bjbear wrote:
Plumber101010 wrote:
Looking at a 2009 Monaco Dynasty 50k miles that has this system I’m very unfamiliar with. Opening one of the cargo doors there is a clear plastic tank and during my inspection it was not full which upset me as I told him I wanted everything full and operating when I arrived.............
Example: The 4 house batteries were these huge gray very tall 6 V. He said all the batteries were fine and havd just been changed this year. So I open the compartment and on top of these 4 gigantic batteries is a small 12 V car battery wired in!!!
But the story is not over as he said don’t worry about the engine batteries they are definitely brand new........
.....I still love this coach but you can tell it’s been worn......
But I’m hoping maybe somebody can verify as I don’t want to get down the road in two months later find out I need a new tank at my cost.........
I understand your enthusiasm for this coach. A Dynasty can be a pretty impressive coach. However, there are some real RED FLAGS with this.
You are concerned about a couple of screws in the expansion tank for the AquaHot system. First off, it should not be full. The fluid should be pink and should be at a line marked {COLD}. The AquaHot system is a great system, but it is relatively complex and prone to issues. It has several circulation pumps and check valves that are known to fail on occasion. It requires annual service to replace the nozzle and clean and adjust the burner and fuel system (including fuel filter changeout). The fact that someone put in a couple of screws to possibly fix some pinhole leaks raises some questions.
- What caused the leaks in the first place?
- Why was the tank just not replaced?
- If the tank was fixed in such a unprofessional manner, how would you know that the system has been maintained properly??
The heating/cooling system is complex and includes floor exchangers and air conditioners which are all connected to a central controller. These are know to fail and you need to make sure that the entire system works in both heating and cooling modes. Only way to do that is run the system and check temperatures.
The fact that they are hiding the bad batteries while a concern, points to some other serious questions.
- Sounds like the unit has been sitting in storage for some time
- What evidence do you have that all the maintenance has been done?
- Has engine oil and filter been changed regularily?
- Have fuel filters been changed?
- Any evidence of biological contamination in the fuel system/tank?
- Has the transmission fluid and filters been changed out as required?
- What about things like differential??Tag axle bearings?? Front bearings??
- As others have mentioned, tires are a real issue on an older coach. They need to be replaced if over 7 years old.
I could go on and on, but I think you probably get my point. Personally, I would not consider this coach without both a house system inspection and a chassis inspection including having oil and fluid samples taken.
Thanks very much for an in-depth response in an attempt to save me :) being a plumber that system sounds extremely complex and you are right, it should be checked out thoroughly and even if I do run it and it operates flawlessly, who’s to say the maintenance has not been done and it will fail a month later??
I guess my question is, isn’t that the same problem that could exist with every used motorhome you buy? Whether it be an individual or another dealer, sounds like those warning flags would still exist across the board and be waving in the wind for any and all purchases, correct?
Let’s just say I’m very unsure of exactly how this process would work. You can’t have the dealer check it out that’s a conflict of interest. And I’m not even sure that any other dealer in the area would give me an unbiased opinion as they could very well be friends with my dealer. Plus every dealer you go to is weeks behind in service so it’s not like I can just pick up the phone and they are going to instantly appear out there or you are going to have to bring it and they are not gonna drop what they are doing!
So that leaves..
You need to find an independent individual, but again how exactly does all that play out? And who is to say THEY are even qualified and don’t rubberstamp it just because it makes life easier on them I need a diesel mechanic and then a house mechanic.
I guess what I am saying in a very long winded manner is, that the process sounds just as complicated and involved and complex as the heating system itself!!!
Thinking about just going back to a good ole travel trailer... because unless I personally have this information and then the ability to check it out myself I think ANYTHING I buy is going to be a risk!
I feel like I am just as confused about how to go about getting this unit checked out as thoroughly as I am about what it is I’m supposed to be getting checked out.
