Motor Replacement

[thebunns]

Originally Posted by theroc

I'd also recommend that you get some other bids. Yes, to me, that seems like too much for labor. As others have said, you might try a Cummins authorized shop or an independent shop that has a good reputation.

When you said that your estimate is from "R & $ RV" (yes, that seems an appropriate name, LOL), might you be referring to "R'nR RV" the huge dealership in the Spokane area? ...THIS ONE? If so, that's probably an appropriate misspelling and kind of ingenious that you described their name in that manner.

Yes, I believe that if it is R'NR, you will be paying much more as opposed to going to a Cummins authorized service center and especially if using a good independent shop.

I know that the "Total Truck Shop" has a good reputation in the Spokane area and I would almost bet could do the same job faster and for a lower price. Their shop labor rate is $95/hr. ...go HERE for their webpage and contact information. I'm not sure if they still are willing to work on RVs or not but you can at least inquire.

It wouldn't hurt to contact them and a few other shops before you have the work done.

Did you notice that I said the motor replacement was one of the "solved problems"? That means that the damage has already been done! I was taking it to a place on Westbow Rd but got kicked out when they figured it out that the motorhome was over 10 years old. In the future (if necessary) I'll check out the Total Truck Shop. I'd not heard of it before. I live ~200 miles away so don't normally keep in tune with businesses in the Spokane area. I'll have to upgrade my research in the future.

[Crasher]

As you said, the job is history and it doesn't matter if it was a fair price or not. If they did a complete good job, then you have a 97 Discovery with a new engine. That's a good thing if you like the coach. I had a 96 model with the same engine. It had delamination problems, but was still a comfortable unit to drive and although it was only 230 hp, it took us where we wanted to go. Just enjoy what you have and don't look back.

[thebunns]

Originally Posted by Sandy Swede

Don't know about others here, but I would be interested in learning how you came to the decision to put $18k into an engine rebuild/replacement for a '97 coach. In no way am I criticizing your decision. Others are, or will be, making this decision and it would be helpful to have this insight.

I'm practically 80 years old and am attempting to salvage the old gal! I decided that the ~$25,000 I'm spending (that's about all I've got) will do better on a coach that I'm familiar with as opposed to another one that I could buy into with possibly some of the same problems. I am very familiar with this one and am confident that when it comes out of the shop I'll hopefully be able to run it until I'm unable to. The repair list it went into the shop with had 14 items on it, including roof repair, jacks hyd. line replacement, new air compressor, motor a/c squeal fix, etc. Good or bad, when I get it back I'll know what condition it's in!

[Sandy Swede]

Originally Posted by thebunns

I'm practically 80 years old and am attempting to salvage the old gal! I decided that the ~$25,000 I'm spending (that's about all I've got) will do better on a coach that I'm familiar with as opposed to another one that I could buy into with possibly some of the same problems. I am very familiar with this one and am confident that when it comes out of the shop I'll hopefully be able to run it until I'm unable to. The repair list it went into the shop with had 14 items on it, including roof repair, jacks hyd. line replacement, new air compressor, motor a/c squeal fix, etc. Good or bad, when I get it back I'll know what condition it's in!

Almost 80 and still rolling down the road! I hope to do as well.


Thanks for sharing your thought process in spending the dough to fix the old gal. That is an impressive list. She should be good for many more miles and smiles. May your winds be tail winds.

[theroc]

Originally Posted by thebunns

Did you notice that I said the motor replacement was one of the "solved problems"? That means that the damage has already been done! I was taking it to a place on Westbow Rd but got kicked out when they figured it out that the motorhome was over 10 years old. In the future (if necessary) I'll check out the Total Truck Shop. I'd not heard of it before. I live ~200 miles away so don't normally keep in tune with businesses in the Spokane area. I'll have to upgrade my research in the future.

My apologies. I've been misreading too many posts lately which does indeed make me look foolish and I'm going to force myself to again take a break from posting anything on the forum. I'm getting up there in age too and my faculties, both mentally and physically, are quickly eroding.

I applaud you for what you are doing. Since I now know you've already had the work done, it is what it is. If you're attempting to get opinions on whether to have work done at that shop again or if you may have been overcharged, my vote would be no and probably.