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Ford V10 Triton Engine Maintenance Guide: EGR Delete vs Regular Service Tips
Engine Easy N/A 164 👍

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
Ford E450 V10 Reliability: Expected Mileage and Longevity Guide for RV Owners
Engine Easy 1-2 hours inspection 148 👍

Ford E450 V10 Reliability: Expected Mileage and Longevity Guide for RV Owners

Nobody prepared me for staring at this 2018 Jayco Greyhawk 29MVP with Ford E450 chassis showing 54,000 miles and wondering if I'm looking at a money pit. The unit appears well-maintained with quality features including auto-leveling, fiberglass roof and nose, plus J-ride suspension. However, the odometer shows 54,000 miles, which exceeds my initial target range.

I need to assess whether this mileage represents significant wear on the E450/V10 drivetrain combination. What is the typical service life expectation for these engines when properly maintained? At what point should mileage become a primary concern versus overall mechanical condition? …more
Ford E-350 vs E-450 Chassis: RV Fuel Economy, Power & Weight Capacity
Engine Easy N/A 133 👍

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

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
Ford F53 V10 Bypass Oil Filter Installation: Best Mounting Locations for RV Chassis
Engine Medium 1-2 hours 95 👍

Ford F53 V10 Bypass Oil Filter Installation: Best Mounting Locations for RV Chassis

Walked out to check my oil analysis results and they're showing 15-micron contaminants, but everything says my 2003 F53 V10's factory filter catches down to 25 microns. I've been reading about how these can help extend oil life and keep things cleaner, but I'm honestly not sure where the best place to mount one would be.

I've seen some people mention sandwich adapters at the original filter location, remote mounting blocks, and even tapping directly into the engine block. As someone who's still learning, I don't want to mess this up or create problems down the road. What's considered the best practice for mounting location on the F53 V10? I'd really appreciate some guidance from those who have done this before. …more
Ford 7.3 Godzilla Oil Pressure: Normal PSI Readings & Troubleshooting
Engine Easy 15 minutes 94 👍

Ford 7.3 Godzilla Oil Pressure: Normal PSI Readings & Troubleshooting

My Ford 7.3 Godzilla is throwing weird oil pressure PSI readings and the shop wants $800 to fix it – can I troubleshoot this myself first? I finally installed a Glowshift electronic oil pressure gauge because I kept hearing horror stories about these engines running dangerously low oil pressure.

Here's what I'm seeing: Cold starts jump over 60 PSI, then drop to 28-30 PSI at 1200 RPM. Once fully warmed up, I'm getting 18-20 PSI at 600 RPM idle, and the pressure stays around 28-30 PSI in my typical 2200 RPM cruising range. It doesn't climb above 30 PSI until I hit 3000 RPM, where it jumps to about 40 PSI.

I know Ford has had issues with some of these engines showing scary low numbers like 8 PSI at idle, so I'm grateful mine isn't that bad. But are these readings actually normal for the 7.3 Godzilla under normal operating conditions? I haven't done any loaded driving tests yet, but I'm trying to figure out if I should be concerned or if this is just how these engines run. …more
Best Oil Filter for Ford V10 RV Engine - Complete Guide
Engine Easy 30 minutes 91 👍

Best Oil Filter for Ford V10 RV Engine - Complete Guide

After walking out to my RV this morning, I spotted my Ford V10's oil filter looking suspiciously ready for replacement, but I'm completely lost on which one won't break the bank. I keep hearing conflicting advice about which oil filter to run.

Everyone seems to swear by different brands - some say Wix 51348 is the sweet spot, others mention NAPA Gold 1348 (are these the same thing?), and then there's the Mobil 1 M1-210A crowd. At Rock Auto, I noticed Fram filters like TG2 ($6.43), XG2 ($9.50), and HP16 ($12.82), plus a Mobil 1 M1210A at $8.14.

What's the real deal here? Is there actually a 'best' filter for the V10, or am I overthinking this whole thing? I'm also considering adding a bypass oil filter. I just want something reliable that won't break the bank every oil change, especially since this rig sees a lot of highway miles. Is a $23 Amsoil filter really worth three times the price of a Wix? Any recommendations from fellow V10 survivors? …more

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How to Diagnose RV Hard Starting Problems: Fuel System Troubleshooting Guide
Engine Medium 1 hour 91 👍

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
E450 V10 Air Filter: How Often to Change on Dusty Roads
Engine Easy 15-20 minutes to inspect/change 85 👍

E450 V10 Air Filter: How Often to Change on Dusty Roads

Every Saturday I'm planning to tackle my Ford E450 V10's air filter after months of dusty backroad camping — what maintenance schedule should I actually follow? The owner's manual suggests changing the air filter every 30,000 miles, but that seems like a really long interval to me.

I do a fair amount of camping on dusty dirt roads - probably covering about 8-16 miles per month on these conditions to reach remote campsites. I'm worried that all that dust might mean I need to change the filter more frequently than what Ford recommends.

Should I be following a different maintenance schedule given these dusty conditions? And is there anything I should be doing between filter changes to keep things running smoothly? I want to make sure I'm taking proper care of this engine but don't want to over-maintain either. …more
Ford V10 RV Engine: Is Full Synthetic Oil Better Than Synthetic Blend for Performance?
Engine Easy 30 minutes 84 👍

Ford V10 RV Engine: Is Full Synthetic Oil Better Than Synthetic Blend for Performance?

Planning my next oil change but my viscosity readings are hitting breakdown at 3,000 miles when everything says synthetic blend should last 5,000 in my 2008 Ford V10. The owner's manual specifies Motorcraft 5W-20 synthetic blend oil, which I've been using consistently. However, I've identified that Costco's Kirkland brand offers 5W-20 full synthetic at a lower cost point than my current oil.

From a technical standpoint, would transitioning from synthetic blend to full synthetic oil provide any measurable benefits for RV engine protection? I need to verify that the Kirkland full synthetic meets Ford's engine specifications before making this change. What are the performance differences between these oil formulations for heavy-duty RV applications? …more
Monaco Knight 40 Fuel Economy: Real MPG Numbers When Towing a Car
General Easy N/A 74 👍

Monaco Knight 40 Fuel Economy: Real MPG Numbers When Towing a Car

Our 2012 Monaco Knight DFT 40 GOLD is sitting in the driveway right now with the Jeep hitched behind it, and I can practically see my wallet getting lighter just looking at this setup. We're looking at covering about 1000 miles over the course of the trip, and I'm trying to get realistic expectations for fuel costs and planning fuel stops accordingly.

I've heard wildly different numbers from other RV owners about what kind of fuel economy to expect when towing a vehicle behind a 40-foot diesel pusher like the Monaco Knight. Some people claim they get decent mileage, while others say it's absolutely terrible. I'd love to know what's actually realistic to expect in terms of MPG when towing, and if there are any driving techniques or speed considerations that can help maximize fuel economy on a long trip like this. …more
Burnt Spot on Oil Dipstick - 2013 Thor Challenger V10 Fix
Engine Medium 2-4 hours for repair 73 👍

Burnt Spot on Oil Dipstick - 2013 Thor Challenger V10 Fix

Wondering why my 2013 Thor Challenger V10 only gets that weird burnt spot on the oil dipstick above 85 degrees — runs perfect when cooler? When I pulled the oil dipstick during my last oil change, there's this obvious burnt spot with carbon buildup about 18 inches from the tip. The stick was also kind of a pain to pull out.

I'm scratching my head here - what would cause burning and carbon right at that specific spot on the dipstick? Is this pointing to something with the dipstick tube itself, or am I looking at a bigger engine problem? Really hoping it's not anything major since the motor only has about 32K on it. …more
Ford V10 Oil Pan Gasket Replacement Guide: Can You Reuse It?
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 73 👍

Ford V10 Oil Pan Gasket Replacement Guide: Can You Reuse It?

Somewhere between my wife's third comment about oil stains under our RV and my denial phase, I realized I need to drop the oil pan on my Ford V10 2-valve engine. I remember when I did the 4R100 transmission pan, that rubber gasket was totally reusable - just cleaned it up and slapped it back on.

Is the engine oil pan gasket the same deal? Can I get away with reusing it or am I gonna need to pick up a new one? And if I do need a replacement, any recommendations on brands or installation tips? Don't want to create a mess under there! …more
Complete 4x4 RV Transmission Filter Service Guide - Transfer Case & Differential Maintenance
Engine Medium 2-3 hours all services 72 👍

Complete 4x4 RV Transmission Filter Service Guide - Transfer Case & Differential Maintenance

Since this is the third time this season my 4x4 RV's transmission is acting up, I'm done throwing parts at it without proper filter service knowledge. I've got a 4x4 RV with a 4R100 transmission (2003 V10) that's due for service. I'm wondering if there's anything different about servicing the transmission filter on a 4x4 versus a regular 2WD setup?

Also, since I'm getting under there anyway, should I be thinking about servicing other components while I'm at it? Don't want to miss anything important that could bite me later down the road. Thanks for any guidance! …more

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2000 Ford E450 V10 Uphill Power Mods for Mountain Towing
Engine Medium 4-6 hours for gear change 72 👍

2000 Ford E450 V10 Uphill Power Mods for Mountain Towing

Called three different YouTube tutorials claiming to boost my 2000 Ford E450 V10's uphill towing power, but now my motorhome struggles even worse in the mountains. The unit struggles substantially on extended uphill grades, particularly during Rocky Mountain travel where sustained climbs can last 30+ minutes.

I'm evaluating several modification options to address this performance deficiency: rear differential gear ratio changes, SCT programming modules, K&N high-flow air filtration systems, and catalytic converter removal. I need to understand which modifications will provide measurable uphill towing improvements versus those that offer minimal gains.

What is the relative effectiveness of these power modifications for V10 mountain towing applications? I'm looking for a technical assessment of which upgrades deliver the most significant performance improvements for this specific application. …more
Cummins ISM 500HP at 142K Miles: High Mileage or Just Getting Started?
Engine Medium 2-3 hours inspection 70 👍

Cummins ISM 500HP at 142K Miles: High Mileage or Just Getting Started?

Planning to buy my first diesel pusher and I'm completely clueless whether 142,187 miles on this 2005 Cummins ISM 500HP is considered high mileage. The coach is equipped with a Cummins ISM 500 horsepower engine paired with an Allison MH 4000 6-speed transmission. While I've done some research on these powertrains, I'm getting mixed opinions about what constitutes "high mileage" for this particular combination.

Some people are telling me that anything over 100K miles is getting into risky territory, while others say these commercial-grade engines are just getting broken in at that point. I want to make sure I'm not walking into a money pit, but I also don't want to pass up a good coach if the mileage number is scaring me unnecessarily.

What's the realistic lifespan expectation for the Cummins ISM 500HP and Allison MH4000 combination? Should 142K miles be a red flag that makes me walk away, or is this actually considered moderate mileage for these heavy-duty components? I'm trying to determine if I should focus more on the maintenance history and overall condition rather than getting hung up on the odometer reading. …more
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