- You are here:
- Home »
- Blog »
- RV Engines
Category Archives for RV Engines
8.1 Vortec Oil Capacity: How Much Oil Does a 8.1 Vortec Take?
When it comes to RV and tow vehicle engines, it is nice to have the information where you can reach it quickly. Especially when you are trying to know how much oil you need to buy for an oil change. Having
Continue reading
What Is Cummins Fault Code SPN 3058 FMI 16 (FMI 10, 0, 9)
When you see a fault code, there could be a variety of sources that trigger a specific one. Figuring out what is wrong takes a little work and requires you to have a fault code guide handy to look up the
Continue reading
8.1 Vortec Transmission Options (Allison Transmission Specs)
While a lot of attention is given to the motor under the hood, it is important to pay attention to the type of transmission handling the gears. With a bad transmission, your engine will not perform up
Continue reading
Chevy 6.0 vs 6.6 Gas Mpg: What Is The Mpg On a Chevy 6.6 Gas?
The 6.0 is a top Chevy engine that has seen an over 20-year production run. If it was bad, it would not have lasted as long as it has. With recent production models about $2000 less than the newer 6.6,
Continue reading
Is There a Supercharger For Triton V10? (Whipple, Kenne Bell)
The jury is still out. There are some people singing the praises of supercharging your RV’s Triton V10 engine. Others are not so enthusiastic as they wonder if it is a good idea to supercharge an engine
Continue reading
VW 1600 Oil Capacity: How Much Oil Does a Beetle Take? (Type)
When it comes to smaller engines like the Beetle’s 1600 cc motor, you won’t be talking about quarts and gallons when it comes to oil. That is because the amount of oil this motor needs is listed in
Continue reading
How Long Do Diesel Engines Last? (Why Do Diesels Last Longer)
When you compare diesel engines to gas ones, you will always be told that the former will outlast the latter. That is not hype but a statement of fact. Diesel motors do last longer than gas engines. There
Continue reading
What Oil Temp Is Too Hot For a 6.7 Cummins? (Temp Sensor)
If you have a newer motor, you may see an oil temperature gauge on your dash. However, according to some owners, there is no oil temperature sensor and the gauge may just be estimating what the actual
Continue reading
What Is The Cummins Fault Code SPN 5585 FMI 18? (How To Fix)
Error codes are not always clear. Some are very hard to understand. They refer to parts you may not know you had under the hood of your RV. Another problem is that the company you think is responsible
Continue reading
Ram 2500 Gas vs Diesel Mpg: Is Ram 2500 Gas or Diesel Better?
Diesel has more power. There should be no debate about which is better to tow a trailer. While some gas engines do a good job, a diesel just does it better. It may get better gas mileage than the gas engine
Continue reading
F250 Powerboost vs Powerstroke: Differences + Pros and Cons
It is getting to be a confusing world in the automotive industry. In today’s world, you have one brand that uses two different but top technologies to run their vehicles. The problem is these technologies
Continue reading
Do Thorton Performance Chips Work? (Reviews + Install Guide)
Some people swear by it. With new gadgets like this, you will find both skeptical people and fanatics. The latter will swear that they have improved their mpg to miraculous heights while others do not
Continue reading
454 Oil Capacity: How Many Quarts of Oil Does a 454 Take?
It is possible to buy a used RV with a 454 motor inside and not get any information about lubricant capacities. When this happens you need to search and search until you get the right information. When
Continue reading
Normal Safe EGT For 5.9 Cummins (Probe Location and Guide)
Modern machinery, especially for cars and trucks, is not the same anymore. In the old days, you could run a vehicle forever without too much maintenance. Today, however, you need to watch out for all the
Continue reading
Ram 1500 8 Speed Transmission Fluid Change Cost and Interval
Maintenance-free does not always mean maintenance free. This is the problem with a lot of products. They are advertised as being maintenance free but that terminology may refer to the length of time you
Continue reading
454 Engine MPG: How Many Miles Per Gallon Does a 454 Get?
It is an older engine. But many of these powerful motors have lasted and passed the test of time. They are good workhorse-type motors that get your older RV down the road and to your next destination safely.
Continue reading
TH475 vs TH400: Difference Between a Turbo 400 and a 475
The more things change. The more they stay the same. That is the way it seems as transmission and engine and other manufacturers keep trying to put out new and improved products. They may seem different
Continue reading
What Does Poor DEF Quality Mean? (How To Fix Poor Quality)
Another item under the hood to worry about. That is the trouble with modern engines. You got a lot of components that can go wrong and DEF is a system that doesn’t take much for it to trigger an alert.
Continue reading
Pre DEF Diesel Trucks: What Year Was DEF Required In Engines?
If you do not like DEF, the best solution would be to buy a truck or vehicle that was built prior to the year it became mandatory for automakers to install DEF systems. This mandatory benchmark is not
Continue reading
How Much Coolant Does a 5.9 Cummins Hold? (Type and Capacity)
Fluids are important. Not only are the right fluids vital to your health, but your truck’s or RV's engine also needs the right fluids to stay healthy. To be sure those engines last a long time, you should
Continue reading
DEF Quality Sensor Bypass and Location: Cummins, Freightliner
If you need one, it is going to be expensive to replace. The cost of the DEF system is high no matter which part of the system you are working on. The trick is finding a new one so you can replace it.
Continue reading
How Much Is an Oil Change at Speedco? (Oil Change Prices)
First, the good news. There seem to be 430 Speedco outlets where you can get your oil changed. 5 more just opened up in July of this year. The bad news is that there are no advertised prices for oil changes.The
Continue reading
Diesel Engine Operating Temperature: How Hot Should It Run?
You may have 3 operating temperatures. One would be the oil operating temperature, another is your coolant operating temperature, and your third will be your water operating temperature. It may be hard
Continue reading
Is The Cat C7 a Good Engine? Problems, Reviews, Reliability
It is okay to be worried. Everyone hears the horror stories about the C7 engine made by Caterpillar. These stories are few in number. What people do not factor in are the thousands they do not hear about
Continue reading
High Idle Diesel: Is High Idle Bad For Diesels? (Guide)
The key is when to use it. There are many features on a diesel engine that many RV owners do not know or are unsure of how to use. One of those features is called the high idle and it is there to help
Continue reading
Cummins 8.9 ISL Problems, Reviews, and Life Expectancy
Good engines are hard to find. Just when you think you have the best engine possible, it starts to fail on you. No matter how good an engine is, it is only as good as its weakest part. That weak part may
Continue reading
How Far Can You Drive With DEF Light On? (Helpful Guide)
Driving has become more complicated. In the old days, all you had to worry about was having enough oil, gas, and water in their respective containers. Now with more fluids, like DEF to worry about, you
Continue reading
Cummins ISX15 Oil Capacity: How Much Oil Does a ISX 15 Hold?
When in doubt, always go to the source of the engine to get the exact figures you need. Some websites seem to list a larger amount of oil is needed for this engine than is necessary so be careful. You
Continue reading
Cat 3126 Oil Capacity, Type, and Change Interval (Guide)
The problem is the blow by. This is the term used when you over-fill your oil tank. The excess oil is expelled by the engine and it is called blow by. This expelling does cause a mess which is why many
Continue reading
Caterpillar 3126 Engine Problems, Reliability, and Reviews
Good engines have bad moments. No matter how well an engine is made, there can always be some minor or major flaw that ruins its reputation. You won’t get 100% performance, reliability, or longevity
Continue reading
What Is Cummins SPN 1761 FMI 9, 10, 17, 18, 19? Helpful Guide
This is a simple code to decipher and fix. When you see this code on your screen all it is saying to you is that the DEF tank is below 10% and you need to add more fluid to the tank.The exact wording for
Continue reading
International Truck: What Does Range Inhibit Mean? Fix Guide
In most cases, the range inhibit light only comes on in 2 situations. One is that the transmission is locked out for shifting. The other is when you have low transmission fluid. The key to this is understanding
Continue reading
Freightliner: What Is Code SPN 3226 FMI 20, 10, 2, 4, 9?
Technology has created many codes. This is something you should come to expect when you buy an RV or a more modern truck or car. Because of technological advances over the decades, error codes are common.
Continue reading
Ram eTorque Problems: Is eTorque Worth It? (Battery Cost)
According to the design, this system is supposed to bring more power to the wheels. It is a system that is supposed to use the power in the engine better without creating more. One benefit to this system
Continue reading
Ford 7.3 Gas Cylinder Numbers (Godzilla Firing Order)
Don’t be surprised when you get more than one answer to this firing order question. Some people may think they know the answer and simply say it like they are an expert. Make sure to double check as
Continue reading
Ford 6.7 DEF Reductant Heater Increased Warranty Coverage
In some cases, there may be a little $1 plastic part that fails. The bad news is that it can’t be replaced. You have to pay for a new reductant heater which can be very expensive. Thankfully, there was
Continue reading
10 Speed Allison Transmission Problems and Review (Any Good?)
Is a 10-speed transmission worth it? That is the question as there are many complaints about how these new transmissions operate on the road and while towing. The Allison may be the best of the bunch
Continue reading
What Should The Transmission Temp Be On a Silverado? (Range)
You may not be aware of it but even fluids have their limits. These are not magical liquids that can perform at any temperature. You have to watch how hot they get or you could damage a vital part like
Continue reading
Is There a Recall On The CP4 Pump? (2019 RAM CP4 Recall)
It is a mess. Whoever thought to green-light the CP4 pump certainly made a mistake and created a legal mess for different automakers and Bosch. Of course, not covering warranty secure repairs was another
Continue reading
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Mpg (6.4 vs 5.7 Hemi Mpg Guide)
Usually, when you get a powerful engine, it drinks up the fuel very quickly. The more power the fewer miles per gallon. That has been the standard procedure ever since the first cars were built. It takes
Continue reading
How Much Oil Does a ISC Cummins Hold? (350, 450 Capacity)
Lubrication is king. Without proper lubrication, no matter how powerful your motor is, it just won’t run. With the lubrication filled to capacity, you should be able to reap the benefits of that top
Continue reading
Daily Driving a Diesel Truck: Can a Diesel Be a Daily Driver?
Prospective owners wonder about driving a diesel engine for daily errands. Since it is not gas and is more powerful than a gas engine, they think that doing daily drives is not good for the motor. They
Continue reading
Message Engine Power Reduced Duramax (Why And How To Fix)
Modern engines come with modern problems. Technology has been used to upgrade a variety of engines. The trouble is that owners cannot keep up with all the possible error codes or problems created by technology’s
Continue reading
DEF Head Problems, Sensors, and Failure (What Is a DEF Head?)
It is thought of as one way to lower emissions. When the DEF system breaks down it does its job. No one can drive anywhere thus lowering emissions. Repair shops may not be that helpful as they get booked
Continue reading
Tractor vs Reefer Fuel: Difference Between Reefer And Tractor
A tractor can be a farm vehicle or a semi-trailer truck cab. A reefer can be a marijuana cigarette or a refrigerator semi-trailer. When it comes to fuel, those definitions may confuse you when there is
Continue reading
Can I Use Biodiesel In My Mercedes Sprinter? (Best Diesel)
Back in the old days, you had about 3 gas choices and 2 diesel options. Now, you have to worry about biodiesel fuel mixtures and other fuel options to get your car running at optimum levels. It is not
Continue reading
Rear Engine Gas RV: Finding Gas Pusher Motorhomes For Sale
Winnebago was one RV maker that tried to make this type of RV and there may have been one or two others. You may not be able to find that many rear engine gas RVs because the concept did not catch on.
Continue reading
What Year Did Ford Fix the Spark Plug Problem V10? (Triton)
There are many mechanical reasons for these issues but one of the most damaging would be word of mouth. Once someone has a problem it is spread all over the internet sometimes blowing the issue out of
Continue reading
DEF Light On But Tank Is Full International – Freightliner
While error codes are your friend, they are not that friendly when they malfunction. In fact, it can be downright annoying when they light up and nothing is wrong. This means you have to find the malfunction
Continue reading
Cummins M11 Life Expectancy: Is The M11 Cummins a Good Motor?
Engine longevity is a must. No one wants to pay a large sum of money only to have the engine fail within the first year. To reach that long lifespan, you do need to maintain your new engine and make sure
Continue reading
Freightliner M2 Belt Diagram (5.9 Cummins Belt Routing Guide)
Belt diagrams help. It is not easy to remember where every part goes or how it is to be routed. A good diagram should give you the edge you need to put an engine’s belt on without too much difficultyIt
Continue reading
How Much Oil Does a 6.7 Cummins Take? (ISB 6.7 Oil Capacity)
When metal slides against metal, the two surfaces heat up. When they get hot enough they can weld themselves together. That problem becomes oil’s vital role. It stops welding from happening and makes
Continue reading
What Does SPN 111 Mean? (Cummins Fault Code 111 Explained)
When it comes to engines and error codes, there are too many components in the motor, and too many error codes to know their meaning. Unless you have the code book in your glove box, it will be too hard
Continue reading
Is The CAT C13 a Good Engine? (CAT C13 Twin Turbo Problems)
Some models are good, some are not. In the case of engines, when they are upgraded, a lot can change. The good engine becomes bad because of all the new parts that have ruined anything that made it good.
Continue reading
The 330 CAT Diesel Engine Guide: Specs, MPG, Review
There are plenty of engines. This should make powering your RV easier but you do not always get a choice in what engine is doing the powering. If you are serious about RV life, then you should do some
Continue reading
Duramax Won’t Start: Fixing Duramax Diesel Starting Problems
Don't always expect the problem to be major. Sometimes the issue may be something very minor. You can never tell with these modern motors. They are very finely tuned and leave very little room for error.
Continue reading
Cummins ISX Years To Avoid (2004-2007 ISX Cummins Problems)
Successors are not always good. When you have to replace something that is good or excellent, the next invention may not be so good. This is the case with the Cummins ISX engine. It was the successor to
Continue reading
Freightliner 6.7 Cummins ISB Belt Diagram (Routing)
It may seem like a unique part to use to make engines go but without a belt, your RV is not going very far. Just like a person who is wearing oversized pants. They are not going very far either without
Continue reading
6.0 Powerstroke Monitor: Best Monitor For 6.0 Powerstroke
If someone builds one, someone else will build three or four. The technology age has made it easier to create similar products, like monitors, so people have a good choice. This selection gives you plenty
Continue reading
What Is Code SPN 1569? Cummins (How to Clear SPN 1569 FMI 31)
Government regulations & technology. The more these two items change, the more you will see error codes. Not every error code is real nor do they explain what is wrong. That is why you either need
Continue reading
5.9 Oil Capacity: How Many Quarts Does a 5.9 Cummins Hold?
Know your oil tank capacity. One of the problems people have with the performance of their engine is that they over fill the oil tank. This is worse than if you under filled it. Always know how much oil
Continue reading
What Is SPN 157? (Cummins SPN 157 FMI 18 Explained)
With all the modern technological equipment on car and truck engines these days, it can be confusing when different error codes pop up on your screens. Engines are not simple anymore. It may take a master’s
Continue reading
Caterpillar C7 Belt Diagram (Changing The Serpentine Belt)
You may be wondering why we are talking about a Cat C7 belt diagram. This engine and belt design are not limited to Caterpillar construction equipment. It is also used in large buses (think Skoolies) and
Continue reading
Code SPN 5246 FMI 0 Cummins and Freightliner (How To Clear)
Modern engines come with a lot of bells and whistles and due to the upgraded technology, you also receive a lot of error codes. Owning a Nexus code reader may not help to clear any error codes that pop
Continue reading
C7 Oil Capacity: How Much Oil Does a C7 Cat Engine Hold?
Do not overfill this engine. One of the things you have to be careful about is refilling the oil tank. There are some older C7 engines that may take over 20 quarts of oil, but most only take 19 or 20 including
Continue reading
What Does Diagnostic Code SPN 3216 FMI 20 Mean? (Cummins)
Once it is assigned a code, it seems that the definitions remain the same for a very long time. The trouble with engines having a set of fault codes, it may take you an hour to find the right one. They
Continue reading
Caterpillar 7.2L L6 Diesel (Review, Horsepower, Oil Capacity)
Good diesel engines are found everywhere. Cummins is not the only diesel engine maker out there. Caterpillar is a fine company as are many other diesel makers. They produce top engines like the C7 to make
Continue reading
Torque App GM Transmission Temp (How Can I Monitor?)
You can monitor your transmission temperature through this app. All you have to do is download either the free or the paid version and connect with your vehicle’s computer through Bluetooth. The app
Continue reading
Diesel Ford 6.7 DEF Problems: What Is Wrong With Ford? (F350)
Modern engines are not as simple as the original motors on vehicles. There are a lot of extra parts added to motors these days due to government regulations. That means it is more difficult, and expensive,
Continue reading
Purpose of High Idle Switch: What Does High Idle Do?
Owners use this switch for different reasons and they are all valid. You want the high idle switch on to protect your engine when you are not moving down the road but sitting still for a long period of
Continue reading
The Chevy 8.1 Workhorse V8 Engine (Specs, Problems, Review)
Bigger is not always better. This large engine did not last very long. It was featured in a few truck models between 2001 and 2007. One reason may be that the engine came with too many problems to overcome.
Continue reading
Ford 7.3 Gas Spark Plugs: How Many Does a Ford 7.3 Have?
It is an 8 cylinder. Unless car companies make big design changes, you can count the number of cylinders to get the number of spark plugs an engine has. 4 cylinders equals 4 spark plugs. This rarely changes
Continue reading
8.3 Cummins Oil Pressure Sensor Location (Helpful Guide)
Due to the many new parts and the modern design of engines, you may not find every part right away. When you do find them, you may have a lot of work to remove them and install the replacement part. The
Continue reading
What Is SPN 5862? Spartan Check Engine code 5862 Cummins 4518
Car repair has been made more complicated by the different upgrades made to different motors. If you do not know the codes, you will have a hard time repairing your motor. Then you need to keep up with
Continue reading
7.3 Gas Fuel Economy: What Is The MPG On a 7.3 Godzilla?
Trip meters do not always tell the truth. They may be set to give you a little encouragement. Some owners reported that their trip meters registered a higher mpg than the results they go when they did
Continue reading
What’s Better GMC 5.3 vs 6.0: Difference Between 5.3 and 6.0
Bigger seems to be better. That is the case in many people’s minds. But is bigger really better? It depends on the situation and the task at hand. The bigger the motor the more weight you can tow but,
Continue reading
Duramax: Why Does My Truck Say Service Trailer Brake System?
While modern technology is designed to help drivers, it can drive them over the edge. That usually happens when a check or service light appears on your dash but no matter what fix you do, it remains turned
Continue reading
Ford E450 V10 Engine Review, Reliability, Problems
A motorhome is only as good as the engine that powers it. What is under the hood is the key to a good RV vacation. When the motor is reliable then everything else should work well. That is the theory at
Continue reading
DT466 vs DT466E: What Is The Difference Between DT466 and DT466E?
When it comes to motors, the difference between new and older models may be as insignificant as one letter. However, there may be more than meets the eye with this letter addition. Technology makes changes
Continue reading
DT466 Injector Replacement: How to Test, Remove and Install
In the old days, fixing engines was fun. You have room to work and there were fewer parts that went bad. This rebuild task is very involved even for just removing and replacing the injector system. Make
Continue reading
What Is Service AdvanceTrac? (Meaning and How to Reset)
While RV makers tout that their models contain the most advanced technology possible, it is not always a good thing. Sometimes the technology is so advanced no one knows how to fix the problem. This is
Continue reading
2017-2019 Ford 6.2 MPG Improvements and Performance Upgrades
It may seem that technology never sleeps as every month or year we hear about new upgrades and improvements. This can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing depending on the quality of motor you own
Continue reading
Is The Ford 7.3 Gas Engine Reliable? (Problems and Specs)
Back in the day, Ford stood for found on road dead meaning that their engines were not that great for the most part. However, Ford keeps on trying and the 7.3 gas engine may be the answer to their engine
Continue reading
How to Reset DEF Light (Sprinter, Peterbilt, Kenworth, F350)
Modern technology is full of surprises. DEF is supposed to help the engine as well as the environment which is why it is used in diesel enginesThe reset process may be different in different brands of
Continue reading
What Is The Fuel Mileage For a 6.7 Powerstroke? (Average)
When you are towing a heavy travel trailer or 5th wheel you want a lot of power under the hood of your tow vehicle. Ford has heard those concerns and has created a new motor to help you get to your destination
Continue reading
Ford 6.2 vs 7.3: Are Ford 6.2 and 7.3 Good Engines?
Getting over those hills. That is the main concern of many RVers. They need the power to get over those mountains, steep inclines, and other hills. Finding the right engine is key and it can either be
Continue reading
What Does The Stop Engine Light Mean? (Ford, Cummins, Etc…)
RVs, like cars, have lights. Not just headlights, parking lights, and interior lights but those lights that warn you of possible problems. The stop engine light is not one that should be ignored unless
Continue reading
5 RV Fuel Pump Problems: How To Test and Fix an RV Fuel Pump
If it is mechanical, it may break down on you. You can count on it happening at some point in time. Hopefully when you have a lot of money available to fix the problem. Fuel pumps are just one of many
Continue reading
Advance Auto Oil Recycling: Does Advance Auto Take Used Oil?
Recycling is big. There are recycling centers for almost any plastic, battery, fluid, and other products that you can think of. It is a good idea to support these efforts as you are taking care of the
Continue reading
Transmission Fluid Temperature: Why is My Transmission Hot?
If the coolant wasn’t enough to worry about. Besides watching the engine temperature, you need to watch the transmission and keep it from overheating. There is always something to worry about when you
Continue reading
Motorhome Won’t Start: No Power To Ignition Switch (Guide)
It can be a scary feeling. After packing up after a nice night boondocking and buckling in, you are ready to hit the road again. Yet, when you turn the key and nothing happens, all the good nature just
Continue reading
AutoZone Oil Recycling: Does AutoZone Take Used Oil? (Fluids)
Hazardous materials create problems not only for the environment and wildlife but also for consumers who need to dispose of their old oil, etc. Finding recycling centers can be difficult when you live
Continue reading
Are Cummins Engines Reliable? (9 Cummins RV Engine Problems)
When you specialize you can become a master of your chosen field. Being a jack of all trades may bring versatility but it does not bring mastery of all trades. Cummins specializes in diesel engines and
Continue reading
Is The 8.3 Cummins a Good Engine? (Review, Oil Capacity, HPs)
The thing about motors is that when under heavy loads and lots of stress they tend to break down. Advancing technology has given motor makers advanced tools to overcome those problems and keep their motors
Continue reading
RV Engine Swap: How Much To Replace RV Engine (Helpful Tips)
The heart of the RV is the engine. Without it, you do no move and nothing else will work. That is why you need to take care of how you treat the motor in your RV. The better the treatment the longer it
Continue reading
Who Makes Winnebago Engines? (What Engine Is In a Winnebago)
The brand doesn't say it all. In today’s world, the brand name on the product doesn't always say who made the individual components. While you may think you are getting an engine made by Winnebago, the
Continue reading
Ford V10 Oil Capacity: How Much Oil Does a Ford V10 Take?
Engines perform better when they are given the right amount of oil. They also last a lot longer as all the parts receive the right amount of lubrication. When you want to have great performance make sure
Continue reading
RV Engines List: (What is The Best Engine for a Motorhome?)
All brands produce good engines. Not every model is great and not every model will work for a motorhome but all engine builders do have top motors that will work in motorhomes and RVs. You just have to
Continue reading
Is Ford 460 a Good Engine? (Years, Value, Mpg, Weigh, Oil)
The RV is as good as its engine. That goes without saying. If you have a lesser engine in your RV the performance you get will not be as good as it could be. You want an engine that can move the weight
Continue reading