Workhorse 8.1 engine problem/history

We have 97,000 miles on our 2002 chassis and have had the check engine light come on before and it indicated knock sensor. I usually fill with standard 87 octane, but if I am going to be towing, then I fill with mid-grade 89 Octane fuels. I am trusting their marketing literature that the 8.1 and Allison are a 200,000 mile power train.

I does sound like a timing or a lean fuel problem.

Mark

I recall a few years back a post by the rep from Redlands RV.. Redlands is one of the Ultra Power upgrade dealers.

They had, as I recall, half a dozen 8.1's come in with the kind of damage you cit, all of "Warranty age">> Half of them had the Ultra Power Upgrade, half were "STOCK" Workhorse warranted the half that were Stock. but blamed UP for the other half.. (Redlands took care of 'em)

I had a different issue with my 8.1.. Due to an external issue (not an engine fault) IT went BOOM, turned into a "V-6" and sized (Mechanic said there was no evidence of the last two pistons.. I thought there was but he says there was not. Oh well, don't matter) The new engine ..... Purrs like kitten. (And roars like lion going up hills... Just like the old one before the disaster).

Whatever the problem was it didn't get fixed when they replaced the short block. It is still the same problem so it didn't happen twice only once. They should find out the cause be for replacing parts again.

We have 73000 miles on our 2004 Allegro Bay with 8.1 Workhorse. The engine runs just fine with very little oil use. We want it to last many more years for us.

I have a 7.4 so cannot directly 8.1 issues. I have nearly 200,000 with no engine or transmission issues.
Sure sounds like it could be some kind of operator error!
Some operators do not maintain there rigs and abuse them by pushing them way too hard.

unusual to say the least, but I have heard of more issues with the GM engine than Ford, and there are a hell of a lot more fords out there than GM 8.1's

Very unusual. Bad luck for this RVer.

GM big blocks tend to be pretty durable, but stuff happens. Was the replacement motor a truck motor?