Results for "hesitation"

Engine Easy 1-2 hours inspection 148 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours (including dealer visit) 112 👍 0

Ford F53 Motorhome Key Programming Guide: Security Features & Programming Tips

Apparently my 2008 Ford F53 motorhome is 16 years old and starting to have key programming issues — should I attempt DIY programming or call a locksmith? I just dropped $176 on two new transponder keys for my 2024 Windsport 34R (2022 F53 chassis) because I only had one set and didn't want to get locked out in the middle of nowhere wearing my pajamas and fuzzy slippers (again).

The Ford dealer quoted me another $140-170 to program these fancy chip keys, insisting I'd need to haul my 35-foot house-on-wheels down there for the programming. But the parts guy said "try them first" - and wouldn't you know it, both keys fired right up without any programming!

So what's the deal here? Are these unprogrammed transponder keys going to mysteriously stop working next Tuesday? Did I just dodge a bullet, or am I missing out on some important anti-theft features that actually matter? I'm feeling pretty smug about saving that programming fee, but also slightly paranoid that my motorhome might strand me at the worst possible moment! …more

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General Medium Varies by issue 101 👍 0

How to Fix RV Slide Out Topper Awning Problems: Common Issues and Solutions for Smooth Operation

Before buying our first RV, I never even knew slide topper awnings existed, and now ours is acting up and I'm completely lost. We're having all three slide toppers professionally replaced next week, but I'm honestly worried we'll end up with the same problems all over again if they're not installed properly.

I've been reading horror stories about misaligned toppers, wrong spring tension, and fabric bunching up during slide operation. Since this is costing us a pretty penny, I really need to know what specific things I should insist the installer check and test before they leave. What are the critical adjustments that need to be made during installation to prevent these common topper problems from happening again? …more

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Best RV Propane Accessories

4.5 (11,200 reviews)

Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 100 👍 0

RV Solar Panel Z Bracket Installation: Drill vs Adhesive Mounting Guide

Ready to mount solar panels on the roof but torn between drilling through the fiberglass with Z-brackets or using VHB tape adhesive mounts. Terrified of roof leaks from drill holes but also worried the adhesive won't hold at highway speeds. Which mounting method actually holds up long term? …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 Easy N/A 78 👍 0

Is It Safe to Sleep with Your RV Generator Running? Safety Guide 2024

This is 11 PM and my wife is sweating bullets in our RV — need to know if running our generator overnight is safe before we both melt. We have a 2023 Class C RV and my wife really needs the A/C running at night to sleep comfortably. I know our RV has a carbon monoxide detector installed, but I'm honestly not sure if that's enough protection.

I've heard mixed things about running generators while sleeping - some people seem to do it regularly while others say it's dangerous. What safety precautions should I be taking if we do this? Should I be worried about which windows are open or wind direction? I want to make sure we're being as safe as possible but also want my wife to be comfortable. Any guidance from more experienced RVers would be really appreciated! …more

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Engine Medium 4-6 hours for gear change 72 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 71 👍 0

Ford V10 Engine Hesitation: Complete RV Troubleshooting Guide

I turned what started as minor hesitation in my 2014 Fleetwood Bounder Classic on a 2013 F53 chassis with a 6.8L V10 last month into complete engine performance nightmares. With 29,000 miles on the odometer, I'm experiencing an intermittent problem that makes you want to pull your hair out. The engine runs fine most of the time, but then randomly when I step on the gas - especially after downshifting or at low speeds after a turn - it just hesitates as if the key was turned off, though the engine is still running.

I'm pretty handy with basic maintenance but not sure where to start with this kind of issue. No computer codes are being generated, which makes diagnosis tricky. Is this a common V10 problem? What are the usual suspects I should check first before taking it to a shop and getting hit with a huge diagnostic bill? …more

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Engine Medium 45 minutes 68 👍 0

RV Fuel Filter Replacement: How Often & Maintenance Guide

Every time we plan a big RV trip, something goes wrong - and now my 2005 Tradition 40W motorhome is running rough with fuel delivery issues just days before our two-week cross-country adventure. We're fairly light users - only putting about 1,200 miles on it annually since we mostly use it for shorter trips and occasional longer vacations. The coach has two fuel filters that I can see: a Luber Finer LFF1003 and an LF5488. I'm not entirely sure when they were last changed, possibly not for quite some time.

I've been researching maintenance schedules and seeing conflicting information about fuel filter replacement intervals. Some sources suggest every 10,000 miles, others recommend annual replacement regardless of mileage. Given our low annual mileage, changing them every year seems excessive and potentially wasteful. Our local RV service shop does annual maintenance including oil changes and general inspections, but they haven't specifically flagged the fuel filters as needing replacement.

What would be the appropriate replacement interval for fuel filters on a low-mileage RV like ours? Should I be concerned about contamination or other issues even with light use? I want to maintain the engine properly without over-maintaining components that don't need frequent attention. …more

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Engine Easy 15-30 minutes to set up new system 68 👍 0

F53 Chassis Oil Fill Adapter - Stop Spilling Oil on 2021 RV

Pulled my 2021 RV with F53 chassis out of winter storage and like clockwork, I'm facing the same oil-change nightmare that leaves me swimming in spilled mess. That fill tube is positioned in the most awkward spot possible - feels like Ford designed it just to mess with us DIYers!

I keep spilling oil everywhere when I'm pouring from quart bottles. There's gotta be some kind of funnel adapter or trick that actually works for this specific setup, right? Anyone found something that makes F53 oil changes less of a disaster zone? …more

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Engine Easy Informational 68 👍 0

Ford V10 P0171 Code: Is It Safe to Drive Your RV? Lean System Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Finally dealing with my Ford V10 throwing the P0171 lean code for the third time this season and I'm absolutely done with these guessing games. My Ford V10 with 60,500 miles threw this code during our recent trip from Maine to Virginia, and while there are absolutely no drivability issues - no rough idle, stalling, or poor performance - I'm terrified something catastrophic could happen on the road.

I've already cleaned the MAF sensor and had a local mechanic check for vacuum leaks and run a detailed diagnostic, which found no performance issues and cleared the Check Engine Light. The engine runs perfectly fine, but that check engine light has me spooked. What if I'm damaging the engine by driving it? Should I be monitoring for specific symptoms? I keep reading horror stories online about lean conditions causing engine failure.

I really don't want to get stranded somewhere or cause expensive damage, but I also don't want to cancel our upcoming trip to Florida if it's actually safe to drive. Has anyone dealt with this specific code on a Ford V10? What should I be watching for, and is it actually dangerous to drive with P0171 when the engine seems to be running normally? …more

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Best RV Awnings & Accessories

4.5 (7,600 reviews)

Engine Medium 45 minutes 68 👍 0

1995 Ford F53 460 Engine Stalling: How to Replace Ignition Control Module for RV Reliability

Woke up this morning hoping my 1995 F53 motorhome with the 460 7.5L would run smooth after replacing the ignition control module yesterday, but it's still stalling randomly. It keeps stalling every time I come to a stop - literally dies on me at around 5mph just as I'm braking. The power steering goes out and it's a real struggle to get stopped safely.

I can restart it immediately and it runs fine as long as I keep giving it gas, but this happens at EVERY stop sign and red light. Currently, it won't start at all - just cranks with no spark. I previously had an EGR code 334 that went away after replacing the EVR sensor.

My fuel pressure gauge was showing 30-32 psi at idle and about 40 psi at wide open throttle. When I tested the vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator, no fuel spilled out and the pressure didn't change.

I've already replaced many parts (including distributor cap, plugs, wires, EGR valve, ICM, fuel pressure regulator) with only 2,000 miles on them. I discovered that swapping the ignition control module seems to temporarily fix the issue - it starts with a new ICM but dies when I return to the original one.

I'm really concerned about potential highway driving with these intermittent starting problems. Is this a common issue with these 460 engines? …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 60 👍 0

1996 Ford F530 460 V8 Intermittent Check Engine Light Fix

Pulled out of the driveway for our cross-country RV trip next week when my 1996 Newmar Mountain Aire's Ford F530 460 V8 threw that intermittent check engine light again. Sometimes it goes away on its own after driving for a while, other times I have to turn the engine off and restart it like I'm performing some sort of mechanical magic trick.

I'm starting to think it's either a sensor having an identity crisis or maybe some connections that need a good cleaning (don't we all?). What are the most likely suspects for this intermittent check engine light situation? I'd love to know what sensors or connections commonly cause this kind of on-again, off-again drama before I start throwing parts at it! …more

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Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 53 👍 0

Replace RV Step Motor & Gearbox Together or Separately?

Halfway through our last camping trip, my husband pointed out that grinding noise from our RV step, and now I'm completely torn between replacing the motor and gearbox together or separately. I'm pretty new to RV ownership and need some guidance. My single entry step on my 2019 Jayco Redhawk 25R Class C has stopped working properly. The motor still runs and sounds normal, but the step won't extend or retract - I'm guessing the gearbox inside has stripped gears or something? I can hear the motor running but nothing happens. My question is whether I should just replace the gearbox part that seems broken, or if I should do both the motor and gearbox together while I'm at it? I keep hearing about Murphy's Law in RV forums and I'm worried the motor might fail right after I fix the gearbox! What would experienced RV owners recommend? Thanks for your patience with a newbie! …more

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