Pace ARROW

[Bkklett]

I own a 1989 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 35 foot Chevy P-30. I was just wondering if anyone else maybe has been experiencing my problem. My MH motor screams at 55mph. It is working way to hard to keep it at 55mph. I took it to a place that specializes in transmissions and had them check out the tranny. I thought maybe there was an issue. Had them change the fluid and filter also. They said it is working perfect. I have been reading forums and just wondered if this is normal? I did purchase this MH used and just wondered if the person changed the rearend. It just doesn't seem right that you would have to work the engine so hard to get to 55pmh. Thanks for any insite.
🙂

[Crespro]

Good advice on the fan. I had a 37' Pace Arrow 1989. When the fan changed to high speed on a hill, it caused what I would call a roar. An engine at high RPM is more of a high pitch whine.

[BrianinMichigan]

JRandall wrote:
Just a thought... there may be indeed something very wrong, but one thing to look into is whether or not your fan clutch is working properly. It sounds to me that your fan remains engaged when it should be free wheeling. That would definitely sound like the engine is screaming. The fan is only supposed to be direct when the motor heats to a certain temperature. But the age of your unit indicates a real possibility that the fan clutch is shot. It is an easy fix if that is the problem. Every auto parts store will carry them...it happens often that they quit working.

BINGO. But stay with the OEM fan. I just replaced mine for the second time. Did it about 10 years ago. Yah, it sounds just like the engine is screaming. Normally when first started up the fan will be engaged for about 2-5 minutes and then it will drop down the just a slow turn. If after that, it's still turning the same rpm as the engine the clutch is most likely bad.

[spritz_55423]

I have a 1982 Pace Arrow, 454 4bbl on a P30 chassis 30 ft.48,000 miles. I am not having your problem, with mine it is when you let off the gas she sure slows down fast. I have no problems @ 55 or 60 but at 60 she rides so smooth almost like my 99 Cadillac. There is alot of fan noise but that is only after starting out. My 2004 F150 does the same thing. It seems that after they warm up the fan noise is not noticeable.

[ThorResidencyNe]

I'm surprised to hear these high RPMs at 55. My new to me MH is a 1997 460, with a tach, and it turns at aroudn 2300 RPMs at 55-60. I thought that was high for a big block. I guess not.

[glamisorbust]

A tach is not standard on most GM motorhomes. My '94 georgie boy does not have a tach on it.

[koko1usa]

I have the same MH will check the fan in the morning for free wheeling when the engine is off. Mine is a lot louder when the fan kicks in.

[Bkklett]

It does not have a tach. I also went out and the fan turns freely with the engine off. Could it turn freely and have issues when it gets warm?

[Tim_Nowicki]

My pace arrows all ran at 2800-3000 RPM at 55-60 MPH. I'm betting your fan needs a new clutch, If clutch is always engaged, it makes the engine sound real loud. Could be wrong, but I thought a tach was pretty much standard equipment on your rig.

[tatest]

If it is getting into 3rd gear it should be running at the RPMs General Motors thought it needs to be running to pull the loads it is specified to pull. It should be geared for about 2600 to 3000 RPM at highway speeds, a little more than that to top speed.

You could get RPMs down about 20-30% by installing an aftermarket overdrive, but then it might be struggling to maintain 55 mph, and shifting in and out of OD to maintain that speed. A lot will depend on grade and wind speed and direction. A 0.80 overdrive tends to be more useful in the 60-70 mph range, where RPMs are back up high enough to generate the HP needed to go that fast.

You are not going to cruise 55 mph at 1000-1200 RPM in a gas motorhome, the way you do in a modern V-6 or V-8 passenger car, which has an engine capable of putting out six to ten times the power needed to maintain highway cruising speed.

Same thing in sub-compacts, engines sized closer to actual need. My Honda Fit turns 2750 in top gear at 55 MPH, 3200 to 3600 RPM at my usual highway speeds. My small-engine pickup truck is in the same RPM range.

Saying it is "screaming" if running at that speed is confusing. Makes us think you might be stuck in second gear, running 4000 RPM.

If you are turning a fan, the fan noise will be very loud at RPMs as low as 2000. At 55 mph, unless you've just finished climbing a 10 mile 6% grade, the fan should be freewheeling. The designed failure mode for thermostatic fan clutches is to engage the fan. Maybe you need a new fan clutch?

[Daveinet]

The fan should have a clutch that is thermostatically controlled. At normal operating temperature, the fan should be disengaged. The fan still spins, but comparatively slow. IF you pull a long hill, the radiator temp will rise, heating the thermostat on the fan clutch. This engages the clutch and it will sound like a 747 at take off. Its possible someone removed the clutch, or it could be just seized. NAPA should have a replacement.

[Bkklett]

To clarify-:D It does not matter if I am pulling a trailer or not it sounds like the RPM's are high. Im not lacking power, just sounds like I am running it at high RPM's. The fan talk makes me think--- it does sound like a airplane under my bonnet. So if the fan is not functioning correctly would it be making noise? It has had a recent tune up. New plugs and wires, cap and points. I also had the exhust manifold fixed. It was leaking. I can drive faster than 55 but just sounds high. I have two fans. One on the engine and a set of electric fans in front of the radiators. Again thanks. I have not went campong because I am afraid of it breaking down.

[Bkklett]

I never thought of the fan. The noise that is coming from the engine arrea is loud. It does soun like a fan running. Maybe it is the fan. It just sounds like the engine is running at a high RPM. HUMM... I will have to check that. Should the fan move free woththeengine off? Thanks again for everyones help.

[Daveinet]

I agree with the fan being locked, giving you the perception it is screaming. Fan noise is extreme.

You can also count your rear end ratio, lift a wheel off the round and spin it. Count the rotations of the driveshaft, compared to the rotation of the wheel.

[popeye766]

Very interesting WYO... the dealership did a valve job on this PA cause it sat so long a valve froze...they left off the clamps to the air pump and when I was climbing a big grade in NV it went into open loop and blew the main hose off the AIR system...with no air to the manifolds it warped the living s&^$ out of them and they started leaking.......long story..... have replaced them and built a dual system....when I tow I stay in 3rd....no OD...my fan is so loud its alarming...between the lockup converter and the fan noise you don't know what the h*** is going on...