'93 Dynasty Shakedown

[sam60]

I'm new to the self powered RV world and recently purchased the Monaco. I have a lot to learn and took next week off - vacation time to spend more time with it.

I started tonight with the H2O system. I did not regulate the water pressure from the house which is less than 70 PSI. So far:

Fresh water tank leaks.
Kitchen faucet drips but doesn't flow because..
Everpure filter is clogged.
Black and grey water tank valves leak.
Water heater is not heating but haven't ohmed element yet.

On the plus side, the toilet and bath faucet are functioning as they should. I see all of the above as small, enjoyable challenges as I am working on it at home.

One of the Grand-kids engaged the hazard flashers and it took me 10 minutes to find the switch.

I am looking forward to what I find next.

More to follow.

[NVMike]

Welcome. You will find many good ideas and invaluable help.

[Vanwill]

Originally Posted by sam60

I'm new to the self powered RV world and recently purchased the Monaco. I have a lot to learn and took next week off - vacation time to spend more time with it.

I started tonight with the H2O system. I did not regulate the water pressure from the house which is less than 70 PSI. So far:

Fresh water tank leaks.
Kitchen faucet drips but doesn't flow because..
Everpure filter is clogged.
Black and grey water tank valves leak.
Water heater is not heating but haven't ohmed element yet.

On the plus side, the toilet and bath faucet are functioning as they should. I see all of the above as small, enjoyable challenges as I am working on it at home.

One of the Grand-kids engaged the hazard flashers and it took me 10 minutes to find the switch.

I am looking forward to what I find next.

More to follow.

I've got a soft spot for the 1993 Dynasty. It was my first Class A DP. A few things I learned--You WILL have electrical gremlins. Many of your electrical connections and relays are exposed to a harsh environment in your engine compartment. Take a weekend day and remove every single quick-connect and fuse in that compartment, spray it with WD-40 and reconnect it. Locate every ground buss bar, front and rear, on your coach and spray each connection with WD-40, loosen the connection, then re-tighten it. Unfasten your dash and move it outward enough to loosen and re-tighten every gage and switch connection. Consider adding a redundant ground wire to the daisy-chained ground wire that connects all gages. While you have the dash out, consider replacing the ignition switch and the headlight switch.

Replace any water system fixture with the equivalent Delta or equivalent residential fixture. Much of your water piping will be the now-outdated polybutadene grey plastic. Any time you have to replace something, convert to PEX.

You can attempt to repair your leaking waste tank valve, but they are not expensive. Replace it. When you have replaced it, you should be able to rotate the assembly to aim the outlet as necessary to line up with the outlet plate in the wet bay floor.

A leaking water tank is a bit unusual, but leaking from the fittings connected to it is not. Determine where your leak originates. The gimpy drain fittings used in the fresh water system were replaced by PEX ball valves in later years. There is a check valve isolating the fresh water "shore" water system from the fresh water "internal pump" system. As its rubber seal ages, it will begin to "drool" into the wet bay. It is hidden behind one of the panels of the wet bay.

Clean all your battery cables and replace any corroded connectors and ends.

Change your fuel filters NOW! CARRY SPARE FUEL FILTERS AND THE STRAP WRENCH TO CHANGE THEM. When you know your coach will be parked for some time, try always to have the fuel tank full--that will minimize biological growth in your fuel. Use a biocide in your tank.

If your propane-powered generator does not start easily or run well, replace the reasonably priced regulator and clean the lines. This will frequently end your generator problems. Wear vinyl gloves when disconnecting the lines--the garlic "flavored" oil in propane devices will stick tenaciously to your skin, no matter how many times you wash them.

Change your transmission filters and switch to Transynd, or Allison-approved fluid.

Jumper your "salesman switch" to eliminate its operation completely. It may be labeled "DC Power", "Battery Power" or similar.

If your coach wanders on the highway, or seems "loose on the road", read the "Wandering" thread.

Many of us will be happy to help you with any problem in any way we can. Welcome to the forum!!

[sam60]

Originally Posted by Vanwill

I've got a soft spot for the 1993 Dynasty. It was my first Class A DP. A few things I learned--You WILL have electrical gremlins. Many of your electrical connections and relays are exposed to a harsh environment in your engine compartment. Take a weekend day and remove every single quick-connect and fuse in that compartment, spray it with WD-40 and reconnect it. Locate every ground buss bar, front and rear, on your coach and spray each connection with WD-40, loosen the connection, then re-tighten it. Unfasten your dash and move it outward enough to loosen and re-tighten every gage and switch connection. Consider adding a redundant ground wire to the daisy-chained ground wire that connects all gages. While you have the dash out, consider replacing the ignition switch and the headlight switch.

Replace any water system fixture with the equivalent Delta or equivalent residential fixture. Much of your water piping will be the now-outdated polybutadene grey plastic. Any time you have to replace something, convert to PEX.

You can attempt to repair your leaking waste tank valve, but they are not expensive. Replace it. When you have replaced it, you should be able to rotate the assembly to aim the outlet as necessary to line up with the outlet plate in the wet bay floor.

A leaking water tank is a bit unusual, but leaking from the fittings connected to it is not. Determine where your leak originates. The gimpy drain fittings used in the fresh water system were replaced by PEX ball valves in later years. There is a check valve isolating the fresh water "shore" water system from the fresh water "internal pump" system. As its rubber seal ages, it will begin to "drool" into the wet bay. It is hidden behind one of the panels of the wet bay.

Clean all your battery cables and replace any corroded connectors and ends.

Change your fuel filters NOW! CARRY SPARE FUEL FILTERS AND THE STRAP WRENCH TO CHANGE THEM. When you know your coach will be parked for some time, try always to have the fuel tank full--that will minimize biological growth in your fuel. Use a biocide in your tank.

If your propane-powered generator does not start easily or run well, replace the reasonably priced regulator and clean the lines. This will frequently end your generator problems. Wear vinyl gloves when disconnecting the lines--the garlic "flavored" oil in propane devices will stick tenaciously to your skin, no matter how many times you wash them.

Change your transmission filters and switch to Transynd, or Allison-approved fluid.

Jumper your "salesman switch" to eliminate its operation completely. It may be labeled "DC Power", "Battery Power" or similar.

If your coach wanders on the highway, or seems "loose on the road", read the "Wandering" thread.

Many of us will be happy to help you with any problem in any way we can. Welcome to the forum!!

Wow, Van...Thank you for the advice! I now think that the FW tank leak may just be the connection at the drain line.

Your other suggestions are great as well, thank you!

[sam60]

When looking for water leaks, gobs of silicone is likely where I should start. All of the other compartments are clean. This must have been leaking for a long time.


The salesman switch delete & WD40 to every connection are a bit more intimidating.


House batteries are dead. Mattresses are in the dump trailer. Pulling the awnings out is next, Just in the discovery phase....no repairs yet.

[Thunderfoot]

I see your post was moved to the Vintage section.... no worries as there are plenty of us with "older" Monaco's waiting to join you! You will receive valuable information and have most of your questions answered by the members here. Good luck & have fun.

[sam60]

Originally Posted by Thunderfoot

I see your post was moved to the Vintage section.... no worries as there are plenty of us with "older" Monaco's waiting to join you! You will receive valuable information and have most of your questions answered by the members here. Good luck & have fun.

The ride was fun and I like where I landed.

[sam60]

Natural patina...not an option from Monaco.

[The baroness]

Originally Posted by sam60

I'm new to the self powered RV world and recently purchased the Monaco. I have a lot to learn and took next week off - vacation time to spend more time with it.

I started tonight with the H2O system. I did not regulate the water pressure from the house which is less than 70 PSI. So far:

Fresh water tank leaks.
Kitchen faucet drips but doesn't flow because..
Everpure filter is clogged.
Black and grey water tank valves leak.
Water heater is not heating but haven't ohmed element yet.

On the plus side, the toilet and bath faucet are functioning as they should. I see all of the above as small, enjoyable challenges as I am working on it at home.

One of the Grand-kids engaged the hazard flashers and it took me 10 minutes to find the switch.

I am looking forward to what I find next.

More to follow.

Man I feel your pain.I to have purchased a 02 Dynasty rolling repair job.My kids and I love it but it's a constant project this love of motor homing. Every time something breaks and I'm working on it I wonder why us rv people put ourselves through this ongoing fix it job! Last week the kids wanted to camp outside in a tent with their cousins so I slept outside with them and when I woke up the next day the answer to my question was very apparent. Man did I hurt! I really don't mind working on my rolling tent anymore.

[ahicks]

Awesome project! I can relate to the constant awareness when it comes to watching for problems that need attention. It took me a year or better to catch up on all the sometimes way past due maintenance on ours. Now though, I don't believe ongoing maintenance is much worse than one that many years newer or that might have set me back many more dollars!

I'd be suspicious of silicone gob jobs as well.

I notice in your pics a lot of that browned vinyl screw cover. On our first coach (93 HR) I tracked down and replaced every inch of that molding to make it look right. It was a big improvement for sure, but it was time consuming, hard on my hands when working it around corners, and naturally, expensive! This second one (the one we have now) was just starting to do that browning thing when we got it. Using lesson learned from previous coach, I started looking for options, and finding them to be slim, decided to tape off and paint a couple areas and just watch. 4 years later, still looking great. No flaking or problems of any sort. I just used cheap rattle can paint that seemed to match really well, and it still does. Have recently used the same paint on some other yellowed plastic that seemed to be in good shape yet, other than the discoloring. FWIW, -Al

[sam60]

Originally Posted by The baroness

Man I feel your pain.I to have purchased a 02 Dynasty rolling repair job.My kids and I love it but it's a constant project this love of motor homing. Every time something breaks and I'm working on it I wonder why us rv people put ourselves through this ongoing fix it job! Last week the kids wanted to camp outside in a tent with their cousins so I slept outside with them and when I woke up the next day the answer to my question was very apparent. Man did I hurt! I really don't mind working on my rolling tent anymore.

I'm having fun with it so far, baroness. The tent camping is many years removed for me. It's great that that you have a MH to enjoy with your family!

[sam60]

Originally Posted by ahicks

I'd be suspicious of silicone gob jobs as well.

FWIW, -Al

Over tightened fitting. Bad photo but split at 1:00.

[sam60]

Kitchen faucet replaced with a Home Depot cheapo. Takes about 10 minutes to swap and should last 10 years.

[sam60]

Air filter indicator was toast.