| Topic: Thoughts on a Chevy 8.1L Gas Engine vintage 2003 |
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Posted By: RVER
on 11/01/16 07:56am
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So I have pulled the trigger on a Newmar Mountain Aire 2003 with the Chevy 8.1L Gas Engine. IT runs very smoothly at idle and driving seems to pull nicely through the corners. Just wondering from anyone who has owned one, caveats. I know the ones in the early 90s of the Chevy manufacturer had manifold problems but am told not so with the newer Chevy engines. I know now that GM does not put engines in RVs so is there a reason that they pulled out and am i buying a pig in a poke? Mountain Aire is a great product for sure but engine?
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire Vortec engine 35ft
2002 Sunnybrook 34BWTS On site at campground as a seasonal
Chevy Silverado 2500HD with Duramax engine and Allison transmission
Pullrite Superglide Hitch, Prodigy brake controller
S and S Co-Travelers
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Posted By: rgatijnet1
on 11/01/16 08:25am
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The engine was rated to last 200,000 miles. Depending on the front end design of the coach, some had heat problems that caused the burning of the rear spark plug wires. There was a cooling kit that is no longer available but you can buy Taylor Extreme plug wires and with the proper metal heat shields around the plugs, this is a non-issue. Also, depending on the front end design of the coach, it was possible to ingest water into the air intake. Cutting and turning the tuba air intake 180 degrees takes care of this problem.
Other than these issues, just normal maintenance and the engine will serve you well and provide plenty of power.
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Posted By: wa8yxm
on 11/01/16 09:20am
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Mine is a 2005. Only problem is about 2 years ago it went through 6 quarts of oil faster than I could pour it in, blown engine so I'm awaiting a replacement, Hoping to do that in about 2-3 months.
I like the engine it performs well when paired with an Allison, Has only failed me twice. once when it blew and once on a road I had no business being on to begin with.. (Had to drop my 4,000 pound towed, then drive the MH over the hill then walk back pick up the towed and drive it over under its own power).
Only time I ever failed to make it over the hill.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
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Posted By: fyrflie
on 11/01/16 10:38am
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I have an 01 and have not had any real mechanical issues with the motor itself.
Most of the issues people talk about are related to the chassis build-up.
You may not have any of those issues yourself.
There are specific forums for your manufacturer at www.irv2.com.
Congratulations on your purchase.
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Posted By: dalsn1
on 11/01/16 10:45am
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I had a 2003 Winnebago Adventurer with this engine and it was a good rig and performed well. Drove it from Oregon to Kentucky twice and it did a good job in the mountains. Never had any problems
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Posted By: mfinnerty
on 11/01/16 12:52pm
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I have a 2003 Itasca Sunova with the 8.1 and pull a 4000 lb GMC Canyon pickup. We've had it out west in the Rockies several times and this year out east over the Appalachian Mtns to the Outer Banks with no problems with the power train. The hardest climbs were last year when the unit was 12 years old on I70 west of Denver at the Loveland Pass and the Vail Pass. Seemed like they took forever but we made it.
Mike & Linda Finnerty with Finn & Rosco (Golden mix brothers)
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Posted By: Bob Shaw
on 11/01/16 01:35pm
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I have a 2002 GMC 2500HD P/U with the 8.1. I have over 100,000 miles on it with no major engine issues. I did recently have to change an exhaust manifold gasket that was leaking, and I had to have the computer reflashed at the dealer one time when the check engine light came on. Turns out there was an update to change the timing on the egr valve sensor. If someone said I had to pull my 5th wheel from Georgia to California, or Alaska, I would have no problem hooking-up and hitting the road today. When I bought it in late 2001, it had a higher tow rating than the diesels of the time, largely because it weighed less. Get on the GMC or one of the truck forums and read the reviews, or just ask the same question.
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Posted By: Bruce Brown
on 11/01/16 01:46pm
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I'm a Ford guy, and even I'll say the 8.1 was a good engine. If I were buying a used gas MH today the Ford/Chevy part wouldn't even be on my list of things to concern myself with.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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Posted By: J-Rooster
on 11/01/16 03:28pm
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I've had 2 minor problems in 12 years with my Chevy engine. First was a fuel filter clip recall about 10 years ago. The fuel filter is now clipped to the frame. And the other was a throttle pedal issue. On the throttle pedal issue the Workhorse dealer told me in most cases they just unplug the plug at the harness and replug it in! That didn't work for me! I had to buy a new plug and had the Workhorse Dealer at Lake Havasu City install it for me and they charged $40.00 for the fix.
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Posted By: Bird Freak
on 11/01/16 04:06pm
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Thats a good engine. We had one in a 04 Pace Arrow. Once we put the Taylor plug wires on we had no problems. Be sure the W22 Bosh brake recall has been done on the coach BEFORE taking delivery!
Eddie
03 Fleetwood Pride, 36-5L
04 Ford F-250 Superduty
15K Pullrite Superglide
Old coach 04 Pace Arrow 37C with brakes sometimes.
Owner- The Toy Shop-
Auto Restoration and Customs 32 years. Retired by a stroke!
We love 56 T-Birds
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Posted By: Hank MI
on 11/01/16 04:30pm
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Have one in our 03 Winnebago. Put close to 4,000 miles on it pulling a toad in the Black Hills and Yellowstone a few months ago. Engine runs great. I haven't had a heat problem with plug wires put did have an exhaust manifold leak. Installed a set of exhaust header last month to fix that problem. Again it depends on the buildup whether you'll have any heat related problems. Both Fords and Chevy's have had heat issues in the past. Not necessarily related to the engine but the motorhome surrounding them, think airflow.
GM stopped building Big Block engines for production vehicles several years ago. They do make big blocks for marine use and performance engines. Parts are available and it's a good combo with the Allison trans.
The Ford V10 is a good engine put I wanted the 8.1 with the Allison. The V10 will do the job but you have to wind the heck out of it to get the job done. It's just a different design and requires a lot higher RPM than the 8.1l to develop the HP. If you don't mind listening to the V10 scream when pulling a grade it's a good engine.
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Posted By: RVER
on 11/01/16 04:58pm
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I tried out some Ford V-10 s in newer units but HATED the noise, friends told me, "you will get used to it" NOT!! I did like the smooth quiet engine of the this GM. WE do want to go to Montana and Yellowstone etc so hope it works out. The rig is beautifully taken care of with real wood inside, carpeting is clean etc.
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Posted By: RVER
on 11/01/16 06:04pm
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wa8yxm you are still waiting to replace the engine since you said it "Blew" ?
Bird Freak yes the brake recall had been done.
There is NO tickiing sound of a manifold leak but knew that the predecessor of this engine really heated up and blew the gaskets etc. The engine is very smooth at idle and quiet really going down the road or highway. IT is going to be mine so will hope for the best. I own a 2003 Chevy Diesel truck and fifthwheel that is going to be on a seasonal site but I am the President of a chapter of the RVing Women organization so need to go to rallies every month and stay a week or so at some so needed a good MH and also will use to travel to Montana next Spring and possibly FL(this winter) so needed a rig and this one is very attractive and like the floor plan and like it is painted not fiberglass etc. I owned a 1993 Winne Adventurer and LOVED it. Had NO slideouts but we did enjoy it.
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Posted By: jspringator
on 11/01/16 06:06pm
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I have a Winnebago Sightseer 27 with an 8.1. Love the engine. If I had bought a Suburban with the 8.1 instead of the Excursion with the V10, I would probably still have the Suburban and a travel trailer.
Jim & Sherri
02 Winnebago Sightseer 27c Class A;
"Scout" Springer Spaniel, gone but not forgotten;
"Boo" Chocolate Labradoodle.
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Posted By: Bruce Brown
on 11/02/16 02:43pm
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RVER wrote: I tried out some Ford V-10 s in newer units but HATED the noise, friends told me, "you will get used to it" NOT!! I did like the smooth quiet engine of the this GM. WE do want to go to Montana and Yellowstone etc so hope it works out. The rig is beautifully taken care of with real wood inside, carpeting is clean etc.
The V10 certainly does rev, but normally the noise you'll be hearing is as much of a function of the builder than the engine. It's pretty easy to insulate against the noise - some just do a better job than others.
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Posted By: siggyd777
on 11/02/16 04:03pm
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Had a 99 Itasca MH with the 8.1L,she ran flawless ,could park the MH
for 6 months and the engine would turn over and start instantly.
Siggy
Happy Trails
Siggy & Ursula
2011 Dutch Star 4020,ISL 400,Compr.brake,FTL XCR,IFS
Allison MH3000
2015 Jeep Cherokee,4x4 Active Drive II,V6 , Brake Buddy,Roadmaster Sterling,
Camping since 1975 Pop-Up,1986 22Ft.TT,1999 Gas MH,2005 KSDP,
2011 DSDP,FMCA 368283
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Posted By: Williebago
on 11/02/16 07:17pm
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We have a 2003 Dolphin on a W-22 with 8.1 and Allison with 94,000 that we ordered from factory and took possession in the fall of 2002. From Kansas it has made several trips to NM and Phoenix, 3 trips to West coast and a 10,000 mile round trip to Alaska up and back thru BC not the 4 lane in Alberta. Most of these trips have been towing a 1999 Grand Cherokee. We have had no issues with the engine/transmission. I have always used synthetic oil and had Allison change out the original transmission fluid with Transynd synthetic at my second engine oil change.
With all of this it still only uses about 1/2 qt. per 1000 miles. I am planning (hoping) it will go another 100,000 because we really like our coach and don't want to have to replace it.
I have been pretty religious about routine maintenance, and before we left for Alaska with an 11 year old coach I replaced all rubber components in the engine bay - plug wires, belts, and hoses, including any rubber fuel lines. I also run mid grade fuel whenever I am towing to prevent any pre-ignition knock. But when traveling without the toad I just run regular unleaded.
WILLIEBAGO
2019 Newmar Baystar 3626, F53, 252"WB with 6.8L gas engine
2003 Jeep Liberty Limited Toad
2 cockapoos, Jordy and Nelson, who love RVing
Go K-State Wildcats
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Posted By: hanko
on 11/02/16 08:32pm
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I don't agree that you have to make the V10 scream to get power out of it. The max torque comes at around 3500 rpm. I've never had to go over 4000 which might come with a downshift descending a grade with the tow haul on. Climbing a hill ILL stay around 3200 to 3500 RPM. never the 5 grand that some of you guys talk about. Hank, Im your next door neighbor. Were in Howell
* This post was
edited 11/06/16 11:23am by hanko *
2014 Tiffin Open Road 36LA,Banks Power pack,sumo springs, 5 star tune, magnum invertor
2013 Ford Focus Toad
Haigh Superstar
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Posted By: xctraveler
on 11/05/16 09:02pm
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Okay another former owner of the WorkHorse Chassis withe the 8.1l Vortec engine. LOVED IT! It was on a 2004 Southwind and we drove it 8 years and 110,000 miles. Over the Rockies (US AND Canadian) up to Alaska and more bad roads than I care to think about. At around 80,000 miles I blew an exhaust manifold donut, replaced both on the road on the California Coast. ISTR about $200. That was total repair cost on the engine. Maintenance was done faithfully at 3 months even if we hadn't run the mileage, seldom had. Switched to Synthetic after warranty period and also switched to Allison to Transend (sp) at first (only) tranny oil change. You might ask if this was done. Allison recommends it and extends the warranty and change cycle to 150k miles if it is done.
If you want a pdf of the chassis manual, pm me - big download.
Paul
2012 Phaeton 36QSH on Freightliner Chassis with a Cummins 380 pushing it. 2011 Cherry Red Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with US Gear Unified Tow Brake System. Check out my blog
FMCA 352081 SKP# 99526
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Posted By: mikim
on 11/06/16 08:06am
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We had a 2003 Holiday Rambler Class A on the Workhorse Chassis with the Chevy 8.1 liter engine. Had a for 11 days and an engine fire destroyed the rig. Insurance handled it well. The cause:
Recall Summary: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOME AND TRUCK CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL MOTORS 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.
This recall was issued in 2006 and can be found on the internet.
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Posted By: jspringator
on 11/06/16 08:12am
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Wow.
When I bought mine I called Winnebago to make sure I had no outstanding recalls. Probably not a bad idea.
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Posted By: xctraveler
on 11/06/16 09:36am
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I remember that recall. They sent a package with this small clip to be installed in place of the original. I stopped in at a dealer and the install took a few minutes. Not a big deal to get done, a very big deal if not done.
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Posted By: drifterpilot
on 11/06/16 02:19pm
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I purchased this coach new. I have experienced no engine problems whatsover with the 8.1 Vortec.
I have driven it to Alaska, Mexico, and the lower Canadian Provinces and Nova Scotia. Been thru all of the lower 48 and crossed the Rocky Mountains a few times also.
No problems.
The 8.1 coupled with the Allison 1000 transmission makes for a great power train.
2017 Allegro 34P
7,900 Miles, Ford V10
Winegard (in-motion tracking)
Blue Ox Avail
Brake Buddy
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