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Just a couple of questions from a relative newby. My motorhome is based on a Fiat Scudo Diesel Van. Whats the typical mileage life of an engine in a motorhome if properly cared for?

Being van diesels are they more robust than the engine in your family car? and given thet the home is not used daily, should I follow the makers service schedule or have it serviced more frequently?

thanks

I work for a large automotive vehicle manufacturer and have seen Diesel engines on average cover well over 500,000 miles in a lifetime, some properly cared for i.e. every service interval correctly checked and work required has been completed by a good reputable garage and others that just seem to run forever!

So - There is no hard and fast rule here! But I would say that every vehicle with this sort of mileage has started life working this way, high mileage every month, rather than the odd trip here and there like out MH’s. And it’s getting better every year with modern Diesel engine technology, average service intervals are now as high as 20,000 miles. A typical 2.0L Diesel should cover at least 225,000 Miles with no issues providing the oil is changed regularly and that you maintain the most basic checks according to your owner’s handbook.

My advise is to have your MH checked at every service interval, as the MH gets older and past it’s warranty issues, try to locate a good garage that does not charge such high premiums for servicing. Obvious wear and tear is something nobody can predict, and it’s worth replacing items that fail at every point, things like Glow Plugs etc…

Diesel vs. Petrol – torque, fuel economy, robustness are all premium advantages over petrol engines, therefore I would prefer a Diesel engine MH every day, but this is only due to the weight factor of my MH. Others with smaller vans may prefer the quietness of the petrol engine and sacrifice torque and fuel economy when loaded up. Overall this issues comes down to preference, but the “rule of thumb” is that if it’s large it’s Diesel.

Hope that helps

Quote: Originally posted by firruk on 09/6/2007

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Just a couple of questions from a relative newby. My motorhome is based on a Fiat Scudo Diesel Van. Whats the typical mileage life of an engine in a motorhome if properly cared for?

Being van diesels are they more robust than the engine in your family car? and given thet the home is not used daily, should I follow the makers service schedule or have it serviced more frequently?

thanks

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  We have a Scudo panel van (2.0JTD) have covered around 17,000 over 3 years miles with no problems. The only thing we have found with it is that it is prone to flat batteries in winter if not used regularly.  We find the engine very powerful, it was our first ever diesel and we were shocked with the power. Happy Camping!! Just make sure to have it serviced regularly.

Thanks for the responses. Looks like I need to have a good read of the service book and to find myself a good service centre. Would you use a main Fiat Commercial centre or are independents OK?

Anyhow with only 27K on the clock so far looks like I could line up many years happy camping if I look after it.

thanks

Firruk

Most motor homes are based on a commercial van. These vehicles regularly spend their days being abused, thrashed and caned by a human sub-spieces called "White Van Man." Most vans, somehow, survive.

A motorhome typically lead a much quieter life, some are very mollycoddled. Stick to the service schedules - and dont forget that an extra oil change in between each service will do absolutely no harm whatsoever!!!