.

Wishing you best of luck with your decision

[Bob N Deb]

I think that your dealer can fix it cheeper than they are telling you . No dealer I know of is willing to take a broken vehicle on trade and give good value unless they know they can make money on it .They know you are afraid of this motorhome and would like to move you into another they want to get rid of. I just don't trust dealers