Looking for some opinions on what to do with my broken down Winnebago Sightseer. I live in Maine and was heading out west through Vermont when the RV lost all it's coolant, the motor overheated, and experienced internal engine damage.I had it towed to a place where they can fix it, but they want to replace the engine (GM 8100) at a cost of $21,000 (includes pats and labor). I bought the RV used and have less than that in it. This was my first trip with the recently purchased RV. First the garage tested the engine to see if it would turn over. It did. They also drained the oil out and found no signs of metal or water. The garage then found the coolant leak and repaired it. It was the lines that go back to the water heater (rusted out). Once they repaired the leaks they repressured the system and took it out for a test drive. The engine wouldn't even get to half throttle. The garage then determined internal damage had occured. The RV is now at the shop 450 miles from home. What are some opinions on what I should do. Put the engine in and pay the bill, tow it home and get it rebuilt, junk it, trade it in towards another RV, or something else? The RV is not in overall great shape, but good.Any thoughts and opinions are welcome. Thanks.

wow, tough spot. first, no hasty decisions. nothing good ever comes from being in a hurry. $21K is a lot of cash so I think a 2nd opinion is in order, preferably from a qualified shop in that same town. locate one and have the RV towed there. you don't say how old this MH is but if the news is the same, more or less, you have to then do the math. are you making payments or do you own it outright? do you want to be $21K in debt or can you pay cash for the repairs? is that all that's wrong or is another Murphy episode waiting in the wings? give it some thought and go from there. good luck.

Get a second opinion on that "internal damage". An badly overheated engine might burn some oil, but won't get to half throttle?? That's strange.

Go tohttp://rvchassisparts.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/md/M120724/s1.plBuy the whole engine have someone drop it in the MH.PS get the job done somewhere else.Find a good independent truck repair shop.

2003 Winnebago Sightseer. I've made four payments on it so far. I hate the thought of paying for something that I can't use.

x2 I think they have a big fish on there line ,move your rv to another shop.

Breakdown Options | Good Sam Community

rk911
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016
wow, tough spot. first, no hasty decisions. nothing good ever comes from being in a hurry. $21K is a lot of cash so I think a 2nd opinion is in order, preferably from a qualified shop in that same town. locate one and have the RV towed there. you don't say how old this MH is but if the news is the same, more or less, you have to then do the math. are you making payments or do you own it outright? do you want to be $21K in debt or can you pay cash for the repairs? is that all that's wrong or is another Murphy episode waiting in the wings?

give it some thought and go from there. good luck.
Jagtech
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016
Get a second opinion on that "internal damage". An badly overheated engine might burn some oil, but won't get to half throttle?? That's strange.
darsben1
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016
Go to
http://rvchassisparts.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/md/M120724/s1.pl
Buy the whole engine have someone drop it in the MH.
PS get the job done somewhere else.
Find a good independent truck repair shop.
bleavitt
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016
2003 Winnebago Sightseer. I've made four payments on it so far. I hate the thought of paying for something that I can't use.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jul 19, 2016
x2 I think they have a big fish on there line ,move your rv to another shop.
mike_brez
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016
I personally would not dump 21k into it. I think I would cut my losses and start over.
A second opinion would be nice. Getting it home 450 miles away would cost a few $$
lakebum
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016
Your luck sounds like mine. I believe I would tow it home and find a shop or sell it. There are mechanics that can fix it for cost and be ok. They get a good deal and you recoup some or all of your investment.

You have to decide if what you have in it and what you would have to pay to fix it will the unit still be worth what you have invested.
K_Charles
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016
Over heating might make it burn oil, score the cylinders, that kind of thing but only run 1/2 speed? Do you know a place near home, have it taken there.
Tyler0215
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016
I would get a second opinion in the town you are in now. Have it towed to another shop.
If it starts and runs you might have a sensor that has melted or a melted wire or connection.

If you have it towed 450 miles it is probably going to cost $1000. just for the tow bill.
sailor_lou
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016
Sorry to read about your issues, but something doesn't add up here and I agree that you need another mechanic. Ask them what do they mean specifically by "internal damage" and have them explain how that results in not getting to "half throttle" (another strange use of terms). Did they run a compression or leakdown check on each cylinder to make that determination? Do you have a check engine light and if so, what codes are locked in? Can you at least drive it to another shop?

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

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