I have no idea what to do...We purchased just over a year ago a diesel pusher with only 32k miles, I thought what could go wrong wth a low miles engine that typically go over 1 million miles....Soon after we made our purchase the hydraulic motor that runs our levelers and slides caught on fire and burned up. $4000 and 3 months in the shop we finally get our RV back.Now we have used our motorhome for the 1st time this year and all hell breaks loose.hi temp light comes on, goes off, comes on, goes off, etc. Then the DPF warning light comes on and then off, only when coming to a stop.We have excessive black smoke from the exhaust, so I put some Diesel Kleen in the tank and leave for the 75 mile trip, which turned out uneventful, other then black exhaust smoke. Spend 4 days volunteering at an event and then pack up to come home, about 10 miles into our trip home, the hi temp light comes on and audible alarm so I just happened to be passing a Cummins shop that is open until mid-night and I turn around and drop it off for service, my wife was following me so I had a ride home.The next day I get a call that I needed to replace the #3 injector and the DPF at a cost of $3800, I about fell out on the floor, but had no choice but to give the go ahead to repair.Then today I get a call and they tell me that I need to also replace the DOC and Turbo along with the clutch fan.Seems the injector caused damage to the DOC, DPF and Turbo. A separate issue, the clutch fan needed replacing for the hi temp issue.I ask how much is all of this going to cost? And I hear him say, he is giving me fleet pricing on the parts and discounted labor rate, and everything parts and labor would run $11,000I cannot even function today, don't have $11,000 or the means to come up with $11,000 and still owe $70,000 on the motorhome after paying $25,000 down payment.Anyone else been in a situation like this?

Sorry you've had so much trouble. That's certainly more than average. I have over 80,000 miles and none of those kind of problems.

Get a second opinion. Take it to a local to you repair facility-preferable one with good reviews on yelp or other list. I had a Chevy dealer in Santa Fe try to stick me for $10,000 for injectors. That was 3 years and 50,000 miles ago and the injectors are still near perfect. The truck only needed priming after air got into the filter housing. Something I fixed myself after some on-line research.

X2 on the second opinion. Get it towed somewhere else.What year MH? How many miles on the MH? Warranty?Whats DOC and a DPF?Injectors and clutch fan and turbo should last a 200K at least.

I gueas the old adage "you gotta pay to play", goes without saying. DPs are by far the number one highest cost form of RV to buy,own,and maintain. They are expensive to own, if you dont have the money, I suggest you get it fixed and get rid of it in favor of something you can aford to own.

We had a different event when we bought our used DP. Ours had 41K and 6 weeks later had to replace the engine, turbo, head, and injectors, to thetine of 20K. No maintenance on the air filter which had a hole in it you could stick your fist through.But on your problem with the fire and heat could there not be some damage to wiring running from the rear of the RV to the Front?? If the RV showed no signs of this type of trouble? We had a bad surge protector that caused a fire and some weird things happened with the wiring afterwards.

Diesel Pusher Blues | Good Sam Community

85 Replies

Kidoo
Explorer
May 11, 2017
Snomas wrote:
Our DP exhaust muffler started leaking @ about 85K mi and Rocky Mountain cummins in Denver started to fix it and the following took place: Had to replace the engine head because couldn't get the bolt out and it did not pressure test to specs, replaced high pressure fuel pump and all fuel lines, replaced turbo charger, replaced exhaust muffler, cost 12,700 when all said and done. The other major repairs over the years were replaced radiator. hydraulic motor and fan, repaired radiator after rock put a hole in it, replaced all heater hoses including front to back, replaced A/C compressor, dryer, replaced front elect. distribution panel board.
I can't tell you all the $$$$$ spent to keep this thing running. We now have 105K mi and hope it keeps running for our summer trips this year. We still love the Dutch Star & Can't bring ourselves to selling it because we love RVing vs Moteling.

Those engine are not all that good, certainly not for 500,000 miles without major issues, we see a lot of repair before 100,000 miles.

Also, in USA the repair bills are much much higher than in Canada, I give you an example. I friend got a quote to replace complete brake assy front and rear, $6000 US, he got it done here for $2500. Especially with your high dollar value, I would consider the option to cross the border for repair. I had one wheel seal replaced in TExas, $600 Cnd doolars, here, $523 for both side,as the job they did in Texas did not hold.
Rodz
Explorer
May 11, 2017
bobkatmsu wrote:
vegasfoodguy wrote:
super38 wrote:
I love my GAS rig more than ever now!

who cares!
Why are some of the DP owners on here so defensive when it comes to their rigs. Not all or even the majority, Mr. Mark for example is very helpful to ALL Class A owners. But there are some that really get their hackles up if a gas owner suggests that in one little area there may be an advantage of a gasser over DP. Relax, we are not saying we are smarter than you for buying a gasser. My guess is most gas owners have seriously considered buying a DP at one time or another. In my particular case, you can afford something that I probably can't, and that's fine. I love seeing those big 45' rigs with the enclosed matching trailers. Those things are just awesome. That being said, gas is what works for me. If I had an $11,000 repair bill more than a couple times, I would be out of RVing. I know there can be big expenses with a gas unit as well, I just think the odds are a little bit better for me, a person with limited reserves, with a gasser. I just get the feeling that some would prefer this forum to be split into Class A diesel and Class A gas.

Ezackely. I've owned both over the last 40 plus yrs. A DP can make you regret buying one when repairs are needed. I've spent over 10k in maintenance on mine in the last 8 months. The emission equipped DP's are costly to repair. The place that works on mine is seeing many Cummins motor homes and commercial trucks with 40k miles needing expensive turbo, VGT controller and EGR replacement just like mine needed. Keep your check book close by. You'll need it.
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
May 11, 2017
I'll ask...why on earth were they touching the head if the muffler was bad???

Just guessing but that sounds more like a manifold/turbo issue, Yes?

Either way, it sounds like a lot of extra work may have been done. Did it need to be done or was the shop a little slow at the time? Maybe a little of both.
Snomas
Explorer
May 11, 2017
Our DP exhaust muffler started leaking @ about 85K mi and Rocky Mountain cummins in Denver started to fix it and the following took place: Had to replace the engine head because couldn't get the bolt out and it did not pressure test to specs, replaced high pressure fuel pump and all fuel lines, replaced turbo charger, replaced exhaust muffler, cost 12,700 when all said and done. The other major repairs over the years were replaced radiator. hydraulic motor and fan, repaired radiator after rock put a hole in it, replaced all heater hoses including front to back, replaced A/C compressor, dryer, replaced front elect. distribution panel board.
I can't tell you all the $$$$$ spent to keep this thing running. We now have 105K mi and hope it keeps running for our summer trips this year. We still love the Dutch Star & Can't bring ourselves to selling it because we love RVing vs Moteling.
xctraveler
Explorer
May 10, 2017
Boy has this thread drifted. Broken down is broken down. I've seen enough suggestions for 2nd opinion to think we have provided what OP asked. D v G is always worth 10 pages :) As noted we have had both, loved both, current Diesel is fine previous gas was too. Floor plan is most important.
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
May 10, 2017
Gas, diesel, TT, tent, or a blue tarp thrown over a rope tied between 2 trees, as long as you have a good attitude you're welcome around or campfire.

On the gas vs diesel thing, I have 2 trucks, one gas, one diesel. To some degree they are 2 different animals designed to do 2 different things - I wouldn't want to be without either one.

If I had to choose which one I liked better it would depend on the task at hand. Both are just great at their designed purpose, and like the MH debate, there is no wrong answer. Buy what works best for you and your budget and enjoy yourself.
Tinstar
Explorer
May 10, 2017
bobkatmsu wrote:
vegasfoodguy wrote:
super38 wrote:
I love my GAS rig more than ever now!

who cares!
Why are some of the DP owners on here so defensive when it comes to their rigs. Not all or even the majority, Mr. Mark for example is very helpful to ALL Class A owners. But there are some that really get their hackles up if a gas owner suggests that in one little area there may be an advantage of a gasser over DP. Relax, we are not saying we are smarter than you for buying a gasser. My guess is most gas owners have seriously considered buying a DP at one time or another. In my particular case, you can afford something that I probably can't, and that's fine. I love seeing those big 45' rigs with the enclosed matching trailers. Those things are just awesome. That being said, gas is what works for me. If I had an $11,000 repair bill more than a couple times, I would be out of RVing. I know there can be big expenses with a gas unit as well, I just think the odds are a little bit better for me, a person with limited reserves, with a gasser. I just get the feeling that some would prefer this forum to be split into Class A diesel and Class A gas.

Well said. In the end, we're all in the same boat. I like a DP and I like a gasser.
bobkatmsu
Explorer
May 10, 2017
Mile High wrote:
I guess it's like when you have the hood open on your Dodge with all your neighbor buds trying to figure out what's wrong, and then the jerk across the street comes over and all he can contribute is how glad he is that he bought a Toyota! :) No value added to the conversation, rather just animosity and no invite to the next BBQ.
Good analogy, I like it. If I promise to be good can I come to your next BBQ. ;)
Mile_High
Explorer
May 10, 2017
I guess it's like when you have the hood open on your Dodge with all your neighbor buds trying to figure out what's wrong, and then the jerk across the street comes over and all he can contribute is how glad he is that he bought a Toyota! :) No value added to the conversation, rather just animosity and no invite to the next BBQ.
bobkatmsu
Explorer
May 10, 2017
vegasfoodguy wrote:
super38 wrote:
I love my GAS rig more than ever now!

who cares!
Why are some of the DP owners on here so defensive when it comes to their rigs. Not all or even the majority, Mr. Mark for example is very helpful to ALL Class A owners. But there are some that really get their hackles up if a gas owner suggests that in one little area there may be an advantage of a gasser over DP. Relax, we are not saying we are smarter than you for buying a gasser. My guess is most gas owners have seriously considered buying a DP at one time or another. In my particular case, you can afford something that I probably can't, and that's fine. I love seeing those big 45' rigs with the enclosed matching trailers. Those things are just awesome. That being said, gas is what works for me. If I had an $11,000 repair bill more than a couple times, I would be out of RVing. I know there can be big expenses with a gas unit as well, I just think the odds are a little bit better for me, a person with limited reserves, with a gasser. I just get the feeling that some would prefer this forum to be split into Class A diesel and Class A gas.