Our trip to the Morro Bay GTG or how to kill a V10

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Re: Our trip to the Morro Bay GTG or how to kill a V10

Reply #25 – June 15, 2018, 08:21:52 pm

But what if all the component parts are new? At this point, I believe I have actually replaced every single item, except for frame members, block/heads and transmission.

As I shake my head each time I tally another $ outlay, I console myself that it remains cheaper - at least so far - than riding the downside from a new(er) rig.

And, I should admit, it's not really a true financial hit - we spend more on other non-RV vehicles & travel expenses. So, it's more of an intellectual cost containment/management game at this point.

That is, everyone (should) knows these things are money sinks, to it's a function of keeping a good looking, fun, well recognized brand going just from a perfectionist perspective.

Re: Our trip to the Morro Bay GTG or how to kill a V10

Reply #26 – December 14, 2021, 04:53:43 pm

Larry wrote: "Once the spark plug's electrode was melted, it stopped firing and the fuel injector continue injecting raw fuel into the cylinder, washing away the oil that keep the rings from touching the cylinder wall."

I know I'm jumping in very late here, but in reading the BlownOutSparkPlug website's instructions for their repair plug, I found this caution:

"WARNING !!!
It is very very important that you unplug the wiring connector to the fuel injector that feeds the affected cylinder. The best way to verify that you are unplugging the correct injector is to count the coils and injectors from the front of the engine."

Instructions for doing this are on their website.

So if Larry had disconnected the injector, perhaps the damage to the rings would not have occurred? Of course then his rig would have been running on nine out of ten cylinders until a proper repair could be done, but that would be better than an $8,000 engine replacement. Does this make sense?

Re: Our trip to the Morro Bay GTG or how to kill a V10

Reply #27 – December 15, 2021, 01:46:00 pm

Quote from: Andy Baird - December 14, 2021, 04:53:43 pm

Larry wrote: "Once the spark plug's electrode was melted, it stopped firing and the fuel injector continue injecting raw fuel into the cylinder, washing away the oil that keep the rings from touching the cylinder wall."
"WARNING !!!
It is very very important that you unplug the wiring connector to the fuel injector that feeds the affected cylinder. The best way to verify that you are unplugging the correct injector is to count the coils and injectors from the front of the engine."

So if Larry had disconnected the injector, perhaps the damage to the rings would not have occurred? Of course then his rig would have been running on nine out of ten cylinders until a proper repair could be done, but that would be better than an $8,000 engine replacement. Does this make sense?

Very true, if I had known that the spark plug has stopped firing, I would have disconnected the injector.
Unfortunately, our 2003 OBDI computer system does not detect misfires as newer, OBDII E450s do, newer vehicles will display a P0300 fault if a misfire occurs.
In retrospect, I should have installed spark plug inserts on all ten cylinders before I had an issue but I didn't know how common a problem spark plug blowout is in the pre-2004 engines. It would have saved us thousands of dollars, isn't hindsight a wonderful thing?
Since then, I have sent a minimum of three owners of the early 4-thread engines to the Blown Out Spark Plug shop in Santa Ynez, Ca for the total replacement. A complete job is in the low $2000 range, a chunk of change but much cheaper and easier than an engine replacement, recommended for any who plan on keeping their pre-2004, 4-thread head LDs for a long time.

A well-equipped home mechanic could do this job themself using one of the after-market repair kits.
This is the kit I have used on several engines. It does require a large air compressor and a high-quality 3/8" pneumatic air ratchet to perform the installation. I did a field installation last year using a CO2 bottle to drive ratchet.
Amazon.com: CalVan Tools 38900 Two Valve Ford Triton Tool Kit - Foolproof...

Owning an RV isn't a cheap lifestyle, worth it for many of us but it can be very expensive to maintain, no matter if your rig is new or very used.

Larry

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Re: Our trip to the Morro Bay GTG or how to kill a V10

Reply #28 – December 15, 2021, 02:24:27 pm

Here's a "dumb question," Larry: suppose a plug is blown, and the owner does disconnect the injector wiring connector for that cylinder... how bad is it to drive the vehicle? Will the engine be damaged? I don't own one of these any more, but I know people who do, and I'm curious.

Re: Our trip to the Morro Bay GTG or how to kill a V10

Reply #29 – December 15, 2021, 05:44:54 pm

While ridiculously loud, after disconnecting the fuel injector, it's possible to drive without a spark plug without more damage...if your ears can take the abuse.
Blownoutsparkplug sells a kit that is used to plug the damaged spark plug hole until it can reach a qualified shop for repairs.
Emergency Plug Kit
More information here.
Blownoutsparkplug.com Ford Spark Plug Thread Repair

If I owned a 4-thread head V10, that had not been converted, I would own a plug kit, knowing what I know now.
It can be exceptionally hard to find a shop. that works on RVs and can do the repair properly, without taking weeks. It is more common than I originally thought and why I now recommend the total conversion to long-term owners.
I made a field repair last year to our friend's LD, in scenic Baker Ca., when they couldn't find anyone that would even look at it. It saved our two-week trip with them. I have no desire to ever do it again, especially in a parking lot.
At the end of the trip, our friends went straight to Sana Ynez and had the other 9 spark plug holes converted.

Larry

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Reply #25 – June 15, 2018, 08:21:52 pm

Reply #26 – December 14, 2021, 04:53:43 pm

Reply #27 – December 15, 2021, 01:46:00 pm

Reply #28 – December 15, 2021, 02:24:27 pm

Reply #29 – December 15, 2021, 05:44:54 pm

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