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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
RV Heater Lines Reversed: How to Diagnose and Fix Hot Dashboard Air
Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 101 👍

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
Why Your RV Generac Diesel Generator Shuts Off After 2 Minutes Under Load: Troubleshooting Guide
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 86 👍

Why Your RV Generac Diesel Generator Shuts Off After 2 Minutes Under Load: Troubleshooting Guide

Found that ever since those heavy rains last month hit, my 2007 Alfa's Generac 7.5kw diesel generator shuts down exactly 2 minutes after firing up the basement AC.

Just did a full service (oil, filters, the works) so it's not basic maintenance stuff. I can restart it right after it shuts off, but if the AC is still calling for power, it dies immediately again. No error codes or blinking lights to give me a clue.

Is this a fuel delivery issue where it can't keep up with the AC load? Or am I looking at something else entirely? Really hoping someone's dealt with this exact same 2-minute thing before! …more
Ford F53 V10 Thermostat Replacement: 180°F vs 195°F Temperature Guide
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 85 👍

Ford F53 V10 Thermostat Replacement: 180°F vs 195°F Temperature Guide

Replacing the thermostat on my F53 V10 and can't decide between the factory 195°F and dropping to a 180°F stat. Some Ford forums swear by the cooler thermostat for RV duty but others say it'll throw codes and hurt fuel economy. Which temperature is actually right for a motorhome? …more
Ford F53 460 Engine Timing Marks: How to Locate and Check (Step-by-Step Guide)
Engine Medium 30 minutes 85 👍

Ford F53 460 Engine Timing Marks: How to Locate and Check (Step-by-Step Guide)

About to drop serious cash on a used Class A motorhome with a Ford F53 460 engine — should I check those timing marks myself or am I asking for trouble? Where exactly are the timing marks located? I can see the harmonic balancer but having trouble spotting the marks and pointer. What's the best way to make them visible and actually read them with a timing light? …more

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2001 Triple E Diesel Pusher Buying Guide: Critical Inspection Tips & Red Flags
Engine Easy N/A - informational 78 👍

2001 Triple E Diesel Pusher Buying Guide: Critical Inspection Tips & Red Flags

Standing next to my neighbor's flawless 2001 Triple E Signature diesel pusher makes the concerning issues on this one I'm considering buying even more obvious. Never owned a diesel coach before, only gas units. At 24 years old, what are the critical inspection points I should focus on? Should I be concerned about the age, or is Triple E known for quality construction that holds up over time? …more
RV Water Pump Failure - Emergency Roadside Repair Guide
Plumbing Easy 30 minutes assessment 77 👍

RV Water Pump Failure - Emergency Roadside Repair Guide

The Trek motorhome's water pump just died at 11 PM in the middle of nowhere — need to figure this out before morning. While returning from Assateague, just north of Smyrna, Delaware, my water pump failed with a cloud of steam, leaving me stranded on the side of the road. Thankfully, Coach-Net, our road service provider, found us a tow to Lube Station and Repair in Smyrna. The Delaware State Police and Smyrna Fire Department were incredibly helpful, checking on us during this stressful situation. We ended up staying the night in the shop's lot and made it home only a day late. Has anyone else experienced something similar and have advice for handling roadside RV emergencies? …more
1997 Ford Rexhall Overheating: Complete Repair Guide & Troubleshooting Steps
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 76 👍

1997 Ford Rexhall Overheating: Complete Repair Guide & Troubleshooting Steps

Nobody told me my 1997 Ford Rexhall Class A would keep overheating like this, and now I'm terrified of engine damage. I've already flushed the radiator multiple times and added fresh coolant, but the overheating problem persists.

I'm hesitant to start taking things apart without knowing what I'm looking for, and I'm concerned about making the problem worse. What are the most likely culprits I should check next? I've heard it could be the thermostat or water pump, but I want to make sure I'm checking everything systematically before spending money on parts that might not fix the issue. …more
RV Radiator Hose Quick Disconnect Removal: Step-by-Step Guide
Engine Medium 30-60 minutes 75 👍

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
RV Coolant System Maintenance: Spring Clamps vs Worm Gear Clamps Explained
Engine Medium 3-4 hours 74 👍

RV Coolant System Maintenance: Spring Clamps vs Worm Gear Clamps Explained

This morning I'm standing in the RV parts aisle staring at spring clamps and worm gear clamps for my 2013 Tiffin F-53 coolant flush with no clue which ones I actually need. The current spring clamps look good - no rust, seem like new condition. Should I reuse these spring clamps or upgrade to worm gear clamps? Also replacing all the hoses while I'm at it. …more
RV Transmission Problems: Troubleshooting Guide & Quick Fixes
Engine Medium Varies 74 👍

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
Ford V-10 Temperature Sending Unit Location on Engine Block
Engine Medium 30-45 minutes to locate and replace 72 👍

Ford V-10 Temperature Sending Unit Location on Engine Block

I'm planning my next move after replacing the thermostat, flushing the coolant system, and checking all hoses — but I still can't locate Ford's hidden temperature sending unit on my V-10 engine block. Where exactly is this sensor positioned on the engine block? Looking for the specific location and what it looks like so I can identify it. …more

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Cummins ISM 500HP at 142K Miles: High Mileage or Just Getting Started?
Engine Medium 2-3 hours inspection 69 👍

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
Ford F53 Fan Clutch Bolt Pattern Mismatch: Complete Fix Guide
Engine Medium Research and parts acquisition 69 👍

Ford F53 Fan Clutch Bolt Pattern Mismatch: Complete Fix Guide

Woke up to tackle the same fan clutch replacement I nailed on my old Workhorse chassis — but this 2013 F53's bolt pattern mismatch has me completely stumped. Got Ford part YB-3082 but the bolt holes are smaller than my existing fan bolts. Checked several other fan clutches and they all have the same smaller hole pattern.

Is this bolt pattern mismatch normal with Ford replacement parts? What's the best way to solve this - different supplier, matched set, or modify the holes? …more
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