New Member with v-10 engine questions

[john 01]

I am about to purchase a National Tropical 6373 with a v-10 engine, i have read they have spark plug problems and manifold bolt problems, plugs blow out of the hole and manifold bolts rust off and leak. does anyone know what v-10 motor has these problems as i see there are 4 size v-10's

[roadtrout]

to my knowledge ther is only one v-10 gas engine used in rv's. fords 6.8 liter v-10. I have heard about exhaust manifold studs breaking on these engines but fotunately have not experienced this. ford v-8 engines from '07 to '09 only have the spark plug problem. enjoy your new rv !!!

[Pirate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadtrout to my knowledge ther is only one v-10 gas engine used in rv's. fords 6.8 liter v-10. I have heard about exhaust manifold studs breaking on these engines but fotunately have not experienced this. ford v-8 engines from '07 to '09 only have the spark plug problem. enjoy your new rv !!!

Huh???? There are 3 (?) HP versions of this engine, with 2006 and later having 362HP. I thought the spark plug issue was on the early V-10, perhaps 1999, 2000, 2001.

[goldwingerx2]

I believe the problems you are talking about were with the early models of the V10. Probably prior to say 2004 which was the first V10 we had and never had any problems with anything on it. Hope this is of some help.

[toneumanns]

My V10 has run well. The early addition of this engine didn't have enough threads in the head to hold the spark plugs causing blow outs. As far as I know that problem has been resolved. I know nothing about manifold bolts.

[pkunk1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by john 01 I am about to purchase a National Tropical 6373 with a v-10 engine, i have read they have spark plug problems and manifold bolt problems, plugs blow out of the hole and manifold bolts rust off and leak. does anyone know what v-10 motor has these problems as i see there are 4 size v-10's

If you're referring to the 2000 National in your sig., then yes that engine could have those problems, but not all do. My coach has over 62k miles and has not (knock on wood) had any mechanical problems. Do you have any history on this chassis? Maintenance records?

[Chickenman]

I have the V10 with 26000 miles built in 2000. I am second owner. Have replace 2 coils but all else is good.

[LVJ58]

We purchased our 2000 v10 powered coach new, and now with 74,000 miles, zero problems with engine. We had the Banks exhaust system with headers installed in 2005.

National built a good coach but later went out of business same as our coach builder. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, as we almost bought a 2000 Tropical but wife liked the Residency better so, that was that...

Good luck with your new coach and safe travels

[Grimesy]

My '98 had 90 K plus when I traded it in, changed plugs one time and never had a problem other than the design of the injectors blocking access to the plugs. Believe the rig I had was the first "A" body with the 10.

Don

[john 01]

Great news, i have got several reply's and i gave the vin # to my local Ford dealer he looked it up and gave me a lot of info on it also, thanks to all the members we have decided to go in debt and purchase this coach hopefully before the end of the yr, cant wait to drive it home in the snow salt and slop,maybe i will luck out, we will be flying south to pick it up and heading northeast.
Thanks for the info

[LVJ58]

Congratulations on your new coach, don't think you'll be disappointed with either the coach or the engine & drive train.

Good Luck and enjoy many fun, safe and trouble free journeys

[ga traveler]

there are some spark plug problems with both engines. The early V10 99 to 05 had only 4 threads in the spark plug hole. Some blew out the spark plugs. The later V10 had a two piece spark plug that came apart when you tried to remove the old plug. It seems that carbon built on the shaft of the plug and when you tried to pry out the plug it came apart.

[Hikerdogs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate Huh???? There are 3 (?) HP versions of this engine, with 2006 and later having 362HP. I thought the spark plug issue was on the early V-10, perhaps 1999, 2000, 2001.

The sparkplug blowing out problems were with the 275 hp version of the engine which I believe was only available in 1998 and 1999. In 2000 they went to the 310 hp version with heads that had 8 threads rather than the original 4.

Keep in mind the engine is furnished as part of the "incomplete chassis" from Ford. Motorhome builders sometimes put a year newer body on the chassis then sell it as the later year vehicle. Meaning a motorhome built early in 2002 could be on a 2001 chassis, etc, etc. You can call Ford with the chassis vin number to find out the year of manufacture. There is an online Ford vin decoder bt it's notoriously inaccurate for the F53 motorhome chassis.

For the record there are also a couple other versions of the V10 used in Class C motorhomes and F series Super Duty chassis

[demoon]

Put 57,000 miles on our Class C with the 2000 Ford E450 chassis. Never had a single problem with it other than brakes. IMO the early plug problems were a crap shoot - you get lucky - nothing - unlucky - blown/broken plugs.