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tinman 55 · 06-01-2020, 03:58 AM

I have spent many months researching a future diesel pusher purchase and after reading hundreds of posts on this forum I decided on the 36 foot Monaco Camelot. I found a low mileage 2007 that fit just about every check box a couple months ago and after seeing and driving the coach I was convinced it was the one for the wife and I. Of concern, was the lack of use by the current owner, who drives it a couple times a year and has put a mere 7000 miles on it in the past four years of ownership, as well as the lack of any maintenance since purchasing it. After reading many posts about the importance of pre inspection fluid samples, I decided to test the fluids prior to making an offer. I ordered the pumps and sample bottles from JG Lubricant, pulled the samples, and sent them in.
I received the samples back and was shocked at what the motor oil sample revealed. I have decided to pass on this coach based on those results.
The Generator oil and Engine coolant were also in the high abnormal range with the transmission test the only normal result recorded.
I would like to thank everyone for their posts, insights and experience. Those I believe, helped me in my research and with making an informed decision.

Here is the oil sample report

okcnewbie · 06-01-2020, 09:48 AM

Thanks for sharing. I plan to purchase a DP in the future and go back and forth on the importance of inspection/fluid sample.
I know fluid samples are best as a comparison to other previous samples.
I'll be curious what others think of your sample/decision.

I wonder if some of the contaminants are from break in since this motor has so few miles?

tinman 55 · 06-01-2020, 11:51 AM

I was wondering the same thing, what worries me was that the last receipt for service (fluid and filter changes was nearly 5 1/2 years ago. The owner maintains that he never changed the fluids in it because he hardly uses it. From what Ive read here is that inactivity is the worse thing for these coaches.
Although I love the ride of the Roadmaster Chasis, my wife has since fallen in love with the Country Coach Allure, 37 footer with tag axle. so, we shall see how that goes. I have yet to drive it, but I hear the tag axle makes for a very stable, comfortable drive.

Good luck on your search and possible purchase

okcnewbie · 06-03-2020, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinman 55

I was wondering the same thing, what worries me was that the last receipt for service (fluid and filter changes was nearly 5 1/2 years ago. The owner maintains that he never changed the fluids in it because he hardly uses it. From what Ive read here is that inactivity is the worse thing for these coaches.
Although I love the ride of the Roadmaster Chasis, my wife has since fallen in love with the Country Coach Allure, 37 footer with tag axle. so, we shall see how that goes. I have yet to drive it, but I hear the tag axle makes for a very stable, comfortable drive.

Good luck on your search and possible purchase

Are you still committed to getting an inspection that includes pulling fluids until you find the right MH?

tropical36 · 06-03-2020, 11:30 AM

Quote:

okcnewbie said.....Are you still committed to getting an inspection that includes pulling fluids until you find the right MH?

I really gotta wonder what lab reports would show for most any coach out there, that was for sale, along with most that aren't for sale.
Something tells me, if we would have done this before purchasing, we might have ran away too, but now after four years of ownership and about 20K miles, we have no complaints on running gear condition or performance.

Isaac-1 · 06-03-2020, 02:51 PM

I would not necessarily discount buying it based on that report, JG is good about giving follow up phone consults to their reports. I would call them and ask their detailed opinion after telling them that the oil has not been changed in a few years and it has been driving only about 1,000 miles per year the last few years. A single sample oil analysis does not tell you much here, to really know the condition of the engine you need a base line, which means sample, change fluids, run for a thousand miles or more, and resample. I know that is not possible here, but without it things may be ok, or they may not.

Think of that report as like a blood work report at your doctors office, seeing a thing or two out of range, without perspective may cause panic for no good reason. So get an expert interpretation of the numbers and don't just panic because of one or two orange and red flagged items.

tinman 55 · 06-03-2020, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcnewbie

Are you still committed to getting an inspection that includes pulling fluids until you find the right MH?

No, but the fact that the service records were meticulous with the original owner, and then just stopped. It
s actually been years since its had any fluid changes, and that does worry me

tinman 55 · 06-03-2020, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tropical36

I really gotta wonder what lab reports would show for most any coach out there, that was for sale, along with most that aren't for sale.
Something tells me, if we would have done this before purchasing, we might have ran away too, but now after four years of ownership and about 20K miles, we have no complaints on running gear condition or performance.

True, but I think with the more expensive coaches, one would do more to protect their investment and at least keep up the oil changes. The person I was set to by the Monaco from actually owns a trucking company, I would've expected at least an oil change. The numbers and metals in the oil are just too much for me to gamble nearly 90k on

tinman 55 · 06-03-2020, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

I would not necessarily discount buying it based on that report, JG is good about giving follow up phone consults to their reports. I would call them and ask their detailed opinion after telling them that the oil has not been changed in a few years and it has been driving only about 1,000 miles per year the last few years. A single sample oil analysis does not tell you much here, to really know the condition of the engine you need a base line, which means sample, change fluids, run for a thousand miles or more, and resample. I know that is not possible here, but without it things may be ok, or they may not.

Think of that report as like a blood work report at your doctors office, seeing a thing or two out of range, without perspective may cause panic for no good reason. So get an expert interpretation of the numbers and don't just panic because of one or two orange and red flagged items.

Thank you Isaac, I will call them tomorrow and get their opinion. It will be good information to have for the future

tinman 55 · 06-03-2020, 03:27 PM

In addition, the 8k Onan generator oii also tested high in Piston metals. Really a shame, because the coach is a nice looking one. A little checking in the dark paint but nothing major.
Did recently receive a text that the entry door awning quit working, and the large awning is opening real slowly. Oh, and he said the front sun shade on the passenger side suddenly quit working.
We are currently working a deal for a Country Coach that my wife and I actually like better.

We may make the trip to see it next week, its in another state.

Isaac-1 · 06-03-2020, 04:31 PM

Dealing with things that suddenly stop working is just part of life with an older coach, for example on our last trip in October, the passenger side power seat stopped working (wire in power connector pulled apart), the furnace started short cycling (over temperature sensor went bad), and the entry door light bulb died (LED).