Results for "diesel engine"

Electrical Medium 2-6 hours 231 👍 1

ECM Low Battery Warning RV: Complete Diagnosis & Fix Guide

During a family trip, my 2005 Fleetwood Discovery 39S threw code 168-1 for low ECM battery voltage and went into full shutdown mode—is this dangerous with kids onboard? Engine cut out, transmission selector went dark, ABS warnings everywhere - the whole nine yards. Scared the heck out of me when it happened on the interstate!

I'm seeing this seems to be a thing with these diesel pushers, but I'm drowning in conflicting info online. Some say it's the chassis battery, others blame alternator issues, and I've even seen posts about ECM power supply problems on the Caterpillar engines. What's the actual step-by-step process to track this down? And more importantly, how do I fix it so it doesn't leave me stranded again? Really need a complete walkthrough of what causes this code and the proper repair approach. …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 216 👍 0

Generac 7.5kW Diesel Generator Repair Guide - RV Troubleshooting

Planning to ignore the weird noises from our Generac 7.5kW diesel generator backfired when my wife pointed out I definitely made things worse during my repair attempt. I have a 2007 Monaco with a Generac 7.5kW diesel generator, and yesterday when I tried starting it, the battery was really weak. I probably held the starter button too long - maybe 15 seconds or so - because it was cranking so slowly and I kept hoping it would catch.

Now when I try to start it, I just get a single click and nothing happens. I'm worried I damaged something by cranking it so long with that weak battery. Should I be looking at the starter solenoid or starter motor? Is there anything I can check myself before I have to take it to a repair shop? I'd really appreciate any guidance on troubleshooting this. …more

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Engine Hard Not recommended 159 👍 0

Ford V10 Turbo Kit for Motorhomes: Cost, Risks & Better Alternatives

Before every camping season rolls around, I face the same dreaded reality with my Ford V10 motorhome crawling up mountain passes like a wounded turtle. What are the realistic costs involved? Are there major risks to the engine I should know about? Is this actually worth doing or should I look at other options? …more

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General Medium 30 min research 149 👍 0

Best Cummins 6.7 Scan Tools for RV Diesel Diagnosis & DPF Regen (2024

The internet seems to give me six different answers about which scan tool actually works with my 2019 Fleetwood's Cummins 6.7L—am I missing something obvious here? Need comprehensive coverage for reading and clearing fault codes, monitoring engine parameters, and performing forced DPF regeneration cycles.

Considering several options including the Foxwell HD500, Ancel heavy-duty scanners, and various BlueFire/Inline adapters available through different suppliers. Price ranges vary significantly from budget OBD2 adapters to professional-grade diagnostic equipment.

Looking for detailed comparison of available scan tools specifically for Cummins 6.7 applications - both professional-grade and DIY-friendly options. What are the key features, compatibility considerations, and real-world performance differences between the various diagnostic solutions for this engine platform? …more

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Engine Easy 15 min read 141 👍 0

Remote RV Diesel Fueling: Complete Guide for Campground Fuel Strategies

Last night at 11 PM I'm staring at my diesel RV's fuel gauge showing nearly empty — need to figure out remote campground fuel strategies before we head out this morning. With a 5 gallon Harbor Freight stick transfer pump, I've been able to add fuel when truck stops aren't convenient, but I'm concerned about static electricity risks.

My current setup involves using the pump to transfer diesel with the fuel can on a camping table, since my RV's fuel inlet is located under a slide. I pumped 10 gallons successfully, but I'm wondering about the safety of this method.

I know there are static electricity concerns when transferring fuel, and I'm curious about the specific risks with diesel. How safe is it to transfer fuel when the can isn't directly grounded to concrete? Are there best practices I should follow when manually adding diesel in remote locations? …more

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Propane Easy 15 min read 104 👍 0

RV Auto Hold Parking Brake: Complete Guide to Operation and Troubleshooting Basics

Woke up this morning and spotted my 1999 Damon Daybreak 3270's auto hold parking brake light blinking on the dash when it was perfectly fine yesterday. I'm still learning everything about motorhome systems and I'm confused about the auto hold parking brake feature.

The system doesn't seem to be working properly (barely holds at all), but honestly I'm not even sure I understand how it's supposed to operate in the first place. Is this something that engages automatically? Do I need to do something specific to activate it?

Could someone explain how these auto hold parking brake systems work on motorhomes, how to use them properly, and maybe some troubleshooting tips? I want to make sure I understand the basics before I start trying to fix anything. …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 104 👍 0

Toyo vs Michelin RV Tires: Complete Comparison for Diesel Pusher Motorhomes

Planning to replace the tires on my 2019 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH, and ever since I started getting quotes, everyone keeps suggesting Toyo as a cheaper alternative to Michelin.

I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed by all the tire choices and wondering if I'd be making a mistake switching brands. Will Toyo tires give me the same ride quality as the Michelins? I've heard you can save quite a bit of money, but I don't want to compromise safety or comfort since we're still learning how to handle this big rig.

Would really appreciate some guidance from those who've made this switch - are you happy with the decision or do you regret not sticking with Michelin? …more

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Electrical Easy 10 min read 100 👍 0

RV Battery Disconnect Switch Guide: When to Use, What Loses Power & Staying Safe

Wondering if I can skip the $400 shop diagnosis for my electrical issues and just figure out this battery disconnect switch myself, even though I'm getting conflicting advice.

Specifically, I'm concerned about what happens to things like my LP gas detector, carbon monoxide alarm, and refrigerator when I disconnect the battery. Will I lose all my radio presets and clock settings? Are there certain situations where I absolutely shouldn't use the disconnect switch?

I want to use it for storage to prevent battery drain, but I'm also wondering about daily use scenarios. What are the best practices to avoid any problems or safety issues? I really don't want to mess anything up or put my family at risk. …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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Electrical Easy 1 hour 92 👍 0

Best Group 31 AGM Cranking Batteries for Cummins ISB 6.7 Diesel RV

I opened the hood this morning and spotted my 2017 Cummins 6.7 ISB barely cranking over with those AGM batteries that were fine yesterday. I'm pretty sure I need Group 31s but wondering if I should go AGM or stick with regular flooded batteries?

I keep hearing good things about Duracell and NAPA batteries - anyone have experience with these brands on a diesel setup? Also wondering what CCA rating I should be looking for and if I really need to replace both batteries at the same time (one's still cranking okay but the other's getting weak).

Just want something reliable that can handle those cold morning starts without leaving me stranded! …more

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Engine Easy 5 minutes setup 90 👍 0

Best OBD2 Scanner for Ford E450 V10 Motorhome: Top 3 Diagnostic Tools

Three different OBD2 scanners are showing 6 active codes on my 2015 Ford E450 V10 motorhome but every manual says this engine should only throw 2-3 max. I've been dealing with intermittent check engine lights and some transmission quirks, but my basic code reader just gives me generic codes that don't tell me much.

I keep hearing about tools like BlueDriver and some Ford-specific software, but I'm not sure what actually works well with these motorhome chassis. I need something that can give me real Ford-specific diagnostics, not just the basic OBD2 stuff. Has anyone found a scanner or diagnostic tool that actually works properly with the E450 V10 setup? I'm willing to learn something new if it means getting better diagnostic capability. …more

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Engine Medium 1-3 hours 86 👍 0

How to Fix Onan QD3200 Diesel Generator Fuel Leak Behind Air Filter

According to Murphy's Law, my Onan QD3200 generator is doing something bizarre — it's leaking diesel fuel from behind the air filter instead of where you'd normally expect fuel leaks. The fuel appears to be coming from somewhere behind the air filter box, and I'm worried about making things worse if I don't diagnose this properly. I've shut everything down for now because I'm nervous about safety issues.

I need to know the safest way to trace where this leak is actually coming from without creating a fire hazard or damaging anything. What are the most likely culprits in that area, and what's the proper procedure to identify the exact source? I want to make sure I approach this methodically rather than just poking around and potentially making the problem worse. …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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Engine Medium 4-6 hours research and shop visits 82 👍 0

DPF Failure Code: Repair Cost & DIY Options for RV Diesel

According to my diagnostic scan the DPF failure code shouldn't be appearing since regeneration happened just 500 miles ago on my 2022 Holiday Rambler Cummins B6.7. Local Freightliner service center is quoting $6,400 for complete DPF replacement at 38,000 miles.

Before proceeding with this expensive repair, I need to verify: Is this quote within normal range for dealer pricing? Should my 2022 engine still have emissions warranty coverage that would apply to DPF failure? Are there alternative repair options like professional cleaning that might resolve the issue without full replacement?

Looking for technical guidance on the most cost-effective approach to address this DPF failure code before committing to the quoted repair. …more

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