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brutherb's avatar
brutherb
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014

99 monaco diplomat w 200,000 miles

I am looking at this 99 monaco dipolomat 40ft, i am assuming it is one of the 38 models haven't seen it yet. It had a fire in the battery compartment, below the bedroom. It has a 5.9 cum mins with an allison tranny, I know the cummins are good engines but it has 200,000 miles on it, at what point do they need a rebuild, that is 320km, seems high to me and causes a concern a rebuild is easily 10k. I can can pick up the unit for around 10k

14 Replies

  • I'm not a mechanic, but I have always been told that the 5.9 Cummins was good for at least 300,000 miles if the oil was changed as it should be and other routine maintenance was followed. I have a '99 Dodge pickup with the same engine and it is still running strong at 278,000 miles. I purchased the truck new. At roughly 180,000 miles I had to replace the fuel injector pump which was about $1,800 and the fuel injectors were replaced with +40HP injectors for about another $800 but that has been the only major repairs. I've been very pleased.

    Cummins did have problem around that time with engine blocks from the "53" casting mold developing cracks due to being too thin in places. The cracks would cause coolant leaks down the side of the block. There is plenty info on the Internet about these engines and they are readily identified by the "53" embossed on the side of the block.

    Hope this helps.
    --------- Jim
  • Run as fast as you can!! A 1999 RV with 200,000 miles has been used hard. Most 1999 Class A RV's have less than half as many miles on them. The fire would kill it for me as well. The Cummins could go much more than 200,000 miles if well maintained, I'm not sure what the tranny can go over 200,000 miles. There are lots of Class a RV's out there, I'd keep looking. An engine rebuild with tranny rebuild can cost you many $$$$$.JMO
  • Really? 200K and damaged by a fire? Run, don't walk.
  • Get maintenance records or WALK.

    Proper maintenance and 200k is one thing. 200k and iffy maintenance-- no way.