Another $$$ fix or Goodbye 2004 Journey 36G

[RVMJR52]

Facing decision to abandon (actually donate) or pay to fix my motorhome.
Ona trip to PHOENIX October 2025, I knew that I had a serious oil problem just outside Fort Worth. But pushed on to Carlsbad Caverns then limped to within an hour of Phoenix. Sort of felt trapped and we could stay with relatives during two week repair at Caterpillar shop. So paid out $17,000 for what I thought was an amazing professional repair.
I visited the shop unannounced twice to see thoroughness of work.
Turns out leak was from the air compressor. In October 2023 I had a local gravel lot mechanic fix a leak around the air compressor. Gravel lot mechanics do not charge anywhere near a 16 repair bay commercial setup bills.
So now upon my return from our second trip to the SC coast this year, I notice fresh oil drips while fueling. Motorhome is back in a pro shop and preliminary report is not good - lots of oil to clean off before diagnosis.
If I am looking at another major repair approaching $5000, I think that I would be near crazy to pay to fix a cursed engine. We love our motorhome trips but AIR BNBS THAT ACCEPT PETS seems in our future.

Anyone have a viewpoint or similar experience facing such an exit cost?

 

[Morich]

By the mention of Cummins, I assume you are speaking of diesel? Can we assume it is now fully oil covered and that leads to no thoughts of them knowing where the oil is coming out? Big bucks to diagnose and that is after big bucks cleaning?
Since oil can come out lots of big places or lots of small places, I would first want to get a cheap person to power wash the engine enought to see WHERE the oil is leaking! If there are not other parts to the story, what says it is a major problem?
Mistakes and poor quality work is the norm at times, so first I would do a little more to find out if there is really a major problem or if they just left something loose that is leaking. It really seems like they are not really too much into sorting the problem and more into making the problem as big as possible?
Did they screw the oil filter on in the right way?
If I can't locate the source, I might consider a local guy to power wash it and then look!
In my experience, I can get lots of power washing for a hundred dollars and that is well within what I am willing to gamble in this case.
It doesn't really take a super pro to see oil leaks! It's more a matter of being interested!

 

[RayIN]

By the mention of Cummins, I assume you are speaking of diesel? Can we assume it is now fully oil covered and that leads to no thoughts of them knowing where the oil is coming out? Big bucks to diagnose and that is after big bucks cleaning?
Since oil can come out lots of big places or lots of small places, I would first want to get a cheap person to power wash the engine enought to see WHERE the oil is leaking! If there are not other parts to the story, what says it is a major problem?
Mistakes and poor quality work is the norm at times, so first I would do a little more to find out if there is really a major problem or if they just left something loose that is leaking. It really seems like they are not really too much into sorting the problem and more into making the problem as big as possible?
Did they screw the oil filter on in the right way?
If I can't locate the source, I might consider a local guy to power wash it and then look!
In my experience, I can get lots of power washing for a hundred dollars and that is well within what I am willing to gamble in this case.
It doesn't really take a super pro to see oil leaks! It's more a matter of being interested!

Caterpillar, not Cummins.
RVMJR54 Without knowing the model of your CAT engine, no-one can use experience to help.
Sadly I suspect you got your money's worth from the cheaper gravel lot mechanic. The CAT shop guarantees their work and parts.

 

[RVMJR52]

The engine is a CAT3126. Ideally if I lived in Phoenix, I would have the motorhome at their shop expecting ‘guaranteed’ repair. I am hoping that the WWWilliams shop in Greer SC will be respected by the CAT shop so that ‘guaranteed’ repairs would be reimbursed.

 

[RVMJR52]

To end the saga. WWWilliams identified main oil spray from the power steering lines. Additionally, and the main moneymaker, is engine seal is leaking. As the commercial says ‘enjoyment is priceless’. If I avoid mechanical issues for the next year, I may be seeking a new paint job.

 

[RVMJR52]

Wait one minute! Overnight anxiety led to cancelling repair of engine seal. I have had 20+ year old vehicles before with weeping engine seals. Decided to monitor regularly.
I know from CATSHOP NOTES they removed hoses from power steering reservoir. Need to find out from WWWilliams if hoses burst or were not secured properly.
(I know - should have posted a blog.)

 

[Morich]

I can feel for you on the decsions when it comes to repair! It is sometimes the hardest part of the whole deal! Which seal and where and how bad? Hard to get those basics pinned down.
Most of us who have had ten year old cars know to expect a certain amount of oil dripping in the floor overnight!
But I have the same grease spot under my two year old car because they failed to screw the oil filter on tight enough!

 

[RVMJR52]

I can feel for you on the decsions when it comes to repair! It is sometimes the hardest part of the whole deal! Which seal and where and how bad? Hard to get those basics pinned down.
Most of us who have had ten year old cars know to expect a certain amount of oil dripping in the floor overnight!
But I have the same grease spot under my two year old car because they failed to screw the oil filter on tight enough!

Thanks for the sympathy! Is the rear main seal where I am certain I have seen oil sweat before. At WWWilliams they do such a thorough inspection that the service rep asked if I knew my tag light was out. TAG LIGHT on my license plate.

 

[dickb46]

we currently have two rv's.. (in between coaches}. One with 158k and one with 76k, one a 3126e and the other a c7.
I wouldn't have any problem running my hands up and down the oil pans of either engine and then picking up my sandwich and eating it.
I'd really question anyone that says it's the engine that is leaking.