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Dugan · 04-08-2021, 10:54 PM

We have a 2021 Allegro 34PA with the new Ford V8 that replaced the 22 year old V10. You may have seen prior posts about the spark plug issues with these engines. The problems are real as we found out on our first trip in the new RV. On Monday heading south on Interstate 5 our engine started to miss and lose power to the point of having to call a tow truck. Towed 40 miles to South Bay Ford Fleet and Commercial Truck Center in Hawthorne CA. $1,900 tow bill, that hopefully Ford is going to cover under warranty. They diagnosed the issue as heat destroyed spark plug wires from the exhaust headers that the wires run next to from the spark plugs to the coil packs. They replaced all 8 wires with a "updated" part. Chuck Moore and Craig Pratt did an excellent job to get us back on the road by noon on Wednesday. When I get back home I plan on putting "header heat wrap on all 8 headers.

The attached picture is a connection on our roof that appears to be for the Girard awning setup. Can anyone confirm this. The awning won't extend.

Arch Hoagland · 04-08-2021, 11:22 PM

No picture appeared.

vsheetz · 04-09-2021, 01:02 AM

No ERS to cover the towing cost? If not, get one.

StaRVGazer · 04-09-2021, 07:21 AM

Just curious.....do you know if they had to remove the doghouse engine cover to replace the wires or were the able to access them from the sides/underneath?

Thanks.

Paul

Dugan · 04-09-2021, 10:45 AM

Thanks will try and re-upload.

Dugan · 04-09-2021, 10:48 AM

They did remove the dog house. I thought they could have done it from underneath. They did a clean job removing and replacing.

Dugan · 04-09-2021, 11:07 AM

dezolen · 04-09-2021, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dugan

We have a 2021 Allegro 34PA with the new Ford V8 that replaced the 22 year old V10. You may have seen prior posts about the spark plug issues with these engines. The problems are real as we found out on our first trip in the new RV. On Monday heading south on Interstate 5 our engine started to miss and lose power to the point of having to call a tow truck. Towed 40 miles to South Bay Ford Fleet and Commercial Truck Center in Hawthorne CA. $1,900 tow bill, that hopefully Ford is going to cover under warranty. They diagnosed the issue as heat destroyed spark plug wires from the exhaust headers that the wires run next to from the spark plugs to the coil packs. They replaced all 8 wires with a "updated" part. Chuck Moore and Craig Pratt did an excellent job to get us back on the road by noon on Wednesday. When I get back home I plan on putting "header heat wrap on all 8 headers.

The attached picture is a connection on our roof that appears to be for the Girard awning setup. Can anyone confirm this. The awning won't extend.

Ford comes with 5 year roadside coverage

dezolen · 04-09-2021, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

No ERS to cover the towing cost? If not, get one.

No need, Ford gives 5 year coverage

StaRVGazer · 04-09-2021, 01:27 PM

Thanks for the feedback!

Did you get the coach new? Something doesn't look at all right about that roof connection. It looks like an aftermarket or do-it-yourself add-on that's just waiting to be snagged by tree limbs. Even the sealant doesn't look 'factory'. Hopefully the dealer or Tiffin can help you sort that out.

I have the standard awnings and the wires are basically concealed except where they go into the awning frame.

Paul

Dugan · 04-09-2021, 05:19 PM

I contacted Tiffin twice about the exposed wires. They said it wasn't done correctly and they would fix it for me in Red Bay. Since I'm north of Seattle it would be a 2,500 miles drive to Red Bay. I asked for a picture of how it should be and I would get it fixed or fix it myself. They went quiet and haven't heard from them since. i zip tied the wires into a bundle, wrapped with 3M electrical tape then encased in Dicor sealant.

SimRacer · 04-09-2021, 06:02 PM

Sorry to hear about your problem. What is the manufacture date of your 34 PA? Can you tell if Ford's TSB 23-270 has been done? If not the heat problem is likely to recur.

Ford TSB 20-2370.pdf

Dugan · 04-10-2021, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimRacer

Sorry to hear about your problem. What is the manufacture date of your 34 PA? Can you tell if Ford's TSB 23-270 has been done? If not the heat problem is likely to recur.

Attachment 324455

The manufacture date for the chassis was 3/2020. According to the final service sheet they did modify the panel but I can't tell what is different. Don't think that modification would be enough to cool the spark plug wires running right up between the exhaust headers. I'm going for the header wrap to try and curtail any future problems. Ford claims their supplier of the plug wires screwed up!

Fio · 04-10-2021, 05:51 PM

Dugan, how many miles did you have on your RV when the engine issue occurred? I have about 1210 miles on mine and no problem yet. It had 1000 miles when I purchased it and I drove it home 210 miles. I tried to get it fixed preemptively but Ford refused to do it.