I am in shock (and strongly considering just giving this RVing up). Our 2015 Fleetwood Storm (which we just got a little more than a year ago) - on a Ford F53 with a Triton V10 - started acting up in western North Dakota (we left from Oklahoma 2 weeks ago). Started lurching and surging, particularly under any load (inclines, wind). Threw code P0420 (Catalyst emission code), fuel mileage dropped and eventually just got worse and worse. LIMPED into Fargo yesterday afternoon at no more than 30 mph for the last 30 miles or so and got into Wallwork Truck Center (the only place around that could look at it, but they also seemed to be the only really good Ford place).
They spent most of the day with it and came back with me needing a new catalytic converter. Ford wants $5600 for the converter and once you added in labor and O2 sensors etc, etc - only a measly $7600 gets me out the door!
I told them I just couldn't do that and could we look at an aftermarket. I found one on Hottexhaust for approx $1600 (they had the Ford OEM one for $3200). I asked the dealership if they could install it if I bought it and they agreed (I think they were all in shock at the sticker price from Ford - the common refrain I heard from numerous folks was "Holy ****" - the gentlest being "Holy Buckets"). It should be here on Monday - while the one they wanted to order wouldn't be in for at least a week.
I know some have had trouble with aftermarket cats - but come on - $5600?? And the funny thing is as I've discussed this situation with numerous mechanics the most often heard sentiment is something like "knowing it's a Ford, it's probably the Cat. Why the insistence on putting another crappy Ford one in??
I don't know - I'm pretty confused - not knowing if I made the right decision...am I just going to keep having problems?? But - I can buy almost 4 of these for the price of 1 Ford converter. The people at Wallwork have been great by the way - letting us stay in our coach on the lot. I knew they would be expensive, but I'm just hoping that it IS the Catalytic converter.
Am I just asking for trouble?
They spent most of the day with it and came back with me needing a new catalytic converter. Ford wants $5600 for the converter and once you added in labor and O2 sensors etc, etc - only a measly $7600 gets me out the door!
I told them I just couldn't do that and could we look at an aftermarket. I found one on Hottexhaust for approx $1600 (they had the Ford OEM one for $3200). I asked the dealership if they could install it if I bought it and they agreed (I think they were all in shock at the sticker price from Ford - the common refrain I heard from numerous folks was "Holy ****" - the gentlest being "Holy Buckets"). It should be here on Monday - while the one they wanted to order wouldn't be in for at least a week.
I know some have had trouble with aftermarket cats - but come on - $5600?? And the funny thing is as I've discussed this situation with numerous mechanics the most often heard sentiment is something like "knowing it's a Ford, it's probably the Cat. Why the insistence on putting another crappy Ford one in??
I don't know - I'm pretty confused - not knowing if I made the right decision...am I just going to keep having problems?? But - I can buy almost 4 of these for the price of 1 Ford converter. The people at Wallwork have been great by the way - letting us stay in our coach on the lot. I knew they would be expensive, but I'm just hoping that it IS the Catalytic converter.
Am I just asking for trouble?