Results for "hose clamps"

Plumbing Medium 1-4 hours 292 👍 0

How to Fix RV Fresh Water Tank Leaks: Complete Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Nobody warned me how tricky RV fresh water tank leaks could be — got my tools ready and determined to fix this dripping mess under my trailer myself. The dripping was pretty steady at first but seems to have slowed down overnight to just occasional drops. My tank gauge still shows full, so I don't think it's completely emptying out.

I can see there's an underbelly cover that would need to come down to access everything underneath, but I'm hoping maybe there are some easier spots I should check first? I'd rather not tackle removing panels if I don't have to - any guidance on where these leaks typically start would be really helpful, especially near the drain valve! …more

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Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 276 👍 0

RV Heater Lines Reversed: How to Diagnose and Fix Hot Dashboard Air

Dashboard vents are blowing hot air even with the heater off and the AC running. Drove three hours in 95-degree heat with hot air hitting my face the whole time. Mechanic says the heater hose lines might be reversed from a previous repair job. …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 255 👍 0

Onan 4000 Generator Surging: Step-by-Step Fix Guide

Despite my neighbor's Onan 4000 generator purring like a kitten, mine suddenly developed nasty surging issues yesterday — what's going wrong? It surges when cold, then settles down as it warms up. Under load it surges heavily until the appliance shuts off. Getting worse each day.

What are the main causes of generator surging? Need a step-by-step approach to diagnose and fix this - should I start with the carburetor, fuel system, or something else? …more

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Best RV Solar Panel Kits

4.5 (12,700 reviews)

Engine Medium 30-60 minutes 251 👍 0

RV Radiator Hose Quick Disconnect Removal: Step-by-Step Guide

Radiator hose has one of those quick-disconnect fittings and I cannot get it to release no matter what I try. Squeezed the tabs, twisted, pulled, sprayed penetrating oil — nothing. Hose needs to come off for a coolant flush and I'm about to just cut the thing off. …more

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General Easy 15-30 min 248 👍 0

RV Windshield Washer System: Complete Maintenance Guide & Troubleshooting Tips

Somewhere between following three different YouTube tutorials, I managed to turn my RV's windshield washer repair into a sprinkler system that hits everything except the actual windshield. The specific issue I'm experiencing is fluid running back into the reservoir after each use, which means washer fluid isn't effectively hitting bugs before they dry and smear. I actually found a clever solution - using an aquarium air pump check valve from PetSmart for just $3.00. Sometimes it's these little fixes that make a big difference.

Sometimes the washer sprays like a garden sprinkler gone rogue, other times it dribbles like a leaky faucet. The fluid seems to have a mind of its own - either freezing up in cold weather or not hitting the windshield where it's supposed to.

I'm dealing with nozzles that spray everywhere except where the bugs are, a reservoir that I can never seem to locate when it's empty, and wipers that just smear everything around instead of actually cleaning. Could someone help me troubleshoot and confirm if my check valve solution might help? …more

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Engine Medium Varies 235 👍 0

RV Transmission Problems: Troubleshooting Guide & Quick Fixes

Planning to fix my Class A motorhome's transmission myself, but my neighbor says it needs fluid, the dealer insists it's the torque converter, and YouTube swears it's the solenoid pack. On my 4R100 transmission specifically, the transmission has been shifting a little rough lately, especially when accelerating from a stop or when climbing hills. Sometimes it seems to hesitate before shifting into the next gear, and I've noticed the engine RPMs climbing higher than usual before it finally engages.

I've owned this RV for about three years now, and I'll admit I haven't been as diligent about transmission maintenance as I probably should have been. The fluid looked a bit dark the last time I checked it, but I'm not entirely sure what I should be looking for or what the proper procedure is for checking transmission health. I've heard horror stories about transmission rebuilds costing thousands of dollars, so I want to make sure I'm approaching this systematically rather than just hoping the problem goes away.

What's the proper first step when you suspect transmission problems? Should I be taking it straight to a shop, or are there some basic diagnostic steps I can handle myself before spending money on professional diagnosis? I want to make sure I'm not missing something simple that could save me a lot of headache and expense down the road. …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 211 👍 0

HWH RV Slide Hydraulic Hose Repair: Complete DIY Guide

Replaced my HWH slide's hydraulic hose last month and now it's spraying fluid everywhere again with our three-week cross-country trip starting Friday! My 2007 Monaco Dynasty with HWH hydraulic system decided to throw me a curveball when the bedroom slide hydraulic line (1/4" I.D.) decided to spring a leak. After some detective work (and a lovely puddle of ATF to mark the spot), I traced it back to where a 1" air line to the front caliper had been playing the world's slowest game of 'saw through the hydraulic hose' for who knows how many miles.

I temporarily patched with Gorilla Tape and 1/2" hose clamps, which got the slide almost closed but still creeping. I'm planning to fix this with a compression coupling since that seems like the most straightforward approach for a DIY repair. Two quick questions: Can anyone confirm the 1/4" I.D. hose size for HWH systems? And once I get this coupling installed, will I need to bleed the system, or does it sort itself out? I'm hoping this repair goes smoother than my attempts to explain to my spouse why we're currently camping with a slide that's permanently 'almost' closed! …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours research 207 👍 0

How to Find Discontinued Generac 75D Coolant Hose C4845 for 2003 Newmar Dutch Star RV

Generac generator in my 2003 Dutch Star needs a specific coolant hose — part number C4845 — and it's been discontinued everywhere I look. Called six RV parts suppliers and checked every online dealer. Need to find a compatible replacement before this thing overheats on our summer trip. …more

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Engine Easy 15-20 minutes to inspect/change 191 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours for custom fabrication 190 👍 0

F53 V10 Water Ingestion Fix When Ford Parts Discontinued

Our '99 F53 chassis with the V10 engine hasn't run right ever since we got caught in that torrential downpour last month and now we're dealing with water ingestion issues. I've experienced hydro-lock issues in severe downpours, and I know Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin 04-24-22 specifically addressing this air intake design flaw on the '99 to '04 F53 models. The TSB called for replacing the air intake horn and modifying the intake strap to prevent water from being sucked into the engine during heavy rain conditions.

The problem is that when I contacted my Ford dealer, they told me the critical air intake horn part specified in TSB 04-24-22 has been discontinued and is no longer available. The modified strap is still available, but without the new intake horn design, I'm still vulnerable to water ingestion during storms. With extensive travel plans ahead where I'll likely encounter severe weather, I need a reliable solution to protect my engine from hydro-lock.

What are my options for addressing the F53 V10 water ingestion problem when the original Ford TSB parts are no longer available? Are there aftermarket solutions or modifications that other F53 owners have successfully implemented to solve this issue? …more

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Exterior Easy 15 minutes 190 👍 0

How to Replace Your RV Door Awning Motor Cap: Step-by-Step Guide

I tried getting answers about my RV sideswipe damage but my insurance adjuster says it's totaled, three body shops say fixable, and forums are completely split. The coward took off at the highway exit before I could get his plates. Damage is to the bay doors and right front corner cap area - looks pretty ugly but the RV is still drivable. Police never showed up despite multiple calls over 4 hours of waiting. Already filed with insurance and sent photos, but I'm wondering what I should be looking for beyond the obvious visible damage. This is my first accident in 8 years of RVing and I'm stressed about hidden issues I might miss. Any advice on what to inspect or document before the adjuster comes out? …more

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Best RV Propane Accessories

4.5 (11,200 reviews)

Engine Medium 2-3 hours 186 👍 0

Cummins 400 Throttle Power Loss: ECM and Other Causes

Standing here looking at my first RV with a Cummins 400 that loses power whenever I hit the throttle, leaving me crawling up hills at 35mph while everyone flies past! My Cummins 400 has developed this charming habit of suddenly losing all throttle response. One minute I'm cruising along just fine, the next minute the pedal might as well be connected to my hopes and dreams - completely useless.

It just sits there maintaining 50mph no matter how much I stomp on it. Occasionally the RPMs will jump to 2000 and I get a brief taste of actual power before it drops back down like my expectations for this rig. The worst was climbing out of Death Valley at a blazing 15mph - I'm pretty sure I saw a tortoise give me a dirty look as it passed.

My kid thinks it might be the ECM, but honestly at this point I'm open to suggestions that don't involve selling a kidney. Anyone dealt with similar power loss and throttle issues on a Cummins 400? …more

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Engine Medium 1-3 hours 185 👍 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 Easy 15 min to identify 180 👍 0

How to Locate Your RV's Engine Coolant Outlet and Heater Core Connections

Standing in my driveway at 2 AM with my overheating 2003 F53 6.8 V10 Rexhall Vision — desperately need to locate the engine coolant outlet and heater core connections before dawn departure. I can see the heater hoses going through the firewall, but I'm not sure where exactly on the engine the hot coolant comes out to supply the heater core.

I know there should be a supply line that sends hot coolant to the heater core and a return line that brings it back, but I'm having trouble identifying which is which and where they connect on the engine. Could someone help me understand where to look for the coolant outlet that feeds the heater core? I'd really appreciate any guidance on tracing these connections! …more

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Engine Easy 45 minutes 179 👍 0

2022 Ford E450 Check Engine Light: DIY Troubleshooting

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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