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MrTrouble · 04-30-2016, 04:16 PM

Hey there all,

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post.

I have a 1999 Fleetwood Southwind 36Z on a ford Chassis with the Triton V10 and about 44K miles. I've had this RV for about 5 months and have already started putting it to good use. I've taken it from DC to Daytona twice as well as trips to S. Carolina and W. Virginia.

My gas mileage, while assumed to be 8-9 on average, is not all that great, even traveling at about 59 mph most of the time. I decided I'd swap out the plugs and PVC. When I lifted the dog house, I found this...

https://youtu.be/fhxxrTyU3Eo

In the video, I reference the hose as part of the fresh air system, but it is a coolant line.

What the heck??? Any clues?

Also, I pulled out the Motorcraft, 4-thread plugs and put in Autolite 8-thread, platinum plugs. Started the RV and it ran fine with no knocking...LOL... so I'm assuming that was fine.

Any help on this manifold would be great. There doesn't seem to be any air being sucked in or pushed out, but the pathway definitely goes down into the manifold.

Thanks in advance.

DrDaveMA · 04-30-2016, 04:43 PM

That looks like a coolant hose, probably from the dashboard heater? It certainly should not be as it is now.

FIRE UP · 04-30-2016, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTrouble

Hey there all,

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post.

I have a 1999 Fleetwood Southwind 36Z on a ford Chassis with the Triton V10 and about 44K miles. I've had this RV for about 5 months and have already started putting it to good use. I've taken it from DC to Daytona twice as well as trips to S. Carolina and W. Virginia.

My gas mileage, while assumed to be 8-9 on average, is not all that great, even traveling at about 59 mph most of the time. I decided I'd swap out the plugs and PVC. When I lifted the dog house, I found this...

https://youtu.be/fhxxrTyU3Eo

In the video, I reference the hose as part of the fresh air system, but it is a coolant line.

What the heck??? Any clues?

Also, I pulled out the Motorcraft, 4-thread plugs and put in Autolite 8-thread, platinum plugs. Started the RV and it ran fine with no knocking...LOL... so I'm assuming that was fine.

Any help on this manifold would be great. There doesn't seem to be any air being sucked in or pushed out, but the pathway definitely goes down into the manifold.

Thanks in advance.

Mr Trouble,
Don't panic!!!!! It's normal. Our previous coach, a '99 Fleetwood Bounder 34V with the V-10 and F-53 chassis, ALSO had that half-open hole, in the same exact spot. My reaction was just like yours, WHAT THE HECK IS THAT??? I'd been around engines my whole life, rebuilt about a hundred of them, done automotive work forever but, had never seen anything like that, and the engine still run perfectly fine. I think I did inquire about it and, waaaaayyyyy back when we had that coach, I might have even found out what it was/is.

But, due to standard memory loss due to old age, I've forgotten what I MAY have found out. But, your engine has been running just fine with it like that so, it's fine.
Scott

MrTrouble · 04-30-2016, 11:28 PM

Thanks Scott, that makes me feel lots better. I still find it odd that there would be that type of opening, exposing engine internals (I assume anyway) to all the elements present in the engine bay and the surrounding open air.

tderonne · 05-01-2016, 09:31 AM

This comes up every once in awhile. Threads kind of meander about never really say what the bottom line is.

Bottom line?

Same head used on the right and left sides. Port only used on the left.

MrTrouble · 05-01-2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tderonne

This comes up every once in awhile. Threads kind of meander about never really say what the bottom line is.

Bottom line?

Same head used on the right and left sides. Port only used on the left.

Thanks Tim. So, does that mean that the port is a blank? Does it not access the internals of the head? I can understand (sorta) why they would use the same head on both sides for cost considerations during construction, however, the superfluous opening seems as if it should be covered. I just put some 100mph tape over it for the evening...LOL.. at least it will keep debris and critters out.