Popular New Guides Product Guides Tools Checklists My Rig

Results for "vacuum leak"

783+ Q&A Updated Weekly Free
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
Norcold 1210 Not Cooling: No Error Codes Troubleshooting Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 133 👍

Norcold 1210 Not Cooling: No Error Codes Troubleshooting Guide

During my morning RV check I spotted my Norcold 1210 completely dead with zero cooling that was running perfectly yesterday with no error codes. Unit appears to be operating normally with no error codes displayed, but it's not cooling properly. Interior temperature is staying above 50 degrees. Thermistor has been tested and checks out fine. What else should I look at? …more
RV AC Freezing Up? Fix Ice on Coils in 5 Steps
Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 131 👍

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
Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 128 👍

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
RV Water Heater Not Hot Enough: Fix Lukewarm Water Issues
Appliances Medium 2-4 hours 112 👍

RV Water Heater Not Hot Enough: Fix Lukewarm Water Issues

Looked forward to our two-week cross-country trip starting tomorrow until I discovered my RV water heater that used to produce scalding hot water now barely gets lukewarm. Both the electric and gas functions appear to be working - I can hear the gas igniting and see the electric indicator light - but the water temperature just won't get hot enough for a decent shower.

I've been dealing with this for weeks now and it's driving me crazy. The water gets warm, but nowhere near the hot temperatures I used to get. Is this a common problem with RV water heaters? What are the most likely culprits when you're getting lukewarm water instead of hot? I really need to figure out what's causing this and how to fix it before my next camping trip. …more
RV Auto Hold Parking Brake: Complete Guide to Operation and Troubleshooting Basics
Propane Easy 15 min read 102 👍

RV Auto Hold Parking Brake: Complete Guide to Operation and Troubleshooting Basics

Woke up this morning and spotted my 1999 Damon Daybreak 3270's auto hold parking brake light blinking on the dash when it was perfectly fine yesterday. I'm still learning everything about motorhome systems and I'm confused about the auto hold parking brake feature.

The system doesn't seem to be working properly (barely holds at all), but honestly I'm not even sure I understand how it's supposed to operate in the first place. Is this something that engages automatically? Do I need to do something specific to activate it?

Could someone explain how these auto hold parking brake systems work on motorhomes, how to use them properly, and maybe some troubleshooting tips? I want to make sure I understand the basics before I start trying to fix anything. …more

Still stuck on this repair?

Get a personalized answer from a verified RV mechanic. Describe your issue and get step-by-step help.

Chat with an RV Mechanic
27708 RV owners helped · Avg response under 5 min
Onan Code 36 Fix: Complete Troubleshooting Guide for RV Owners
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 98 👍

Onan Code 36 Fix: Complete Troubleshooting Guide for RV Owners

Got my tools spread out and I'm determined to fix this Onan QP 3600 LP generator (Model 3.6KY-26120R) that's throwing code 36 myself — where's the best place to start? The unit starts immediately but shuts down right away. I have plenty of propane and the oil level is fine.

What specifically does code 36 indicate on Onan LP generators? What are the most common causes that would make this code appear? …more
Cummins ISL Code 1896: EGR Valve Controller Gaskets & Repair
Engine Medium 3-4 hours 97 👍

Cummins ISL Code 1896: EGR Valve Controller Gaskets & Repair

About to drop $2,800 on my Cummins ISL throwing code 1896 for EGR valve controller out of calibration and wondering if I can tackle this myself. Planning to pull and clean the EGR valve controller to see if that clears it up.

Do I need to order replacement gaskets before I start this job? Want to make sure I have everything on hand before I tear into it. …more
RV Hydroboost Brake System Leak: Repair Guide & Solutions
Chassis Hard 4-6 hours 93 👍

RV Hydroboost Brake System Leak: Repair Guide & Solutions

Around my neighborhood, opinions on hydroboost fluid seepage are all over the map—my neighbor calls it normal wear, the RV dealer screams safety hazard, and YouTube mechanics can't agree either. It's not a major leak - just some dampness and staining where it mounts. I'm remembering a previous forum discussion where a user named Subford had similar seepage years ago and wanted to follow up on their experience.

The seeping seems minor right now, but I'm worried it could suddenly get worse while we're on the road. I had attached a picture similar to one I saw in an older forum post. Should I stop driving immediately and get it fixed? Or is some seeping normal and okay to monitor?

My main questions: Is minor hydroboost seeping immediately dangerous? Did Subford ever end up replacing their hydroboost? What does the replacement job involve? I want to be safe but also don't want to panic if this isn't urgent. …more
RV Whirlpool Refrigerator Cycling Every 30 Minutes: Is It Normal? [202
Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 92 👍

RV Whirlpool Refrigerator Cycling Every 30 Minutes: Is It Normal? [202

Looked everywhere for answers on my Whirlpool residential refrigerator cycling every 30 minutes—my neighbor says it's normal, RV dealer says it's broken, YouTube says something else entirely. The ambient temperature here is around 65°F, and I have both the fridge and freezer set to the 3rd snowflake setting.

I haven't timed it exactly with a stopwatch, but I keep noticing it kicking on again after what feels like a short time. I'm concerned this frequent cycling might be a sign of a problem or could lead to premature failure. I try to keep the vents clean when I can access them. Should I be worried about this 30-minute cycle pattern, or is this within normal range for an RV refrigerator in these conditions? …more
Norcold N842IM 'No CO' Error Fix - Complete Propane Troubleshooting Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 45 minutes 91 👍

Norcold N842IM 'No CO' Error Fix - Complete Propane Troubleshooting Guide

Apparently everyone has a different theory about my Norcold N842IM's 'No CO' error—my neighbor swears the propane tank's empty, the RV dealer blames the thermocouple, and YouTube insists it's just dirty burners. The fridge works absolutely perfectly when we're plugged into shore power and running on AC - no problems whatsoever with cooling performance or any error codes.

The real problem starts when we disconnect from shore power and head out on the road. The refrigerator switches over to propane mode without any issues initially, and everything seems to be working normally for the first several hours. However, after approximately 8-9 hours of running on propane, I consistently get an alarm and a 'no CO' error code displayed. I've been turning the refrigerator off for about an hour (though I'm not sure if that's the right amount of time), and when I restart it, it runs fine for another 8-9 hour cycle before the same error occurs again.

I'm wondering what could be causing this specific 'no CO' error to appear after this consistent timeframe when running on propane. Is this related to combustion problems, ventilation issues, or something with the propane system components? I'd really appreciate some guidance on what I should be checking and how to properly troubleshoot this recurring problem. …more
Norcold RV Refrigerator Fire Hazard: Complete Prevention Guide & Safety Tips
Ac Refrigeration Medium 1 hour inspection 90 👍

Norcold RV Refrigerator Fire Hazard: Complete Prevention Guide & Safety Tips

Standing in my flooded RV after last week's torrential downpour, I'm realizing my Norcold double door refrigerator might be one electrical surge away from turning this whole rig into a bonfire. I've discovered a concerning burn mark that suggests serious heat distribution issues, particularly around the chimney and heat diverter placement.

I'm trying to figure out if this is one of those real risks from the previous class action lawsuit or just an RV urban legend. After the factory modifications following the lawsuit, which installed a thermal overheat switch, I'm still worried about the fundamental design - specifically how the heat diverter seems to direct heat toward the cabinet wall.

What exactly causes these fire risks, and more importantly, what can I actually DO about it? The fix seems to involve removing the fridge and installing heat protection on the cabinet wall. I've heard whispers about recalls and some prevention methods, but I want concrete steps to ensure my RV doesn't become a potential fire hazard.

Any guidance on real prevention steps would be amazing - I'd rather not explain to my insurance company why my vacation home spontaneously combusted! …more
How to Diagnose RV Hard Starting Problems: Fuel System Troubleshooting Guide
Engine Medium 1 hour 90 👍

How to Diagnose RV Hard Starting Problems: Fuel System Troubleshooting Guide

RV cranks for 10-15 seconds before finally firing up, and it's getting worse each week. Used to start on the first crank every time. Fuel pressure seems low at the rail but I'm not sure if it's the pump, filter, injectors, or something else entirely in the fuel system. …more

Need a second opinion?

Not sure if this applies to your rig? An RV technician can confirm the fix for your specific make and model.

Ask an RV Expert
27708 RV owners helped · Avg response under 5 min
Ford F53 Chassis Misfire Problems: Early Spark Plug & Coil Failure Solutions
Engine Medium 3-4 hours 88 👍

Ford F53 Chassis Misfire Problems: Early Spark Plug & Coil Failure Solutions

Walked out to my 2021 Class A motorhome this morning facing the third Ford F53 chassis misfire this year and I'm done throwing parts at it blindly. We've got less than 20,000 miles on the odometer, but recently experienced rough running and got a check engine light. When I took it to a Ford dealer that services Class A rigs, they diagnosed misfires in two cylinders and recommended servicing the entire fuel system. I ended up having them replace all eight spark plugs, plug wires, and ignition coils since we were already dealing with failures.

The coach now runs better than it ever has since new, which makes me think the original components may have been subpar from the factory. What's really bothering me is that we shouldn't need major ignition system work this early in the vehicle's life. I'm curious if other owners of 2021 or newer F53 chassis motorhomes have experienced similar premature failures with their spark plugs, ignition coils, and plug wires? Is this pointing to some kind of quality control issue with Ford's ignition components on these newer chassis, and should I expect better reliability from aftermarket replacements going forward? …more
F53 Hydroboost Brake System Problems: Complete Repair & Troubleshooting Guide
Chassis Medium 2-4 hours 87 👍

F53 Hydroboost Brake System Problems: Complete Repair & Troubleshooting Guide

Between the small hydraulic leak that started on my 1995 F53 hydroboost brake system last month and what's happening now, I'm wondering how much worse this nightmare can get. Right now it's just a slow drip - maybe one drop per minute - and I can feel the power steering is slightly stiffer than normal, plus the brake pedal requires a bit more effort than usual.

What I really need to understand is the theory behind how hydroboost systems operate, since this is different from the vacuum brake boosters I'm used to. More importantly, if this leak gets progressively worse and I don't address it immediately, what's my worst-case scenario? Will I completely lose power steering and power braking assistance, or would I still have manual control of both systems? I'm trying to figure out whether this is something I need to drop everything and fix right now, or if I have some time to plan the repair properly. …more
Robert, RV Mechanic
Ask an RV Mechanic Avg reply < 5 min

My Rig Settings

Hi, I'm Hank!
Need help setting up? I can walk you through it
Rig Info
Give it a name you'll recognize
Power & Electrical
Climate Control
Water System
Refrigerator Type
Leveling System
Convenience & Features
Sync across devices