Results for "F53-chassis"

Electrical Medium 1-2 hours research and setup 258 👍 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

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Engine Hard 4-6 hours 231 👍 0

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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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 206 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 205 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 197 👍 0

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

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Engine Easy 15 minutes 195 👍 0

Ford 7.3 Godzilla Oil Pressure: Normal PSI Readings

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

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Electrical Easy 30 minutes 183 👍 0

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

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Engine Hard 2-4 hours 180 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 30 minutes diagnosis 174 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 167 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 165 👍 0

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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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 165 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 164 👍 0

Ford 460 RV Fuel Pump No Power: Complete Electrical Troubleshooting Guide

Got a Ford 460 RV where the fuel pump went completely dead with zero electrical power reaching it. Two weeks into RV ownership and I'm already that guy asking "why won't my rig start?" 🤦‍♂️

My 1994 National Dolphin with Ford 460 ran like a champ to the campground, but after 4 days of living the good life, it decided to throw a tantrum when it was time to leave. Engine turns over fine but won't fire up - classic "I don't wanna go home" syndrome. Throws some starting fluid at it and it runs briefly, so I'm thinking fuel delivery issue.

Checked the fuel pump and sure enough, zero power getting to it. Being the resourceful newbie I am, I ran a jumper wire directly to the pump and made it home just fine. But I know this isn't exactly the "proper" long-term solution my wife keeps reminding me about. Where should I start troubleshooting the electrical issue? Is there some safety switch I don't know about that might have tripped during our stay? …more

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Engine Easy Informational 163 👍 0

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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Engine Hard 3-4 hours 162 👍 0

1988 E350 Class C 460 EFI Won't Start - Advanced Fix

Got stuck with this 1988 E350 Class C 460 EFI that the previous owner left me — thing absolutely refuses to start. My 1988 E350 Class C with the 460 EFI decided to throw the ultimate tantrum right as we were heading out for a trip - just completely died and refuses to start.

Here's where it gets fun (and by fun, I mean expensive): I've got spark, I've got 40 psi fuel pressure at the rail, timing looks good, and I've already thrown money at fuel pumps, filters, plugs, wires, TFI module, distributor, and even the inertia switch. The thing will occasionally act like it wants to fire but never actually starts. The real kicker? Even when I give it a shot of ether, absolutely nothing happens - not even a sputter!

At this point I'm wondering if there's something more advanced going on that I'm missing. When you have spark, fuel pressure, and timing but even ether won't make it fire, what else could be the culprit on these 460 EFI engines? …more

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