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?

John_Joey
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016
427435 wrote:
A limited budget, a 20+ year old motor home, and limited mechanical ability is a recipe for disaster. Lot's of things might be simple and cheap, but there are a lot of things that could cost many hundreds (if not thousands)to fix.

X2

Unless you can work on this rig yourself figure $60-$100 an hour to have it done. A class A has a drivetrain of a car, and all the parts of a house to deal with. Now think about driving your house down a bumpy road for 22 years, or driving your 22 year old car cross country.
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016
A Haynes or Chilton manual from the local auto parts store that covers '94 Chevy vans will likely have most of the information you need regarding the engine, chassis and drivetrain. You wouldn't be able to use the electrical diagrams or anything related to the van body or interior, since you have a class A coach body on your chassis.
mama_sylvia
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016
I'm making a note of all the suggestions. I was going to sign up for AAA's RV service as soon as we close the purchase, but maybe I should check out Good Sam's policy as well.

Just waiting on the money to arrive to finalize the deal! First stop will be county courthouse for title and plates. Second will be battery store to replace the problem battery with a new Interstate. I would love to be able to get an AC recharge before the weekend but big tourist event here has all the shops overloaded, so that probably isn't going to happen. I need to get an engine manual so my son can do things like change the fuel filter, anyone have a recommendation on the best manual for a 1994 Chevy 454 engine?
mc_cc
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
There is no way to know. I would bet that there are probably a dozen RV's for sale close by that would not stall out on the first test drive. It is definitely not a good sign when the engine stalls during a test drive. The battery would not be the problem if it started back up without having to jump start it.
427435
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
If you run into problems, lots of resources on this forum.
the_silverback
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
Find a good mechanic and have in check it out. Find one even if it requires a long drive to get there. Not finding one is a cop-out.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2016
I,d buy it,lifes a adventure ,get off the chair and do some thing.
TNGW1500SE
Explorer
Jul 25, 2016
mama.sylvia wrote:
LOL! that interpretation of the thread title didn't even occur to me!

No worries... I was just a little disappointed after reading the post. I was expecting a really interesting story!
big_jim_2
Explorer II
Jul 25, 2016
My suggestion would be to get a good road service policy. I just had my diesel pusher towed at a cost of $1340 plus change. All I had do is sign my name. Good Sam picked up the tab. Approx $100 bucks annualy.

a
wildmanbaker
Explorer
Jul 25, 2016
TNGW1500SE wrote:
SoCalDesertRider wrote:
I think a person is about as likely to die in a Damon Intruder, as one is in any other brand/model of motorhome on the road. When it's your time to go, it's your time to go. It doesn't matter what you're riding in.

The title made me click on the thread.

I almost replied like desert rider, but my common sense, what little I have, prevented it. Everyones a newbe at sometime or other.
Best of luck to the Original poster.