Results for "oil pan"

Engine Hard 4-6 hours 425 👍 0

Ford F53 7.5L RV Won't Start: Fuel Pump Relay Voltage Drop Fix

Woke up to my 1996 Ford F53 7.5L motorhome eating through my patience and wallet with this no-start issue that keeps coming back. It cranks strong but absolutely will not start, and I've been chasing this problem for weeks now. The engine ran fine for about 3-4 minutes one day, then just died and hasn't started since.

I've already done quite a bit of diagnostic work:
- Replaced PCM and distributor
- Fuel pump works when powered directly
- Battery is fully charged
- Checked fuses and relays
- PCM relay voltage drops from 12.2V to 9.3V with key on
- Fuel pump relay only shows 3.3V at pin 86 (should be 12V)
- Inertia switch tested at 1.7V at connector
- ANL 178 fusible link fluctuates between 0.3-0.6V

The engine will only start with starter fluid when the SPOUT is removed. I'm getting only 5.5V at the fuel pump connector.

Has anyone dealt with this specific issue on an F53 chassis? I really need to get this RV back on the road and I'm running out of ideas! …more

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Exterior Medium 3-4 days (includes curing time) 348 👍 1

DIY RV Basement Door Paint Repair: Complete Guide & Cost Analysis

Despite protecting my RV all winter, those brutal summer months have absolutely destroyed the paint on my four basement doors and rear wheel area across 2' x 20', leaving me staring at a $5,000-6,500 shop estimate versus DIY with my compressor. I've never done automotive paint work before. Could I really achieve decent results for under $500 like I keep reading online? I'm concerned about proper paint matching, whether I'll damage the surface during prep, and if I choose the wrong spray gun or technique.

Has anyone successfully tackled RV exterior panel paint repair as a DIY project? I need reassurance that this is actually doable without professional training, and guidance on the complete process from start to finish. …more

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Engine Easy 45 min 284 👍 0

Femco vs Fumoto Oil Drain Valves for RVs - Which is Better?

Looked at my mechanic's quote for a $300 professional oil change setup and something seems off—wouldn't a basic Femco or Fumoto drain valve work just fine? I've narrowed it down to Femco and Fumoto, but I'm genuinely worried about road debris damage since RVs sit lower and encounter more hazards than regular vehicles.

The thought of a drain valve getting hit by rocks or debris and causing a catastrophic oil leak on the highway keeps me up at night. I need to know which design is actually safer and more protected in RV applications. Does one have better protection features than the other? I'd rather be overly cautious than deal with a roadside emergency. …more

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Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Electrical Medium 45 minutes 247 👍 0

RV Shore Power Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Plugged into shore power at the campground last night and absolutely nothing happened — no lights, no AC, nothing. Breaker on the pedestal looks fine and my neighbor's rig is running perfectly on the same circuit. Starting to wonder if something fried inside the transfer switch. …more

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Exterior Medium 30-60 min 233 👍 1

Kwikee RV Steps Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Apparently we're leaving for a three-week cross-country trip next Monday and my Kwikee electric RV steps are still having intermittent retraction issues even after replacing both the gear box and motor. My steps are exhibiting intermittent retraction issues - they extend normally but require manual assistance to retract fully, stopping approximately a quarter inch through the cycle without intervention. I've already installed a new gear box and motor, yet the problem persists.

What systematic diagnostic approach should I follow to identify the root cause? I need to understand the complete troubleshooting sequence for motor functionality, electrical switch operation, and mechanical linkage components. Are there specific voltage measurements, resistance checks, or mechanical adjustments that should be performed to isolate whether this is an electrical or mechanical failure?

Thanks,
Pete …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 229 👍 0

Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide

Walked out to my RV this morning trying to decide between calling a repair tech or troubleshooting my Dometic Brisk Air rooftop AC myself since it's showing weird operational issues. The compressor engages and fan motor operates normally, but the unit fails to produce cold air output. Temperature differential across the evaporator coil is minimal.

Unit functioned properly through previous cooling season with no apparent issues. Current symptoms include normal airflow volume but inadequate cooling capacity. What systematic diagnostic procedure should I follow to identify the root cause? Looking for a methodical troubleshooting sequence that addresses the most probable failure points in order of likelihood. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 219 👍 0

RV AC Freezing Up? Fix Ice on Coils in 5 Steps

Turned on my RV's AC as a total newbie and watched it run perfectly for an hour before becoming a frozen disaster that won't cool. I can literally see ice building up on the coils, and then it's game over until everything thaws out.

This has happened a few times now and I'm getting tired of sitting in a hot RV waiting for the thing to defrost. What actually causes AC units to freeze up like this? And more importantly, how do I stop it from happening again? I'm guessing it's something simple I'm missing, but I'd rather fix it right than keep dealing with this cycle. …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 188 👍 0

RV Slide Out Moving Slowly? Complete Lubrication & Repair Guide

I tried everything I could think of, but after all that heavy rain last week, my slide out went from smooth operation to moving like molasses. It sounds like it's really struggling and straining, making these awful grinding noises that have me worried I'm going to break something expensive.

I've been reading that lubrication might be the answer, but I honestly don't know where to start. Should I be looking at the motor mechanism? The tracks? I've heard about hydraulic fluid but I'm not sure if my system is hydraulic or electric. I really need someone to walk me through what needs lubrication and what else I should check before this thing stops working completely!

Could you help me troubleshoot? Details that might help: Can you tell me the specific model of my RV and the type of slide out system it uses? …more

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General Easy 15-30 min 187 👍 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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Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 166 👍 0

RV Tank Sensor Removal Guide: Gray & Black Water Tank Sensors (Step-by-Step Process)

Somewhere between throwing $150 at new RV tank sensors and just ripping out these faulty gray and black water sensors completely, I'm wondering which route makes more sense? Was looking at changing my gray/black water tank sensors, but when I crawled under there, this is what I found. What kind of sensors are these and how do you remove them? I'd really appreciate some specific advice about the sensor type and removal technique. …more

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Engine Medium Varies by issue 163 👍 0

Onan Generator Fault Codes: Complete Troubleshooting Guide for RV Owners

During my latest camping trip my Onan generator threw a fault code — got my multimeter ready and just need to figure out which diagnostic approach will crack this thing.

I'm seeing 12 or 13 blinks on my generator error display and want to understand what these codes might mean. Are these codes consistent across different Onan models? I'm hoping it's a minor issue and not something requiring a major repair.

Can anyone help me decode what these blinking fault codes typically indicate? …more

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Best RV Solar Panel Kits

4.5 (12,700 reviews)

Exterior Medium 2-4 hours with soak time 162 👍 0

How to Fix a Seized RV Side Mirror - Complete Repair Guide

Already picked up this 2002 Georgie Boy motorhome and I've never dealt with a seized side mirror adjustment mechanism before — the ball joint and set screws won't budge at all. I've been wrestling with this for weeks now and I'm getting nowhere!

Before I give up and start looking at replacements, is there any way to free up seized mirror adjustments? I'm also wondering about the electrical connections - if I do need to remove the mirror (it's held on with 3 screws), how do I safely disconnect those electric cables that run to the dash controls? I really don't want to damage the wiring harness on top of everything else. …more

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Engine Medium 2 hours 161 👍 0

Onan 5500 Generator Tune-Up: Best Aftermarket Parts

Before my last camping trip when I tried to order replacement parts, I discovered that finding genuine OEM components for my Onan 5500 generator has become nearly impossible. The Cummins website has been showing most tune-up components as out of stock for months now, and when I do find supposedly "official" Onan oil filters online, many retailers are substituting generic filters that may not meet the same specifications.

I've been researching alternatives and I'm particularly concerned about getting the right oil filter and spark plugs. For the oil filter, I've seen conflicting information about whether aftermarket options like Wix filters are truly compatible - some sources mention the 57398 but I've read mixed reviews about fitment issues. For spark plugs, my current ones are NGK BPR4EY, and I've heard the NGK 3432 might be equivalent, but I want to make sure before ordering.

I'm also planning to stick with zinc-containing oil like Rotella T6 15w40 since I know air-cooled engines need the extra protection, but I'd love confirmation that I'm on the right track with quality aftermarket parts that won't compromise my generator's performance. What specific part numbers and brands would you recommend for a reliable tune-up when OEM parts aren't available? …more

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Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 160 👍 0

RV Gray Tank Draining Slowly? Fix Clogs & Flow Issues

Called around to shops about my 2019 Forest River Cherokee's gray tank drain crawling—what used to take 5-10 minutes now drags on for 30-45 minutes. The black tank still drains at normal speed, so I don't think it's a problem with the main sewer connection or hose.

I'm wondering what typically causes gray tanks to develop drainage problems over time. We do a lot of dishwashing in the RV and I'm thinking maybe grease or soap buildup could be creating blockages somewhere in the system. The flow starts out okay but quickly reduces to just a trickle, even though I know there's still plenty of water in the tank.

What are the most common culprits behind slow gray tank drainage, and what's the best approach for diagnosing and fixing these flow issues? I'd rather understand the root causes and proper solutions before I start taking things apart or using harsh chemicals that might damage the system. …more

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Engine Medium 30-60 minutes 158 👍 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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