Community Forums

billdreamlv · 01-05-2017, 06:55 PM

I'm getting the impression that you might not have paid the $40,000 yet for the repair. Is that true. If so then you might have some options taking it somewhere else. I just can't believe that it would cost that much. Something isn't right here. If you take a new engine at $16,000 that leaves you with $24,000 divided by say $40 per hour for a mechanic equalling 600 hours of work. At 40 hours a week that would be 15 weeks or almost 4 months to fix the thing. Does this seem fair? My guess is that you can do a lot better. Maybe some uncomfortable questions should be asked of the shop.

Scottybdivin · 01-05-2017, 08:01 PM

Here is a new crate 400 ISL on Ebay from a seller with 100% positive feedback.
New Crate 2008 ISL 400 $14,000
There are many others to look at.

8TiresRollin · 01-05-2017, 08:32 PM

Wonder why that crate engine is yellow? I would still hook a programmer up to the computer to see if it is really a brand new engine. What makes me say this is they want a core charge. Most likely a rebuild and who did the work?

slickest1 · 01-05-2017, 08:36 PM

$ 40,000. is probably the price buying all the parts separately from Cummins including block and crank, plus the labor.
Like said above a good used engine will cost alot less and will probably be a third of the price.
It is a tough situation to be in. I hope you can find a good solution that keeps you in the game.

vito.a · 01-05-2017, 08:46 PM

$40k is a shop not familiar with motorhomes and not wanting to work on it. Then padding/doubling his estimate and hoping to get the customer out of his shop!

Maybe appeal this with a higher Cummins authority?
Sorry for your situation. Hope you get another estimate and resolve it.

twinboat · 01-05-2017, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdreamlv

I'm getting the impression that you might not have paid the $40,000 yet for the repair. Is that true. If so then you might have some options taking it somewhere else. I just can't believe that it would cost that much. Something isn't right here. If you take a new engine at $16,000 that leaves you with $24,000 divided by say $40 per hour for a mechanic equalling 600 hours of work. At 40 hours a week that would be 15 weeks or almost 4 months to fix the thing. Does this seem fair? My guess is that you can do a lot better. Maybe some uncomfortable questions should be asked of the shop.

$40 an hour for a mechanic ? Maybe in the 80s

kustom · 01-05-2017, 09:02 PM

i think the ebay new motor is from us army based on color

billdreamlv · 01-05-2017, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

$40 an hour for a mechanic ? Maybe in the 80s

Your right. After Obama it is now $20.63 per hour. That means the shop calculated that it would take next to 8 months for a mechanic to fix the MH. Highway robbery.

How Much Can a Diesel Mechanic Make? | Chron.com

And currently:

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/...ic/Hourly_Rate

twinboat · 01-05-2017, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdreamlv

Your right. After Obama it is now $20.63 per hour. That means the shop calculated that it would take next to 8 months for a mechanic to fix the MH. Highway robbery.

How Much Can a Diesel Mechanic Make? | Chron.com

And currently:

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/...ic/Hourly_Rate

Your leaving out the overhead that the shop needs to collect. Benefits, compensation, SS, insurance, heat, lights. Its not just the mechanics pay.
Go to any shop and look on the wall. $110 per hour rings a bell in the last shop I was in.

billdreamlv · 01-05-2017, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Your leaving out the overhead that the shop needs to collect. Benefits, compensation, SS, insurance, heat, lights. Its not just the mechanics pay.
Go to any shop and look on the wall. $110 per hour rings a bell in the last shop I was in.

I get all that. What is your point? The $40,000 is a fair price? Well let's take your numbers,(by the way you forgot profit) at $110 per hour that means that the shop calculated that it would take 5 and one half weeks to do the job. Is that fair?

Woodman018 · 01-05-2017, 10:32 PM

Visone rv has several ISL400 engines listed with low miles for $9500 + 2500 core charge. What is left of your engine may or may not qualify for a core. Good luck and sorry about your engine failure.

Dave

Bad Bolt · 01-06-2017, 10:44 PM

I am also in agreement with all the others that say to take a step back and AT A MINIMUM cool down and look at ALL possible options.

You can take some time to search out a good used engine a shop that is not going to rob you blind. It may take some time, but be patient and don't rush this.

You may come to the same conclusion, in the end. Maybe you will find a much lower cost to get back on the road. I think you can probably get it done for under $20k Life is too short...

guardrail53 · 01-07-2017, 02:08 AM

As everyone is trying to tell you, this $40,000 price is absurd!

Take a step back, think about your best outcome in this?
1. First thing, decide how much money you will lose if you just walk away?
2. Weigh your options. See which way will get your MH back on the road, for the best price, and the least amount of time?
2A. New crate motor,W/warranty,
2B. Used motor W/Without warranty (some come with a warranty and some don't)
2C. Rebuilt motor, W/warranty
2D. Rebuild your motor ( the most time consuming, and probably the most expensive)
3. Next find a shop that wants your work, and can do the job quickly!

My thinking on all of this is get it back on the road as quickly as possible, and if you still want to walk away, at least you can sell your MH and recover some of your costs! If you owe money on the MH, talk to your banker, ask his opinion? Refinance the costs to get you back on the road?

Now, have you contacted your insurance co.? I know my insurance has vacation liability, 50,000 dls. And emergency expense, 2000 dls. Ask them if they can help you with motel costs, car rental, other things, while your MH is in the shop getting fixed! Worth a call! My insurance has surprised me in the past, on the things they do cover!

It is worth a call, for sure!

Hope everything works out, take a deep breath, and start calling! Good luck!
Rail!

Sandy Swede · 01-07-2017, 05:00 AM

Based on several posts in this thread from experienced members on this forum, a consensus seems to be building that a used engine or a reman could be obtained for approx $10k or $15k, respectively. Labor should come in around $5k.

1. Are you financially able to put out $15k to $20k to salvage your dream?
2. If #1 is a "Yes," are you willing to put out $15k to $20k to salvage your dream?

There are many sub-questions, but I think the above two boil it down. However, I could be entirely full of it. At least, that's what the DW opines on occasion.