Coach Dead in Page Utah, Bad Turbo!!!! - Page 2

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 07-13-2008, 05:14 AM

Ben, what chassis do you have? Mine is a Spartan and they are dropping the engine through the rails. I have a side mount radiator so that helps, but all add ons were removed. I'm hoping to not have engine Failures, as you have encountered, once the repair is accomplished. Wish you better luck!!

Ronnie

Lucchese1 · 07-13-2008, 08:00 AM

Thanks for all the support, it really helps

. I have a Frieghtliner chassis and the more I think about it they should be able to drop it out the bottom with out taking the rear cap off, Along with the tech I was in shock when I was there and lost my thinking cap, and the first thing he thought was the rear had to come off.

On Monday I will call the factory myself to see what are the options, on another note has any one else had an engine replaced in a similar newer model coach???

Thanks Again
Ben!

John_Canfield · 07-13-2008, 08:29 AM

Ben - about two years ago there was a spate of blown ISL engines due to bad connecting rods (as I recall.) There were engine parts launched out the side of the block

Anyway, there were several engines replaced and I think there were some Horizon/Vectras involved. Hunt around the forum to see if you can find any of those threads,

Also, you can call Winnebago tomorrow - maybe somebody in owner relations has an idea of how the engines came out.

SCVJeff · 07-13-2008, 12:06 PM

I actually heard one of those stories from the dealer I bought mine from while we were picking up the coach new (They sold and fixed it).

The new owners picked it up from the dealer just North of Seattle and drove over the pass into E. Washington (flat desert). All of a sudden there was a hellicious and long bang as the coach lost power. The story goes that there was a slight downhill on a reasonably straight road, so it took awhile to coast to a stop. When the tow truck showed up they found pieces of engine back almost 1/4 mile. Whatever the failure was ended up splitting the block in several places leaving an oil and parts track. They say the bill was somewhere around $20k

Lucchese1 · 07-17-2008, 05:46 AM

Day 28 Update on my coach ordeal, they pulled the pan & found 2 bad crank bearings were the problem, Cummins said yank the engine and diagnois the cause and send all the info with pictures to them for a decision on the warranty, So I am getting prepped for possible battle

The shop said the engine was going to come right out the back, seems kind of tight but they said it would just fit, o well so much for my a/c duct check up

I will keep you informed!

Ben!

Izzyblueye · 07-17-2008, 06:44 AM

Luccese1: You are a saint my man. My sincerest wishes to you for a fair and equitable settlement of this unfortunate situation, and a speedy one.

John_Canfield · 07-17-2008, 09:12 AM

Ben - thanks for the update! Keep us posted.

tmitchell · 07-31-2008, 05:31 AM

Ben,
It has been 2 weeks since your last update. How is everything progressing?
Wishing you the best of luck,
Tom

Lucchese1 · 08-02-2008, 06:33 AM

I talked with the shop last Wednesday, they had first pulled all the bearings and sent that info to Cummins, then the engine came out and was going under the microscope to determine cause of failure and they would contact me with any news. I am assuming

that no news is good news but of course I will be on the horn Monday to see what the determination of failure was and to push them a little for a final repair date so I can make my trek back to Utah to see my healed motorized sibling.

I am extremely reasonable person

, but after talks with my legal counsel and others I will not settle for less than 100% coverage on this one even if it requires legal action

!

Hopefully some news soon!

Ben!

Sixpack98 · 08-02-2008, 07:13 AM

Ben,
Man, if it wasn't for bad luck you would not have any luck at all. Completely agree that Cummins should pony up for 100% and keep after them til they do.

mark

Northern-Canadian · 08-02-2008, 08:27 AM

I wish the best for you and your coach. It is a real ordeal to lose your vehicle and have to travel back and forth over hundreds of miles believe me I know. Good luck and the best to you and your coaches heart transplant.

Izzyblueye · 08-04-2008, 02:59 AM

Glad you checked with your attorneys. You certainly have been reasonable about this. I would let Cummins know that you have explored legal recourse. It is not the first time this has happened to them, so I think they will be fair, but at least they will know you are ready to go to the mattress.

tmitchell · 08-25-2008, 05:55 AM

Ben,
Are you up and running again?
Tom

Lucchese1 · 08-25-2008, 02:21 PM

Just Spook to the tech, All new Crank, Bearings and other Parts are in and the engine assembly starts tommorow, head and the block were all checked out and every thing is a go for the rebuild. The Hold up was the engine failure determination, The warranty only covers a small amount of the damage because it was not an engine failure it was an external part (2 blown Turbos) that caused the failure, So how it was explained to me is that in this case the fault does not fall on the Me(the owner)or the engine maker(Cummins)so the warranty coverage is very very limited

but they (Cummins) have what is called policy coverage to handle the balance, in other word a stuff just happens policy thing

.

Yes, I am frustrated with the 2 month long ordeal, and I am glad that I should have the coach back by next week after the trip to pick it up, but all in all I would be way more upset having to pay a huge 5 digit bill on a warranty covered item! I also just found out that they had to cut out a section of the rear fiberglass to get the engine out, and they have a fiberglass specialist ready to repair when done, so I will have to get the paint redone in the back and I will see if policy will cover that also or maybe an insurance issue, just glad we are finally moving along!!!

Sorry for the update delays but nothing to report until today!

Ben!

wagonmaster2 · 08-25-2008, 05:40 PM

Has any determination been made as to why you would have had 2 blown turbos? One maybe, but what happened to cause 2 of them to go, and will it happen again? Even considering the time hold up to determine the engine failure, it almost seems impossible it could take 2 months to get you back to running again.
After all you've been through I'd almost be ready to swear off of diesels. I've only had one for 4 years now but with all the smaller diesel related problems I've incurred during that time (air leaks in front end, holes rubbed in air lines, diesel engine odors in rear bedroom, dash instruments going dead and recall on dash warning lights programming, leaks at steering gear box, engine slobber tube oil spray at rear end, waiting for air pressure to build up before moving, etc.) I may even yet.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

Lucchese1 · 08-26-2008, 06:09 AM

It was the intial turbo failure that started it all, they ordered a new one and installed it and sadly it was a defective unit that did not go 5 minutes before it blew witch really started a finger pointing session. After installing the 3rd turbo is when the engine finally went, from what I am Assuming was all the debris that got in there from a both intake side turbo and exhaust side turbo failures. I am sure all effort was taken to remove any and all debris but with out complete break down of the engine witch of course was not an option at that time, it was a crap shoot!

Thanks!

Ben

RustyJC · 08-26-2008, 06:15 AM

You are aware, I suspect, that Holset, the manufacturer of the turbochargers, is a subsidiary of Cummins....

Rusty

porscheracer · 08-26-2008, 07:10 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Lucchese1:
After installing the 3rd turbo is when the engine finally went, from what I am Assuming was all the debris that got in there from a both intake side turbo and exhaust side turbo failures. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm really sympathetic for all your troubles.

As a long-time engine builder (race / performance cars, not trucks), I'll come out and say: IMHO, whomever was working on the engine was not exercising due diligence. I would NEVER slap a new turbo on an engine that had scattered one without pulling the head . . . NEVER!!

Lucchese1 · 08-26-2008, 07:34 AM

No I did not realize that Holset was a Cummins co., it is a water cooled Turbo I know that. When the first turbo blew all Cummins authorized to do was the replace it and of course all the fluid repacement and cleaning but no checking beyond that!

Ben!

RustyJC · 08-26-2008, 07:39 AM

Here you go - HOLSET'S WEBSITE.

Rusty