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

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Nov 01, 2016
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.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Nov 01, 2016
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.

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