Community Forums

mfire1339 · 07-23-2008, 01:23 PM

My 19,000 mi. old 8.1 engine broke.
the number 7 cyl. zero compression.
spark plug beatup. i'm staring at over
$10k and in a hotel 2,000.mi from home.
monacco says start by removing windshield!

mfire1339 · 07-23-2008, 01:23 PM

My 19,000 mi. old 8.1 engine broke.
the number 7 cyl. zero compression.
spark plug beatup. i'm staring at over
$10k and in a hotel 2,000.mi from home.
monacco says start by removing windshield!

Ultra RV Products · 07-23-2008, 02:03 PM

mfire,

Whre are you at???

Bob (WA0MQE) · 07-23-2008, 02:09 PM

Have you got the coach paid for? If you do, and it were me I'd use the $10,000 and anything else I could scrape together and go buy a diesel.

I think the gas coaches they are building today are way too much coach for available gas engines, even the 8.1. I'm on a trip that I took from Colorado to Minnesota with a side trip back through Des Moines Iowa and then back across I-80 through Wyoming to Salt Lake City. Going from Colorado to Minnesota and back across the eastern part of Nebraska my coach did fine. I even got halfway decent gas mileage and had decent power going up and down the hills, this happening while the elevation was below 2,000 ft. However, once I got to western Nebraska and the elevation started getting up over 3,000 ft, forget it. Even without any wind, I could tell I lost half the power, I had too run in 4th and even 3rd gear for 75% of the time. Talk about crappy gas mileage, as well as constant obnoxious noise from the engine fans.

Now I know there will be many that love this engine and maybe if I traveled in the flat, lower elevation part of the United States I'd think the same thing.

In any case as you can see I'm a bit disgrundled and unhappy with my purchase.

mfire1339 · 07-23-2008, 02:52 PM

We are in Buford Ga. Broke down 2mi into No. Carolina from Tenn. Went 7,000 plus feet in Arizona.

mfire1339 · 07-23-2008, 03:09 PM

More specific it's at southland motorhome center.
they are going to put a scope in the cylinder
tomorrow to view it. Wife says we have an extended warranty. We will see.

Full-Timers · 07-23-2008, 03:33 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bob (WA0MQE):
I even got halfway decent gas mileage and had decent power going up and down the hills, this happening while the elevation was below 2,000 ft. However, once I got to western Nebraska and the elevation started getting up over 3,000 ft, forget it. Even without any wind, I could tell I lost half the power, I had too run in 4th and even 3rd gear for 75% of the time. Talk about crappy gas mileage, as well as constant obnoxious noise from the engine fans.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>Wow Bob, Sounds like you got a serious problem. I have no serious problems with altitude and always run in 5th gear, except on grades, with no mods. If all these gas motorhomes were as bad as you say yours is they would not be selling any.
What do you think Mike Bronzini? Sound like something isn't right.

tech@brazelsrv · 07-23-2008, 04:08 PM

mfire1339:
What year is your coach?

tech@brazelsrv · 07-23-2008, 04:12 PM

"Wow Bob, Sounds like you got a serious problem. I have no serious problems with altitude and always run in 5th gear, except on grades, with no mods. If all these gas motorhomes were as bad as you say yours is they would not be selling any.
What do you think Mike Bronzini? Sound like something isn't right."

I'd check fuel pressure and filter as well as wires.

Hitchhiker · 07-23-2008, 04:26 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tech@brazelsrv:
mfire1339:
What year is your coach? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Brazels,

"mfire1339" indicates in his profile that the MH is a 2004 Monaco 34' Monarch.

Hitchhiker · 07-23-2008, 04:51 PM

Mfire,

I have a son who lives near you in Gainesville, GA about 20 miles or so up the road from Buford. I was talking with him discussing your plight and he said to give you his cell phone number and/or email address.

If you need any information about the area, where to eat, motels, etc., while stranded he'd be happy to help. Or if you just want to talk with a friendly local iRV2 member, give him a call.

He's @ 404-786-5474 and email is: erichale@advancedsatcom.com His iRV2 username is: Braselton Nomad

DriVer · 07-23-2008, 05:53 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mfire1339:
Monaco says start by removing windshield! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Hold The Presses! The engine comes out of the bottom of the motorhome. They have to remove the front axle. Piece of cake actually! I've seen it with my own eyes. If they continue to suggest removing the windshield - get a second opinion from Workhorse Technical Support.

max49 · 07-23-2008, 05:58 PM

mfire1339, do you have any other info as to what conditions may have led to the engines' demise? What year is it? Did piston hit the plug?
Bob (WA0MQE) , Out here in Colorado, 'you got to rev that sucka. I try not to, but mines bounced off the rev limiter (5000 RPM0, quite a few times.
I agree with you tho. We can get a Powerstroke or a Duramax for a few K upgrade in a pickup but for what ever reason we can't get those engines in a Cl A. I don't know if that's the chassis builders fault or if Ford and Chevy are just stingy with those engines and won't sell them to MH builders.
Most Diesel pickups blow by me on mountain passes, pulling big campers and boats.
But I don't think I've ever been passed by a gasser MH