Results for "carbon buildup"

Engine Easy N/A 164 👍 0

Ford V10 Triton Engine Maintenance Guide: EGR Delete vs Regular Service Tips

Spent years doing regular EGR maintenance on my old gas motorhome without issues — but this 2007 Fleetwood 31' Tioga with Ford V10 Triton has me second-guessing everything. I keep reading conflicting information about EGR delete procedures on V10 engines, and I'm worried I might make things worse if I mess with it.

Is the EGR delete modification actually necessary on this 2007 3-valve V10, or am I overthinking this? I don't want to void any warranties or create problems that weren't there before. Would I be better off just sticking to regular maintenance instead of modifications? I'm looking for reassurance that I'm taking the right approach to keep this engine running reliably for years to come. …more

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Engine Medium 3-4 hours 97 👍 0

Cummins ISL Code 1896: EGR Valve Controller Gaskets & Repair

About to drop $2,800 on my Cummins ISL throwing code 1896 for EGR valve controller out of calibration and wondering if I can tackle this myself. Planning to pull and clean the EGR valve controller to see if that clears it up.

Do I need to order replacement gaskets before I start this job? Want to make sure I have everything on hand before I tear into it. …more

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Engine Medium 2 hours 97 👍 0

Ford V-10 Misfire Codes P0305 & P0307: Complete RV Engine Repair Guide for Motorhomes

Turned my compression tester on cylinders 5 and 7 and got 150 PSI readings, but I'm still pulling P0305 and P0307 misfire codes on my 2001 Ford E350 V-10. The engine runs smoothly overall, but the diagnostic codes are persistent.

I have replacement spark plugs and ignition coils available but want to ensure I'm following the proper troubleshooting sequence before investing time and effort. What is the recommended diagnostic approach for simultaneous misfires on cylinders 5 and 7?

Given that multiple cylinders are affected, should I prioritize certain components over others, or is there a systematic order that typically yields the most efficient resolution for this engine configuration? …more

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Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Propane Medium 30-60 minutes 95 👍 1

Atwood AFMD35 Furnace Playing Peek-a-Boo - How to Clean Flame Sensor & Fix Short Cycling

Staring at my Atwood AFMD35 manual that claims it should stay running once lit, but mine keeps shutting off every few minutes like it's playing peek-a-boo. It fires up beautifully for about 5-10 seconds, gets my hopes up that I won't freeze tonight, then promptly shuts off like it's having second thoughts about this whole "heating the RV" thing.

I've ruled out the sail switch and high temp limit since it actually lights (small victories in RV life, right?). I'm pretty sure the flame sensor is the culprit here, but I've never cleaned one before. How do I clean this mysterious little part, and what's the best way to access it on this model? Because apparently my furnace thinks playing hard-to-get is charming! …more

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Propane Medium 1-2 hours for diagnosis 91 👍 0

AquaHot 450D Frequent Cycling: Troubleshooting Guide & Solutions

Since my 8-year-old AquaHot 450D started firing up every 15 minutes with zero hot water or heating demand, should I repair or replace it? It's more frequent at night when temps drop. No fault codes showing.

Is this normal cycling behavior? I'm thinking something might be causing heat loss or keeping the system active when it should be idle. …more

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Engine Medium 1 hour 91 👍 0

How to Diagnose RV Hard Starting Problems: Fuel System Troubleshooting Guide

RV cranks for 10-15 seconds before finally firing up, and it's getting worse each week. Used to start on the first crank every time. Fuel pressure seems low at the rail but I'm not sure if it's the pump, filter, injectors, or something else entirely in the fuel system. …more

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Engine Medium 3-4 hours 88 👍 0

Ford F53 Chassis Misfire Problems: Early Spark Plug & Coil Failure Solutions

Walked out to my 2021 Class A motorhome this morning facing the third Ford F53 chassis misfire this year and I'm done throwing parts at it blindly. We've got less than 20,000 miles on the odometer, but recently experienced rough running and got a check engine light. When I took it to a Ford dealer that services Class A rigs, they diagnosed misfires in two cylinders and recommended servicing the entire fuel system. I ended up having them replace all eight spark plugs, plug wires, and ignition coils since we were already dealing with failures.

The coach now runs better than it ever has since new, which makes me think the original components may have been subpar from the factory. What's really bothering me is that we shouldn't need major ignition system work this early in the vehicle's life. I'm curious if other owners of 2021 or newer F53 chassis motorhomes have experienced similar premature failures with their spark plugs, ignition coils, and plug wires? Is this pointing to some kind of quality control issue with Ford's ignition components on these newer chassis, and should I expect better reliability from aftermarket replacements going forward? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 86 👍 0

Why Your RV Generac Diesel Generator Shuts Off After 2 Minutes Under Load: Troubleshooting Guide

Found that ever since those heavy rains last month hit, my 2007 Alfa's Generac 7.5kw diesel generator shuts down exactly 2 minutes after firing up the basement AC.

Just did a full service (oil, filters, the works) so it's not basic maintenance stuff. I can restart it right after it shuts off, but if the AC is still calling for power, it dies immediately again. No error codes or blinking lights to give me a clue.

Is this a fuel delivery issue where it can't keep up with the AC load? Or am I looking at something else entirely? Really hoping someone's dealt with this exact same 2-minute thing before! …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 84 👍 0

Ford F53 460 EGR Valve Cleaning Guide - Fix Motorhome Stalling Issues Now

Despite probably being a dumb question, why does my 1997 Ford F53 with the 460ci keep being such a real pain lately? Keeps stalling out when I'm sitting at lights or just idling around. This happens every 400-600 miles like clockwork - runs great for a while, then boom, stalling starts up again.

I'm pretty sure it's the EGR valve getting all carboned up because I've seen this pattern before. The thing is, I'm getting tired of dealing with this over and over. Should I just clean the EGR valve again, or is there a better long-term fix? I've heard people talk about EGR deletes but not sure if that's the way to go with the ECU and all that. …more

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Electrical Medium 30-60 minutes 84 👍 0

Surge Guard 40250-RVC vs 40350-RVC Transfer Switch: Complete Comparison Guide

This 8-year-old transfer switch is getting sluggish during power transfers — worth repairing or should I just upgrade to a newer Surge Guard model? I currently have a Surge Guard 40250-RVC in my 2013 motorhome, but I'm having trouble finding that exact model for replacement. All I can seem to find available is the 40350-RVC model.

My current unit has started making a buzzing sound when connected to shore power. Everything still seems to work fine, but I've heard this might indicate the contacts are starting to fail. I'd rather replace it before it completely goes out and leaves me without power.

Can anyone tell me if the 40250-RVC and 40350-RVC are interchangeable? And should I be concerned about the buzzing, or is there anything I can check before replacing the whole unit? …more

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Engine Easy Informational 84 👍 0

AGS Starting RV Generator with AC Load: Modern Systems vs Old Rules

I noticed I'm getting wildly different advice about whether my AGS should start the generator when AC kicks on—some say it'll fry contacts, others say it's fine?

I'm wondering if modern AGS systems have addressed these older concerns about generator startup under load. Is starting the generator directly through AGS when the AC demands cooling safe for the system? Would it be better to manually start the generator before leaving to allow a warm-up period, or is the current automatic load engagement fine with contemporary RV generator technology? …more

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Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

Electrical Easy 30 minutes 81 👍 0

How to Test and Replace RV Propane Gas Detectors: Complete Safety Guide for RV Owners

Since I moved into my 21 year old RV, I discovered the previous owner left the propane gas detectors in terrible shape and now I'm paranoid about potential leaks. I've updated my RV with a new hardwired 12-volt combination carbon monoxide/gas detector with battery backup in the bedroom, but I want to be extra sure.

My detector seems to work when I hit the test button, but honestly I'm not 100% sure that's really testing if it would catch actual propane.

Is there a safe way to test these things with actual gas? And while I'm asking - how often should I be replacing the detector itself? Mine's probably ancient and I have no idea if these things go bad over time. Also wondering if where I mounted it matters - seen some people put them up high, others down low. …more

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Propane Easy N/A - informational 79 👍 0

RV Tankless Water Heater Problems at High Altitude: Performance & Efficiency Guide

Already followed my RV tankless water heater manual's high altitude instructions, but I'm still getting terrible performance and efficiency issues at mountain campgrounds between 5,000 and 8,000 feet. My travel trailer came equipped with a tankless on-demand water heater from the factory, and I'm concerned about how it will perform at these higher altitudes.

I've heard that propane appliances can have issues with combustion efficiency when there's less oxygen available in the thin mountain air. Specifically, I'm wondering about quantifiable performance losses - like what percentage of heating capacity I might lose per thousand feet of elevation gain. I'm also concerned about potential operational problems like flame failure or the unit shutting down completely at certain altitudes.

For context, most of my regular camping is done below 2,000 feet where the water heater works fine, but these upcoming mountain trips will be well above 4,500 feet elevation. Should I be worried about the tankless system's reliability at these altitudes, or am I overthinking this? Would I be better off considering a replacement with a traditional tank-style water heater if I plan to do more high-altitude camping in the future? …more

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Propane Medium varies by service 79 👍 0

Oasis RV Heater Rebuild: Best Repair Services & DIY Guide 2024

According to my insurance agent, extended RV warranties might not cover my Oasis heater rebuild — should I verify this before starting repairs myself? I can't find the specific ad now - does anyone remember seeing details about a professional Oasis heater rebuild service? Any recommendations would be helpful. Thanks, W.L. …more

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Plumbing Easy 4-12 hours for sanitization 78 👍 0

RV Fresh Water Tank Safety: Complete Guide to Preventing Contamination Risks

Between the horror stories about brain-eating amoebas and my complete cluelessness about RV water systems, I'm terrified I'm going to poison myself with my own fresh water tank. I've been RVing for years and never really thought twice about our fresh water tank - we'd fill up wherever, use it for drinking, cooking, even my wife's neti pot rinses.

Now I'm second-guessing everything! How often should I actually be sanitizing our tank? Are there specific water sources I should avoid? And what about activities like nasal irrigation - I keep seeing conflicting advice about what water is actually safe to use. I really want to keep my family safe but also don't want to become completely neurotic about every drop of water we use. What are the real best practices here? …more

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