Prochem Apex Diesel...Any experience?

[Mike Pailliotet]

I got a buddy looking at picking up a 2010 unit with 3200 hours..
Any advice on what he should be looking for as far as wear parts or known issues?

@Able 1

 

[mirf]

I have a 2014 about 800 hours and no problems with it. Great heat and vac. Bought it used only 50 hours but in A FORD 2006 van not extended and I hate that. Have not found a van worth the time or money yet to swap it in. Have not looked hard thou.

 

[Zee]

I think Ofer had one with his Sprinter setup?

 

[Able 1]

Lots of vibration with the Apex(I have the gas one), besides that nothing specific that goes wrong.. I would pressure test the hx'ers.

That diesel engine should last forever!

 

[ruff]

I did but can't attest to long term issues as I sold it with very few hours.

• Beside the smell of diesel (I'd highly recommend installing an exhaust pipe that runs the fumes under and outside the van.) I did not have a smell in the van, but could smell the machine if the wind was drifting or being sucked into the house.
  
• The other issue is more vibrations (diesel engines vibrate more.)
• And slightly less heat. Diesel engines run cooler.

All in all a great machine.

 

[mirf]

One other thing that could be an issue in really cold weather is the battery and the glowplug. It works hard on cold nights so is it does not turn over right away you can hear it.
Makes me nerves so I carry a booster cables and a start jump starter

 

[Mike Draper]

I dont know anything about the diesel version, but it would make perfect sense to use the WG-972 3 cyl kubota engine that runs the apex or the 570, but in diesel. Kubota converted this engine to gas for some EPA regualtions. So, I'm willing to bet its the same engine

 

[laura@legendbrands]

Where is your friend located? Let me ask our technical group what their opinion is and if they have some type of reference guide they could provide.

I can tell you the politically correct response is "When buying used equipment, we always recommend taking it to an authorized Prochem Dealer to review. They will put together a comprehensive list of concerns, and also provide an estimate of what work may need to be done to restore it to factory standards".

 

[Jim Pemberton]

That's not just politically correct, its a wise course of action for the buyer.

While it could be argued that some dealers might try to "devalue the machine" in an attempt to get your friend to buy a new one, most distributors have the integrity to give the equipment an honest assessment, and will be able to tell if there are major issues on the horizon that might not be immediately noticed by an inexperienced buyer.

Thanks for suggesting that Laura