Results for "spark-plugs"

Engine Hard 4-6 hours 311 👍 0

Ford F53 7.5L RV Won't Start: Fuel Pump Relay Voltage Drop Fix

Woke up to my 1996 Ford F53 7.5L motorhome eating through my patience and wallet with this no-start issue that keeps coming back. It cranks strong but absolutely will not start, and I've been chasing this problem for weeks now. The engine ran fine for about 3-4 minutes one day, then just died and hasn't started since.

I've already done quite a bit of diagnostic work:
- Replaced PCM and distributor
- Fuel pump works when powered directly
- Battery is fully charged
- Checked fuses and relays
- PCM relay voltage drops from 12.2V to 9.3V with key on
- Fuel pump relay only shows 3.3V at pin 86 (should be 12V)
- Inertia switch tested at 1.7V at connector
- ANL 178 fusible link fluctuates between 0.3-0.6V

The engine will only start with starter fluid when the SPOUT is removed. I'm getting only 5.5V at the fuel pump connector.

Has anyone dealt with this specific issue on an F53 chassis? I really need to get this RV back on the road and I'm running out of ideas! …more

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Engine Easy N/A 260 👍 0

Ford E-350 vs E-450 Chassis: RV Fuel Economy, Power & Weight Capacity

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

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Engine Easy 15 min read 169 👍 0

Remote RV Diesel Fueling: Complete Guide for Campground Fuel Strategies

Last night at 11 PM I'm staring at my diesel RV's fuel gauge showing nearly empty — need to figure out remote campground fuel strategies before we head out this morning. With a 5 gallon Harbor Freight stick transfer pump, I've been able to add fuel when truck stops aren't convenient, but I'm concerned about static electricity risks.

My current setup involves using the pump to transfer diesel with the fuel can on a camping table, since my RV's fuel inlet is located under a slide. I pumped 10 gallons successfully, but I'm wondering about the safety of this method.

I know there are static electricity concerns when transferring fuel, and I'm curious about the specific risks with diesel. How safe is it to transfer fuel when the can isn't directly grounded to concrete? Are there best practices I should follow when manually adding diesel in remote locations? …more

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Best RV Awnings & Accessories

4.5 (7,600 reviews)

Engine Medium 2-4 hours (including dealer visit) 147 👍 0

Ford F53 Motorhome Key Programming Guide: Security Features & Programming Tips

Apparently my 2008 Ford F53 motorhome is 16 years old and starting to have key programming issues — should I attempt DIY programming or call a locksmith? I just dropped $176 on two new transponder keys for my 2024 Windsport 34R (2022 F53 chassis) because I only had one set and didn't want to get locked out in the middle of nowhere wearing my pajamas and fuzzy slippers (again).

The Ford dealer quoted me another $140-170 to program these fancy chip keys, insisting I'd need to haul my 35-foot house-on-wheels down there for the programming. But the parts guy said "try them first" - and wouldn't you know it, both keys fired right up without any programming!

So what's the deal here? Are these unprogrammed transponder keys going to mysteriously stop working next Tuesday? Did I just dodge a bullet, or am I missing out on some important anti-theft features that actually matter? I'm feeling pretty smug about saving that programming fee, but also slightly paranoid that my motorhome might strand me at the worst possible moment! …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 126 👍 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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Propane Hard 2-4 hours 115 👍 0

How to Wire Girard Tankless Water Heater: Complete DSI Suburban Replacement Guide

Ripping out my old Suburban water heater to install a Girard tankless but the wiring is completely different — DSI ignition board, different voltage requirements, and the old thermostat wiring doesn't match up. Need a clear wiring diagram for this swap. …more

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Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 113 👍 0

Ford F53 V10 Cam Sensor No Start: Step-by-Step Repair Guide 2024

Somewhere between last week's torrential downpour and this morning, my 2014 Bounder Classic 36H with the 2013 Ford F53 V10 chassis developed what appears to be a cam sensor failure preventing startup. The engine cranks over strong but absolutely will not start. I've been chasing this for weeks and I'm really hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Here's what I know: Forscan is showing cam sensor faults while cranking, even after I replaced the cam sensor. I've got fuel pressure, the crank sensor is new, and there are no stored codes. The tachometer moves during cranking attempts, so I know I'm getting some signal. After crank attempts, there's a strong fuel smell. I've disconnected the battery ground for over 5 minutes to reset any hanging codes.

I'm starting to suspect this might be a wiring harness issue or possibly something with the timing chain. I have a tone generator on the way to check for potential wire breaks. The frustrating part is that everything seems like it should work, but it's like the PCM isn't getting the right timing information.

I really need guidance on the most likely culprits for cam sensor faults on these V10s. What should I be focusing on to get this thing running again? …more

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Engine Hard 2-4 hours 112 👍 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 112 👍 0

Ford F53 460 Engine Timing Marks: How to Locate and Check (Step-by-Step Guide)

About to drop serious cash on a used Class A motorhome with a Ford F53 460 engine — should I check those timing marks myself or am I asking for trouble? Where exactly are the timing marks located? I can see the harmonic balancer but having trouble spotting the marks and pointer. What's the best way to make them visible and actually read them with a timing light? …more

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Engine Medium 30-60 minutes 112 👍 0

Onan 4KY Generator Starts Then Dies: Oil Pressure Sensor Troubleshooting Guide

About to sound like a total newbie here, but why does my 2018 Winnebago Spirit's Onan 4KY-26100R generator start perfectly then instantly die when I release the start switch? I suspect it's the oil pressure sensor based on what I've read, but want to confirm this diagnosis before ordering parts. Oil level appears normal. I've tried locating the oil sensor near the oil filler tube on the crankcase, but it's difficult to see or reach. Is there a way to test if the oil pressure sensor is actually the problem? Can I bypass it temporarily to verify that's the issue? …more

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Electrical Easy 30 minutes 111 👍 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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Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Engine Medium 1-2 hours 108 👍 0

How to Fix Generac RV Generator Oil Leaks After Breather Hose Replacement Guide

Looked like a simple breather hose replacement on my Generac RV generator, but ever since I finished the job, oil has been leaking everywhere. I replaced the cracked original-style breather hose with a new version that now includes an elbow and short extension inside the air filter housing. While the hose replacement definitely helped reduce the oil drip, I'm still seeing some persistent leakage underneath the unit.

The new hose design appears to be an upgrade from Generac, with the uphill extension meant to help oil sucked from the crankcase run back down into the engine. I'm hoping this will further minimize the drip issue. I want to make sure I'm not missing something obvious before I take it to a repair shop. Has anyone else experienced similar issues with their Generac generator's breather tube? Any guidance on troubleshooting would be really appreciated. …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 108 👍 0

1990 Tioga E-350 Won't Start: Complete DIY Troubleshooting Guide

Turned the key in our "new" 1990 Fleetwood Tioga E-350 and my wife immediately said "that's not starting, honey" — now I'm completely stumped. The engine turns over like it wants to start but just won't fire up. I've already replaced the fuel pump inside the tank, but I'm wondering if another pump might need replacement. I don't want to just start throwing parts at it. What's the best systematic approach to figure out why my Tioga won't start? Are there common failure points I should check first on these older E-350 based motorhomes? …more

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Propane Medium 2-3 hours 108 👍 0

Suburban KT30 Furnace 521099 Circuit Board Upgrade: Complete Wiring Fixes & Spark Troubleshooting

The multimeter's charged and screwdrivers are laid out — ready to fix this Suburban KT30 Furnace 521099 circuit board myself, just need the proper wiring sequence. I upgraded my Suburban KT30 furnace with the new 521099 circuit board and 528039 adapter harness after the original board failed. The good news is I now have power to the gas valve through the brown wire - that part's working!

But here's what's driving me crazy: when the gas valve opens, I'm only getting ONE spark at the electrode instead of the continuous 5-7 seconds of sparking I should be getting. I've been digging through wiring diagrams and realized the old board had a dedicated wire for the flame sensor, but the new setup just has me grounding that old flame sensor wire.

I'm pretty sure this flame sensor wiring issue is what's causing the single spark problem instead of continuous ignition, but I can't figure out how to properly wire it with this new 521099 board. Has anyone successfully done this upgrade and gotten the flame sensor circuit working correctly? …more

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Appliances Easy N/A 107 👍 0

Dometic RM2453 Ignition System: DSI vs Pilot Light Truth Revealed

Spent three hours yesterday trying to figure out if my 2001 truck camper's Dometic RM2453 uses DSI or pilot light ignition and I'm still completely lost. I've been trying to light what I thought was a pilot light, but I'm having issues with it staying lit and producing adequate heat for cooling. The flame seems very low and blows out easily, even though my thermocouple is reading over 20mv which should be sufficient.

After doing some research, I'm now questioning whether this model even uses a traditional pilot light system. I notice there's no wire going to the gas valve for electronic activation, and the only control appears to be the eyebrow board on top. Some sources suggest these units use DSI (direct spark ignition) instead of a standing pilot.

Can someone clarify definitively whether the Dometic RM2453 uses a pilot light system or DSI ignition? Also, does this model have variable burner output stages, or is it just a single on/off operation? Understanding the correct ignition system will help me focus my troubleshooting efforts in the right direction rather than chasing a pilot light that may not even exist on this model. …more

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