Wills250psd
walnutcove NC
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Joined: 08/13/2011
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Jim@HiTek wrote:On looking at it more closely, the valves (new head) are melted as is the new piston top. It had a new injector too. Anyone know what might have caused this kind of failure? One of the techs mumbled something about a fuel pump issue? I think he dont want to admit he made a mistake. I think if it was the fuel pump it would have showed up in more than the cylinder they worked on. Dont let them jerk you around it is their fault!!!
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driveby
Vancouver BC Canada
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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Jim
I think once this particular repair is sorted you really do need to take a hard look at your options. The existing coach will continue to have stuff fail. It's just at that age. So you can keep the devil you know and manage through each repair *or* you can take a big leap of faith and buy off on a new coach with newer stuff and features you want etc. However even if you buy brand new you'll still have some stuff to deal with. What would I do in your situation? I think I'd be looking really hard at PPL for coaches (used) that fit my budget and then start a chart with 3 columns for 3 kinds of coaches:
New coach purchased new | Existing Coach | Cream Puff Used coach
and then list all the pros and cons you can think of (most of which will be financial)
Then score them 1-10 and see what coach comes up "best". this of course is only a gut check type of process. It really doesn't prove anything except where your brain is at when you fill it out. We did that when we bought and it was actually surprising to see what ended up where.
oh and good luck with the new new engine! regardless of the possible trade/upgrade.
2008 Itasca Sunova 35J Class A
1997 TJ Sahara, hard and soft tops and AC
Held together via Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar and stopped by US Gear Unified Brake system.
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Jim@HiTek
Gresham, OR, USA
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The owner was at a loss over what could have caused the problem, he did ask me if I used the propane (NO). Looks like it's going to be covered by their warranty. I didn't ask if that covered my motel room and living expenses (don't have my kitchen and all my food available) but I will in a couple days, after the shock he's suffering over his costs wears off. They might have insurance for this sort of thing...I don't know yet.
My new plan is to head for Mesa and all the RV dealerships down there after it's fixed again. Maybe I can find something usable.
 Jim@HiTek
Have shop, will travel!
Visit my travel & RV repair blog site. Subscribe for emailed updates.
Fleetwood Bounder, '94
Cummins Diesel, 190HP, 36.5' with 50HP LP boost.
Black Rock Lava Park, Nevada
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peaches&cream
Northwest Georgia
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Joined: 06/18/2007
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Jim, looks like something is finally going your way. If the warrenty puts you back whole, then you will be in the same shape as before the second failure. I think you have the right idea. Look for a MH you really want and trade. You will be happier because of the upgrade (slides and etc.) and you will be better off financially. You have gotten your money's worth out of this MH, time to move on to bigger and better.
2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassdor, 36PRT, 330 Cummings
Toad 1995 Miata
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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That is best news I have heard today.
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Executive
California/Arizona/South Dakota
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My head doesn't hurt anymore.... .....Dennis
Dennis and Debi
Monaco Executive M-45PBQ Quad Slide
525HP Cummins ISM 6 Spd Allison
Chevy HHR W/ ReadyBrute
Fourth Year Full Timing Click here to view our travel blog
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moisheh
North America
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Jim: Only you know the condition of the rest of the unit. I would guess that the previous owner did little or no maintenance. If it were me I would cry in my beer and sell the unit. Those low HP 5.9's were not the best powerplant for a MH. It's one of those pay me now or pay me later moments. Your unit MIGHT be a bottomless money pit. Of course it is easy for me to give you advice as it is not my$$$. Ultimately you are the one who has to weigh the options. Sorry to hear about your difficulties.
Moisheh
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Gjac
Milford, CT
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Jim I think that all of us with older M/H's are in the same thinking process, it is just a matter of degree. I bought my M/H in 2004 when I retired, a 1996 GBM 454 tbi. I bought used to figure out if I really like rving and to learn what I really wanted in the next and final M/H. I had a lot of problems to work out and it has cost me almost $10,000 for repairs, mods, and maintenance in 8 years of ownership. I kept good records on everything down to nuts and bolts. I payed $28,000 originally. So in total it cost me $38,000. I still have issues that I am working on and I learned allot in 8 years. I have looked at newer M/H's but have not found anything that I really like yet so I keep fixing the old one. I don't know if I put too much money into it or not. I'm not sure what the average cost of ownership is. However a friend of mine has bought 3 new M/H's during this same time frame and has had many problems with each. Another way to look at it is that he lost much more in depreciation on just one M/H than I spent in total. I put 50,000 miles on mine and he has put less than 15,000 on the 3 of his in total. I'm sure you put allot more miles on yours so from a miles per dollar you probably have done all rite if you step back and look at the big picture. Hopes this helps in your decision.
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Jim@HiTek
Gresham, OR, USA
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Thanks, Gjac, it does. I've been thinking along those same lines.
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BobR
Aurora, Illinois
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Joined: 12/07/2001
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I'm glad they are standing behind their work. Along the lines of what Gjac is saying, you know your unit and it is a roll of the dice buying another used unit unless you know the owner and care it has received.
I have a 1991 gas unit I've owned from new. I know its history and care and would not hesitate taking a 6000 mile trip tomorrow. I can't say that about a used unit more than a few years old I don't know the history of.
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