2015 Fleetwood Bounder 35k Problems, Replacing v10 engine and other major repairs
Hello Fellow Fleetwood owners,
I own a 2015 Fleetwood Bounder 35k that has been a really nice looking coach, but we have had major issues with the coach.
I am a ex RV dealership owner, and have had many coaches, but this one has taken more major repairs, time and money than all my other dozen or so coaches I have owned combined.
Our Ford Powered Bounder now has 31k miles, and needs a new Ford V10 engine for $20k, clogged Cat converter $4k, and replace exhaust gaskets, $500. New A/C heat pump $2k, new energy management system $500, and just repaired many other times like failed wires between the thermostat and A/C (no heat or A/C), drivers OH cabinet falling off wall, 120v power losses repairs from poor wiring, and terrible shifting points from trans on hills up and down. ($500 5 star has helped with that).
Having been a dealer for over a dozen years, this personal motorhome has taken more major repairs than any other new or used coach we have had in inventory through the years.
The Ford V10 6.8L engine failure started on a trip from Oregon to Colorado, fresh Mobile 1 oil and factory Ford filter. Oil level checked every 500 miles and never lost a drop. Cat converter Clogged up at 30k miles, blew out exhaust gaskets, lost power and engine started making noise. After Cat removal (ford Cats on back order) and exhaust repair, engine knocking and surging. Had multiple techs look and replace upper engine (Ford) parts that showed no failure but common noise makers like Cam followers (rocker arms) and lifters, no luck still knocking at all times.
After waiting months to get into a Ford repair facility that handles larger trucks and motor homes, they diagnose engine knocking, #7 Cyl low compression, scratches in cyl wall, and replacement engine needed for 22k, plus 4k for cat replacement.
I am confident that the repair bill will continue to climb as work is added and completed. Waited 3 months for a Ford Facory 6.8 V10, and work will continue into April all customer pay. Ford has refused to cover even the failed CAT under warranty or low mileage major engine failure.
My wife encouraged me to write this as I do not normally post, but I am hopeful that my work can help another in their repairs or diagnosis if needed. As someone who has now spent over 100 hours repairing a excellent condition highly maintained coach, I have now pretty much rebuilt every system.
What I cannot work on Ford will replace at a very high cost of ownership. My only hope is that when Ford completes their work at my expense, this will become a much more dependable coach with a Ford 3yr factory engine warranty and road ready for the future.
Thanks for your time,
$PoorFordBounderboy
2015 Fleetwood Bounder 35k
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