We (husband and I) have had Class C and Class A motorhomes before but are currently RV-less. We are looking at a 1994 Damon Intruder that is in remarkably good condition for its age and would suit us very nicely. Neither of us is particularly knowledgable mechanically so we asked our son, who helps his friends rebuild engines for fun (!), to check it out. He took it for a test drive and it died once in a short test drive. We know the engine battery will need replacing ASAP but are concerned about getting into major engine problems. Those of you who are mechanically knowledgable, would the dying more likely be related to the known battery problem, or would you suspect something major?

mama.sylvia wrote:We (husband and I) have had Class C and Class A motorhomes before but are currently RV-less. We are looking at a 1994 Damon Intruder that is in remarkably good condition for its age and would suit us very nicely. Neither of us is particularly knowledgable mechanically so we asked our son, who helps his friends rebuild engines for fun (!), to check it out. He took it for a test drive and it died once in a short test drive. We know the engine battery will need replacing ASAP but are concerned about getting into major engine problems. Those of you who are mechanically knowledgable, would the dying more likely be related to the known battery problem, or would you suspect something major?all due respect to your son, have a qualified mechanic examine the engine and drivetrain. i'd also have a qualified rv tech take a look at the coach. a 22-yr old motorhome is a potential disaster looking for a place to happen. proceed cautiously.

Unfortunately, there is no one local who is both competent and trustworthy.

With the information given a determination is impossible.Exactly what was going on when the engine died.Stopped a red light?Accelerating lightly or heavily?Just driving at cruising speed and engine died unexpectedly?Braking hard?

mama.sylvia wrote:Unfortunately, there is no one local who is both competent and trustworthy.then i would take a pass and keep looking.

My son was driving approximately 30 mph and slowed down for a road change from tarmac to dirt. He didn't mention braking but he probably was, doubt it was particularly hard. It restarted without problems.

Is the engine dying a serious issue in a '94 Damon Intruder?

MountainAir05
Explorer II
Jul 25, 2016
1. Brake booster loosing vacuum if a vacuum system. New brake booster.

2. OD , did not disengage and stall engine. Transmission rebuild.
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Jul 25, 2016
The odds are about 9 out of 10 that it is a relatively simple problem such as old fuel, needs a tune up, bad plug wire(s), fuel pump, vacuum leak etc. The concerns are the other 1 out of 10, can you afford a major repair? And if there is no one competent to figure out what is wrong, how are you going to find someone competent to fix what is wrong even if it is a simple fix?
mama_sylvia
Explorer
Jul 25, 2016
My son was driving approximately 30 mph and slowed down for a road change from tarmac to dirt. He didn't mention braking but he probably was, doubt it was particularly hard. It restarted without problems.
rk911
Explorer
Jul 25, 2016
mama.sylvia wrote:
Unfortunately, there is no one local who is both competent and trustworthy.

then i would take a pass and keep looking.
darsben1
Explorer
Jul 25, 2016
With the information given a determination is impossible.
Exactly what was going on when the engine died.
Stopped a red light?
Accelerating lightly or heavily?
Just driving at cruising speed and engine died unexpectedly?
Braking hard?
mama_sylvia
Explorer
Jul 25, 2016
Unfortunately, there is no one local who is both competent and trustworthy.
rk911
Explorer
Jul 25, 2016
mama.sylvia wrote:
We (husband and I) have had Class C and Class A motorhomes before but are currently RV-less. We are looking at a 1994 Damon Intruder that is in remarkably good condition for its age and would suit us very nicely. Neither of us is particularly knowledgable mechanically so we asked our son, who helps his friends rebuild engines for fun (!), to check it out. He took it for a test drive and it died once in a short test drive. We know the engine battery will need replacing ASAP but are concerned about getting into major engine problems. Those of you who are mechanically knowledgable, would the dying more likely be related to the known battery problem, or would you suspect something major?

all due respect to your son, have a qualified mechanic examine the engine and drivetrain. i'd also have a qualified rv tech take a look at the coach. a 22-yr old motorhome is a potential disaster looking for a place to happen. proceed cautiously.

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Is the engine dying a serious issue in a '94 Damon Intruder?

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