RV confusion. Threw a rod, what to do?

[WFretz]

I have a 1999 Fleetwood Flair, and on the way to Florida it threw a rod thru the engine block.

I'm from Michigan and the RV is in Macon Georgia.
I have been unable to find anyone to rebuild/replace the engine without the cost exceeding the worth of the unit, and being so far from it now, am totally confused about what I should do with it.


Open to any/all suggestions.....

[Lantley]

What is the RV worth to you? You are not repairing it to sell but to use. The RV has zero monetary value with a blown engine. What its worth on paper only comes into play if you are trying to sell it! If you are trying to use it the book value is not very important.
Nevertheless the RV may still have value to you if you desire to fix it.
If you have no desire to fix it or the repair cost is not worth it to you. Have it towed to the junk yard and call it a day.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I think Lantley summed it up quite succinctly. If the cost of repair is worth it to YOU, do it. If not, junk it and rent a car to get you and your personal gear back home. Or ship your stuff and fly home.


You didn't mention where you shopped for an engine rebuild. Most areas (especially in the South) have some smaller, "good-ole-boy" shops that can often beat the prices of the majors. Certainly less than any place that has "RV" on their store front. If you haven't asked around at the local coffee shop or pub, you might check for some lower cost options. Isn't gonna be cheap, but maybe more tolerable.

[WFretz]

Thank you for the insightful replies.... lot to think over.....



RV is in a lot outside of Macon, GA, and my attempts to find someone that is willing to take on the repair/re-build have been unsuccessful thus far....

[Gary RVRoamer]

Access to the engine in a gas class A is difficult at best, so finding a shop to tackle it is gonna be a challenge. And the extra labor adds to the already high cost of an engine replacement. Maybe just time to bite the bullet and junk it.

Have you tried a Google search for shops near Macon that do engine replacements? https://www.google.com/search?q=engi...+near+macon+ga

[n2zon]

Sorry to hear about the block. That's sort of final!

Just some random thoughts on why it can be hard to find someone to do the work. Short of removing and later reinstalling the front cap or cutting a large hole in it to repair afterward, the most practical way to get the engine out of a gasser is often to drop it out the bottom, which means it has to be jacked and blocked up to provide the needed clearance. It could also be necessary to raise the rear so the rear doesn't hit the ground with the front that far up.. On some, I've read you can winch it into the cabin and get it out the door, but these things are *heavy* and it would be challenging to get it out of the cabin and the new-to-you engine back in gracefully.

None of these is easy. All of them take some experience to pull off well and the equipment to get it done. All will take a lot of labor hours, and then there is the cost of the engine, so it's going to be costly even if you find a good 'ol boy who can do it less expensively than most.

Just to add to your confusion, it's possible you could find a comparable coach for what it would cost to fix the one you have.

[computerguy]

Here's how they did it on mine
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/2015...ml#post6246731

[n2zon]

Originally Posted by computerguy

Here's how they did it on mine
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/2015...ml#post6246731

I forgot about truck/bus lifts! Definitely easier than jack and crib. Probably saves a few to several shop hours.

[mrwrench]

Originally Posted by WFretz

I have a 1999 Fleetwood Flair, and on the way to Florida it threw a rod thru the engine block.

I'm from Michigan and the RV is in Macon Georgia.
I have been unable to find anyone to rebuild/replace the engine without the cost exceeding the worth of the unit, and being so far from it now, am totally confused about what I should do with it.


Open to any/all suggestions.....

get a used low mileage engine and look a independient mechanic like me to replace the motor...
I did it in my 93 bounder , I only expend $800 por a nice low mileage engine yn the local salvage yard....The shop wanted 10k for that....

[House Husband]

The engine will come out the front. Remove the hood, front bumper/grill assembly and start digging. No cutting fiber glass. May have to remove the intake manifold, working through the dog house andddddddddd maybe the heads but it will come out the front.
Very time consuming but easier than the other options mentioned.

Richard

[Raven1941]

I have heard that old timers would be in a spot like that and have the piston removed from engine and though it would not run smooth it just might be the cheapest way to get it moved somewhere .

[No Sweat]

Originally Posted by Raven1941

I have heard that old timers would be in a spot like that and have the piston removed from engine and though it would not run smooth it just might be the cheapest way to get it moved somewhere .

1st thing is keeping the Oil in the block
2nd will be Shaking of the motor to death
3rd coolant loss from the hole

[dbircky]

I don't think it'll run far with oil flying out the hole in the block.
Years ago I worked at a Winnebago dealer. We replaced a few engines in chieftains and braves by dropping them out from the bottom. Put it up on a lift, drop the front axle, disconnect the driveshaft, and lowered the engine and tranny down together ( after removing exhaust manifolds) using two transmission jacks. Of course having a lift helped a lot, but could probably crib one up high enough to do the same.

[Raven1941]

I guess I didn't read the part where it put a hole in the Block, You are correct it wouldn't work, thanks for update .