quote:

Originally posted by mfire1339:
Monaco says start by removing windshield!

Hold The Presses! The engine comes out of the bottom of the motorhome. They have to remove the front axle. Piece of cake actually! I've seen it with my own eyes. If they continue to suggest removing the windshield - get a second opinion from Workhorse Technical Support.

mfire1339, do you have any other info as to what conditions may have led to the engines' demise? What year is it? Did piston hit the plug?
Bob (WA0MQE) , Out here in Colorado, 'you got to rev that sucka. I try not to, but mines bounced off the rev limiter (5000 RPM0, quite a few times.
I agree with you tho. We can get a Powerstroke or a Duramax for a few K upgrade in a pickup but for what ever reason we can't get those engines in a Cl A. I don't know if that's the chassis builders fault or if Ford and Chevy are just stingy with those engines and won't sell them to MH builders.
Most Diesel pickups blow by me on mountain passes, pulling big campers and boats.
But I don't think I've ever been passed by a gasser MH

the coach is an 2004 monarch.

my engine has not been over 4500 rpm. I get out of the throttle and slow down.

Lets see #7 cylinder no compression and banged up spark plug. I would say one of the valves let loose. Probably needs new head and piston.
After i purchased my used Winne with 454 did a compression check and found cylinders 6 &8 with no compression, ended up being blown head gasket. Did the work myself, cost just over $200 for a company to do a valve job and gaskets required. She purrs like a kitten now.

mfire1339, Very sorry to hear about your engine going bad. Diver is right, that it comes out the bottom. We had a engine go bad in our last coach a 06 Monarch with a Ford. It took Sanderson Ford in Glendale, AZ. eight hours to make the change. At let's say $1000. labor you would be able to buy a crate motor from GM for far less than $10000., I think you should call around to another Dealer and check prices. A tow to somewhere else can't cost that much. Just my two cents. I hope it works out for you.

mfire,

Is your engine stock or have you had mods done to it??

Bob,

As others have said, you have a huge and unusual problem. My '02 Itasca hasn't been below 3000' for 2+ months and a couple thousand miles. In fact, I would guess 50+% of my miles have been above 3000'. I have no problem running 65 altho my normal speed is 60. Plenty of power and currently averaging 7.3+ MPG over 50,000 miles.

Thanks Steve (Brazels) I will check the wires, I changed the fuel filter last year, got it from you guys (via UPS), I haven't checked fuel pressure as yet. I'm traveling right now, were in Salt Lake City. Maybe I'll get a set of wires see if that makes any difference. The engine sounds fine, I don't get any misfires that I've noticed.

[QUOTE]Hamguy... My '02 Itasca hasn't been below 3000'.QUOTE]

Hamguy, what is your loaded weight with your toad? I'm just under the 26,000 max GCVW at 25,195 lbs. This weight includes no more then a 1/4 tank of fresh water and traveling w/empty holding tanks.

I've checked and made sure I don't have anything wrong with respect to brakes dragging, proper tire pressure, etc. This coach is a triple slide, and in my words very heavy. It seems to do okay, even in the higher elevations if it's level, and of course no strong headwind or sidewinds. Either will slow me to a crawl. I do get between 6.5 and 7 mpg, except when bucking a headwind, then it drops to 4.5 to 5 mpg. I was going up a steep hill just east of Salt Lake City on I-80 and the rig slowed to 34 mph and I had nothing left, no more gears and engine screaming at 4500 rpm.

So I'm hoping you guys are right and that I do have something wrong. Even though I've never experienced anything definite that would indicate a problem other then the power.

Bob, everything in your post about your engine sounds just like the engine that I have. I see nothing wrong here. I have the wires, UP and re-gapped plugs and the engine does struggle in these high altitudes....Same mileage before and after the UP also....actually my mileage has gone down recently to 6.4 - 6.5 mpg on our last 1,800 mile trip.

I'm right up against the GCWR as you are....

Last year, I reported my performance to Brazels and the only thing they offered was to check the fuel pressure. If you know how to do this, I would appreciate finding out.