Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > POWER TRAIN GARAGE FORUMS > Duramax Engine Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-27-2016, 06:03 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 4
So sad, motor junk

Our recent foray into rv lifestyle is that on our return from a 3 day journey, our newly acquired 95 Winnie Brave 23 6.5 diesel turbo with 87k broke something bad. No not Duramax
The repair shop now 100 mi from home advised to not repair. The cost for a new engine being very expensive A rebuilt long block is probably the most wise.
The coach is in excellent condition and all parts of house works fine. We have already invested in tires, a/c repairs ,and brake work . The size works for us.
The repair costs may well equal the initial investment.
The ? is would it be feasible to update powertrain as long as we are doing it?
gordive is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 07-27-2016, 06:11 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
mbridinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,123
Almost anything other than a direct replacement will be very expensive. Sorry for your loss, it would make me sick.
__________________
1992 Bounder 28T, Chevy 454, Yak Rak
2001 tacoma 4x4 TOAD
ROLL TIDE
mbridinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2016, 06:35 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Ray,IN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,653

That question is above my pay grade. IF it is feasible, a late-model Duramax engine would be great. Locating such a used Duramax in good condition might be difficult , perhaps a Jasper rebuilt Duramax? Another thought; buying an older, complete GM pickup with a Duramax/Allison combination and transferring both to your MH, may even be more feasible.
Since new or rebuild diesel engince are expensive, that may be the better choice.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA." My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
Ray,IN is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2016, 03:18 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Nick-B's Avatar
 
Forest River Owners Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Vaughn, WA
Posts: 1,460
Bummer! What is the shop quoting for that block replacement?

I do like Ray's suggestion of finding a complete (perhaps with body damage only) newer GM pickup with the Duramax / Allison, however it will not be easy and if you are paying someone else to do the work it will likely be more expensive than just replacing with a rebuilt 6.5. The reason being is they will need to install the computer(s) from the newer rig to be able to control the Duramax & Allison and also integrate into the existing systems that are still needed for gauges, cruise, lighting, etc. It would all be very custom and time consuming ($$$$).
__________________
Nick
1995 Coachmen Santara 360MB 36' w/slide.
Ford F53/460 chassis, 2020 Chev Equinox "toad"
Nick-B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2016, 04:27 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 4
Update is first shop just said he didn't want the job and to sink it in lake Michigan. Nice guy , 2nd shop said get me a motor and I can cut the old one out and get you back on the road for $$$$ . No help on where to access motor . What happened to service these days. (Part broke, get part, fix and go.)
Rv shops only work on the house ,not chassis.
gordive is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2016, 06:47 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
RKamperRV's Avatar
 
Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Millersville, PA
Posts: 1,058
I sense that your chassis and drive train are Ford. Go to a Ford truck shop. They should be able to do the work. If it is a GM, go to a GM shop. Good luck!
__________________
RKamperRV...(Rick)...Millersville, PA
2006 Crossroads Cruiser CF32BL | 2012 Ford F350 Crew Cab Dually
Been to all 48 lower continental states once! Starting over...
RKamperRV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2016, 07:08 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
tom77hmstd's Avatar
 
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Summerfield Fl.
Posts: 300
If you can figure a way around the 6.5 GM diesel it will be $ well spent.That engine is a dog, ( i had one in a dooley for 150,000 miles). The dura max is a much better engine (I have a 06 Dooley still going strong at 150,000) The problem is the 6.5 and the 6.6 duramax engine have NOTHING in common. The 6.5 is a reworked GM engine and the Dura max is an iszua engine. I really can't help you with a way to go but if you know the difference it might help the desion making. If there is anyway possible make the 6.5 engine a boat anchor.
__________________
Tom Homestead Fl.
2017 Tiffen Pheaton
tom77hmstd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2016, 09:08 AM   #8
Junior Member
 
SS396CV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 25
Try Kennedy Diesel in Loyal Wisconsin, he may be able to help with a reman engine


Kennedy Diesel
__________________
2014 Forrest River Georgetown XL 378TS
SS396CV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2016, 09:29 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,965
After looking at your profile it appears the only diesel option for the 23 ft. model was the Chevrolet 6.5 liter diesel.


https://winnebagoind.com/resources/b...-Brave-bro.pdf


I would definitely replace it with an original engine. Upgrading would entail replacing all the electronic engine controls as well. I don't think that would be cost effective for a 22 year old motorhome.
__________________
Hikerdogs
2013 Adventurer 32H
Hikerdogs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2016, 10:02 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
BrianGlenn's Avatar
 
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Alberta
Posts: 1,591
Quote:
Originally Posted by SS396CV View Post
Try Kennedy Diesel in Loyal Wisconsin, he may be able to help with a reman engine


Kennedy Diesel
x2.

The 6.5 diesel is not a strong engine, but if you have it in your RV and plan to keep the RV, then a 6.5 rebuilt from a vendor that knows the 6.5 is your best bet. There are experts out there that can make it reliable. I know of a couple of 6.5s that run strong, because the owners have done a few upgrades.

Because they are not highly desirable, vendors such a Kennedy should be able to help locate a reman short or long block to fit your needs, for a reasonable price. Talk to them, not the RV shop.

My thoughts,
Brian
__________________
Towr: 2007 Country Coach Allure 470 - 37 Sunset Bay Cummins 400 ISL, Coach #31563
Toad: 2016 F150 King Ranch - 3.5L EcoBoost 4x4 Supercrew (curb weight 4,775 lbs)
Toad: SOLD 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (yes, it has a Hemi) (curb weight 4,720 lbs)
BrianGlenn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2016, 08:20 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
CharlesinGA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: South of Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 2,115
same engine used in the Hummer. I think the engine is still being produced for it. In any case, Banks knows a lot about these engines and how to build a reliable one.

Charles
__________________
'03 Ram 2500 CTD, 5.9HO six speed PacBrake std cab long bed Leer top and 2008 Bigfoot 25B21RB.. Previously, 2008 Thor Freedom Spirit 180, SOLD! 2007 Winnebago View 23H Motorhome, SOLD!
CharlesinGA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2016, 08:54 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
vsheetz's Avatar


 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
I had the GM 6.5 diesel in 1995 Safari Trek. I had well over 100k miles when sold. There are a few folks out there very knowing and specialize in them.

Can you share more details of your problem? What happened that requires a engine replacement?

Talk to Walt at
SSDiesel Supply :: GM 6.5 TD Specialists
https://www.ssdieselsupply.com/

Vince
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
vsheetz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2016, 09:08 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
tderonne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Motor City, Mich
Posts: 3,367
OP hasn't logged in for about six weeks. Made the two posts above and vaporized...
__________________
Tim.

tderonne is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2016, 11:13 PM   #14
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Maricopa,AZ
Posts: 93
Just a quick heads up if O.P. does retturn; check Visone rv salvage. They have a lot of salvage rvs and motors that have already been pulled. AND THEY SHIP AS WELL AS PICKUP! Mite be worth a look.
azmaddog is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
SAD, SAD, News today bigdaddy5120 Class A Motorhome Discussions 43 06-07-2014 05:11 AM
Norcold Junk Refrig DumOleBob RV Systems & Appliances 18 04-12-2009 08:13 PM
Are All Voyager Monitors Junk? Sammie Winnebago Industries Owner's Forum 4 04-21-2008 08:44 PM
Known MH Junk Yards fleamarketer Vintage RV's 6 03-24-2008 07:37 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.