Hello everyone: The diesel mechanic has left for the day after informing us the Detroit 8.2 seized. We didn't think it had, but it has. We now have to figure out what to replace it with, and where to tow it to have the engines swapped.

We'd love to hear from some of you. The "why" is as important to us as the "what", since we're trying to educate ourselves and not kill each other in the process. Actually, Tim is educating himself as I write this - I think he's working on the generator - even though the mechanic drove off into the sunset hours ago.

In the immortal words of my nephew, "DUDE! This is getting OLD!"

Thanks one and/or all for any insight you can provide.

P.S. Bill, don't say it.

Sorry to hear the bad news. Since you are going to have to replace the engine it might be a good time to see if you can find a complete engine and transmission combination from a donor vehicle. I would look for one with an Allison 6 speed transmission.

I left you a voice mail earlier about the engine that was originally in your Barth. According to Pronto VIN decoder it was a Cummins but that is an error. The chassis came from Gillig with a Detroit Diesel.

Nick

I'm with Nick - the engine-tranny combo would be easier, especially where electronics are concerned.

However, it appears you made it home; what were the symptoms before it "failed"?

The 2 stoke DD you have is designed for in frame
overhaul. I would be concerned acting on one mobil mechanics opinion. What happened leading up to this failure? Cold weather starting runaway?
You need an older mechanic and a shop experienced with the 2- stroke Detroits.

The GM 6.2L, 6.5L, 8.2L and ToroFlow are all four-stroke cycle.

OK. Here's what happened. The compressor bracket broke while I was driving 55 MPH on I-10 near Phoenix. I lost power, but immediately coasted to side of road. The rear of coach was coated in oil. Coach was towed to truckstop & diesel mechanic called (Regan's Diesel in Eloy, AZ). He welded the bracket and installed, then we tried to start. She's frozen solid. She can't be budged. He tried to by-pass starter, can't get it to move manually. Looks like we need a new engine. Thanks for your replies.

Wow, what a bummer!!!! We have had our semi in Regans diesel in Eloy before. He is really the only shop around that whole area, (right in between Tucson and Phoneix) My advice to you is to make sure that the owner of the shop has done the work or at least over looks the work. He is a very honest mechanic, he also is the only one in the shop that knows whats going on!!!!!

The nearest DD Service Center is a Freighliner-Western Star Dealer in Chandler, AZ (71 miles). The phone number is 480-282-4000, They are open until Midnight. Give them a call and explain to them your problem and see if you can get a second opinion.

Thanks for the info. It's good to have a choice. Talked to Detroit Diesel service guey (that's yiddish for guy) who says it sounds like engine is fried. Or frozen. Or whatever we say. He could send a mobile mechanic, but thinks we'd be throwing good money after bad. I think we need to bite the bullet and swap engines. We'll decide in am.

I've been in phone contact with Lorelei a couple of times.

My advice for what it is worth is to load it on a truck and haul it home. Now they have time to finish an engine swap and not be under the gun.

Next I am suggesting installing a Nestar 444 (this is also the Ford powerstroke) out of an IH (1900)van. Budget and Penske truck rentals have whole fleets of them and with a little luck could probably buy the whole truck. Most of them have allison transmissions and after about 2000 also had the 2000 transmission. As the original transmission is probably a 545 and you all know my opinion about that box, they would now get an overdrive and lockup torque converter.

The 444 (7.3) can easily have the HP upped to about 300HP with a chip change. Lots of stuff available for the engine because of its usage in the Ford PU.

It would be nicer to convert to a Cummins but the chassis was sized for a V8 and the length of the inline engine would require major changes.

Lorelei,

Sorry to hear about your engine problems. I know how it is when you're traveling long distances and dealing with problems as you go. But with the supportive and technical expertise on this forum you will do fine. It's clear from Gary Carter's post that an inline 6 like a Cummins would require major modifications. That's too bad because so far I really like the 300 hp Cummins in my 34' Regency. I wish you the best of luck finding a reasonably priced engine and transmission for your Barth. Take care.

Roman

I'd suspect there's plenty of room for a Cummins in there. Motor and tranmission mounts would have to be changed, but an C 8.3L couldn't be any more difficult than any other re-engine effort. The differential ratio may also have to be changed.

I'm with Gary in that it'd be better in the long run to truck it home and replace the drivetrain at your leisure.

I've been following this site for a while now and this is the fourth motorhome that never made it back home after purchase or died shortly there after. We all remember the one that burned up. Makes me want to shy away from buying a motorhome in general. Maybe an Airstream trailer...

I wish you the best in getting your coach back on the road.

The way I try to look at it is 'It's all part of the adventure'. Buying any older motor home and depending on it to get you home, is a real gamble. It's the risk one takes for not paying $300,000 for a new one. If the previous owner was diligent, did all the routine maintenance, the odds are better. A 20/30 year old anything has a good chance of breaking. I drove my '85 Regal from Arizona to North Carolina without a hitch. That's because the previous owner, Jon Borke, went over the thing to make sure it had a good chance of making it. If it had broken, well, I see it as an opportunity to meet new people and see new places. That's what the lifestyle is all about.

Well, some come and some goes. I bought mine in Albuquerque, NM about 3 years ago. I had the cat engine and the allisson tranny check out at the local cat dealer. I told them to check out the engine and tranmission thoroughly, that I would be driving it 1,500 mile the next day. Every thing check out fine, the coach had been taken real good care of, and I drove the 1,500 miles home without any problems. Previous to my purchase the person I had bought it from had put about 12,000 miles on it the previous year.
Since then, I have put another 12,000 miles with out any problems, other than changing oil, filters, liquids, and belts, etc. The check up at the cat dealer cost $250., which I think was reasonable and gave a better outlook on things. Glad I bought and would do it again.
See you all down the road.
sky