Results for "transmission rebuild"

Engine Easy N/A 132 👍 0

Ford E-350 vs E-450 Chassis: RV Fuel Economy, Power & Weight Capacity

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

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Slideouts Easy 30 minutes inspection 92 👍 0

RV Hydraulic Leveling Jack Leaks: Normal Seepage vs Serious Problems Explained

Somewhere between parking and leveling my 2019 Forest River Georgetown, I noticed the hydraulic leveling jacks have small amounts of fluid on the fittings. No puddles underneath and the jacks aren't sagging when stored or in use. Just a light coating on the hoses and one fitting has a small amount of fluid visible.

Is this normal seepage or something I should worry about? What's the difference between normal weeping and a real problem that needs immediate attention? …more

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Engine Hard Several days to locate parts 92 👍 0

Ford F53 V-10 ECU 7C3A-12A650-DSC Replacement Sources

ECU died on my Ford V10 and the replacement part number 7C3A-12A650-DSC is discontinued from Ford. Salvage yards want $800 for a used one with no guarantee it'll work. Need to find a reliable source for this specific ECU or figure out what alternatives exist. …more

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Best RV Solar Panel Kits

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours diagnosis 83 👍 0

RV Engine Stalling & Transmission Issues - Diagnosis Help

Replaced multiple parts but I'm still standing in the auto parts store aisle staring at diagnostic tools with no clue which one I actually need for my RV's stalling and transmission issues. When I'm cruising and let off the gas, sometimes the RPMs drop like a rock, other times they just hang there until I slow down more. That's weird enough, but here's the real kicker - every now and then the whole engine just dies on me when I'm rolling up to a stop sign or red light. Maybe happens twice in 600 miles or so, so it's not constant but definitely not normal either.

I'm wondering if these two issues are connected somehow? Like could whatever's causing the stalling also be messing with how the transmission acts when I let off the throttle? Really hoping someone has seen this combo before because I'm in Germany and finding RV-specific help is tough.

I'm looking for any insights from folks who might know what could cause this - hoping to get to the bottom of this before it becomes a bigger problem! …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 82 👍 0

Ford F53 Speedometer Stuck at 60 km/h: RV Dashboard Repair Guide

Despite having electrical work done on my 1999 Ford F53 motorhome, the speedometer has been permanently stuck at 60 km/h regardless of actual driving speed. The gauge reads accurately up to 60 km/h but then just stays pegged there no matter how fast I'm actually going. I'm worried this could be dangerous since I can't tell my real speed on highways.

What's strange is that my odometer keeps working perfectly and even my cruise control still functions normally. I'm hesitant to start tearing into the dashboard without knowing what I'm dealing with. Could this be the speed sensor failing, or is it something else? I really need to understand what's causing this before I risk damaging other components. …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 78 👍 0

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

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 77 👍 0

Ford 6R140 Transmission F53 vs F550: Key Differences & RV Compatibility Explained

Looked like just minor shifting hiccups in my F53 motorhome last month, but now the 6R140 transmission is completely failing and I'm scrambling to understand replacement options. Got an F53 chassis with the 6R140 transmission, and I'm wondering if I could source parts or even a whole replacement from an F550 that also has the 6R140.

Are these transmissions actually the same unit, or are there differences between the F53 and F550 applications? Trying to understand if parts would interchange and whether compatibility is something I need to worry about when shopping for repairs. …more

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Engine Hard Several days for repair service 76 👍 0

Ford F53 Motorhome PCM Failure: Complete Diagnosis and Repair Guide

Replaced the PCM on my 1999 Holiday Rambler Ford F53 chassis but still getting complete power loss with coil malfunction codes hitting an entire engine bank. That seems weird, right? Like what are the odds ALL the coils on one side would go bad at once?

I finally wrestled the PCM out (what a pain!) and found some discoloration on one side of the circuit board. Been reading online and seeing mixed info - some say it's the ignition system, others pointing to PCM failure. Really hoping it's not the PCM since those aren't cheap, but the whole bank thing has me wondering. Is this actually pointing to the computer being fried rather than ignition problems? …more

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Engine Hard Professional service 75 👍 0

How to Release Stuck RV Emergency Brakes After Long Storage: Rescue Your 1990 Pinnacle

Nobody warned me that parking my 1990 Pinnacle 30' Class A with grabbing brakes 24 years ago would leave the emergency brakes completely seized. Now it's sunk into the ground and I can't even get underneath to try disconnecting anything.

I'm afraid to force anything or use the wrong approach - could I make the brake problem worse? What's typically wrong after this many years of sitting, and is there any safe way to try releasing stuck emergency brakes myself? I'm concerned about what other brake components might need attention before this RV could ever be roadworthy again. …more

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Engine Hard 8-16 hours 75 👍 0

Ford Motorhome 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Guide: 4R70W vs E4OD vs

I noticed it's 2 AM and my Ford motorhome transmission just started making awful grinding noises — need to figure out if it's the 4R70W or E4OD before hitting the road tomorrow. I'm converting a half ton pickup into a motorhome and want 4x4 capability. I keep seeing references to different 4-speed automatic transmissions like the 4R70W, E4OD, and 4R100, but I'm honestly confused about which is which and what the differences are.

I'm trying to figure out which transmission would be most reliable for my needs. Some people mention the 4R70W while others swear by the E4OD or 4R100. Do these vary by year or engine size? And is there a clear winner in terms of dependability, especially for someone who might be doing some towing and converting a pickup?

Any guidance would be really appreciated - I feel like I'm drowning in transmission model numbers and don't want to make the wrong choice! …more

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Engine Hard 4-8 hours diagnostic time 72 👍 0

Ford V10 Crate Engine Problems: Rough Idle & Power Loss

Opened my RV hood this morning and my Ford V10 crate engine is doing that rough idle and power loss thing again — only when it's above 85°F outside. My 2015 Bounder 35K with 27k miles needed a complete engine replacement, so I had a new Ford V10 crate engine installed. Now I'm dealing with really rough idle, loud engine noise, shaking during acceleration, and hardly any power.

The shop said they fixed a misfire by replacing a fuel injector, but the problems are still there. Now they're telling me they've done everything they can with the engine and that it must be a transmission issue causing all these symptoms. Does that sound right to you experienced folks? I'm just having trouble understanding how transmission problems would cause such rough idling and engine noise, but I honestly don't know enough to argue with them. …more

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Engine Hard Professional diagnosis required 66 👍 0

Ford F53 Engine Damage from Clogged Catalytic Converter

Halfway through climbing a steep grade yesterday, my Ford F53 motorhome engine started making a violent rattling sound under acceleration and now it's completely seized up. My Ford F53 motorhome experienced gradual performance decline over two years - fuel economy dropped from 5.5 MPG to 4.3 MPG near Mobile, Alabama, with increasing transmission downshifting under load. Using Forscan, I checked for diagnostic codes and replaced plugs and coils while in Gulf Shores, but issues persisted.

During a hill climb near Meridian, Mississippi, the catalytic converter catastrophically failed, creating severe exhaust backpressure. I drove approximately 500 miles home, including a challenging stretch on I24/I69 where I was reduced to 30 mph uphill, with the engine running against significant backpressure and likely experiencing oil starvation conditions.

The repair shop confirmed extensive damage and offered two options: rebuild the existing motor or replace with a remanufactured engine. The total cost difference was relatively minor - around $18,500 for comprehensive repair versus $3,500 for catalytic converter replacement.

The question is whether I made the correct technical decision to replace the entire engine rather than attempt a rebuild. Given the extended operation under these conditions, was complete engine replacement justified from a mechanical standpoint? …more

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Engine Hard Professional job 65 👍 0

RV Engine Replacement Cost Guide: Rebuild vs Remanufactured vs Used (2

Spent the last week trying to decide between a rebuild, remanufactured, or used engine for my Class A motorhome that now sounds worse than nails on a chalkboard. There's a lovely hole where there shouldn't be one (in the piston, not my ego... that's been full of holes for years).

So here I am, living the RV dream with what sounds like a mechanical maraca under the hood. Is engine replacement even worth considering, or should I start shopping for a really expensive lawn ornament? What are my options and what kind of financial damage am I looking at? I need to know if I should fix this beast or start planning its funeral.

Could you share more details about the specific vehicle (year/make/model and engine type) to help diagnose the extent of the damage? …more

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Engine Hard Several days 65 👍 0

E4OD Transmission Rebuild Guide: Motorhome vs Truck Torque Converter Differences

Planning my annual spring RV prep for the 1994 motorhome, that stubborn E4OD transmission keeps reminding me the rebuild I've been avoiding can't wait another season. I'm specifically wondering if the motorhome E4OD has a unique torque converter compared to truck models. When I get this transmission on the workbench, what should I know about finding the right torque converter? Are there any key differences I need to watch out for? I want to make sure I order the correct parts and do this rebuild correctly. …more

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Engine Hard 2-3 hours 64 👍 0

F53 Differential Pinion Seal Leak: Complete Repair Guide for RV Owners

During my morning walkaround I'm trying to decide between tackling this F53 differential pinion seal leak myself or paying a shop $800+ for these oil puddles. Just discovered my 2021 F53 chassis is marking its territory under the rear diff, and I'm trying to figure out my next steps.

Should this kind of pinion seal failure be covered under warranty on a relatively new chassis? And what are the critical things I need to know about the repair process - I've heard horror stories about techs messing up the pinion preload and creating bigger problems. Also, how worried should I be about driving it to get it fixed? The oil level situation has me a bit paranoid about doing any damage. …more

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