Is there a group of Astoria Owners?

[MuckSavage]

Originally Posted by SteveOGilroy

Oil leak? Interesting. Tell more, please

Maiden voyage from NJ to The Fla Keys. First fuel stop in N.C., I'm doing the walk around. I see a puddle of oil under the engine about 10" round!
Finish fueling, drive over to an empty corner of the lot & start digging. By laying under the coach, I can faintly see oil trail coming from the top of the engine. Put the bedroom slide out & start digging into the floor to access the engine. Discovered that the oil filler cap was loose on the valve cover. Tightened it & it spun back loose before I could get my hand out ot there. I realized that when the factory installed the pre-formed oil-filler tube, they must've had a little twist on it, which led to the tube unscrewing the cap. Realize that the cap threads into the valve cover, the cap has like a barbed fitting on top that the filler tube slips onto, then a hose clamp secures it. I loosened the clamp, pulled the hose off, tightened the cap & reinstalled the hose (in it's natural, relaxed position). No problems since then.

Keep in mind, I did this all while my DW 's standing over me....."Why are you doing this? It's under warranty, call the dealer, call Thor, call Cummins, Call Freightliner, this is ridiculus, etc etc"

I simply said "Do you want to Vacation in the Fla Keys or at a Cummins shop in NC?"

[SteveOGilroy]

WOW what a great story. Thanks.

You actually pulled up the floor access to the engine. I've been tempted to do that just to check it all out. Our carpet is held down with staples and I am concerned if the screws holding down the cover would strip if I pulled them out. How difficult is it to remove the engine access cover and then replace it to get a tight seal? Any tricks?

Thanks again for the education.

[Jim Estes]

That was a great story...fortunately you did not loose enough oil to do damage...and you caught it in time. With these things... Whenever you stop...always do a "look/listen/feel"...cause you never know :-)

[MuckSavage]

Originally Posted by SteveOGilroy

WOW what a great story. Thanks.

You actually pulled up the floor access to the engine. I've been tempted to do that just to check it all out. Our carpet is held down with staples and I am concerned if the screws holding down the cover would strip if I pulled them out. How difficult is it to remove the engine access cover and then replace it to get a tight seal? Any tricks?

Thanks again for the education.

I'll have to go out & have another look (It was in Spring 2012) but if I recall, there are screws "hidden" within the nap of the carpet. I think I had to remove a carpeted vertical panel between the closet & the floor. Then there were 4 screws holding the carpeted floor panel down. underneath that was a plywood "spacer" then a sheet metal plate. I'll re-visit my steps to confirm, but it wasn't too bad, even given the stress of an emergency roadside repair.

It's funny, I carry a pretty extensive tool kit. I tell my self I need it because my Jeep Cherokee Toad has 200k miles on it. I've never had to put a wrench on the Jeep while traveling, it's always on the motorhomes! (various brands Jayco, Tiffin & Thor)

[Tankd]

Any kind of sealant? I've removed the screws on ours, but the panel was still very secured. I was wanting to view take pictures of the engine for future reference.

[MuckSavage]

Hmmm, I don't remember any sealent, but there should be! I surely need to have another look. I recall taking some pictures that day, I'll just have to find them

[LEZM3]

Had AM SOLAR system installed last week by Lew Farber, Master Tech Mobile RV Systems (AM SOLAR preferred installer). Very smooth install that included 4ea 160w panels (GO-160 kits); Solar Controller MPPT 60/2 with Remote Monitor; Magnum MS-2012 Pure SineWave Inverter/Charger and Remote Control Panel; Magnum Battery Monitor System; Smart Battery Combiner, Panel Tilt Mounts, Aux 120vac Ckt Pnl; Upsized all wiring. Solar Energy serves everything except HVAC. Also, new 4ea Exide GC135 house batteries and added 2ea additional GC135 battery to provide 6 total house batteries 660ah.
The last picture shows what we found in our 120vac panel: We had neutral problem with 20 amp conv/micro ckt; check your bus bars for tightness.
Attached Thumbnails

[SteveOGilroy]

Nice set up. Where did you put the extra 2 6v batteries?

[LEZM3]

turned the two engine starting batteries fore'n'aft and put the new in front. Vince.

[Mooneypaul]

I am considering purchasing a 2011 THOR MOTOR COACH ASTORIA. I cannot find values for this coach on NADA. I looked under Damon and all of the Thor's that I could see. Does anyone know how I can find this?

Also, any tips or comments on the coach would be appreciated. We are attracted to it for the bunk beds for the grand-kids.

[dsbear]

We have had no issues with our 2011 40 KT. A few a reported roof leak that Thor has taken care of for them. Drives great, very comfortable and we would buy one again. I would call your bank or credit union they should be able to assist with value.

[Jim Estes]

We have the 2011 Astoria and love it. The usual things and problems that all coaches have...even the million dollar ones. We had the roof leak and Thor/Camping World put a new roof on...did a nice job. You will not find another DP with the options and amenities in this price range. I would say the coach is valued somewhere around $160 K...Ours drives/rides like a Dream...very happy with it...there are folks on this thread that are much more knowledgable than me...and they have answers to just about all things Astoria! Good Luck

Jim

[Jim Estes]

Just had all my service done... Oil changes... Greased the Chassis...changed all the fuel filters...air in tires...checked the oil bath in the front hubs...for $250 bucks...find a bus company near you...they can be very reasonable...it would cost me $130 in materials ...at least ...

[dsbear]

Jim, that is a great deal! I just had mine done plus the tranny and all filters for 750.