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Topic: Detroit Diesel (Read 1375 times) previous topic - next topic

Detroit Diesel

I saw a listing for a Grand Villa (would be our first motorhome).  It looks like it's exactly what we want, in great shape and really low miles.  Also it's relatively close if a deal can happen.

Potential problem - it has a "freshly rebuilt" 8.2 Detroit Diesel.  Other than good gas mileage, I have read nothing but bad things about this motor in trucks.  Under-powered, blows head gaskets, expensive to fix, hard to get parts for...

Question is:  Are they really that bad in a motorhome application?  If so, and everything else with the coach is perfect, and we could get a really really good deal, is it possible to swap the Detroit out, in the future, for something better and more powerful (we plan on towing a vehicle) and what kind of $$$'s would I be looking at to do it?

Any information helps!
Thanks
Mark

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #1 –
Freshly rebuilt could mean a reconditioned engine but more likely, a patch job. Just enough to sell it. Don't be in a hurry and find a good Cummins or 2 cycle Detroit.

You can't believe what it would cost to replace the engine. Everyone is an optimist until all the bills are totaled. You might find you have a Big Mac at a Michelin 5 star price.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #2 –
Quote from: roadcamper –
I saw a listing for a Grand Villa (would be our first motorhome).  It looks like it's exactly what we want, in great shape and really low miles.  Also it's relatively close if a deal can happen.

Potential problem - it has a "freshly rebuilt" 8.2 Detroit Diesel.  Other than good gas mileage, I have read nothing but bad things about this motor in trucks.  Under-powered, blows head gaskets, expensive to fix, hard to get parts for...

Question is:  Are they really that bad in a motorhome application?  If so, and everything else with the coach is perfect, and we could get a really really good deal, is it possible to swap the Detroit out, in the future, for something better and more powerful (we plan on towing a vehicle) and what kind of $$$'s would I be looking at to do it?

Don't.  Sold these new.  Rebuilt?  No....

Any information helps!
Thanks
Mark
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #3 –
Quote from: roadcamper –
I saw a listing for a Grand Villa (would be our first motorhome).  It looks like it's exactly what we want, in great shape and really low miles.  Also it's relatively close if a deal can happen.

Potential problem - it has a "freshly rebuilt" 8.2 Detroit Diesel.  Other than good gas mileage, I have read nothing but bad things about this motor in trucks.  Under-powered, blows head gaskets, expensive to fix, hard to get parts for...

Question is:  Are they really that bad in a motorhome application?  If so, and everything else with the coach is perfect, and we could get a really really good deal, is it possible to swap the Detroit out, in the future, for something better and more powerful (we plan on towing a vehicle) and what kind of $$$'s would I be looking at to do it?

I would definitely pass on it. If you swap out the engine and do the work yourself it will take you many times as long as you anticipate it taking, and if you pay someone else to do the work it will cost many times what you estimate it should cost.

There are a number of good Foretravels that are offered for sale over the course of a year, and so be patient and keep looking.


David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #4 –
Thanks D.J.

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #5 –
Thanks Bob

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #6 –
Thanks Pierce

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #7 –
I have a close relationship with the Stewart & Stevenson Detroit Diesel folks here in Houston.  They refer to the old 8.2 Detroit as a "hand grenade" engine----if it hasn't blown up, it's about to.  Their mechanics said it's very fuel efficient, but is a light duty engine with limited engine life--- about 150K miles under hard use.  It was primarily a mid size truck engine, so heavy motor home duty would probably be viewed as tuff duty for this engine.  That said, some of them live OK, but tend to blow head gaskets due to small head bolts.
There are always some Grand Villas out there with the more desirable Cat 3208T, 2 cycle Detroit 92 series, or the Cummins engines for sale that are probably better choices.  There is very little support for the 8.2 from Detroit or aftermarket parts sources.
All of the Grand Villas will have beautiful solid wood interiors.  Just keep looking, there is always another one!
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #8 –
While some of the above posts (mine included) are enough to instill panic in GV owners with 8.2 diesels, many improvements have been made since the engine was introduced. Larger head bolts, improved head gaskets, etc have improved the reliability greatly. Granted, the design is not heavy duty (open cylinder deck, only four head bolts per cylinder) but many owners have gotten good service from them. If yours is running cool and not modified for more horsepower, it will probably continue to give good service. For a new buyer, the lack of parts, service facilities, the special tools needed plus a constant worry about all this may indicate there are better choices out there.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #9 –
The 8.2 has gotten a bad rap that really isn't deserved IMHO. They put thousands of them in school buses. In the later years, they increased the size of the head bolts and that helped with many problems.

I would buy one if the price is right and it runs well. The 8.2 isn't on my list of desired to own, but say if the whole RV was under $10,000 and I anticipated it would last me at least 2 years, I'd definitely consider it.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #10 –
I would consider any RV with a gas engine, 8.2 Detroit, 3116 cat, or any other smaller displacement or lower power oddball diesel a stepping stone and not a permanent keeper.

I even consider my cat 3176 to be somewhat of a wildcard. If I really wanted an rv to keep up for the next 30 years it would be cummins and it would be in this order: 8.3, 5.9, m11. mechanical engines are amazingly simple to keep going. 
Matt
95 U300, 78k miles
Cat 3176 Jake Brake, HD4060.

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #11 –
I AGREE,from what I have researched the detroits only have 4 head bolts per cyl,causing gasket and head problems.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #12 –
Quote from: John44 –
I AGREE,from what I have researched the detroits only have 4 head bolts per cyl,causing gasket and head problems.

I rebuilt one as a Foretravel manager long ago after it had 4 pounds of blowby pressure out of the valve cover with low miles and supposedly good service.

If the marked "s" for small head bolt would not pull torque the mechanic while I watched removed that bolt and picked up one marked "l" for large and retorqued the bolt.

I drove a lot of these and Foretravel speced the lower 205hp as they paired it in the OREDS with a non lockup 542 Allison trans.

A few beavers had the 230hp 8.2 and a 643 Allison with lockup that worked better.

All had pump vibrating off problems.  Water?  Or air?  Thirty years later I don't remember.

3208 worked much better
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #13 –
Thanks for knowledge base of the forum, it is quite valuable. Kinda hard to search, but the info is there. Seen a gv for sale that had the Detroit 8.2, I think I am going to pass it up based on low power and dismal torque. Coach looked great.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Detroit Diesel

Reply #14 –
I/we own a GV with the 8.2 DD. James Holder, Service Manager of Tennessee RV owns a 1984 with the 8.2 DD and it has BOKU miles on it.
We drive at 56 MPH, tow a 2006 Saturn Vue, have taken out the exhaust muffler and put in a straight pipe. I really enjoy the increase in throttle response and the better top end pickup. It has sufficient power for our needs--AND---AND--- the price was right for the intended use we were going for. Long distance, in mountains, towing heavy loads? NO, but it does everything we ask of it.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD