Our nightmare trip/blown Jasper Engine

[cricco]

It’s been a while since I last posted. My wife and I took our 2006 Monaco Monarch from Massachusetts to the Florida Keys for our anniversary. We purchased the RV 1.5 years ago from Diamond RV in Hatfield, MA. It had a brand new Jasper engine when we got it. It’s an 8.1 liter V8 gas. I broke in the engine per specs, and changed the oil at 450 miles. I then put 4,000 miles on it, using Mobil 1 synthetic. I just changed my oil again, before leaving for Florida. On our way back home, my engine blew a main bearing (that’s the mechanics initial diagnosis) at mile marker 88 I n I-77 in North Carolina. We have Coach-Net, so I thought we would be ok. Wrong. Coach-Net did not get us a tow, and after 3 hours on the side of the road, the State Trooper told me that I needed to move it. I was forced to call a local tow at my own expense. We had it towed to a truck repair center (Blue Ridge Truck Repair) in Virginia. I am now unable to contact them by phone. We drove my toad home, grabbing just our clothing from the RV. It is packed with food and our belongings, in Virginia. I called Jasper, and asked about my warranty. I have about 7,500 miles on this new engine. My warranty papers say 3 years or 100,000 miles. Jasper informed me that because my vehicle is over 1 ton, my warranty expired at 16 months. I owe $40K on the RV. A new engine is $10K. All of my stuff is in the RV. I’m broke. All I can do is pray that Jasper will replace the engine.

[time2roll]

Get an actual copy of the written warranty and start reading the details.

[blownstang01]

garyemunson wrote:
If the engine spun a main bearing, there isn't much other than faulty engine assembly that could have caused it. Running an engine lean won't bother the bottom end. A blown piston however........

Not to mention fat block Chevy's are not hard on main bearings anyway and their oiling is pretty rock-solid. If it truly spun a main with such low miles is was most likely a line bore issue, bent crank, or too tight clearance to begin with. The only "tune" related issue that would really effect it (referencing the MAF sensor comment) is if it was running pig rich and diluted the oil with fuel.....even then they will usually take out a rod bearing before a main. I really hope the OP gets some relief on this, but I know Jasper is pretty tough. Good Luck!

[garyemunson]

If the engine spun a main bearing, there isn't much other than faulty engine assembly that could have caused it. Running an engine lean won't bother the bottom end. A blown piston however........

[turbojimmy]

blownstang01 wrote:

Bird Freak wrote:
We stopped selling Jasper engines thru my shop about 5 years ago because of warranty denials.

We had similar experiences when I ran a Ford dealership. Ended up only selling factory remans, wasn't worth the hassle and customer loss.

Me too. I have a friend that runs a truck repair shop. Quit doing business with Jasper and goes with local rebuilds.

Somewhat related, the engine failed in our Jeep over this past winter and I got a rebuilt engine from a local rebuilder. They had VERY specific instructions around what needs to be replaced in order for them to honor the warranty - including most sensors, and some MOPAR-specific stuff.

All that being said, if the OP's engine spun a bearing and there was no other obvious cause (like coolant in the oil) then it sounds like the rebuilder (Jasper) should honor it. If that's not an option, depending on the damage it may be repaired with the engine in place. If the crank isn't damaged you can probably replace the bearing without removing the engine. A lot of rigs have wide open access to the underside of the engine.

I replaced the 454 in my "vintage" Allegro myself with a GM Performance crate engine. I figured they screw stuff together better than just about anyone else.

[blownstang01]

Bird Freak wrote:
We stopped selling Jasper engines thru my shop about 5 years ago because of warranty denials.

We had similar experiences when I ran a Ford dealership. Ended up only selling factory remans, wasn't worth the hassle and customer loss.

[gbopp]

Bruce Brown wrote:
$10K for another engine also seems a bit high. How much is a new GM crate engine? How about a used one - that should be easy to find.

10K may be for the engine and the removal/installation labor. I know someone who had the engine replaced in a Fleetwood Flair a few years ago. He paid about 10K total.

[Lwiddis]

Jasper warranty is here http://qms.jasperengines.com/warranty.asp

I see 3 years and 100,000 miles but "Ambulance, automotive off-highway use, package delivery, police, snow removal, passenger transport, tow truck, transit bus or any vehicle over 1 ton, 18 Months or 100,000 Miles, whichever occurs first. An additional 18 month warranty can be purchased for these applications. ZF transmissions over 1 ton, 2 years/unlimited mileage"

[Bird_Freak]

We stopped selling Jasper engines thru my shop about 5 years ago because of warranty denials. They will claim its a commercial vehicle since it's rated above a one ton chassis. Get with the dealer you purchased from and tell them they misrepresented the warranty at purchase.
Its worth a shot.

[Bruce_Brown]

2edgesword wrote:

I'm missing something. What is meant by the vehicle not being covered because it is "over 1 ton"? That can't mean weighing more than 2,000 lbs.

I took that to mean over a 1 ton vehicle, for example a GM Top Kick 4500 type truck. A 3500 Pick-up is considered a 1 ton truck.

As to why it went, and why Coach-Net wouldn't tow it, that part is a mystery. Coach-Net should reimburse the tow charges and this may be a good time to start a letter writing campaign, starting with a letter to both Jasper and Motorhome magazines Hot Line.

$10K for another engine also seems a bit high. How much is a new GM crate engine? How about a used one - that should be easy to find.

Yup - a quick check on Car-Part.com finds a bunch of them. A reman with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty and free shipping is $3405.00 That looks like the best deal as most others are pretty high mileage engines for not a lot less $$$.

[wildtoad]

I am reading a prelude to someone calling a lawyer.

[blownstang01]

2edgesword wrote:

cricco wrote:
It’s been a while since I last posted. My wife and I took our 2006 Monaco Monarch from Massachusetts to the Florida Keys for our anniversary. We purchased the RV 1.5 years ago from Diamond RV in Hatfield, MA. It had a brand new Jasper engine when we got it. It’s an 8.1 liter V8 gas. I broke in the engine per specs, and changed the oil at 450 miles. I then put 4,000 miles on it, using Mobil 1 synthetic. I just changed my oil again, before leaving for Florida. On our way back home, my engine blew a main bearing (that’s the mechanics initial diagnosis) at mile marker 88 I n I-77 in North Carolina. We have Coach-Net, so I thought we would be ok. Wrong. Coach-Net did not get us a tow, and after 3 hours on the side of the road, the State Trooper told me that I needed to move it. I was forced to call a local tow at my own expense. We had it towed to a truck repair center (Blue Ridge Truck Repair) in Virginia. I am now unable to contact them by phone. We drove my toad home, grabbing just our clothing from the RV. It is packed with food and our belongings, in Virginia. I called Jasper, and asked about my warranty. I have about 7,500 miles on this new engine. My warranty papers say 3 years or 100,000 miles. Jasper informed me that because my vehicle is over 1 ton, my warranty expired at 16 months. I owe $40K on the RV. A new engine is $10K. All of my stuff is in the RV. I’m broke. All I can do is pray that Jasper will replace the engine.

I'm missing something. What is meant by the vehicle not being covered because it is "over 1 ton"? That can't mean weighing more than 2,000 lbs.

I'm sure that means over a 1 ton chassis as this is common with most reman engines / trans. Sucks for OP, I hope they step up.

[2edgesword]

cricco wrote:
It’s been a while since I last posted. My wife and I took our 2006 Monaco Monarch from Massachusetts to the Florida Keys for our anniversary. We purchased the RV 1.5 years ago from Diamond RV in Hatfield, MA. It had a brand new Jasper engine when we got it. It’s an 8.1 liter V8 gas. I broke in the engine per specs, and changed the oil at 450 miles. I then put 4,000 miles on it, using Mobil 1 synthetic. I just changed my oil again, before leaving for Florida. On our way back home, my engine blew a main bearing (that’s the mechanics initial diagnosis) at mile marker 88 I n I-77 in North Carolina. We have Coach-Net, so I thought we would be ok. Wrong. Coach-Net did not get us a tow, and after 3 hours on the side of the road, the State Trooper told me that I needed to move it. I was forced to call a local tow at my own expense. We had it towed to a truck repair center (Blue Ridge Truck Repair) in Virginia. I am now unable to contact them by phone. We drove my toad home, grabbing just our clothing from the RV. It is packed with food and our belongings, in Virginia. I called Jasper, and asked about my warranty. I have about 7,500 miles on this new engine. My warranty papers say 3 years or 100,000 miles. Jasper informed me that because my vehicle is over 1 ton, my warranty expired at 16 months. I owe $40K on the RV. A new engine is $10K. All of my stuff is in the RV. I’m broke. All I can do is pray that Jasper will replace the engine.

I'm missing something. What is meant by the vehicle not being covered because it is "over 1 ton"? That can't mean weighing more than 2,000 lbs.

[zigzagrv]

In 2005 my 454 blew a head gasket and ultimately destroyed the engine with antifreeze in oil. The shop I had it towed to (btw, Good Sam ERS paid for the 50 mile tow) offered the Jasper or a factory rebuilt GM motor and suggested I get the factory rebuilt because they have had problems with Jasper engines. Two years later I sold the mh and as far as I know the engine is still going strong.

[rgatijnet1]

One of the members on another forum blew TWO 8.1L engines with their coach. There was NOTHING wrong with the rebuilt engines and the ultimate culprit turned out to be a bad MAF that was reused when each engine was changed. Most engine suppliers only supply a long block and the mechanics take the "accessories" off of the old engine. If the MECHANIC that changed your engine used the old accessories, without ever checking them, and the MAF turns out to be defective, Jasper may deny any claim that you have. If the engine blew because it was run too lean, that is not Jasper's fault.
Best of luck with the outcome and I hope someone will step up to help.