Looking to buy a 2007 Diplomat

[JohnnyRocker]

Hi,

I'm new to the RV world and am looking at jumping in on a used, low milage, 2007 Diplomat from a private party. What are some items I should look for during my first visual inspection? Also who and where in western PA would I take this Rig for a pre-purchase inspection?

Any tips and trick greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
John

[vito.a]

Welcome to IRV2!
A 2007 Diplomat is a great coach built on an RR8R Roadmaster chassis with 8 outboard airbags and 8 shocks. It will have a Cummins ISL 400hp engine and an Allison MH3000 6 speed transmission (both great).
Look at the outside-underside of each slideout for possible water damage.
Inspect the dates on tires (no more than 7 years) and batteries (should last 3-5 years). Ask for service records. Both are expensive, so if they need replacing deduct this from the price.
Set aside a budget for updates (TV's and stereo) and repairs.

Do a Google search for RV inspection in Wester PA and you will get several returns. Start dialing and asking questions until you find someone.

The ONLY fault I have with a Diplomat is the rear radiator (vs a side radiator). This makes it difficult to work on the engine and is prone to clogging with oil and dirt.
Download the orginal brochure here:
https://www.monacocoach.com/luxury-rv-brochures?y=2007

Look up the RV NADA pricing for this make/model before you go look.
http://www.nadaguides.com/RVs
Also do a search on RVTrader.com and RVT.com for this make model plus or minus 1 year and then rank order by price, lowest first. This will give you a feel for pricing.

[TMan59]

There is a short run of isl400 that had wrist pin issues. A quick google search will show you the serial numbers. We bought our 07 Alpine I had the bad numbers with me and confirmed the engine was not one.

[hardy1000]

I purchased my 07 new and it has been solid for 43,000 miles. Like Vito a. stated do a google search and check out the engine serial number. The only thing I have replaced on my ISL 400 was the exauast manifold which was $900 installed. Even though it is a rear radiator I have never had any overheating issues. I pull a 2009 Jeep Unlimited.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi John! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Sorry I don't know anything about the 2007 models.


Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[JohnnyRocker]

Update:

The 2007 Diplomat (SKQ) has all new tires, batteries, and refrigerator (full size). 38,000 miles on the OD. The only issue is a side camera which he is replacing this week. I have the VIN but not the engine number. I will check that during the mechanical inspection.

We negotiated a price and have agreed to send it in for a complete inspection by a motorhome shop I have chosen. Anything identified costing over $500 would be split 50/50. I have one more detailed walkthrough and test drive scheduled prior to the mechanical inspection once the camera is repaired.

The rig appears to be in great condition. all 4 slide outs look clean and no water damage. Roof was clean. It had all the extras too (washer/dryer, central vac, 2 basement sliders). The interior was spotless and hardwoods like new. Unless something is found significantly out-of-order this deal will close within about two week. Looks like I'm buying my first Rig!

[Ivylog]

Originally Posted by TMan59

There is a short run of isl400 that had wrist pin issues. A quick google search will show you the serial numbers. We bought our 07 Alpine I had the bad numbers with me and confirmed the engine was not one.

X2 although I previously thought to not worry about an engine in the recall with lots of miles on it, but last week I talked with an owner who’s push rod put a big hole in the side of his ISL engine at 50K miles. It was in the affected serial #s and after 4 years, hiring an attorney, going to court, having a judge admonished Cummins to answer questions on how many engine had failed, Cummin offered to put a new engine in for $15K (he took the offer) without answering how many engines had failed (probably enough for a class action law suite).

He could not use his rig for 4 years, had to put new tire and batteries once engine replaced, and only by finally hiring a good attorney and a judge that got upset with Cummins runaround he finally paid $15K for a new engine. Did not ask if the new engine had the new pollution stuff.

[Mr_D]

Sounds like the stonewalling Cummins is doing to those of us with the ISX's that break valves off in #6. They have new redesigned parts but are taking no responsibility for cost of repairs, some $30-40,000.

[vito.a]

Link to the ISL wrist pin thread. The 2007 model should not be in this range but I would check the serial numbers to be sure.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/isl-...ge-180891.html
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE APPLICATIONS BETWEEN OCTOBER 17, 2005, AND APRIL 18, 2006, WITH ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER RANGE FROM 46543077 TO 46603939. THE CONNECTING ROD CONTAINS A MACHINING DEFECT IN THE WRIST PIN BUSHING OF THE ROD THAT COULD CAUSE SEIZURE OF THE PISTON PIN.

[Ivylog]

There is an excellent chance a 07 Dip has a 06 ISL engine...Monaco bought up a bunch of extra 06 engines. My 08 Navigator has a 06 engine...one of the reasons I bought it.

[JohnnyRocker]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

There is an excellent chance a 07 Dip has a 06 ISL engine...Monaco bought up a bunch of extra 06 engines. My 08 Navigator has a 06 engine...one of the reasons I bought it.

The 07 I purchased was built in 7/06. Would that be a better engine (from a wrist pin issue perspective)?

[sinterior]

I checked my engine serial number before I bought our new to us 2007 motorhome and found out my engine was built after the wrist pin problem

[hardy1000]

My 06 engine was also built after the wrist pin problem. I had already ordered the Diplomat and did not know about the problem until I took delivery of it, just got lucky.