Results for "F53"

Engine Medium varies 1,624 👍 1

Newmar Motorhome Rough Ride Fix: Suspension & Air Pressure

Noticed my 2013 Newmar still rides incredibly rough through every crack and pothole even after replacing all six air bags. The ride height was never adjusted after the air bag replacement, and I'm worried I might be causing more damage or creating a safety hazard.

I upgraded from a Super C expecting a much smoother ride with the air suspension system, but this feels just as jarring. Am I missing something critical with the suspension setup? Could improper air pressure or ride height settings be causing this rough ride, and what other components should I be concerned about? I don't want to make things worse by continuing to drive it if there's a fundamental issue I'm overlooking. …more

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Engine Hard 4-6 hours 425 👍 0

Ford F53 7.5L RV Won't Start: Fuel Pump Relay Voltage Drop Fix

Woke up to my 1996 Ford F53 7.5L motorhome eating through my patience and wallet with this no-start issue that keeps coming back. It cranks strong but absolutely will not start, and I've been chasing this problem for weeks now. The engine ran fine for about 3-4 minutes one day, then just died and hasn't started since.

I've already done quite a bit of diagnostic work:
- Replaced PCM and distributor
- Fuel pump works when powered directly
- Battery is fully charged
- Checked fuses and relays
- PCM relay voltage drops from 12.2V to 9.3V with key on
- Fuel pump relay only shows 3.3V at pin 86 (should be 12V)
- Inertia switch tested at 1.7V at connector
- ANL 178 fusible link fluctuates between 0.3-0.6V

The engine will only start with starter fluid when the SPOUT is removed. I'm getting only 5.5V at the fuel pump connector.

Has anyone dealt with this specific issue on an F53 chassis? I really need to get this RV back on the road and I'm running out of ideas! …more

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Engine Medium varies 382 👍 1

Michelin RV Tire Problems: Complete Guide & Solutions

Standing in my driveway planning to tackle these serious handling issues with my new Michelin Agilis HD Z 245/70R19.5 tires on my 2018 Winnebago Vista LX 27N this Saturday — what should I check first? The RV now has 25k miles, and since switching from Goodyear tires, I'm experiencing terrible tail wag - especially when towing my 2024 Toyota Tacoma and in windy conditions.

I've tried multiple tire pressures (82 psi from door sticker, 110 psi from installer, up to 100 psi) but nothing resolves the side-to-side movement. I have several stability modifications installed (Rear Trac Bar, Aux Roadmaster Rear Swaybar, Front Roadmaster Swaybar, Koni FSD shocks), which previously helped with handling.

The movement feels like the towed truck is actually pushing the RV's rear side-to-side, making driving extremely uncomfortable. I'm within Michelin's 60-day/2500-mile buy-back period and want to understand why these tires are performing so differently from my previous set.

Could experienced RV owners help me diagnose what might be causing these handling problems? …more

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Engine Easy N/A 348 👍 0

Ford E-350 vs E-450 RV Chassis: Fuel, Power & Weight

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

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Engine Easy 45 min 284 👍 0

Femco vs Fumoto Oil Drain Valves for RVs - Which is Better?

Looked at my mechanic's quote for a $300 professional oil change setup and something seems off—wouldn't a basic Femco or Fumoto drain valve work just fine? I've narrowed it down to Femco and Fumoto, but I'm genuinely worried about road debris damage since RVs sit lower and encounter more hazards than regular vehicles.

The thought of a drain valve getting hit by rocks or debris and causing a catastrophic oil leak on the highway keeps me up at night. I need to know which design is actually safer and more protected in RV applications. Does one have better protection features than the other? I'd rather be overly cautious than deal with a roadside emergency. …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours diagnosis 269 👍 0

RV Engine Stalling & Transmission Issues - Diagnosis Help

Replaced multiple parts but I'm still standing in the auto parts store aisle staring at diagnostic tools with no clue which one I actually need for my RV's stalling and transmission issues. When I'm cruising and let off the gas, sometimes the RPMs drop like a rock, other times they just hang there until I slow down more. That's weird enough, but here's the real kicker - every now and then the whole engine just dies on me when I'm rolling up to a stop sign or red light. Maybe happens twice in 600 miles or so, so it's not constant but definitely not normal either.

I'm wondering if these two issues are connected somehow? Like could whatever's causing the stalling also be messing with how the transmission acts when I let off the throttle? Really hoping someone has seen this combo before because I'm in Germany and finding RV-specific help is tough.

I'm looking for any insights from folks who might know what could cause this - hoping to get to the bottom of this before it becomes a bigger problem! …more

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Engine Hard 2-3 hours for diagnosis 242 👍 0

1999 F53 V10 Oil in Coolant: Complete Head Gasket Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Called three dealerships about oil contamination in my 1999 Ford F53 V10's coolant system — before I tackle this head gasket nightmare myself. The unit overheated after the oil level dropped significantly, though it still starts and runs without throwing any codes.

Based on the symptoms, I suspect a blown head gasket, but I want to perform proper diagnostic testing before committing to a major repair. What specific diagnostic procedures should I run to confirm whether this is actually a head gasket failure versus other potential causes like a cracked head or block issue?

Looking for a systematic approach to pinpoint the exact problem before I start tearing into this engine. …more

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Chassis Medium Varies 231 👍 1

RV Flat Tire on Highway: Emergency Steps & Specialized Roadside Service Tips

Every highway mile seems to be eating through my Tiffin Allegro motorhome tires way faster than it should, especially after that brutal double blowout on the back axle. When this happened to us, we found that regular AAA and typical roadside assistance don't always help with RVs. We were stranded and eventually had to use a service called Driving Solutions, who charged us $1600 for used tires after eight hours of waiting.

What's the proper procedure if this happens? Should I try to move to a safer location first, or stop immediately? Who should I call for help - are there specialized services that handle RV tires? I want to be prepared with the right contacts and know the safe steps to take, because I imagine regular tow trucks and tire services might not have the equipment or expertise to handle a large motorhome tire emergency on the interstate. …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours research and setup 211 👍 1

Safari Motorcoach LPG Tank Refill for Stationary RV Setup

Between my toolbox and the YouTube tutorials I've watched, I'm ready to tackle the LPG tank refill setup on my permanently parked 2000 Safari Sahar 32-footer. Since my wife and I live in California and visit several times per year to help her aging parents, the RV serves as a stationary dwelling with full hookups for shore power and water.

The challenge is that the coach won't be moved to drive to propane filling stations, so I'm exploring on-site refill options. I'm specifically interested in potentially transferring propane from a standard 40lb grill tank to our RV's fixed tank. I want to understand what type of fitting our Safari Sahar has and what safety considerations or special equipment might be required for liquid-to-liquid propane transfer.

Since we'll need heating during colder months and my wife will sometimes be at the RV without me, I want to ensure a reliable and safe refill method. What are my options for refilling the LPG tank without moving the motorcoach? …more

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Chassis Medium 4-6 hours 199 👍 0

Ford F53 Harsh Ride Fix: Shocks, Springs & Sway Bars

I walked into my first Class A motorhome ownership with zero experience and my 2022 Jayco Precept Prestige 36H on an F53 chassis rides like I'm driving over constant speed bumps. This 3-year-old coach with 15,000 miles beats us to death on every interstate joint and bridge transition - it's honestly brutal and making long trips miserable. I've already added Sumos on the front and Timbrens on the rear, which helped somewhat with roll/sway, but I'm still getting hammered by road imperfections while blueoxing my Honda CRV.

I keep hearing conflicting advice about gas shocks versus other options, proper tire pressures, and suspension upgrades. What actually works to smooth out these bone-jarring impacts? I need real solutions that will make a noticeable difference in ride comfort, not just minor tweaks. Has anyone successfully tamed an F53's harsh ride? …more

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Engine Hard 4-6 hours 190 👍 0

How to Replace Obsolete F53 Chassis ABS Control Module - Ford Discontinued Repairs Guide

Last week my 2013 Coachman Encounter's F53 chassis started throwing ABS codes — can't afford the $3,000+ dealer quote so is there a DIY fix under $500? Our ABS control module failed, creating a no brakes issue. After being towed to a Ford Dealership on May 28th, the repair has been incredibly complex. They've received incorrect and damaged modules, and even after claiming to fix it, the ABS warning light remains on and reprogramming attempts have failed.

Ford apparently no longer makes this module for units over 10 years old. What alternatives exist for finding a compatible ABS control module for my older F53 chassis when OEM replacement isn't available? …more

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Engine Medium 2-5 business days for rebuild service 187 👍 0

2011 Ford F-53 ABS Module Rebuild - Where to Get it Done

Already found a rebuilt ABS module for my 2011 Ford F-53 chassis but wondering if these rebuilds are actually reliable or just expensive Band-Aids? Ford discontinued these modules and they're not available from parts suppliers anymore. My shop says the only option is getting the existing module rebuilt. Are ABS module rebuilds actually reliable for the F-53? Where can I get this service done? …more

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Engine Hard 4-6 hours installation 182 👍 0

SDI E-Clik vs Liquid Spring: Affordable F53 Chassis Suspension Upgrade Options

Nobody warned me that what started as minor swaying on highway trips last month would turn into white-knuckle driving every time I take my F53 chassis RV over 50mph. SDI E-Clik costs about a third of what Liquid Spring systems run, but I'm wondering what you actually get for that price difference.

Is E-Clik just electronic shock control, or does it offer more comprehensive suspension improvements? How does the ride quality compare between the two systems on F53 motorhomes? …more

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Engine Medium 1 hour 181 👍 0

Ford 7.3 Godzilla Starter Relay Location & Fix

Finally found the starter relay for my 2022 RV's Ford 7.3 Godzilla engine that keeps staying engaged after startup — but will replacing it actually solve this? This has occurred multiple times and appears to be triggering crankshaft sensor errors, putting the vehicle into limp mode.

Diagnostics point to a faulty starter relay or incomplete grounding in the circuit. Need to locate the starter relay in the Ford 7.3 Godzilla to test and replace if necessary. Where exactly is this relay positioned, and what are the typical failure patterns for this specific issue on the 2022 model year? …more

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Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 180 👍 0

RV Dash AC Blower Motor Not Working? Check These Hidden Fuses First

Last week I'm trying to decide between shelling out hundreds for an RV tech or tackling this myself after my F53 chassis motorhome's dash A/C blower motor completely died. I've checked all the obvious fuses in the main fuse panels, but nothing seems blown.

I discovered something crucial that might help others: Fleetwood added a hidden 25 amp fuse wire-tied above the emergency brake, not shown in standard Ford chassis diagrams. In my case, this was the culprit. As a temporary fix, I even ran a wire directly from my lighter plug with a switch to get some air movement.

I'm wondering if other RV owners might have similar hidden electrical components that aren't in standard chassis wiring documentation? Before taking it to a shop, I recommend carefully checking behind panels and tracing wires, especially looking near the dashboard area above the emergency brake for manufacturer-specific fuses. …more

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