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06-15-2005, 06:21 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Forest River Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 3,251
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I only have 3500 miles on my 05 Damon with the 8.1 litre engine. I have'nt had any problems with the engine and I like it fine.
The thing I worry about is I keep hearing about the engine stopping or going into "Limp" mode on the forums. It seems like no one knows for sure what causes this, so how can it be fixed? Is this rare? If not, you'd think Workhorse would recall them and fix it. Breaking down in a MH is not good and mine looks to me like it would be impossible to tow it.
My question is How many miles do you guys have on your 8.1 litre engine with no problems at all. I'm hoping to hear of many with 30,50 or even 80,000 miles or more with no problems.
I have 3500 miles on mine with zero problems
__________________
Max49
2018 Forest River Georgetown F-53
'08 Jeep Wrangler Toad
Denver, Colorado
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06-15-2005, 07:12 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Madison, MS
Posts: 10,527
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Quote:
My question is How many miles do you guys have on your 8.1 litre engine with no problems at all.
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MAX: I'm at 24K and not one single engine problem. No fried plug wires, no shut downs, no limp mode. I change my own oil & filter regularly and have made only two trips to WCC service center-once for dash A/C blowing "luke" and once for front shock replacement. I'm well satisfied with the W-22.
And while I'm bragging, my Mich. XRVs have caused me no problems either. The right front picked up a small bolt about an inch long, right in the center tread. The tire repair man literally unscrewed the bolt from the rubber, and sent me on my way- it did not even leak.
But maybe I'm just lucky ED
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06-15-2005, 07:42 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,502
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Max, I have 28000 miles and no issues with the 8.1 or the Allison. I also am quite pleased with both as an excellent alternative to a pusher. Only WCC issues to date have been the IP cluster and shocks Both were handled by my WCC local service provider in an excellent manner.
Marty
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2003 34' Dolphin 5342, W22, UP, UPGBrake, F and R Track Bars, Rear IPD sway bar, Koni FSDs, Safe-T-Plus, Scan Gauge II.. 2004 Jeep Liberty, Blue-Ox Adventa..
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06-16-2005, 02:10 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3
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Have 20,000+ miles on our Airstream MH with 8.l and then had 3 engine failures in 300 miles. See my post of 6/15/05. Taking it to WH dealer today for another check as computer detected no problems when we were towed in in April. This is our 5th MH and first with motor problem and our first Chevy??!! Others were Ford gas. Would feel better if a reason could be found. Good luck with your 8.1.
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30' Airstream Land Yacht
2 Wanderers
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06-16-2005, 03:25 AM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Coastal Campers Carolina Campers
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 23,641
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Quote:
Originally posted by max49:
I only have 3500 miles on my 05 Damon with the 8.1 liter engine. I haven't had any problems with the engine and I like it fine.
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That being said then I wouldn't worry about "What Ifs". You can only control the events that you have to deal with and there is no good reason to drive yourself crazy worrying about things that you can not control. There is indeed a lot to worry about in a moving house and more so with the coach systems than the automotive systems.
Only Workhorse has put in print that your engine has a life expectancy of 200,000 miles.
The engine is durability tested to 200,000 miles. So you can enjoy your motor home for years to come.
1. The higher output, 145 amp alternator lets you run more of your motor home accessories.
2. The Electronic Throttle Control replaces the cable between the accelerator pedal and the throttle with an electronic communications system. Far more accurate than a cable connection, it controls acceleration, transmission shift points and the cruise control.
3. Oil and filter changes are the only scheduled engine maintenance required in the first 100,000 miles.
4. Dex Cool engine coolant gives you a long five year or 150,000 mile service life.
5. Individual coils at each spark plug provide 50 percent more spark for better engine performance and improved gas mileage.
6. Cast stainless steel exhaust manifolds withstand greater heat for longer life.
7. The sturdy long-life accessory drive belt has a life expectancy of 150,000 miles.
GM Vortec 8100 -- 496 CID Engine
Workhorse offers a few of the testimonials they received from customers on their website here however that pales in comparison to the numerous satisfied owners here that use the WCMC Forum.
Quote:
The thing I worry about is I keep hearing about the engine stopping or going into "Limp" mode on the forums. It seems like no one knows for sure what causes this, so how can it be fixed? Is this rare?
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Limp home mode is a "Safety" device that when under extreme conditions where the possibility that a system has failed you can safely clear the highway so that you do not become a hazard.
I must admit that even I have had one "Limp Home" event, however this was on my "2001" 8.1L and the event was short lived. The limp feature allowed the engine to continue operating although it was forced into 1st gear. All I did was pull off the road onto a convenient apron area, shut down the engine and waited for about 2 minutes and then I restarted the engine and the problem cleared itself and never reoccurred. I have 24500 miles at this time on my 2003 motorhome having just cruised back and forth over the Rockies out to Missoula, MT. Currently, I'm here in Lancaster, PA participating in the iRV2 National Rally. I have traveled full time since January 2005 without so much as a hiccup.
This engine is rock solid and it works like it should and continues to exceed my expectations.
Quote:
If not, you'd think Workhorse would recall them and fix it. Breaking down in a MH is not good and mine looks to me like it would be impossible to tow it.
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Most all recalls that have been generated regarding Workhorse problems have originated from Workhorse themselves. If Workhorse has identified a failure they are not reluctant to fix or address an issue that has become a problem. The NHTSA posts that a recall is in effect, they monitor the progress of the recall and they keep records.
About towing your motorhome, there is a prescribed technique to accomplish a tow and it can be done by "professionals". I posted an article on the this board as to exactly what we the do and don't about towing. You may want to use the "Find" feature to search for "towing" and "workhorse".
Regarding the forum content about instances where the engine just stops or in fact does go into limp mode, this is a very rare event and across the entire population of owners the engine is reported to be highly reliable and it's not something that I would worry about in your "new" 2005 motorhome.
Turn the key, fire it up, point the motorhome down the road and enjoy!
__________________
03 Adventurer 38G, Workhorse W22
F&R Track Bars, Safety+ , Ultrapower, Taylor Extremes, SGII
TST 507, Blue Ox, SMI, Koni FSD, CrossFire
RV/MH Hall of Fame - Lifetime Member
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06-16-2005, 04:42 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Posts: 31
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Max49,
Overall I think that the WCC chassis is the best out there. As far as problems, everyone will have them. If the Ford Chassis people had a forum such as this (maybe they do, I don't know), I would imagine that there would be just as many, if not more posts about problems with their chassis.
Some of the people out there have had more than their fair share of problems with their chassis, but it is kinda like my problems with Georgie Boy... Alot of people out there love their Goergie Boy and haven't had a bit of problems, but me on the other hand..... Lets just say the Quality Control people must have been on vacation when mine came of the line.
Talk about problems and recalls, I just got a notice that Ford is recalling nearly all of their 6.0L Powerstroke Diesels due to engine stalling!!!! That is about 260,000 vehicles!!! (then again Chevy had to recall their ealry Duramax engine due to injector problems)...
Anyway, I have no problems trusting my W22.. I would take it anywhere anytime, without any second thoughts!!!!!
__________________
2005 Cruise Master LE
W22 Workhorse Chassis
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06-16-2005, 04:43 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Albuquerque NM
Posts: 172
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Love my Workhorse !!
Gregg
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Gregg C.
2003 Pace Arrow 36R
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06-16-2005, 07:17 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,896
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DriVer (or anyone):
Re proper towing of the MH. I searched as you advised and could not find this info.
Would you please post a live link or give me a date so I can track down this info?
Many Thanks,
__________________
2003 Dolphin LX 6355 w/ W22 chassis; 8.1L gas & Allison 1000
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06-16-2005, 07:53 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,177
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Scooter, I believe the info is in your "black bag" from Winnie.
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Last Brave 2004 34D
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06-16-2005, 09:28 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Crossville, TN USA
Posts: 1,124
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Running a happy 42,000+. No complaints here.
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06-16-2005, 07:12 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Forest River Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 3,251
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Well it's good to hear from you guys who have not had problems with the 8.1. I like mine too.
I do feel bad for the ppl who have had problems with their engine. With all the things that can go wrong with a MH, I still feel the Powertrain should be the most reliable. When you have intermitent problems with the engine stopping and WH says it's running fine 'now' and they don;t know what was wrong with it and just drive it til it does it again, it's time to trade it off for me.
I suppose their might be a way to tow my MH but with all the fiberglass blocking any thing stong enough to pull it or pick it up, I can't see how it could be done without damage. Not to mention the rear jacks are only about 5" off the ground with the front wheels on the ground.
I'm also puzzled by how many ppl change their stock shocks. Maybe they have changed them for 05. I'm amazed at how smooth MY Damon rides and handles well. It does lean in the curves more than I like but this is my 1st class A , so I guess it's normal. The Michelins ride really nice too.
__________________
Max49
2018 Forest River Georgetown F-53
'08 Jeep Wrangler Toad
Denver, Colorado
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06-17-2005, 04:14 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Madison, MS
Posts: 10,527
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-Originally posted by MAX49:
Quote:
I suppose their might be a way to tow my MH but with all the fiberglass blocking any thing stong enough to pull it or pick it up, I can't see how it could be done without damage.
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My friends new Allego Bay 38' had to be towed to shop after dogs tore the wiring harnesses off the engine (long story). TOWING was not a problem. They came with a medium sized wrecker with a hydralic operated "arm" that reached under the front and formed a frame around both front tires. Before lifting the front end off the ground, the DS was dis-connected and the rear mudflap was removed to keep it from dragging. Away she went! When he got to WCC service center, the driver pulled up and backed that 38footer into the service bay without any problems (better than my friend does at campsites )
I have another friend whose 40 Monaco Dynasty's diesel locked up after ingesting a hugh amount of water. They winced the entire MH onto a lowboy flatbed trailer for the trip to Cummins.
My point is that these professional towing guys KNOW how to get it done, and have the equipment necessary. HOPEFULLY, neither of us will ever need them , but if we do, I'm sure there is a way to do it without adding damage. ED
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06-17-2005, 04:27 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Crossville, TN USA
Posts: 1,124
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When we had a front brake freeze up. GS sent a tow truck too small to tow and the driver wanted hook onto the frame. He was going to conn. to the front sway bar. I stopped him and said to get the right truck. Called GS back and told them this guy was not set up to tow a MH, Next tow showed up with all the right equipment and a operator who new what he was doing. Tire sling set up is the only way to tow. If you are ever in doubt about how to tow. Just call WCC and they wil set you or the tow operator straight.
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06-17-2005, 05:01 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,896
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The above two posts prompt me to ask again for info leading to DriVer's comments on the in's and out's of proper towing.
__________________
2003 Dolphin LX 6355 w/ W22 chassis; 8.1L gas & Allison 1000
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