So I have pulled the trigger on a Newmar Mountain Aire 2003 with the Chevy 8.1L Gas Engine. IT runs very smoothly at idle and driving seems to pull nicely through the corners. Just wondering from anyone who has owned one, caveats. I know the ones in the early 90s of the Chevy manufacturer had manifold problems but am told not so with the newer Chevy engines. I know now that GM does not put engines in RVs so is there a reason that they pulled out and am i buying a pig in a poke? Mountain Aire is a great product for sure but engine?

The engine was rated to last 200,000 miles. Depending on the front end design of the coach, some had heat problems that caused the burning of the rear spark plug wires. There was a cooling kit that is no longer available but you can buy Taylor Extreme plug wires and with the proper metal heat shields around the plugs, this is a non-issue. Also, depending on the front end design of the coach, it was possible to ingest water into the air intake. Cutting and turning the tuba air intake 180 degrees takes care of this problem. Other than these issues, just normal maintenance and the engine will serve you well and provide plenty of power.

Mine is a 2005. Only problem is about 2 years ago it went through 6 quarts of oil faster than I could pour it in, blown engine so I'm awaiting a replacement, Hoping to do that in about 2-3 months. I like the engine it performs well when paired with an Allison, Has only failed me twice. once when it blew and once on a road I had no business being on to begin with.. (Had to drop my 4,000 pound towed, then drive the MH over the hill then walk back pick up the towed and drive it over under its own power).Only time I ever failed to make it over the hill.

I have an 01 and have not had any real mechanical issues with the motor itself.Most of the issues people talk about are related to the chassis build-up.You may not have any of those issues yourself.There are specific forums for your manufacturer at www.irv2.com.Congratulations on your purchase.

I had a 2003 Winnebago Adventurer with this engine and it was a good rig and performed well. Drove it from Oregon to Kentucky twice and it did a good job in the mountains. Never had any problems

I have a 2003 Itasca Sunova with the 8.1 and pull a 4000 lb GMC Canyon pickup. We've had it out west in the Rockies several times and this year out east over the Appalachian Mtns to the Outer Banks with no problems with the power train. The hardest climbs were last year when the unit was 12 years old on I70 west of Denver at the Loveland Pass and the Vail Pass. Seemed like they took forever but we made it.

Thoughts on a Chevy 8.1L Gas Engine vintage 2003

drifterpilot
Explorer
Nov 06, 2016
I purchased this coach new. I have experienced no engine problems whatsover with the 8.1 Vortec.
I have driven it to Alaska, Mexico, and the lower Canadian Provinces and Nova Scotia. Been thru all of the lower 48 and crossed the Rocky Mountains a few times also.
No problems.
The 8.1 coupled with the Allison 1000 transmission makes for a great power train.
xctraveler
Explorer
Nov 06, 2016
I remember that recall. They sent a package with this small clip to be installed in place of the original. I stopped in at a dealer and the install took a few minutes. Not a big deal to get done, a very big deal if not done.
jspringator
Explorer
Nov 06, 2016
Wow.

When I bought mine I called Winnebago to make sure I had no outstanding recalls. Probably not a bad idea.
mikim
Explorer
Nov 06, 2016
We had a 2003 Holiday Rambler Class A on the Workhorse Chassis with the Chevy 8.1 liter engine. Had a for 11 days and an engine fire destroyed the rig. Insurance handled it well. The cause:

Recall Summary: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOME AND TRUCK CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL MOTORS 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.

This recall was issued in 2006 and can be found on the internet.
xctraveler
Explorer
Nov 06, 2016
Okay another former owner of the WorkHorse Chassis withe the 8.1l Vortec engine. LOVED IT! It was on a 2004 Southwind and we drove it 8 years and 110,000 miles. Over the Rockies (US AND Canadian) up to Alaska and more bad roads than I care to think about. At around 80,000 miles I blew an exhaust manifold donut, replaced both on the road on the California Coast. ISTR about $200. That was total repair cost on the engine. Maintenance was done faithfully at 3 months even if we hadn't run the mileage, seldom had. Switched to Synthetic after warranty period and also switched to Allison to Transend (sp) at first (only) tranny oil change. You might ask if this was done. Allison recommends it and extends the warranty and change cycle to 150k miles if it is done.

If you want a pdf of the chassis manual, pm me - big download.
hanko
Explorer
Nov 03, 2016
I don't agree that you have to make the V10 scream to get power out of it. The max torque comes at around 3500 rpm. I've never had to go over 4000 which might come with a downshift descending a grade with the tow haul on. Climbing a hill ILL stay around 3200 to 3500 RPM. never the 5 grand that some of you guys talk about. Hank, Im your next door neighbor. Were in Howell
Williebago
Explorer
Nov 03, 2016
We have a 2003 Dolphin on a W-22 with 8.1 and Allison with 94,000 that we ordered from factory and took possession in the fall of 2002. From Kansas it has made several trips to NM and Phoenix, 3 trips to West coast and a 10,000 mile round trip to Alaska up and back thru BC not the 4 lane in Alberta. Most of these trips have been towing a 1999 Grand Cherokee. We have had no issues with the engine/transmission. I have always used synthetic oil and had Allison change out the original transmission fluid with Transynd synthetic at my second engine oil change.
With all of this it still only uses about 1/2 qt. per 1000 miles. I am planning (hoping) it will go another 100,000 because we really like our coach and don't want to have to replace it.
I have been pretty religious about routine maintenance, and before we left for Alaska with an 11 year old coach I replaced all rubber components in the engine bay - plug wires, belts, and hoses, including any rubber fuel lines. I also run mid grade fuel whenever I am towing to prevent any pre-ignition knock. But when traveling without the toad I just run regular unleaded.
siggyd777
Explorer
Nov 02, 2016
Had a 99 Itasca MH with the 8.1L,she ran flawless ,could park the MH
for 6 months and the engine would turn over and start instantly.
Siggy
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Nov 02, 2016
RVER wrote:
I tried out some Ford V-10 s in newer units but HATED the noise, friends told me, "you will get used to it" NOT!! I did like the smooth quiet engine of the this GM. WE do want to go to Montana and Yellowstone etc so hope it works out. The rig is beautifully taken care of with real wood inside, carpeting is clean etc.

The V10 certainly does rev, but normally the noise you'll be hearing is as much of a function of the builder than the engine. It's pretty easy to insulate against the noise - some just do a better job than others.
jspringator
Explorer
Nov 02, 2016
I have a Winnebago Sightseer 27 with an 8.1. Love the engine. If I had bought a Suburban with the 8.1 instead of the Excursion with the V10, I would probably still have the Suburban and a travel trailer.