1997 Rialta VR-6 Engine Has Little Power Going Up Hills!!!

[GAllen]

Hello,



We've had our Rialta for 4 years (in Florida) and just recently found out on a trip out west (to Colorado) that our Rialta has very little power and kinda struggles when we're driving on mountainous highways going up hills or fairly steep mountain passes or grades...



Is there anything that we can or should be doing to assist our Rialta's power or performance when we're driving at high altitudes (5000 to 12,000 feet elevations)???



As far as we know everything on our Rialta is still factory with no modifications whatsoever!!!



Thank you,


Gary & Donna...


Ph. (813) 265-2200

[csreese]

Hi,


We have a 1998 and experienced the same thingin the Rockies last year. We expected it though based on the size of the engine. Recommendations we found included: lightening your load ( carry minimal fresh water and dump before making major climbs) water weighs 8 lbs. per gallon. Manually downshift on steep inclines (and declines) and backoff on the gas. You will get over the steepest hills but you may only be going 30 mph. We saw numerous motorhomes on the side of the road either overheated or with blown engines. The Rialta did great though she did it pretty slow. Wouldn't want to do it every day but can be done and we are planning to go out west again next year.


CReese

[yellowbelly]

We have a 97 Rialta & plan on heading west from Florida to Washington this summer. We wondered about power going through the mountains too. The local RV dealership suggested we have the oxygen sensor setting changed before & after going through the mountains but several RV campground owners said not to touch this. Anyone out there know anything about the oxygen sensor? or any other suggestions for mountain driving. Thanks

[GAllen]

Hello Yellowbelly,


My wife and I now have first hand experience driving up the mountains & hills of Colorado!!!


We left on Monday April 25th from Colorado and drove our 97 FD to Arizona and then back to Colorado the following week...


I can honestly tell you that going up those mountain grades was a little slow, but totally painless.


Here's the secret: Get to the far right lane, turn on your flashers, take your time & enjoy your surroundings, you'll be somewhere around 2500-3000 rpm's at 30 mph!!! There's also quite a few passing lanes which allows you to get further right thus allowing faster traffic to pass safely...


Once we got comfortable with the fact that going up hills or inclines wasn't going to be fast, the trip was just fine!!!


Happy travels,


Gary & Donna Allen...