Community Forums

AggieDad · 10-03-2015, 10:10 AM

How about a new (remanufactured) 8.1L Workhorse engine?

We died on I-70 in Utah at the end of August - the absolute middle of nowhere. The tow service took us to a GM dealer in Price, Utah. The engine was completely cooked.

I can tell you it was a long 1550 mile ride home in the tow car, leaving the RV with folks we didn't know to operate on the very heart of our coach and would cost $$$. It was also a long month of waiting, but they were very good at keeping in touch with us, so that helped.

We just picked it up and it seems to be running great. The engine is very smooth and quiet. By the time we get back to Houston I will have given it a 1600 mile shake-down and will know exactly how good a job they did.

philipswanso · 10-03-2015, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AggieDad

How about a new (remanufactured) 8.1L Workhorse engine?

We died on I-70 in Utah at the end of August - the absolute middle of nowhere. The tow service took us to a GM dealer in Price, Utah. The engine was completely cooked.

I can tell you it was a long 1550 mile ride home in the tow car, leaving the RV with folks we didn't know to operate on the very heart of our coach and would cost $$$. It was also a long month of waiting, but they were very good at keeping in touch with us, so that helped.

We just picked it up and it seems to be running great. The engine is very smooth and quiet. By the time we get back to Houston I will have given it a 1600 mile shake-down and will know exactly how good a job they did.

So what caused this engine to die so early? Did it have proper maintenance?

AggieDad · 10-03-2015, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipswanso

So what caused this engine to die so early? Did it have proper maintenance?

Oh, more than proper maintenance. In fact we just had check-up, oil & filter, and new water pump before the trip. We have an idea, but don't know for sure. The folks who replaced the engine think the radiator was nicked during the water pump replacement and the mechanic (?) put stop-leak in the system. But it is just a theory - but a pretty good one, I guess.

chuckbear · 10-03-2015, 08:12 PM

New seals for one of the rear leveler jacks. Replacement thermostat sensor for front AC unit. Wifi booster and antenna. New vinyl around the base for the toilet, to replace the idiotic carpet. DVD player. New coax for the over the air antenna. Replacement shroud for one of the roof AC units. Fabricated a sunscreen for the entire windshield. Had another heart procedure. And that was just last week. Chuck

Dwayne & Shara · 10-04-2015, 06:27 AM

New 10 gal water heater the old 6 gal died so just go bigger.

philipswanso · 10-04-2015, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AggieDad

Oh, more than proper maintenance. In fact we just had check-up, oil & filter, and new water pump before the trip. We have an idea, but don't know for sure. The folks who replaced the engine think the radiator was nicked during the water pump replacement and the mechanic (?) put stop-leak in the system. But it is just a theory - but a pretty good one, I guess.

This is exactly the reason I do all my own work. Many of these monkies in the shops are dangerous! I never let them touch my bus. I have seen allot of their work. And we are paying them $150+ an hour to ruin our coaches. I don't think so! And a coach needs allot more than what you mention before a trip. At a minimum, it should have a thorough inspection. All belts and hoses need to be changed every 7-8 years just like tires. Most shops don't take the time to do it right. You would never be able to afford it! Sorry about your mishap.

Dwayne & Shara · 10-07-2015, 07:51 PM

10 gallon atwood water heater. Replace the 1995 6 gallon that stopped working.

sikorge · 10-08-2015, 06:49 AM

RV Cover for the new MH

michealwhela · 10-08-2015, 07:21 AM

Time to retire the old radio came at last. While the old one still works it lacked some of the functionality found in the new receivers. I went with the Kenwood receiver and also upgraded the old speakers with Alpine. Wow what a difference! Now I can use my blue tooth devices, phone and have crisp HD radio. We gain the additional advantage of the remote control so the DW can easily manage the radio without stretching across the motorhome to reach the controls. Upgrade well worth the effort in my book.

vsheetz · 10-08-2015, 07:41 AM

What was the last thing I bought for my RV?

Another RV! (-:

SpaceNorman · 10-08-2015, 08:12 AM

Bit the bullet and replaced the house batteries. The previous batteries were 4 years old. They load tested as "bad" ... and I suspect were damaged internally given that I pumped more than a gallon and a half of water into them when I checked them prior to our first trip in the coach after taking possession of it.

The coach uses 4 huge UL16HC batteries ... at more than $300 per unit. Definitely a chachinnnnnggg moment!

zmotorsports · 10-08-2015, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

What was the last thing I bought for my RV?

Another RV! (-:

Come on!!! Details and pictures.

Mike.

becks · 10-08-2015, 09:43 AM

Finally completed an upgrade we have been wanting to do for some time.
New 2800 watt PSW Inverter.
New Magnum remote.
New Magnum AGS.
New battery monitor kit.

zmotorsports · 10-08-2015, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becks

Finally completed an upgrade we have been wanting to do for some time.
New 2800 watt PSW Inverter.
New Magnum remote.
New Magnum AGS.
New battery monitor kit.

Gary, any specific reason why you upgraded to the new inverter. Was it to get the PSW or the 2800 watts?

Was your refrigerator running fine on the MSW 2k watt inverter?

Also, have you had to add any batteries to your battery bank?

I have only had my residential refrigerator in for one long and one short trip so far and have not boondocked with it. I would assume it wouldn't be much different than before due to the Samsung's low current draw. In the past boondocking we would run the genset for a couple of hours at night while cooking dinner or watching tv to top off the battery bank, then by morning it would be in the 12.0-12.1 volt range and would start up the genset again while showering, getting ready and fixing coffee and something to eat. This is even with the diesel burner of the Aqua-Hot on and the blower fans running when the T-stats called for it. I did replace the higher current draw blower fans in our Dynasty with the Aqua-Hot Cozy III heat exchangers/blower fans though about 6 years ago. They have bit less current draw and are much quieter than the ones Monaco used in their coaches.

It wasn't ideal but for the 2-3 times a year we would boondock for a weekend at the dunes or up in a state campground or one night here and there while traveling it worked fine.

At this time it is purely an assumption as far as my battery bank because I have not tested it yet. I am going to need to replace my batteries next spring before the RVing season ramps up so if I need to add larger batteries or jump to a 6-battery bank then so be it.

I am just curious how yours is working out thus far.

Thanks.

Mike.

Oh, by the way, looking forward to seeing you and Darlene in a couple of weeks in St. George.