http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=14100.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=14100.0)
Well yesterday the transmission that had the bad cooler started slipping!
So now we need a new Allison B500R! And hey Christmas is coming soon, so this is all I want for X-mas! "All I want for Christmas is a new Allison B500R transmission!" Sung to the tune of "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth!"
;D BK ;D
Bryce,
Seems to me that you didn't have all these problems when you were running MCI's. ;)
Quote from: Ednj on December 03, 2009, 10:55:51 AM
Bryce,
Seems to me that you didn't have all these problems when you were running MCI's. ;)
Nope just blown engines, and broken engine cradles! ;D LOL!
Just newer buses and new problems! ;D
And if they get run enough all buses have problems, just seems we have had more than
our share (we are used too!) lately!
Oh it will pass if I can only find the $ to buy a re-manned or good used trans somewhere!
;D BK ;D
Oh yeah one good thing about the days of the MCI's was they were all bought with CASH, which meant paid for in full! And with these newer Setra's came some hefty payments which means we don't much $ in the bank like we used too! :-\
I know that I have mentioned him before, but have you called Sam Caylor? He might...might...have one (I ain't saying it is a good price).
How much will another cost?
God bless,
John
I've seen some info that MCI charges $10,000 for a reman B500. Never shopped for one, but MCI's price is probably high.
BK call Dan Holter.. He has a few.. Very reasonable prices..
Who is Dave Holter and how do you reach him?
John
Belfert, 10 grand is not a bad price for a rebuilt B500 I would not buy a used one they are not a long life transmission a old HT 740 will outlast 3 of the B500'S from what the Allison guys tell me.
Before I pulled that transmission I would plug a DDR (Pro Link) and check for codes it maybe a sensor bad like the engine speed or the turbine speed.
Those transmissions have a Pulse Width Modulation to control the oil flow to the clutches ,I hope for BK it is a simple fix slippage is not always a clutch problem
good luck
I noticed Prevost has rebuilt B500R for 7495.00
They usually pay the shipping too.
Hope it helps, and gets better soon.
dick egler
Quote from: John316
I know that I have mentioned him before, but have you called Sam Caylor? He might...might...have one (I ain't saying it is a good price).
How much will another cost?
God bless,
John
John thanks for the reminder and no I haven't tried Sam yet, but I have his # right here in front of me in my rolo-dex!
Quote from: belfert
I've seen some info that MCI charges $10,000 for a reman B500. Never shopped for one, but MCI's price is probably high.
Brian that is actually a reasonable price considering it is MCI, but sometimes places like MCI, Setra, Prevost & ABC Companies will surprise you with good prices when you don't expect them.
Quote from: Zeroclearance link
BK call Dan Holter.. He has a few.. Very reasonable prices..
Got a #? I'll be honest I've heard the name, but can't recall who he is. Maybe from Rochester, MN?
I'm sure I know him, or of him. I'm just not sure where from.
Quote from: johns4104s
Who is Dave Holter and how do you reach him?
John
Thanks, good question
Quote from: luvrbus
Belfert, 10 grand is not a bad price for a rebuilt B500 I would not buy a used one they are not a long life transmission a old HT 740 will outlast 3 of the B500'S from what the Allison guys tell me.
Before I pulled that transmission I would plug a DDR (Pro Link) and check for codes it maybe a sensor bad like the engine speed or the turbine speed.
Those transmissions have a Pulse Width Modulation to control the oil flow to the clutches ,I hope for BK it is a simple fix slippage is not always a clutch problem
good luck
Clifford thanks for the advice! I will take over to my buddies shop about 2 miles of back road from here and ask him to use his Pro Link on it tomorrow.
But I'm still scared as I was told by our local (Memphis) Clark Detroit / Allison Dealer that anytime coolant is introduced into that transmission it is usually toast! (they have always been up front and honest with me and even helped me save $ several times in the past)
I also had my uncle put a call into his BIL (they married sisters) who is some type of supervisor at Stewart Stevenson in Houston. He confirmed what they had told us except he said usually you can change/flush the fluid and get about a month of service out of it before it acts up.
He said he could hook me up with an Allison re-man w/warranty for $9,600 exchange. (or a B500 for $7,500 and the rear of the trans/retarder could be switched over.)
I appreciate all ideas and advice as, bad things have been happening so fast our $ is very tight and we are exploring all options before doing anything.
We are reluctant to use a "used" one in one of these '05's which are our main runners, but with tight times and lean $ we are open to that option if the price is good enough to take a gamble on one from a reliable source. (of course regardless of source used is used and it is a gamble!)
Thanks again for all the ideas, advice, emails and phone calls dad and I have plenty to discuss tonight and a few calls tomorrow before loading the gun, robbing a bank and jumping in the truck to go buy a transmission tomorrow!
;D BK ;D
Quote from: dickegler on December 03, 2009, 04:50:15 PM
I noticed Prevost has rebuilt B500R for 7495.00
They usually pay the shipping too.
Hope it helps, and gets better soon.
dick egler
Wow Dick you posted this while I was working on my post! I will call them in the morning and see if they indeed have one in stock in Nashville 3 hrs from me, then I find the nearest bank to them and rob it on the way! ;D
;D BK ;D
[/quote]
then I find the nearest bank to them and rob it on the way! ;D
;D BK ;D
[/quote]
Just a suggestion BK why not Rob the transmission shop :):) they are less likly have guns :):)
There's a guy in St. Paul that's supposed to be good at rebuilding them. I don't know him. Rick does, though.
Aren't you coming up this way to pick up that NASCAR conversion you're buying? ::)
Quote from: gumpy on December 03, 2009, 06:07:36 PM
There's a guy in St. Paul that's supposed to be good at rebuilding them. I don't know him. Rick does, though.
Aren't you coming up this way to pick up that NASCAR conversion you're buying? ::)
Name? #? Price?
Looks like that won't happening anytime soon since my uncle was the major investor and he went and bought a S & S! Quote from: bk
then I find the nearest bank to them and rob it on the way! ;D
;D BK ;D
Quote from: Paso One
Just a suggestion BK why not Rob the transmission shop :):) they are less likly have guns :):)
They would have a description of the get away vehicle & it's be 3,000 lbs heavier by then! ;D
;D BK ;D
Would it be better to just use an air to air transmission with a B500 to prevent a bad coolr from introducing coolant into the tranny fluid?
Quote from: belfert on December 03, 2009, 06:25:02 PM
Would it be better to just use an air to air transmission with a B500 to prevent a bad coolr from introducing coolant into the tranny fluid?
Belfert the only difference between a B500 and a B500R is the retarder (R) which we need because Setra is not like MCI, Prevost, Dina, or ect.
They WILL NOT install jake brakes on their buses as they claim they are not near as effective, or safe as retarders! They also claim the noise annoys passengers who pay for SETRA quality luxury! ;D
;D BK ;D
I'm not making that up we were told that when we went to their training academy!
Quote from: Busted Knuckle on December 03, 2009, 06:36:21 PM
Quote from: belfert on December 03, 2009, 06:25:02 PM
Would it be better to just use an air to air transmission with a B500 to prevent a bad coolr from introducing coolant into the tranny fluid?
Belfert the only difference between a B500 and a B500R is the retarder (R) which we need because Setra is not like MCI, Prevost, Dina, or ect.
They WILL NOT install jake brakes on their buses as they claim they are not near as effective, or safe as retarders! They also claim the noise annoys passengers who pay for SETRA quality luxury! ;D
;D BK ;D
I'm not making that up we were told that when we went to their training academy!
I left out a word in my post. I was asking if an air to air transmission
cooler would be better so coolant won't get anywhere close to the tranny?
Bryce,
I am checking prices on a rebuild for your B500 and I should know soon the friend that I'm checking with has rebuilt a number of 500's. One other suggestion to get you through this is when my tranny was slipping taking off at stoplights on inclines, soggy ground etc... I switched from transmission fluid to 15-40 rotella and my tranny shifts like it's brand new now. I plan on rebuilding mine over the winter but I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across country. The only drawback is I have to wait 10-15 minutes for it to warm up so I don't blow the filter off the transmission but Nashville certainly is a heck of a lot warmer than here in St. Paul. I think New Jersey Transit and other transit companies have switched to rotella in all their coaches so at least in my 754 it certainly won't hurt anything.
I'll be in touch,
Rick
Not to go too far off topic, But Looking back through the da book etc, It seems but I have never seen it written that all the fluids, (engine, trans, Power steeering, fan gearbox, wheel bearings) for the MC9 may have been 40wt oil. This would make since because the are the easily maintained by the driver and he would only have to carry one fluid and reduced chance of adding something wrong. Just curious if that was how things were done.
Rick thanks for checking!
Now as far as using the 15-40 in it I'll have to pass. If you remember right I had suggested you try it your 740. We run it in our 740's and have had much success with it.
But on the advice of our dearly missed Sammy I never put it in my B500's because he told me "If you want to have to rebuild them at around 100,000 miles by all means use it, but if you want them to last 300-500,000 miles I would use Synthetic as per Allison's recommendation and be vigilant about the service schedule!"
I have stuck to this advice and "so far so good!"
I would not be looking for a tranny if it weren't for a early trans cooler failure!
Thanks again for all the suggestions, tips, and advice I am still looking and studying all options as $ is really tight right now and we need to make the best move for the $ and not have to do it over too soon just because "we made the wrong move!"
We are considering used or rebuilt at the moment in order to get it back up and running so we can make the $ needed to "do it right", for the long run. If it turns out that is the way to go for now.
We are thinking of a used one, as a long term fix, but if we find that the $ is right and it will work til we can plunk down cold hard cash for a warrantied reman in the near future that maybe an option for us.
:-\ BK :-\
BK,
I think Rick was suggesting using it in the one that is slipping, not in the good ones. You're already looking to change it with a rebuilt or used one. Putting 15-40 in it might get you a few months
more of good revenue service before you have to sink 10 grand into it. Gives you a bit more planning and saving room.
I'm not arguing with Sammy's advice. I'm just saying it may not apply to this particular transmission now.
craig
So I am watching the saga unfold. That has left me with one question....
What are some warning signs that I can watch for? We certainly don't want to sink 10 to 20K into a new B500. Our tranny cooling is tied into the engine cooling, which sounds like BK's.
Advice?
God bless,
John
Bryce
My friend said it would be 3500 if it needs normal rebuild
Rick
Quote from: RickB on December 06, 2009, 04:50:50 PM
My friend said it would be 3500 if it needs normal rebuild
How can I contact this guy if my B500 ever needs a rebuild? I suspect I'm still on the original with the best guess mileage on the coach somewhere around 350,000 miles.
Brian
I will give you Kens info when I get back from Nashville on Wednesday.
Bruce
He made it clear that if there is unforeseen catastrophic
failure it could be considerably more.
I'll try to call you later.
Rick
Quote from: RickB on December 07, 2009, 05:53:52 AM
Brian
I will give you Kens info when I get back from Nashville on Wednesday.
Bruce
He made it clear that if there is unforeseen catastrophic
failure it could be considerably more.
I'll try to call you later.
Rick
Rick I understand that.
But of course I really doubt there is any serious damage as the only reason it has a promblem at all is because of the trans oil cooler failure dumping anti freeze into it. FWIW
;D BK ;D