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Safari Motorcoach LPG Tank Refill for Stationary RV Setup
Electrical Medium 1-2 hours research and setup 173 👍 1

Safari Motorcoach LPG Tank Refill for Stationary RV Setup

Between my toolbox and the YouTube tutorials I've watched, I'm ready to tackle the LPG tank refill setup on my permanently parked 2000 Safari Sahar 32-footer. Since my wife and I live in California and visit several times per year to help her aging parents, the RV serves as a stationary dwelling with full hookups for shore power and water.

The challenge is that the coach won't be moved to drive to propane filling stations, so I'm exploring on-site refill options. I'm specifically interested in potentially transferring propane from a standard 40lb grill tank to our RV's fixed tank. I want to understand what type of fitting our Safari Sahar has and what safety considerations or special equipment might be required for liquid-to-liquid propane transfer.

Since we'll need heating during colder months and my wife will sometimes be at the RV without me, I want to ensure a reliable and safe refill method. What are my options for refilling the LPG tank without moving the motorcoach? …more
Onan 7000 Generator Low Voltage to Fuel Pump: Complete Repair Guide
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 126 👍

Onan 7000 Generator Low Voltage to Fuel Pump: Complete Repair Guide

Our Onan 7000 Marquis generator is hitting us with low voltage to the fuel pump for the third time this season and I'm done with guessing games. When I check the voltage at the fuel pump, I'm only getting 9V instead of 12V, and surprise surprise - it won't start. But here's the kicker - if I jump 12V directly to the pump, the thing fires right up and runs like a champ.

Obviously there's a voltage drop happening somewhere between the control board and the fuel pump, but I'm not sure where to start looking. Could be corroded connections, maybe the control board itself is going bad, or some wiring issue in the fuel pump circuit? Anyone dealt with this before and know the most common culprits? …more
Ford F53 No Spark: Complete Ignition Troubleshooting Guide
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 126 👍

Ford F53 No Spark: Complete Ignition Troubleshooting Guide

Halfway through a cross-country trip, my Ford F53 Class A motorhome with the 7.5L V8 cranks but won't fire, has zero spark, AND left me completely stranded. The issue began intermittently with starting problems, then progressed to a complete no-start condition with zero spark at both the coil and distributor.

I've systematically replaced the distributor, ignition control module (ICM), and coil, but the no-spark condition persists. This is an EFI system without a crank position sensor - my research indicates it relies on the pickup coil within the distributor for ignition timing.

What are the most likely causes for this complete ignition failure, and what diagnostic steps should I follow to isolate the root cause? I need a methodical troubleshooting approach since parts replacement hasn't resolved the issue. …more
Ford 7.3 Godzilla Oil Pressure: Normal PSI Readings & Troubleshooting
Engine Easy 15 minutes 122 👍

Ford 7.3 Godzilla Oil Pressure: Normal PSI Readings & Troubleshooting

My Ford 7.3 Godzilla is throwing weird oil pressure PSI readings and the shop wants $800 to fix it – can I troubleshoot this myself first? I finally installed a Glowshift electronic oil pressure gauge because I kept hearing horror stories about these engines running dangerously low oil pressure.

Here's what I'm seeing: Cold starts jump over 60 PSI, then drop to 28-30 PSI at 1200 RPM. Once fully warmed up, I'm getting 18-20 PSI at 600 RPM idle, and the pressure stays around 28-30 PSI in my typical 2200 RPM cruising range. It doesn't climb above 30 PSI until I hit 3000 RPM, where it jumps to about 40 PSI.

I know Ford has had issues with some of these engines showing scary low numbers like 8 PSI at idle, so I'm grateful mine isn't that bad. But are these readings actually normal for the 7.3 Godzilla under normal operating conditions? I haven't done any loaded driving tests yet, but I'm trying to figure out if I should be concerned or if this is just how these engines run. …more
4R100 Transmission Temperature Gauge Sender Location Guide for RV Owners & Mechanics
Engine Medium 1-2 hours 121 👍

4R100 Transmission Temperature Gauge Sender Location Guide for RV Owners & Mechanics

Despite my RV mechanic insisting I need a completely new 4R100 transmission for overheating, shouldn't I install a temperature gauge first to verify what's really going on? I can't seem to find any factory temperature sender on this transmission - am I missing something obvious?

I'm nervous about drilling into the pan or tapping into lines since I don't want to create leaks or cause more problems than I'm trying to solve. Is there a safe, proven way to monitor transmission temperature on a 4R100 without risking damage? I've heard about electronic options too but not sure if they're reliable. …more
ISL 8.9 Valve & Jake Brake Adjustment: Specs & Tools
Engine Hard 4-6 hours 114 👍

ISL 8.9 Valve & Jake Brake Adjustment: Specs & Tools

The 2004 Cummins ISL 8.9 in my rig is 20 years old and starting to run rough — time for valve adjustments or a full rebuild? What are the intake and exhaust valve specs? I want to confirm the clearance measurements and also need the tool number to adjust the jake brake. Can anyone help me verify the correct specifications before I start this job? …more

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Ford V10 Multiple Coil Codes Driver Side: Diagnosis & Repair Guide
Engine Hard 2-4 hours 112 👍

Ford V10 Multiple Coil Codes Driver Side: Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Somewhere under the hood of my 1999 motorhome's Ford V10 there's a complete light show of coil codes P0351, P0353, P0355, P0357, and P0359 blinking across the entire driver side bank. Power and ground tests at individual coils show normal readings, and visual PCM inspection reveals no obvious damage.

Given that all affected coils are on the same bank, I suspect this isn't a coincidence of multiple simultaneous coil failures. What are the most likely common failure points that would cause multiple coil codes specifically on one engine bank? Should I be focusing on shared wiring harnesses, common ground points, or PCM driver circuits before replacing individual components? …more
How to Test and Replace RV Propane Gas Detectors: Complete Safety Guide for RV Owners
Electrical Easy 30 minutes 111 👍

How to Test and Replace RV Propane Gas Detectors: Complete Safety Guide for RV Owners

Since I moved into my 21 year old RV, I discovered the previous owner left the propane gas detectors in terrible shape and now I'm paranoid about potential leaks. I've updated my RV with a new hardwired 12-volt combination carbon monoxide/gas detector with battery backup in the bedroom, but I want to be extra sure.

My detector seems to work when I hit the test button, but honestly I'm not 100% sure that's really testing if it would catch actual propane.

Is there a safe way to test these things with actual gas? And while I'm asking - how often should I be replacing the detector itself? Mine's probably ancient and I have no idea if these things go bad over time. Also wondering if where I mounted it matters - seen some people put them up high, others down low. …more
Ford F53 Speedometer Stuck at 60 km/h: RV Dashboard Repair Guide
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 110 👍

Ford F53 Speedometer Stuck at 60 km/h: RV Dashboard Repair Guide

Despite having electrical work done on my 1999 Ford F53 motorhome, the speedometer has been permanently stuck at 60 km/h regardless of actual driving speed. The gauge reads accurately up to 60 km/h but then just stays pegged there no matter how fast I'm actually going. I'm worried this could be dangerous since I can't tell my real speed on highways.

What's strange is that my odometer keeps working perfectly and even my cruise control still functions normally. I'm hesitant to start tearing into the dashboard without knowing what I'm dealing with. Could this be the speed sensor failing, or is it something else? I really need to understand what's causing this before I risk damaging other components. …more
Ford V10 P0420 Code and Engine Surging: Exhaust Manifold Diagnosis Guide for RV Owners
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 105 👍

Ford V10 P0420 Code and Engine Surging: Exhaust Manifold Diagnosis Guide for RV Owners

Opened my wallet for a new catalytic converter, cleaned the MAF sensor, checked every vacuum line, and swapped the fuel filter on my 2014 Ford V10 motorhome — still getting P0420 codes and intermittent surging. Some days it runs absolutely perfect, smooth acceleration and no codes. Other days, especially during acceleration, I get this annoying surging that makes driving unpleasant, and that's when the P0420 code shows up on my scanner.

I've been methodically working through potential causes and have replaced quite a bit already: new MAF sensor, both upstream and downstream O2 sensors, checked fuel pressure (it's good), tested plugs and coils, cleaned the throttle body thoroughly, and even replaced the right side exhaust manifold gasket after noticing some seepage there. Despite all this work, I'm still getting the same P0420 code and surging, and my scan tool consistently points to issues on the right bank.

What's really puzzling me is the connection between the surging and the P0420 code - they seem to occur together. Could there be something I'm missing with the exhaust system that would cause both symptoms? I've already addressed the right side manifold, but I'm wondering if there's more to this V10 exhaust system that I should be checking. …more
1995 Ford F53 460 Engine: Identifying EGR and PCV Valves | RV Repair Guide
Engine Medium 30 minutes 105 👍

1995 Ford F53 460 Engine: Identifying EGR and PCV Valves | RV Repair Guide

Around 30 years into owning my 1995 Ford F53 with the 460 7.5L engine, I'm completely lost trying to locate the EGR and PCV valves. There are two valves that I can't identify - I'm pretty sure they're related to emissions control based on where they're located, but I'm not certain.

I think one might be an EGR valve and the other could be a PCV valve, but honestly I'm not confident in my identification. Should these valves be making any noise during normal operation? I want to make sure everything is working properly, but as someone newer to this, I'd really appreciate some guidance on what these components actually are and how they should behave. …more
2021 Ford E-350 I-Beam Axle Pivot Bushing Wear at 36K Miles
Engine Medium 30 minutes diagnosis 103 👍

2021 Ford E-350 I-Beam Axle Pivot Bushing Wear at 36K Miles

Last week my wife casually mentioned our 2021 Ford E-350 makes creaking noises when turning and now I can't stop hearing those worn I-beam axle pivot bushings failing at just 36K miles. The passenger side tire was wearing really badly on the outside edge, and when I took it in, they found that both I-beam axle pivot bushings were worn out and needed replacement.

What's got me worried is that this happened at only 36,000 miles - that seems really early to me for bushings to fail? The RV is a 2021 model and I did have the rear raised 3/4 inch when I first bought it. Could that modification have caused this problem, or is this just normal wear for these Ford chassis? I'm trying to figure out if I should expect more issues like this or if this was just bad luck. …more
Ford 7.3L Godzilla V8 Engine Lifter Failure: 70K Mile Analysis & Prevention Guide
Engine Easy Informational 101 👍

Ford 7.3L Godzilla V8 Engine Lifter Failure: 70K Mile Analysis & Prevention Guide

Somewhere between shock and disbelief, I'm questioning my Ford dealer who insists my 2023 E350's 7.3L Godzilla V8 needs a complete rebuild after lifter failure at just 70,000 miles. The engine had one bad lifter and two scored piston walls, which seems pretty severe for a relatively new motor with what should be considered moderate mileage for a commercial-grade engine.

This has me concerned since I'm considering a similar setup for my Class C motorhome build. The 7.3L Godzilla has been marketed as Ford's heavy-duty solution, so seeing this kind of failure relatively early is troubling. Is this an isolated incident or are there patterns of lifter problems emerging with these engines? What should potential buyers be watching for, and are there any preventive measures or early warning signs that could help avoid this kind of expensive failure?

I'd appreciate any insights on whether this represents a broader reliability concern with the 7.3L platform or if it's just an unfortunate one-off situation that shouldn't influence purchasing decisions. …more

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How to Convert RV Pull Light Switch to Toggle Switches - Step by Step
Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 100 👍

How to Convert RV Pull Light Switch to Toggle Switches - Step by Step

After getting quoted $180 to replace my sticky pull switch on my 2001 Monaco Knight dashboard, I'm wondering if I can just convert it myself to two separate toggle switches for the headlights and marker lights instead.

Before I start tearing into the dash wiring, I want to make sure I understand the proper approach for this conversion. I'm particularly concerned about getting the wire connections right and ensuring the new toggle switches can handle the electrical loads properly. The current pull switch seems to control both lighting circuits, so I assume I'll need to separate those functions when I wire in the individual toggles.

What's the correct procedure for converting from a single pull switch to dual toggle switches for headlights and marker lights? I want to make sure I don't create any electrical issues or damage anything in the process. …more
1997 Ford Rexhall Overheating: Complete Repair Guide & Troubleshooting Steps
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 99 👍

1997 Ford Rexhall Overheating: Complete Repair Guide & Troubleshooting Steps

Nobody told me my 1997 Ford Rexhall Class A would keep overheating like this, and now I'm terrified of engine damage. I've already flushed the radiator multiple times and added fresh coolant, but the overheating problem persists.

I'm hesitant to start taking things apart without knowing what I'm looking for, and I'm concerned about making the problem worse. What are the most likely culprits I should check next? I've heard it could be the thermostat or water pump, but I want to make sure I'm checking everything systematically before spending money on parts that might not fix the issue. …more
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