Community Forums

nothermark · 07-21-2014, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezolen

Sure glad I have a Ford V10 Gasser. Any Ford dealer should be able to help me out should I need it.

I keep seeing that but when I called around for an oil change none would do it on a 30 ft MH. It will not fit into their shops. I found the local Ford truck dealer after I found a local truck tire shop that would do it.

jwmaustin · 07-21-2014, 09:34 AM

I think there are some subtle points to be made.

I grew up the son of a mechanic who had his own business. I graduated as an engineer and worked for Cummins many years.

My perspective on this is that many mechanics can understand and work on a Ford. There are a lot fewer that will work on a Cummins or any diesel. Yeah an MH is big and it's a truck, but if you are in need of a repair you will find someone to tackle your problem sooner with a Ford. Getting into a garage is a problem so from a general maintenance approach (oil changes, etc.) that's not as easy as cars. But if you are needing something fixed you won't have to go far to find a local mechanic.

Those are advantages to Ford. I'm still a big fan of diesels in general and Cummins in particular but you have to realize what you are buying.

Mekanic · 07-21-2014, 09:37 AM

Everyone loves a rear engine untill it comes time to change the oil/coolant belts or do much of anything.
That rear engine give you a quieter drive on the road but service/maintenance time is when you pay for it.
Not just a front engine but a truck based unit is what the truck Mechanic wants to see. No one want a surprise at work.
I can change a belt on mine faster than the oil can drain out.
I also paid about $200 for sound deadening material last year for my cab.
The engine noise is the price I pay for easy service.

Ya just have to pay one way or another.

Twomed · 07-21-2014, 10:01 AM

Truckdown.com

The way the big guys get going. Relying on dispatch through GS or CN can be frustrating. With TD you can usually call directly to the guy/gal who will show up for the service. It is especially good for tire service.

MRUSA14 · 07-21-2014, 10:03 AM

And the extra cost is what I pay for the lack of noise, vibration and heat in the cockpit, not to mention the greater range, power and torque of a diesel, and the far superior ride, handling and storage of a diesel chassis. There is a lot more difference between a diesel and a gasser than just the engine.

To each his own, but diesel is the only way to go for me.

Ted Lambert · 07-21-2014, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wb7auk

I wonder just how many follow their maintenance schedule that state to check
the engine belts every 6,000 mile or 6 months which ever comes first?

I fully agree with this. I wonder what shape the OP's belts were in before the trip.
As much as I hate it I dive into every thing before a trip and check the conditions of the belts. Diagnosing a potential belt problem is not rocket science.

georgetown350 · 07-21-2014, 10:28 AM

Quote:

I'm curious what you told them. I would have said I was near Erie, PA to clue them in. Not sure how much good it would do.

I told them exactly where I was. Preque Isle Downs casino in Erie Pa. Anyhow the result of calling good sam actually got us home .

What I'm tackling right now is if the mechanic put this serpentine belt on correctly. We drove 3 to 4 hours to get home with no problems everything worked as it should but what has me puzzled is that the ribbed side of the belt raps around the smooth tensioner pulley. This cant be right ?

Mekanic · 07-21-2014, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgetown350

I told them exactly where I was. Preque Isle Downs casino in Erie Pa. Anyhow the result of calling good sam actually got us home .

What I'm tackling right now is if the mechanic put this serpentine belt on correctly. We drove 3 to 4 hours to get home with no problems everything worked as it should but what has me puzzled is that the ribbed side of the belt raps around the smooth tensioner pulley. This cant be right ?

Without seeing it I can't say 100%. but I'd bet its just fine.

Can you post a pic of this belt ?

I'd think if the belt were put on flipped it would have been slipping under load and you wouldn't have made it home without over heating or looseing the belt.

Smitty77 · 07-21-2014, 12:24 PM

I too am sorry you had this experience, and yeah, one of the reasons for buying side vs rear is ease of access for some repairs.

Not say you do not, as belts can go bad, but one of the things that I do is early replacement of wear items. I do this on my schedule, either myself or with the shop I work with. As opposed to on the side of the road, or in a town I don't know.

I changed out the hoses, and thermostat at 10 years of age. I change the belts based upon age at 3 years, cycling the old one into my 'spares' that I carry on board.

It is a practice I started with our first rig, a T28 Bounder V10, and have carried thru. On a few forums and threads, I've been told I'm wasting money doing these changes before they are really needed. And yes, I probably am on the early side on some of them. But, it does provide added insurance and reduced (reduced is the key word, as 'stuff happens') risk of problems on the road.

My best to you, and I do think I would follow up with Good Sam about this, they should have sent a 'mechanic' on the second dispatch. Glad you were safe and not on the side of a freeway...

Best,
Smitty

DieselTech39 · 07-21-2014, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgetown350

What I'm tackling right now is if the mechanic put this serpentine belt on correctly. We drove 3 to 4 hours to get home with no problems everything worked as it should but what has me puzzled is that the ribbed side of the belt raps around the smooth tensioner pulley. This cant be right ?

My experience is that you are correct in your concern. The belt tensioner should be riding on the smooth/back side of the belt, not on the ribbed/serpentine side

SarahW · 07-21-2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgetown350

Anyhow the result of calling good sam actually got us home .

Sorry you had a bad situation and I hope all is well going forward. Now that we have had all the "gas vs diesel" and "rear vs side" arguments

, I'll just say that I agree with you... owning a motorhome can be very stressful when things don't go right.

No one wants to be stranded or broken down, facing big repair bills or uncertainty. I don't know of anyone who wouldn't be a bit stressed out if they were in a similar situation with a breakdown. Glad it all worked out for you, and I hope you have smooth sailing from now on.

cb1000rider · 07-21-2014, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nothermark

I keep seeing that but when I called around for an oil change none would do it on a 30 ft MH. It will not fit into their shops. I found the local Ford truck dealer after I found a local truck tire shop that would do it.

I agree. When the sales guys tells you that you can have it serviced at "any dealer" he's not telling the truth or doesn't know any better.

Broke down in a Ford V10 last year in Dallas, Texas. Staying at a friends place (luckily) and it wouldn't restart (seized fuel pump). Out of the 10 Ford dealers that we called around Dallas, only 2 would consider a 31' long E450 that is 11' high due to limitations on their bays. One dealer had a week long wait list. The other got us in within a couple of days.

And plan on waiting many many hours for a wrecker.

georgetown350 · 07-21-2014, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Can you post a pic of this belt ?

If I remove the radiator maybe but that isn't going to happen for a photo shoot

So I have six pulleys. This is how the guy put it on. From the crank straight up and around the fan pulley then straight across horizontally to the alternator then down and around the ac pulley then back across to the water pump, then back to the tensioner, it raps around the tensioner and then back to the crank. This is my best attempt at a pic sorry. The mechanic told me he thought the tensioner seemed a little weak and maybe I should get it checked out and he was unsure about the ribbed section rapping around the tensioner.

So today I tackled it myself unsuccessfully but it was very easy to get the belt off. It was not on correctly. I had a helping hand come over and hold the tensioner down while I pried the belt on to the last pulley with the awning rod. Had to turn the engine with the key to get the last bit on... it was tight.... as it should be I guess..... instead of going straight over to the alt from the fan I routed it from the fan down around the waterpump then horizontally up to the alternator then straight down to the ac, then over across the top of the tensioner on the way to the crank. As prescribed on the Internet.
By the way quite a few of you started off your threads by saying sorry for your troubles.......... I appreciate those comments thankyou and thanks for all the help guys. Anyone wanna buy a motorhome with a new serpentine belt!!!!!!

palehorse89 · 07-21-2014, 05:52 PM

[QUOTE=georgetown350;2148213]If I remove the radiator maybe but that isn't going to happen for a photo shoot

So I have six pulleys. This is how the guy put it on. From the crank straight up and around the fan pulley then straight across horizontally to the alternator then down and around the ac pulley then back across to the water pump, then back to the tensioner, it raps around the tensioner and then back to the crank. This is my best attempt at a pic sorry. The mechanic told me he thought the tensioner seemed a little weak and maybe I should get it checked out and he was unsure about the ribbed section rapping around the tensioner.

So today I tackled it myself unsuccessfully but it was very easy to get the belt off. It was not on correctly. I had a helping hand come over and hold the tensioner down while I pried the belt on to the last pulley with the awning rod. Had to turn the engine with the key to get the last bit on... it was tight.... as it should be I guess..... instead of going straight over to the alt from the fan I routed it from the fan down around the waterpump then horizontally up to the alternator then straight down to the ac, then over across the top of the tensioner on the way to the crank. As prescribed on the Internet.
By the way quite a few of you started off your threads by saying sorry for your troubles.......... I appreciate those comments thankyou and thanks for all the help guys. Anyone wanna buy a motorhome with a new serpentine belt!!!!!![/QUOTE]
You are all fixed up now.......Take it down the road , relax, enjoy your Coach! and don't look back.......Thing's and break downs happen no matter what we drive.......it happens, but it really sucks when it happens to you! In my travels, I see a ton more auto's broke down than RV's , by a long shot! Safe travels to ya , and enjoy your Coach