Winnabego Motorhome problems

[timk49]

A family friend who is a 70 year old woman is having a problem with her 30 foot Winnabego . The Chevy 454 motor backfires when she hits a grade and suffers some loss of power. She said the problem started on her last trip after she had the transmission rebuilt. The engine has 50,000 miles on it all touring miles with lots of of mountains grades climbed. She wants to go to South Dakota in June but doesn't know about the motor problem. She is ready to throw a new engine in it. Any ideas or suggestions. I'd like to give her some advise but I don't know motors that well. Are there any problems with the 454 in motorhomes? Thanks in advance guys .

Tim K

[BlackSilver]

50,000 is low mileage for that engine if it's had oil changes and similar routine care, and backfiring under load doesn't sound like a "replace the engine" sort of problem.

 

Might be nothing more than a timing or vacuum problem, perhaps something as simple as a broken/disconnected vacuum hose.

 

What year is the engine --- fuel injected or carb --- any "Check Engine" lights lit....   ?????

[timk49]

Thanks for the reply. I'll get the specific details on the engine tomorrow and post them here.

[JonesNTN]

Some regular maintenance may be needed also. We had that same proplem before and it was due to a combination of bad gasoline and a needed fuel filter change. Also ran the sea-foam through it and everything was great again.

[BlackSilver]

......it was due to a combination of bad gasoline and a needed fuel filter change.

The fuel filter is certainly among the things I'd look at, since lean running (fuel starvation) can be a cause of backfiring.