SOLD – SOLD – SOLD

SOLD SOLD SOLD

EXCELLENT CONDITION
Oil and lube just finished and the gas tank is full. This well maintained Mirada is ready to head down south, out west, or up to the lake. 30 ft is a perfect size, not to big and not to small.

You won’t find a Mirada in better condition for less money.

NEW SHOCKS AND BRAKES, AIR BAGS, NEW PLUGS AND COPS (coil on plugs), NEW ENGINE WATER PUMP AND STARTER, CHF – TORSION BARs ADJUSTED (improves sway and handling), COACH BATTERY (two years old), INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Replaced 4 years ago), REAR VIEW CAMERA, CB Continue reading “SOLD – SOLD – SOLD” →

Onan Generator Choke Adjustment

Last spring I did a tuneup on my Onan 4k Micro-Quite generator. This improved the starting and running of the genney.

However, when starting, it seemed like I had to crank the generator for a long time, especially when cold. Cranking times would be 20-30 seconds, and if it was real cold (below freezing, I’d usually need to crank for 20 seconds, it would catch and act like it tried to start. I’d let it sit for a 10 seconds, then on the second crank it would usually start. Continue reading “Onan Generator Choke Adjustment” →

Hydro-boost brake pedal occasionally pulsing

On our last trip, On occasion, when I was applying the brakes very lightly, I could feel a very gentle pulsing in the brake pedal. It wasn’t a rapid pulse, like that when the anti-skid kicks in.

It was a very mild pulse, about once a second, and felt like the power assist was kicking in, then kick out, kick in, kick out. Continue reading “Hydro-boost brake pedal occasionally pulsing” →

Clean the MAF sensor on 2001 Ford F53 V10

v10_maf_sensor_3_600 The Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor is used to measure the amount of combustion air flowing into the engine. The vehicles engine controller then adjusts the fuel injectors to get the correct air/fuel mixture.

If the sensor is dirty, it will send the wrong information to the computer, robbing you of power and economy.

My Mirada is 15 years old and it has a little over 70,000 miles on it. I suspect the sensor has never been cleaned, so I bought a can of MAF sensor cleaner and put this on my project list. Continue reading “Clean the MAF sensor on 2001 Ford F53 V10” →

Install new shocks on 2001 F53 chassis

ED NOTE (Jan 2017) – We just came back from a 6 week, 7500 mile trip, the new shocks made a big difference.

While reading posts on how to improve handling, other than performing the CHF, someone mentioned they replaced their old shocks and this helped a lot. My Mirada is 15 years old and has 70,000 miles on it. The shocks are probably original, so worn out shocks could be contributing to handling and ride issues.

I ordered new Monroe shocks from Rock Auto, at $50 each. I wasn’t to thrilled about spending $200 to replace something that I didn’t know was bad, but several mechanics told me that if they are 15 years old, they are probably worn out. Continue reading “Install new shocks on 2001 F53 chassis” →

Is your step IN or OUT?

stepsensor_3_600_1 For those of us who don’t have automatic steps, or only have a mechanical step, the most common question in the RV community has got to be: “Is the step still out?”

Although we check and double check to make sure the step is retracted before getting under way, this question always seems to be in the back of my mind, especially after a quick stop at a Rest Area or a fill-up at the gas station. We can’t quite see the step in the mirrors, so to make sure, we usually go back to the step switch and hold it in for about 5 seconds to make sure the step is retracted.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a indicator light on the dash that warns when the step is extended? Read on… Continue reading “Is your step IN or OUT?” →

Buying an older F53 chassis motorhome

HoodRepair_8_800 I’ve been asked what things a new owner should look at and anticipate doing if they purchase an older motor-home that’s built on a F53 chassis, i.e. 1999 – 2005.

Obviously, the coach needs to be inspected, but I want to address the chassis portion. I want a good reliable vehicle that’s not going to leave me stranded. The best way to get piece of mind is to know exactly where the vehicle is in regards to maintenance. Continue reading “Buying an older F53 chassis motorhome” →

Replace water pump – Ford V10

WaterPump_4_800 I didn’t have any of the normal “water-pump going bad” symptoms, i.e. leaking at the weep hole, bearing play or noise, etc. I was having problems with a chirping serpentine belt and wanted to closely inspect the pulley and the pump shaft.

My Mirada is 15 years old with 70,000 miles on it, so I made the decision, since I’m going to all the trouble to remove the fan-clutch and pulley, I’m almost there so I may as well put a new water pump on it. I’m glad I did. A new GMB pump runs $35 from Rock Auto.

REMOVING THE PUMP Continue reading “Replace water pump – Ford V10” →

Replacing wiper blades

WindshieldWiper_3_800 The wiper blades on the Mirada were starting to show their age. I believe they were Anco A-24-M blades, a good quality blade, but the rubber was starting to tear on the passenger side.

I started searching for replacements, It seems the moment you put the letters “RV” on wiper blades, the price goes through the roof, and I found replacements from $15 – $25 each. Continue reading “Replacing wiper blades” →

Sound deadening and heat shield

HoodSoundproof_1_600 I read recently where someone had installed sound proofing and heat barrier material to their doghouse, and it made a considerable difference in both heat and sound.

On the Mirada, I don’t recall objectionable sound or heat from the engine compartment. The engine noise was there, but not loud. As for heat, we do the majority of our travel in winter and it seems like its always cold on the drivers side, yet hot on the passenger side. I could put my hand on the engine compartment, it wasn’t hot, but seemed like it was warm. Continue reading “Sound deadening and heat shield” →