Community Forums

Slapshottr · 04-16-2008, 01:24 PM

I am having problems with a loss of power. Engine still runs can't get it much over 20mph after it reaches operating temp and then runs rough. Went to a Workhorse recommended repair facility. The mechanic hooked up computer and no faults were indicating this seemed strange. He then checked fuel psi at the engine rail and also looked for things out of place on the engine. Fuel psi checked good and everything looked OK on the engine. He pulled the plugs and inspected them said they didn't look bad. Checked plug insulators and they looked good. We then went for a test drive with computer hooked up. Engine started normal ran fine until it warmed up and then we experienced the same problem. This time computer was showing multiple misfires on all left side cylinders. Right side is operating fine. Has anyone out there had this happen before and what was the outcome? I am under warranty and the W24 only has 10K miles.

Slapshottr · 04-16-2008, 01:24 PM

I am having problems with a loss of power. Engine still runs can't get it much over 20mph after it reaches operating temp and then runs rough. Went to a Workhorse recommended repair facility. The mechanic hooked up computer and no faults were indicating this seemed strange. He then checked fuel psi at the engine rail and also looked for things out of place on the engine. Fuel psi checked good and everything looked OK on the engine. He pulled the plugs and inspected them said they didn't look bad. Checked plug insulators and they looked good. We then went for a test drive with computer hooked up. Engine started normal ran fine until it warmed up and then we experienced the same problem. This time computer was showing multiple misfires on all left side cylinders. Right side is operating fine. Has anyone out there had this happen before and what was the outcome? I am under warranty and the W24 only has 10K miles.

knebrdr · 04-16-2008, 03:45 PM

Slapshotter,
You probably have a collapsed catalytic converter. I first ran into this in 2001 when the new V-8 BMW's would start to slightly misfire and then get worse and worse as you drove the car. The harder you drove the car the faster the shut down would occur. A collapsing cat causes the front O2 sensor to see a rich mixture: 1st step is to lean the mixture down, 2nd step is to start shutting off injectors, 3rd step is all injectors on that bank are shut off. The rear O2 sensor sees a cat that is working fine, thus no Check Engine light. If the problem was the muffler you would have mixed engine misfire, not just one bank. By the way, you should have heard the service manager's scream when he saw I had ordered $2800.00 worth of cats.
A MH's operation is very similar to hard driving in any automobile.
Randy

Slapshottr · 04-17-2008, 01:54 AM

Randy,

Thanks for the info I did a search on this forum under catalytic converter and found lots of info. After looking it over I would say this sounds like the problem. I will discuss the following with the mechanic today.

1.Possible catalytic converter problem.

2.If it is the catalytic converter why did it fail? Other posts suggest it could have been caused by a rich mixture.

3.If it did let go, which it sounded like something did, are those pieces now in the muffler and does it need to be replaced. I think it does because we are now getting a tin can sound under the coach which we never had. Probably the remains of the catalytic converter rolling around in the muffler. The mechanic said it sounded like a lose heat shield. Too much of a coincidence for me to think it is not related to the problem.

Thanks

speed racer · 04-17-2008, 03:45 AM

You are right it could be the cat.but it could also be a loose bafle in the mufler or a colapsed pipe. These pipes a double wall pipes and a rock dent in the outer wall can cause the inner wall to colaps inword causing a rstriction in the pipe. I would sugiest disconnectingthe pipe from the back of the cat. and drive it to see if the problem is there. You also can rev the engine up and have someone check to see if you have the same amount of exhaust coming out of each pipe.

knebrdr · 04-17-2008, 12:23 PM

Slapshotter,
You are probably gilding the horse a bit. If the cat failed, the cat probably failed because it was mechanically faulty. After the problem is fixed you should be fine. If a rich running condition had caused the "cat" failure the ck engine light most likely would have come on. The reason, the cat would not have been able to clean up the exhaust sufficiently to keep the rear O2 sensor/s happy.
Randy

knebrdr · 04-18-2008, 06:43 PM

Slap,
What was the outcome?
Randy

ron55 · 04-19-2008, 02:12 AM

You had better find a different service if the mechanic cain't diagnose a bad cat.

Slapshottr · 04-19-2008, 02:17 PM

Late Friday the service center left a message that it was the catalytic converter. I am curious to find out what caused the failure. We had to bail and return home for work. I'll post a final update as soon as we get all the details. Does anyone know if Workhorse provides any other compensation besides the $450.00 limit on towing? Our trip was interrupted and we will incur additional expense going back out to pick up the motorhome.

DriVer · 04-19-2008, 04:18 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Slapshottr:
Does anyone know if Workhorse provides any other compensation besides the $450.00 limit on towing? Our trip was interrupted and we will incur additional expense going back out to pick up the motorhome. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The original equipment warranty has no provision for trip interruption however some after market policies do offer trip interruption. Unfortunately an owner of this type of policy will typically find that the failed part is not covered and that the warranty starts after the OEM warranty is expired.

I have just purchased a new Saturn Vue and it doesn't have trip interruption. I'm sure that this is predominantly the case with most new vehicle manufacturers.

You may want to write to Workhorse Service and express your case regarding the expenses you incurred while having your vehicle repaired.

Slapshottr · 05-05-2008, 02:59 AM

Just wanted to update everyone on the problem and close out this post. The left catalytic converter had failed for no known reason. The front element in the converter came apart and flipped over creating a block. The back of the converter was in good shape. One theory was a misfire we encountered a year ago may have weakened the converter and it finally failed. After the new converter was installed the coach was road checked with the computer hooked up and no misfires noted. The trip back home was uneventful. We did take away some valuable knowledge from this event. Workhorse Emergency Road service provided by Coach Net works well, however there is a $455.00 limit. Anything above this and you pay. Seems like a lot of money however in the Harrisburg PA area this is about 3 hours worth of wrecker service. Be proactive to prevent any out of pocket expense. The toad was disconnected and all the driver had to do was hook up the motorhome and disconnect the driveshaft. Disconnecting the drive shaft for towing is no big deal and only takes about ten minutes. The breakdown occurred on a Sat evening so road service could not coordinate any troubleshooting until Monday morning. The road service goal is to get you off the highway to a safe spot. Their idea of safe and your idea of safe may differ. On Monday morning road service did a nice job of setting up an appointment at Cummins Power Systems in Harrisburg PA a Workhorse approved shop. We were very satisfied with this facility and would recommend it. They have 50 Amp service at the majority of their RV parking spots and spending the night is no problem. The tow company did damage our hitch receiver bar and Coach Net Quality Control is working this issue. My recommendation is to call Workhorse Emergency Road service immediately if something goes wrong and they will assign a Coach Net Quality Assurance Specialist to work your case. Overall I wasn't happy that a coach with 10,000 miles on it had to be towed off the highway, however no one got hurt and with the exception of the hitch receiver bar the motorhome came out of it OK.

DriVer · 05-05-2008, 08:45 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Slapshottr:
..... and with the exception of the hitch receiver bar the motorhome came out of it OK. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Slapshottr, Overall sounds like a successful resolution to your problem. Ya gotta watch those tow truck drivers like a hawk I bet.