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Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Looking for mechanic recommendations that excel at diagnosing difficult engine issues, traveling to San Antonio for the eclipse, so ideally someone along the route (Denver to San Antonio to Omaha).


This is a follow up to the unresolved check P030X engine codes (cylinder misfires) from Alaska last summer, on going since 24k miles for about 7k miles.   Started out with just a few generic P0300 misfires (no cylinder mentioned), then P0302 (cylinder 2), followed by P0301, PO304, P0306, P0308, P0309 code.

Currently get  P0300 or a specific cylinder P030X codes every couple miles, both before and after the plug/coil replacement.  Engine does not run rough, plenty of power, fuel efficiency is where it’s always been, drives fine.  This issue has stumped several mechanics in Alaska and a Ford dealer in Calgary.

It doesn’t affect day to day driving, but I completely ignore the codes at this point, using my OBD-II scanner every day or two, so I’d like to get this resolved before heading up to Newfoundland.

Things done in Alaska in an attempt to address:

     Dirty air filter replaced
     Copious amounts of Seafoam to make sure it’s not bad fuel
     Replaced MAF sensor
     Replaced all plugs and coils (at 27.5k miles)

Thanks

Dave
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #1 –
With the cylinder misfire coming from both sides of the engine, I would suspect that it is caused by an electrical problem that affects all the cylinders. There are two or three large electrical plugs under the hood with bolts through them, try tightening them along with the computer's plug, it is located on the driver's side on the firewall. The computer directly controls the coils and the injectors, problems with either system can cause misfires. My money is on a wiring issue or a bad computer.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157712133464272/

Two summers ago, our LD had an unresolved misfire, one you could hear and feel but didn't always throw a code. Many parts were replaced during my attempt to eliminate them. It resolved itself when one of the misfiring cylinder's valve guides fell out, bending the valve before the valve guide shattered, throwing metal through the engine and destroying the piston. A large piece of the guide was found at the bottom of the intake manifold. The only good part was the engine destroying itself at home in the driveway instead of being several hundred miles away as we had been the day before. This type of problem is almost impossible to diagnose, none of my mechanic friends had ever heard of such a problem nor had I.
Four months and $14,000 later, a Jasper remanufactured engine cured the problem. 15,000 miles later, all is still well.

I hope your problem is something simpler.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
With the cylinder misfire coming from both sides of the engine, I would suspect that it is caused by an electrical problem that affects all the cylinders. There are two or three large electrical plugs under the hood with bolts through them, try tightening them along with the computer's plug, it is located on the driver's side on the firewall. The computer directly controls the coils and the injectors, problems with either system can cause misfires. My money is on a wiring issue or a bad computer.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157712133464272/

Thanks for the suggestion Larry.  Your Flickr link doesn’t work.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Dave Katleman  - 
Thanks for the suggestion Larry.  Your Flickr link doesn’t work.

Works for me using an iPad.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
"Four months and $14,000 later, a Jasper remanufactured engine cured the problem. 15,000 miles later, all is still well.

I hope your problem is something simpler."

Hey Larry, I just read this post and if memory is correct, you had replaced your original engine when you had a sparkplug problem. Am I correct to think you are now on your 3rd engine?!

Steve K
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
 
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #6 –
"...so ideally someone along the route (Denver to San Antonio to Omaha)."

Should your travels take you anywhere near Albuquerque I highly recommend Statkus Engines in that city.

Home - Statkus Engines - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"...so ideally someone along the route (Denver to San Antonio to Omaha)."

Should your travels take you anywhere near Albuquerque I highly recommend Statkus Engines in that city.

Home - Statkus Engines - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thanks Steve, will do if I can add Albuquerque to the route.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #8 –

Hey Larry, I just read this post and if memory is correct, you had replaced your original engine when you had a sparkplug problem. Am I correct to think you are now on your 3rd engine?
Steve K



Yes, it is. The Factory engine blew out a spark plug at 95,000 miles (yes, the plugs had been changed earlier and torqued to the new, higher specification) and in the process, damaged the cylinder, requiring a new engine.
The engine was replaced at Ford with a "Ford Certified Rebuilt" engine. It lasted five years and 35,000 miles before falling apart. Investigating deeper, I found the heads were not matched, resulting in lower compression on one side of the engine. Instead of well-manufactured rebuilt, it was assembled using non-matching parts..a piece of junk. I assumed with a 36-month/100,000-mile warranty that it was a quality piece. 
I was so wrong...education isn't cheap. Ford rebuilds are not to be trusted.

Talking with several mechanics around the area and those I know, Jasper was the preferred rebuilder, not cheap but remanufactured in a real factory with dozens of the same engine done at the same time in batches  Jasper pre-ran the engine and did the initial breaking on a dynamometer. So no start-up surprises.
No issues with the new engine in 15,000 miles. Doesn't burn oil either, unlike the previous two engines.

Larry



Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #9 –
Thanks for the candid reply Larry. Sorry you have had those problems. I have followed your maintenance posts and learned much from you over the years.

My 2003 Lazy Daze has the improved head design. I had the 1st set of sparkplugs replaced a bit earlier than needed but concerns about plugs blowing out made it seem wise to do early. The Ford dealer was well aware of the issue and issues with the 3 valve per cylinder engines too.

$14,000 for an engine would be a difficult decision for me.

Steve K
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Steve K.  - 
My 2003 Lazy Daze has the improved head design. I had the 1st set of sparkplugs replaced a bit earlier than needed but concerns about plugs blowing out made it seem wise to do early. The Ford dealer was well aware of the issue and issues with the 3 valve per cylinder engines too.

$14,000 for an engine would be a difficult decision for me.

Yes, it was a lot of money but the most included replacing almost everything on the engine, coils, injectors, water pump, hoses, idlers, etc. A motorhome with a blown engine isn't worth much and we plan on keeping the LD until the wheels fall off or we hang the keys up.
Blown spark plugs are not a problem in remanufactured V10s, the spark plug threads are bored out and steel inserts are installed.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #11 –
Update:

Going with Steve’s recommendation of Statkus Engines in Albuquerque (on April 1st), since it’s further south than Denver, being a bit warmer is worth the slight detour.  

Will provide another update in early April.

Thanks to everyone with their input!
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Mechanic recommendations (Denver/San Antonio/Omaha)
Reply #12 –
Update from Albuquerque.

Very happy with the thoroughness and communication from Statkus Engines, they tested the heck out of the RV:

   Verified engine wiring was sound, nothing suspicious.
   Compression was 150 on all cylinders
    Fuel pressure is fine
    Swapped the coilovers around

Engine runs just fine, no performance impact, the P030x codes are thrown at any time, cold start up, after it’s been running, load going up hill’s doesn’t matter.

But still no identifiable cause for the frequent misfire codes.  I could tell they aren’t used to being stumped in diagnosing issues like this.

Have two more opportunities to have the RV looked at, San Antonio and Omaha, just need to find decent mechanics in each place.
Dave

2017 TK