Results for "ford-chassis"

Engine Medium 2 hours 96 👍 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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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 96 👍 0

Ford F53 No Spark: Complete Ignition Troubleshooting Guide

Halfway through a cross-country trip, my Ford F53 Class A motorhome with the 7.5L V8 cranks but won't fire, has zero spark, AND left me completely stranded. The issue began intermittently with starting problems, then progressed to a complete no-start condition with zero spark at both the coil and distributor.

I've systematically replaced the distributor, ignition control module (ICM), and coil, but the no-spark condition persists. This is an EFI system without a crank position sensor - my research indicates it relies on the pickup coil within the distributor for ignition timing.

What are the most likely causes for this complete ignition failure, and what diagnostic steps should I follow to isolate the root cause? I need a methodical troubleshooting approach since parts replacement hasn't resolved the issue. …more

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Engine Easy 15 minutes 94 👍 0

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

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Electrical Easy 10 min read 93 👍 0

Motorhome vs Toy Hauler Electrical Systems: Complete Comparison Guide

Walked into three dealerships with my $40k budget and they're all pushing different electrical setups — can't afford to buy wrong between motorhome vs toy hauler power systems. Currently I have a 2020 F350 diesel SRW with a Reflection 29rs toy hauler, and I'm comparing a Grand Design Lineage 31ZW Super C motorhome versus a Momentum 381MS toy hauler.

The toy hauler I'm considering comes with serious electrical upgrades - 2 heated 400Ah lithium batteries with internal BMS, dual 3,000kVA inverters, four 300W bifacial solar panels, dual 50A solar controllers, and 60A DC-DC truck charging. Currently, to transport my side-by-side (SxS), I need two trucks and two trailers, which is inefficient.

I'm weighing pros and cons like overall length (truck and toy hauler would be about 60', MH and 20' cargo trailer would be about 57'), maintenance costs of keeping two diesel trucks, and transportation flexibility. I also have an F150 that could potentially serve as a toad vehicle.

What experiences can others share about transitioning between these RV types, especially considering power management and transportation logistics? …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 93 👍 0

Ford E450 V10 Spark Plug & Coil Replacement Guide - RV Engine Maintenance Tips

After handling coil swaps on my old Chevy like they were nothing, this Ford E450 V10 setup has me completely intimidated and second-guessing everything. I've heard cylinder #3 is particularly difficult to access and I'm scared I might break something or use the wrong tools.

I tried using a 7mm wrench like some sources suggested, but it doesn't seem to fit properly and I'm afraid of stripping the bolt heads. I'm also concerned about how to safely reach the coils without damaging other components.

Can someone please walk me through the safest approach and tell me exactly what size wrench I should be using? I'd rather ask for help than risk making an expensive mistake. …more

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Engine Easy 30 minutes 91 👍 0

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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Chassis Easy 30 minutes 90 👍 0

Ford E350 Dually Wheel Center Hole Size Guide: Front vs Rear Differences Explained

According to my mechanic, my Ford E350 dually has mismatched wheel fitments, center holes that don't align properly, AND different sizing between front and rear wheels all at once. I have a 2001 Ford E350 Class C motorhome with dual rear wheels, and I desperately need to get a spare tire sorted out.

I found what I thought was the perfect rim - same bolt pattern as my existing wheels - but when I got home and really looked at it, the center hole is noticeably smaller than the ones currently on my RV. I've been assuming all six rims on a dually setup would be identical, but now I'm second-guessing everything.

Could it be that Ford actually uses different center hole sizes between the front wheels and rear dually wheels on the E350? I'm really hoping someone can clarify this because I need to know if I bought the wrong type of rim or if there's something else I'm missing here. …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 86 👍 0

Ford E450 V10 Spark Plug Replacement: Easy Access to Cylinders 1 & 2

The second my wife mentioned that my E450 V10's engine bay "looks like it was designed by someone who hates mechanics," I couldn't stop thinking about these impossible spark plugs. I need to change the spark plugs on cylinders 1 and 2, but it looks like Ford's engineers were having a laugh when they buried these babies behind what appears to be half the engine's wiring harness.

I'm hoping there's some secret RV mechanic wisdom out there before I start disconnecting every wire harness bracket in sight. Please tell me there's a way to get to these plugs without performing major surgery on my engine bay. My back is already protesting just thinking about the contortions required! …more

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Engine Hard 2-4 hours 84 👍 0

Ford V10 Multiple Coil Codes Driver Side: Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Somewhere under the hood of my 1999 motorhome's Ford V10 there's a complete light show of coil codes P0351, P0353, P0355, P0357, and P0359 blinking across the entire driver side bank. Power and ground tests at individual coils show normal readings, and visual PCM inspection reveals no obvious damage.

Given that all affected coils are on the same bank, I suspect this isn't a coincidence of multiple simultaneous coil failures. What are the most likely common failure points that would cause multiple coil codes specifically on one engine bank? Should I be focusing on shared wiring harnesses, common ground points, or PCM driver circuits before replacing individual components? …more

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Electrical Easy 30 minutes 84 👍 0

1988 Fleetwood Tioga Ford E350 Ignition Relay Location Guide

Last weekend I bought my first RV, a '88 Fleetwood Tioga Arrow (Ford E350 chassis, 460 V8), and I'm completely clueless why it won't start. I've already swapped out the starter solenoid on the fender, but now I'm being told there's also an ignition relay that could be the culprit.

Problem is, I can't for the life of me find this thing! I've been crawling around the engine bay for what feels like hours. Anyone know the typical spots where Ford hid the ignition relay on these E350s? Really don't want to start randomly pulling relays until I find the right one... …more

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Engine Easy 45 minutes 83 👍 0

2022 Ford E450 Check Engine Light: Complete DIY Troubleshooting Guide

Last week marked the third time this month my 2022 Ford E450 motorhome check engine light flicked on at only 4,000 miles and I'm done with mechanics. Last month I had the engine serviced at a local shop, and everything seemed fine when I drove it home. The RV ran perfectly for several weeks without any issues whatsoever.

Yesterday when I started the engine, the check engine light came on and stayed illuminated. According to my Ford owner's manual, this particular warning light is typically related to emissions system problems rather than more serious engine damage. The timing is suspicious given that it appeared shortly after the recent service work.

I don't currently have an OBD2 scanner to pull the specific diagnostic codes, and I'm really hoping to avoid another expensive trip back to the shop just to have them run basic diagnostics. Before I spend more money on professional diagnosis, are there any standard troubleshooting steps I can perform myself to potentially identify and fix simple issues that commonly cause check engine lights on these Ford E450 chassis? I'm particularly interested in emissions-related problems that might have been disturbed during routine service. …more

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Engine Easy 30 minutes 83 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 83 👍 0

4R100 Transmission Temperature Gauge Sender Location Guide for RV Owners & Mechanics

Despite my RV mechanic insisting I need a completely new 4R100 transmission for overheating, shouldn't I install a temperature gauge first to verify what's really going on? I can't seem to find any factory temperature sender on this transmission - am I missing something obvious?

I'm nervous about drilling into the pan or tapping into lines since I don't want to create leaks or cause more problems than I'm trying to solve. Is there a safe, proven way to monitor transmission temperature on a 4R100 without risking damage? I've heard about electronic options too but not sure if they're reliable. …more

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Engine Medium 45 minutes 83 👍 0

Ford 7.3 Godzilla Fumoto Oil Drain Valve Installation: Complete RV Maintenance Guide & Pro Tips

I looked into quick-lube places, crawling under with pans, and even portable extractors for oil changes on my Class A motorhome's Ford 7.3 Godzilla engine — still a messy disaster. I need to confirm the correct Fumoto part number that will work specifically for this engine. If anyone has already done this modification, I'd appreciate knowing the exact part number you used. Thank you, Glenn …more

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Engine Hard 1-2 hours per plug 81 👍 0

Ford V10 Blown Spark Plug Repair: Complete Time-Sert & Heli-Coil Fix Guide

Walked out to my Ford V10 this morning with my toolbox in hand, ready to fix this blown spark plug myself — just need to know whether Time-Sert or Heli-Coil is the way to go. My 2000 Ford Flair 31A with the 6.8L V10 just blew a spark plug going uphill - sounded like the exhaust fell off until I realized what happened. The shop is telling me this is apparently a "common issue" with these 2-valve V10 engines, which is just fantastic news after being stranded on vacation.

They're giving me options for thread repair - either a Heli-Coil insert or something called a Time-Sert. I've heard horror stories about blown plugs on these engines, but I've also heard that proper repairs can actually fix this permanently. Before I spend my hard-earned money, I need to understand: are these thread repair methods actually reliable for V10 blown plugs? And please tell me there's a way to prevent this nightmare from happening again - proper torque specs, anti-seize compound, whatever it takes. I just want my RV running reliably again. …more

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