Diesel engine failure?

I personally have only heard of one diesel engine failure and it was caused by letting the RPM's get well above maximum due to coasting down a hill with a low gear manually selected. Like any engine a diesel can fail when not driven/maintained properly.

With the many thousands of diesels in MH operation it's tough to get to excited hearing about one or two failures.

I forgot to mention those famous #53 blocks on the 5.9 Cummins manufactured between 1998 and 2002. A lot of them shucked way before their time.

Before we bought our coach I researched the forums for issues and that's enough to scare you out of purchasing a diesel engine coach unless you think about the number of failures compared to the number of engines on the road.

I think motor homes lead a much harder life than trucks simply because most people who buy a motor home don't have any idea about how to maintain one. If you are dependent on a truck for your lively hood, you'll tend to take care of it.

I had both diesel and have not had any major engine problems with either. Either engine can fail without the proper maintenance and operation by the owner.
Right now I have a gas coach because it is the right coach for me now. Next year maybe a diesel suits my purpose better, as they have in the past. Or, it may be another gasser, depending on what I need. We spend a lot more time LIVING in our coach than driving it so to us the floor plan is still more important that the engine. We have never towed more than 5000 pounds so having a larger towing capacity is not a plus. We have also driven through most of the high mountain passes out West with both the gassers and the diesel engine rigs and we made it to the top and back down with both of them. You have had three V-10's so what was the mileage when you got rid of them? Paying a premium for a coach that can go hundreds of thousands of miles doesn't make much sense if you trade them out below 100,000 miles. Your V-10's each should be able to log 250,000 miles with normal maintenance and sensible driving practices.

mtofell1 wrote:
I'm curious what site and what search parameters you're finding all the rebuilds. I've been casually looking for DPs new and used for the last several months and can't recall finding a single one with a rebuilt engine on a for sale unit. From my research and reading the Cummins of all sizes are extremely reliable.

You might check out irv2.com where there is a specific forum dedicated to Cummins engines. There was one guy who posted recently that had a failure and had to pay 30K for a full rebuild. So, you are correct that if things go south it can be expensive. But, from what I've heard/read that is EXTREMELY rare.

Of course, the V10 is super reliable and less expensive to work on when it breaks. The new 6spd in the F53 chassis is getting great reviews. I'm honestly on the fence about which way to go. Lots of pros/cons of each.

I'd agree with this. Years ago I saw the same thing, every single one was one of the old GM diesels. In todays world I haven't seen one, however I don't spend much time looking either.

On the V10 vs diesel debate, as was mentioned, there is so much more than just the engine, although the engine is a big selling point all by itself. We've owned (3) gassers and (2) diesels - I cannot think of one reason to consider going back to a gasser. I enjoy the diesel so much more I've even gone to diesels for my pick-up truck.

Crazy Ray wrote:
GET V10

There is a lot more to deciding to get a DP (OR NOT) than just the engine. Granted if it only has the little Cummins 5.9 engine (older ones had dowel pin problems) and as a previous thread said: "the insides look like a travel trailer" there is not enough difference to go diesel.

In the past a V10 could handle a max of 36' of MH (yes I know there were a few longer). Today you are seeing it in 38' units, but longer/heavier than that you need a 7.2L DIESEL engine or BIGGER (Yes, I know there are some with Cummins 6.7... a good little PU engine).

Normally in a 38' or bigger DP you are getting more than just a quieter ride (without adding Dynamat), air brakes, and air ride suspension... you should be getting a much better built rig with solid wood cabinets, tile, Corian, four slides............ and good handling without adding track bars, steering stabilizers, upgraded shocks, bigger sway bars......... and you get a 10K hitch.

The price of an oil change on a DP will get enough Dynamat products to make your V10 a whole lot quieter. Having worked with diesel engines much of my career, I know well the potential cost of repairing them. The Dynamat addition has made my V10 quite acceptable.


http://www.dynamat.com/

Have a google for a gas pusher class A

I'm curious what site and what search parameters you're finding all the rebuilds. I've been casually looking for DPs new and used for the last several months and can't recall finding a single one with a rebuilt engine on a for sale unit. From my research and reading the Cummins of all sizes are extremely reliable.

You might check out irv2.com where there is a specific forum dedicated to Cummins engines. There was one guy who posted recently that had a failure and had to pay 30K for a full rebuild. So, you are correct that if things go south it can be expensive. But, from what I've heard/read that is EXTREMELY rare.

Of course, the V10 is super reliable and less expensive to work on when it breaks. The new 6spd in the F53 chassis is getting great reviews. I'm honestly on the fence about which way to go. Lots of pros/cons of each.