Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Topic: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U? (Read 3480 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #25 – March 21, 2019, 08:59:28 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 21, 2019, 08:56:56 pm

M11 is at least a million mile motor

Give or take 800, 000 miles...LOL

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #26 – March 21, 2019, 09:36:37 pm

Shop foreman/owner of the Cummins service center is the first one among many to mention the million.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #27 – March 21, 2019, 10:00:33 pm

CUMMINS M11 PLUS ENGINE WITH JAKE BRAKE! - 370 HP - 34934413 - 1998 NO ELD!...

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #28 – March 21, 2019, 10:45:31 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 21, 2019, 09:36:37 pm

Shop foreman/owner of the Cummins service center is the first one among many to mention the million.

IFFFFF it's been taken proper care of.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #29 – March 21, 2019, 10:45:38 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 21, 2019, 09:36:37 pm

Shop foreman/owner of the Cummins service center is the first one among many to mention the million.

They all say that, till it breaks. That's why they are in business.
They are an internal combustion engine, made with lots of moving metal parts that wear, bend, warp, and break,they all have issues.
Cats break rings, Cummins crack blocks and heads.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #30 – March 21, 2019, 10:46:55 pm

Quote from: bbeane – March 21, 2019, 10:45:31 pm

IFFFFF it's been taken proper care of.

I was going to add that Bruce, you beat me to it.....And highway miles, not lot rot
CW

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #31 – March 21, 2019, 11:24:36 pm

Read a lot of commercial truckers report on m11's. Most mentioned the engine still in brake in up to 150k miles in a 18 wheeler.

I understand m11's are considered one of the prime engines for "rollers" where a new chassis and cab are built then retrofit with a earlier smog standard engine without DEF and EGR.

Cats had dissimilar metal corrosion issues I remember.

Our higher powered than most truck/commercial rigs m11's have sodium filled exhaust valves and a supported lower block/crank setup. Whatever that is.

Never seen our high hp/torque engines in the used markets.

Engine with more power was more expensive from Cummins

While it's not a large difference I think since I started driving this coach and freeing up the exhaust system the engine revs better and climbs grades better.

Every used diesel coach I ever drove had been babied by the owners.

Versus drive it like you stole it which is partially how I drive this.

At 100k when we got our coach I commented it was a dog.

Lots of things wrong and mods needed.

Much better drive now.

Most are afraid the use what they paid for.

Almost every owner was paranoid they would hurt it.

I can count on one hand the problem diesels I have seen out of many many coaches.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #32 – March 21, 2019, 11:37:15 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 21, 2019, 11:24:36 pm

Read a lot of commercial truckers report on m11's. Most mentioned the engine still in brake in up to 150k miles in a 18 wheeler.

I understand m11's are considered one of the prime engines for "rollers" where a new chassis and cab are built then retrofit with a earlier smog standard engine without DEF and EGR.

Cats had dissimilar metal corrosion issues I remember.

Our higher powered than most truck/commercial rigs m11's have sodium filled exhaust valves and a supported lower block/crank setup. Whatever that is.

Never seen our high hp/torque engines in the used markets.

Engine with more power was more expensive from Cummins

While it's not a large difference I think since I started driving this coach and freeing up the exhaust system the engine revs better and climbs grades better.

Every used diesel coach I ever drove had been babied by the owners.

Versus drive it like you stole it which is partially how I drive this.

At 100k when we got our coach I commented it was a dog.

Lots of things wrong and mods needed.

Much better drive now.

Most are afraid the use what they paid for.

Almost every owner was paranoid they would hurt it.

I can count on one hand the problem diesels I have seen out of many many coaches.

Certainly not cheap.
https://rvchassisparts.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/md/M121047/s1.pl?

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #33 – March 22, 2019, 12:33:14 am

Engine new was well over $20k as far as I know. P,us $3k+ back to Cummins for the warranty contribution by the selling dealer for 450hp. Weird system.

I understand the warranty contribution is less money for the lower power rated versions.

Cummins Dealer owner mentioned this.

I think the 02 has EGR. Some Internet posts about recurring EGR issues.

Our 97 has neither EGR or DEF.

Very desirable motor. Excellent reputation in the heavy duty class engines.

It's at the bottom end of the power curve on heavy duty class engines.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #34 – March 22, 2019, 08:39:13 am

DOH! Unit is a U295, not the U320. Did they come with the 8.3?

Thanks for all the input, folks!

The story is after a blown original engine, owner put in a "new" 8.3, which almost immediately developed a rod knock. His wife passed, and he sold it. Now that buyer is trying to sell it for I think $13k. I highly doubt he paid anywhere near that much, and he'll likely end up selling for less, unless he has room, and time, and the heart, to part it out - $5000 in new tires, diesel genset, for starters, and those ever-so valuable 1990s-era bay doors, who doesn't want spares of those, just in case?

Why did the original engine die? Good question.

I've heard that many times, when a diesel pusher engine dies, it's because it overheated. Occasionally, the hapless owner gets the engine replaced, and immediately destroys the new engine by overheating it (because the radiator or whatever was still plugged, etc.)

But an engine knocking? Sounds extremely suspicious, no? And in a "new" engine, whatever that means.

This isn't a project I would be able to do on my own, actually wondered if it would be feasible to find a shop in Missouri that could repair it or swap in a used engine. I could find a used RV engine from a wreck and drive it there in my Sprinter. I suspect the work required to swap an RV engine in would be less than a truck engine (as seen for sale on eBay,) because swapping usually requires so many changes, removing the front structure and maybe the rear structure, lots of work. Much less of that if the RVs were similar. Or if it really is nearly "new", repair might not be as expensive, getting in there and replacing rod bearings. Sounds like a huge gamble, however.

Not likely to happen, I guess.

I'd love to get a Foretravel, but I may end up with a Country Coach or Beaver. Waiting on some estate money, so all just thinking right now. Looking for a coach with no slides, so probably 1990s.

Scott in Snowflake AZ

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #35 – March 22, 2019, 11:15:44 am

Quote from: 80sDweeb – March 22, 2019, 08:39:13 am

I'd love to get a Foretravel, but I may end up with a Country Coach or Beaver. Waiting on some estate money, so all just thinking right now. Looking for a coach with no slides, so probably 1990s. Scott in Snowflake AZ

Sad story, all around; all of our worst nightmares! I'd keep looking for a FT. Granted, Beavers and CCs were nice, but they are not in business any more, FT IS! I may be biased (o.k., I AM), but I'd be looking for a '93/'94'95 36' U-240 coach. I think it was one of the best eras FT had, for many reasons I'd be glad to explain if you ever get down to Ajo. We'll be up in Payson in July and August.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #36 – March 22, 2019, 11:33:39 am

The 5K in tires sounds a fishy to me,how is this guy trying to sell it?

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #37 – March 22, 2019, 02:45:59 pm

"Why did the original engine die? Good question.

I've heard that many times, when a diesel pusher engine dies, it's because it overheated. Occasionally, the hapless owner gets the engine replaced, and immediately destroys the new engine by overheating it (because the radiator or whatever was still plugged, etc.)"

Makes me shudder to think where somebody's head is placed if they paid the price to replace the engine because it overheated then never repaired the overheating issue and "lunched" the new motor.
I can only imagine the condition the rest of the coach is in.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #38 – March 22, 2019, 03:04:13 pm

Quote from: John44 – March 22, 2019, 11:33:39 am

The 5K in tires sounds a fishy to me,how is this guy trying to sell it?

Given the engine screw-ups, maybe he put too much/too little air in the first set, and is trying to recoup the price of another set?

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #39 – March 22, 2019, 04:17:53 pm

Later coaches have electronic engines and have warning protection that includes ECU shutdown if they start to overheat. Dropping a valve will require an overhaul. Some engines will have camshaft wear, over revving, damage, etc. R&R on RVs is much more difficult than a big rig. Many truck shops won't touch an RV.

You hear a lot of talk about what causes this or that. Most is just that, a lot of talk.

Pierce

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #40 – March 23, 2019, 05:57:52 pm

Since the original subject is kinda lost, let me try to get back to some thoughts on it. I notice that some of the posts indicate that doing a complete overhaul or replacement is expensive since the investment cannot be realized at resale. Although we have sold our coach and didn't get what we'd have liked we still got 15 years use out of it and made many, many new friends and saw a bunch of the USA through that windshield as well as using it as a home base for short trips while camping. Purchase price minus selling price in real dollars didn't add up but enjoyment and lasting friendships far outweigh the "loss" at selling. They don't appreciate but we certainly did appreciate having our FT and have moved on.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #41 – March 23, 2019, 06:12:02 pm

Check with your tax person, if you sell your coach for less than you paid for it plus any capital improvements the difference is a capital loss for tax purposes. You coach is a second home as far as the IRS is concerned.

Like Larry said, all of our experiences and all of our new friends have long since paid for the coach maybe not in dollars but in quality of life.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #42 – March 23, 2019, 06:21:21 pm

I completely agree with Larry. We carefully purchased exactly the coach we wanted at a very fair price. We have used it for 6+ years and have put relatively little additional money into it. The money we have added has gone to reasonable upgrades and nornal maintenance. We know that we wiil "lose" money when we finally sell it (hopefully many years from now) but we have already received our money's worth in terms of pleasant experiences. Motorhoming is definitely our lifestyle of choice!

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #43 – March 23, 2019, 09:44:40 pm

I just replaced the red top Cummins in a 1997 Peterbilt with another red top that my local diesel mechanic found. It had about 220,000 miles on it. The cost to replace was $17,000. By the way, my old engine was slam wore out with nothing ever done to it but normal maintenance. It made 1.3 million miles.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #44 – March 24, 2019, 07:34:46 am

Have to ask but which engine is a redtop?,that must make mine a greytop since the top is grey.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #45 – March 24, 2019, 11:24:24 am

M-11. Another thought re: the wisdom of changing out an engine. I believe the trade-off analysis should be based not on the potential sale price after the big investment, but rather the cost of buying another coach. If you're just looking for a coach, the comparison should be against other similar coaches. If you already own the coach, the comparison should be how much it will cost to replace it versus replacing the engine.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #46 – March 24, 2019, 11:28:46 am

The reason I asked is last time we took the Foretravel tour every engine in the new ones was a "redtop".

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #47 – March 24, 2019, 01:43:07 pm

My diesel mechanic refers to the M 11 450 hp with red valve covers as a red top. Guess that's what I'll call it.

Re: Cost to rebuild/replace Cummins 8.3 in a 1996 320U?

Reply #48 – March 24, 2019, 01:59:37 pm

400 hp m11's had grey tops.

450 hp were red tops starting in early 1997. My build date was feb 97 as was one if not the first 450hp engines

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