'Nother Air question:
It takes my bus quite awhile for the air to build. It always did so I just figured for the time.
Dallas told me that it was getting weak when he rebuilt the motor and it's probably time I bite the bullet and address it. Is it better to rebuild it or replace it?? And, where is the best place for such stuff??
Oh, this is on my 4108. (I forgot to put that in my last thread. ::))
Thanx again!
Chaz
It's good to have a benchmark rather than "a long time". I use the DOT standard test for compressor recovery. That's really easy to do - get the bus completely aired up and stable. Do the leak test - no more than 1 psi drop in one minute, engine off. Next, engine at high idle or 1,000 rpm, fan the brakes to lower the pressure down to 80 psi, watch the governor cut in, and time the rise from 85 psi to 100 psi. That is the standard test. DOT failure in Ontario is 2 minutes, I have read that it is 45 seconds in some states. My bus takes 18 seconds. I would say that if you are less than 30 to 40 seconds, you do have a problem. It's hard to judge between time it takes to air up the bus, time it takes to fill the suspension, air loss from leaking, etc, which is why there is a standard test.
Brian
Brian....
Chaz's bus doesn't even come close.
Brake pressure drop test was 12 -15 psi/minute of full application.
Recovery was slow enough that after 3 minutes I gave up.
Most of this is caused from the compressor leaking oil over time.
I didn't go farther than that. I let Chaz know he needed a new compressor, and that many of his air problems would be fixed by cleaning out the oil in the system and replacing stuff that couldn't be cleaned or rebuilt.
Good Luck,
Dallas
I don't know what compressor you have now but if you have the 500 or 600 upgrade to a 700 big difference in recovery time and recovery time depends on the cfm of the compressor
good luck
Price good used takeouts from NIMCO. They had all sizes the last time I talked with them. Put the biggest one on you can without doing any modifications.
Thanx for the info guys. Upgrading would be nice - I guess - but do you know what I can upgrade to without a lot of fab work?? I seen a 600, 700 and a 750. Are there benefits to different ones?
Quote from: Chaz on March 07, 2011, 02:37:16 PM
Thanx for the info guys. Upgrading would be nice - I guess - but do you know what I can upgrade to without a lot of fab work?? I seen a 600, 700 and a 750. Are there benefits to different ones?
The larger the model number, the more CFM/faster fill. I do not know if compressors are rotation specific (RH or LH rotation) Jack
Thanx Jack. Good point. I guess I will just have to make sure they know exactly what I have and don't assume.
Thanx again,
Chaz
There are about a zillion variations and permutations of air compressors. the Bendix web site has a big chart. I just got the model number off the tag on mine to order a new one.
Brian
There are also air compressors for turbocharged and non turbocharged engines. On the turbocharged engines, the air compressor is fed on the pressure side of the turbocharger so when the compressor does kick in and if you're pulling a hill with full boost, you can watch the air gauge go back up to 120psi in a very few seconds.
Chaz-get an exchange rebuilt. It is the easiest and usually have a warranty on them too! If you don't have one, also consider an air/water separator like the Bendix AD-9. Good Luck, TomC
seriously? The compressor is fed from the hot side of the turbo? I wouldn't have thought that at all. I was planning to feed mine from the air cleaner same as it is now, after I install my turbo engine.
Where is your air compressor fed from on your turbo 8V71?
Brian
Chaz
Take the inlet off your compressor and check that these valves are not sticking on your compressor. I found my bus was slow to air and in the link below I have some pictures of what I did to remove and clean the valves. Might be worth a try. When the compressor was building air I was loosing air at these valves until I cleaned them. I can air the bus up to meet all the regulation pressure tests with no problem now.
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=17357.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=17357.0)
John
If you end up wanting a rebuilt. REI (Rebuilders Enterprise Industries) had the best price when we needed one. Speak to JR at 800 489-9860.
I had recently exchanged my air compressor for a rebuilt, so when I turbocharged my engine, I just put its' own small (really cute looking) air filter on it, rather then buying a new turbocharger capable air compressor. I can tell you, on my truck, it is really fast when you have turbo boost when the air compressor does cycle. Good Luck, TomC
Thanx guys. I wonder if the leaking wiper valves have anything to do with my air issues?? ??? Working on rectifying that on another thread.
Anyway, my compressor is a Bendix ___Flo. PC no# 289925 and Ser. no#M1986R
At least that's what the tag looks like. Some of the stamps are lightly stamped.
I guess I'll check REI and the Detroit shop Dallas recommended in Cincy. Any other ideas?
Thanx for all the help. It sure will be good to have good air again! ;D
Chaz
A 289925 is a Bendix remanufactured Tu-Flo 700 of a specific flange and shaft config to fit your engine application.
http://www.bendixvrc.com/itemDisplay.asp?documentID=5309 (http://www.bendixvrc.com/itemDisplay.asp?documentID=5309)
Here is one place, $495.00. I would try to get one reman'd by Bendix if I could.
http://perfectionequipment.catalog.com/browseGroup.cfm?item_group_id=88701 (http://perfectionequipment.catalog.com/browseGroup.cfm?item_group_id=88701)
Brian
Thanx Brian.
I called the Cincy Detroit store and they can get rebuilds for $415.62. :'( :'( ouch. I was hoping Dallas's numbers were going to be closer. I may have to look at quote" good used" unquote. :-\
Thanx again for the follow up!!!
Chaz
p.s. Kirk's JUST emailed me before I hit send and they are 283.00 + tax. I emailed them back to see how bad shipping will hurt as well. It would be nice if we could use NAPA as a go between. ::)
Chaz,
Sorry to chime in late here.
Kirk's has a good reputation (at least on the alts. & starters I've gotten from them!) I've never bought a compressor from them. (as a matter of fact, I didn't know they did them)
Now you might give Prior Re-manufacturing ( http://www.priorreman.com/HeavyDuty.htm (http://www.priorreman.com/HeavyDuty.htm) ) a call or email. I have had great service from them. (had several problems but they always went above & beyond to correct the problem! So I can vouch they do stand behind their products 100%!)
;D BK ;D
I checked 4 places and REI got the nod. They weren't the cheapest but JR sounds like a REALLY nice guy and just a good guy to deal with. That means a lot. And he was VERY appreciative that Lin recommended him. Good dude.
BTW it ran 289.00. 1 year warranty.
So................ now I loose my virginity on replacing a compressor!!! ;D Any tips? Tricks?? Just curious. JR said it was pretty straight forward.
Thanx again guys!!!!!!
Chaz
(can I say I'm looking forward to a good "B*** J**" ?? lolololololol Sorry, just had to. ;D ;D ;D)
One thing I like about them was that they did not take the core charge up front but gave time to return it first.
Quote from: Lin on March 10, 2011, 12:39:03 PM
One thing I like about them was that they did not take the core charge up front but gave time to return it first.
FWIW to the best of my memory Prior does that too. (at least for me, but then again it could just because IT IS FOR ME! ;) ) :o ::)
;D BK ;D
BK, Love is a wonderful thing, isn't it.
You need to transfer over a bunch of plugs and inlets and such, to configure it right. Mine came with all new plugs in a bag, so I didn't need to take out and reuse the old ones. set the new compressor beside the old compressor and double check everything. Some of the holes in the new compressor may have plastic plugs installed to keep things clean, you need to put steel plugs in with teflon sealant. You need to get a new governor as well, they are cheap and mount on the side of the compressor. Depending on your install you may want to get a new air filter, or change the hose to the air filter or the top of the blower on the engine (whatever your intake air set up is). You need to inspect and decide if you need to change your air hoses - two to the governor and the big output air hose. Many say it's a very good idea to change the main outlet air hose and in your case, with the oiling problems you have I would recommend it. You need to inspect and probably change the water/coolant lines to and from the compressor to the cooling system, and you should change/inspect the pressurized oil input line. You need new gaskets for the base of the compressor. You need to inspect the coupler between the engine and the input gear on the compressor - mine is all metal, apparently some are some sort of composite fiber and Gumpy had one fail recently. You need to work out a tool to hold the input gear on the old compressor while you undo the nut and a gear puller to pull it off the compressor crank, and then you need to work out how to hold it while you torque the new nut (Mine came with a new castle nut and cotter pin and fancy base gasket) to 100 ft lbs. Then you just use a new gasket, bolt it on to the engine, hook everything up and away you go.
That's all I can think of...
Brian
BK and Lin,
They were both "all that and a bag of chips". It was just that REI was closer for shipping and cheaper in price. But both seemed very good. Kirk's was cheaper yet.
Brian,
OMG!!!!!!!!! (as the kids would say :D)
JR at REI said he would make sure the gear was on and plugs were with it as well as gasket. I told him I was a rookie and he went the extra mile to make sure I would have what I need. Like I said, GOOD Dude!!
All those lines AND a Governor? Dang. Hope the Gov. can be gotten close. I'm sure the compressor is already shipped so I can't add that on. I don't even know what they look like. ???
Should be a new experience! Just hope it's a good one. ;D
Chaz
well, you really need to inspect and decide if you need to change things. I tend to look at things like hoses and such that are regular maintenance items that should be changed out every 10 years or so and if I know they are 30 years old, the inspection is short and sweet... Governor the same thing, regular maintenance item and if you don't know when it was changed last, and it's all crusty and horrible.... Flotation test time
Brian
Chaz,
(and Brian) The governor IS USUALLY mounted on the compressor especially on a coach of yours' vintage. However NOT ALL are, it is very common especially these days for the governor to be **remote** mounted! All my Setra's are the older ones were mounted on a frame rail between the drive & tag axles. (oh wait you both have single axle coaches and might not understand what a tag axle is! LOL! :o .... jest kidding) The newer Setra's and many other trucks and buses have them mounted directly to the air dryer itself!
Now as far as what it looks like remember the old V-8, or *Donald Duck Brand* juice cans (the small ones not the current 12oz ones) About 1-1/2 inches in diameter and about 3-1/2" long.
That's EXACTLY what a governor looks like only just plain gray aluminum color no fancy labeling!
;D BK ;D
OH and even JR is a super swell guy and all that, BE SURE and carefully inspect that compressor over completely to be sure it doesn't have ANY of the plastic plugs/caps painted over on it! Craig aka Gumpy had one that was and he accidentally missed it upon installation and once it warmed up it popped out and spit a bunch of oil out on him.
Also (BRIAN & other MCI owners take note here) on an MCI there is a hole that has to have a pipe plug in it that needs the be ground down or it is next to impossible to install or remove the mounting bolt near it with the engine installed in the bus! (I always take the old already ground plug out & reuse it in that hole! & I take the rest of the plugs out and save them in my "collection" for use later on other projects or emergency repairs! (it's only on an MCI that this one plug is at least as far as I know of because of the orientation of the compressor on an MCI vs other brands!)
appreciate all the great info. am suffering compressor anxiety myself at the present time, this info will fix me right up. this is tomorrows job thanks
Call Luke. He knows what was standard and what will replace it. He helped me several years ago and it works great.
Quote from: latvia69 on March 10, 2011, 03:09:12 PM
appreciate all the great info. am suffering compressor anxiety myself at the present time, this info will fix me right up. this is tomorrows job thanks
Latvia69,
Welcome to the board and the madness!
What kind of bus do you has and what part of the country are you in?
;D BK ;D
"Expiring minds want to know", eh BK!!?? :D :D :D
Chaz
Chaz, to confuse you here lol but if you still have the old fiber drive gear change to the metal one and if you do have the fiber drive that may be your problem not the compressor
good luck
Quote from: Chaz
"Expiring minds want to know", eh BK!!?? :D :D :D
Chaz
Quote from: luvrbus
Chaz, to confuse you here lol but if you still have the old fiber drive gear change to the metal one and if you do have the fiber drive that may be your problem not the compressor
good luck
Sho nuff on both ! ;)
;D BK ;D
Luvr,
You may have a point but, I do have oil in my lines. So from what I've learned, and with all that Dallas checked, I'd say the compressor itself is probably the culprit. But, time will tell. It may be a week or better till I can brave the cold and get it done but I'll definitely let ya know.
Oh, and a buddy at the local auto parts store ran down some wiper switches for me too. So after I get both the switches and the compressor done, I'm hoping I'm good. (HA!! Silly me for being optimistic!! ::))
Later and thanx guys,
Chaz
If we were not all the eternal optimist we would not try to drive buses for pleasure --- so keep up the good attitude and I hope it all works out just like you planned. ;-)
Melbo
When I got my bus and people asked what my hobby was, I would say 'going places in my bus!' Then, after a while, I would say 'owning a bus!'. Now I say 'working on my bus!' :o
brian ;D
So true Brian........ so true.
Thanx Melbo.
Well, I got the compressor installed yesterday but haven't fired it up yet. I need to put in the wiper switch first. And of all things, I ordered two of the same type, - passenger side - and it looks as tho the drivers side is different!! DANG!!!!!!!!! Oh well, anybody need one?? ::) I also used the gear that was on the old compressor as there wasn't one on the rebuild (as the guy said there would be).
It was a pretty straight forward swap. The only problem - so far - was the alignment of the gear. Kind of a pain in the butt to get lined up but it didn't take too long. It was just a little frustrating.
Now a question:
When Dallas rebuilt my motor, I made an air filter for the compressor out of a small 2 barrel Air cleaner for a car. Works fine as far as I can tell, except it is pretty "oiled down" now and needs the filter replaced. Instead of doing that separate filter thing, isn't there supposed to be a hose going up to the big "tank" looking thing on top of my "huffer"?? It seems to be the correct place but there wasn't one on there, hence the reason I made the one I did. I was also curious if the "huffers" suck so hard that they hinder the air compressor? I imagine it can hold it's own but I thought the two might be competing for air.
Thanx for all the help. When I fire it up, I'll time it to see how much difference there is. I think there was mention as to how long it's supposed to take.
Chaz
Chaz,
As you may or may not know I ain't zactly real familiar with buses that have sideways engines (I've seen a bunch of 'm and even worked ona couple, but my esperiance is very limited on them!)
But I do know on MCI's and our older Setra's the compressor intake is plumbed in to the air breather for the engine so I see no reason why yours couldn't be too!
But on that my choice would be to put it at the breather not the blower!
;D BK ;D
PS was the gear a fiber gear or metal one?
Oh man............ sooooo not good. It did not want to get up over 80psi until I stepped on the throttle. Took about 6 minutes or so to get there.
AND, there is a nasty noise coming out of the air breather (the one I put on). Hard to explain what the noise is but it's DEFINITELY comming from the air intake. Kinda sounds like the air is escaping or huffing or something like if you had an empty plastic jar (Jif Peanut butter or something) and you rub you finger on it and get a hallow squeal or something like that out of it. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! >:(
Now what?????????????? And I have/HAD a trip coming up on Friday.
I'm bummin. :'( :'( :'( :'(
Quote from: Jriddle on March 08, 2011, 02:37:39 PM
Chaz
Take the inlet off your compressor and check that these valves are not sticking on your compressor. I found my bus was slow to air and in the link below I have some pictures of what I did to remove and clean the valves. Might be worth a try. When the compressor was building air I was loosing air at these valves until I cleaned them. I can air the bus up to meet all the regulation pressure tests with no problem now.
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=17357.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=17357.0)
John
The valves are under the breather I would think one or both are sticking. I had mine making the same noise till I cleaned them. The post above has a link with pictures.
John
Thanx John. that is what JR said as I had called him before I got your post. He said to open it up to the valves, soak them with W-D 40 and then use shop air in the govener hole to "work" the valves and lube them.
Well..................... still does it. It continues to make that noise till it gets to max pressure then quits.
still bummin.
If the valves are not closing all the way air will leak out and make that noise you are hearing till you hit max pressure then they open to unload the compressor. I had to play with mine several times to get them to work right. Is this a new compressor?
John
Thanx John. Maybe that will work. How many times did you have to do that?? Just curious because they seem to work up and down just fine blowing shop air in the govenor. I will try it again. The compressor is a brand new rebuilt.
Just as an FYI, I called them back after I did what he said and another gentleman answered the call and said he would have JR return my call. I always want to give them a chance............ but that was yesterday morning. :-\ Guess I'm in the crack and slipping.
Chaz
Chaz,sorry you having some much trouble I found out a long time cheaper is not always better I pay around 500 bucks for that compressor rebuilt by Bendix most of the rebuild shops use good, fair and after market parts from other compressors not Bendix parts.
I don't buy from him myself I had to many problems with his rebuilt compressors
good luck
The compressor on my bus thought pumping air was secondary to pumping oil. I wasn't about to spend big money to put something new on my bus because the bus is older than I am. NIMCO had good take outs that where working very well while in service, and at $150, one can buy three for the price of one new/rebuilt. I don't know anyone that puts very many miles on their conversion, so the likelihood of wearing out even a good used one is almost nil. Not saying anything wrong with the direction you went in, but for the archives I felt that mentioning the used option would be helpful. I don't always go with used, but on the GM the compressor swap is easy, even if you have to do it twice.
Thanx guys. Live and learn, I guess. And here I thought I was doing it correctly. Wish I knew you had trouble in the past with him, Luvr.
I thought a rebuilt would have been better than a take out. My bad. I do try to do everything the best I can or can afford. I prefer things that last as opposed to being disposable. They never give out when you're NOT using them.
Guess I'll try calling him back. Doesn't seem as tho he is going to.
Chaz
If the compressor is bad, he should just send you another. Follow up and maybe that is just what will happen. If not, and you paid by credit card, you could deal with it that way. Companies like this depend on good PR. It would seem that they would want to keep people happy.
Yeah, I called him. He tried to help me diagnose it over the phone but there are only so many things I could do. He is going to send me a new one. (rebuilt, obviously) Bad thing is, I have had a trip planned for Friday night. Worst case (99% most likely case), he won't get me one before then. Best case, I'll have to blow another half day of work to get her ready.
I know it's not the end of the world (yet! :)) but s**t like this happens to me way, way more than the National Average. It gets old, ya know!!?? (I was actually going to buy an excellent condition Walther P-99 from a dealer tomorrow but....... better save some more and buy new. Same s**t happens on stuff I buy at swap meets for the Hot Rods. My cousin just shakes his head and can't believe the luck. Oh well......)
Thanx guys. Sorry about the venting.
Chaz
Quote from: Chaz on March 23, 2011, 01:21:40 PM
Yeah, I called him. He tried to help me diagnose it over the phone but there are only so many things I could do. He is going to send me a new one. (rebuilt, obviously) Bad thing is, I have had a trip planned for Friday night. Worst case (99% most likely case), he won't get me one before then. Best case, I'll have to blow another half day of work to get her ready.
I know it's not the end of the world (yet! :)) but s**t like this happens to me way, way more than the National Average. It gets old, ya know!!?? (I was actually going to buy an excellent condition Walther P-99 from a dealer tomorrow but....... better save some more and buy new. Same s**t happens on stuff I buy at swap meets for the Hot Rods. My cousin just shakes his head and can't believe the luck. Oh well......)
Thanx guys. Sorry about the venting.
Chaz
Chaz,
Just as an FYI, I have not had a single problem with my rebuilt from REI, (same compressor)
Your'e just getting to experience the pain of not buying local, can't just go exchange it.
I have had plenty of defective new products fail on inital startup also....it happens.
But the price was right....... ;)
Cliff
Chaz,
Unfortunately, this stuff happens to everyone all to often. When Don put my engine/tranny back in, the fuel pump did not work. He got a rebuilt from Reliabuilt and that was bad also. So he had to change it again. My general hope is that the percentage of bad parts I get are easy to change.
The next one may be good to go what pisses me off is he don't think mine or your time is worth anything but he is cheap enough ! but never buy rebuilt brake relays and valves from him those are a bitch to change 2 or 3 times lol
good luck
Quote from: luvrbus on March 23, 2011, 02:35:56 PM
The next one may be good to go what pisses me off is he don't think mine or your time is worth anything but he is cheap enough ! but never buy rebuilt brake relays and valves from him those are a bitch to change 2 or 3 times lol
good luck
I once went through 4 alternators on my CJ7 in a period of 5 months from a national auto supply store. They finally gave me a new one.
Found out later it was a defective part from the rebuilder.
But same thing, my free labor. If only I didn't insist on doing my own repairs.......keeps me off the street ;D
Cliff
Quote from: Chaz on March 22, 2011, 04:36:49 PM
How many times did you have to do that?? Just curious because they seem to work up and down just fine blowing shop air in the Governor. I will try it again. The compressor is a brand new rebuilt.
Chaz
I had to play with then a couple times and thought I would end up getting a rebuilt myself. I have had no problems since last spring. I aired bus up overthe weekend after be down for for few months and was very happy for a fast air up time.
John
I'm going to "play with it" a time or two more but what is it that you consider a "good" air up time??
Also, once I have enough air to use my throttle, it will build - what I would consider having always had a weak compressor - fairly fast. Make any sense??
Thanx again!
Hey Guys,
This is a copy of what i wrote on another thread. Dealing with this company was a nightmare and the credit card company wasn't a treat either. Man, it's hard to find anybody who cares anymore. It's absolutely what the bottom line can be boiled down to: Personal responsibility and caring. Anyway, here is what I wrote on the other thread:
Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end for this saga. I told you I would report when I knew more and it has taken this long for the Credit card company to do something besides giving me the run around. I have done letter after letter and phone call after phone call to get to this point. All I can say is apparently "if you pay peanuts, ya get monkeys".
Finally, a wonderful lady with some good common sense decided to just give REI a call while I while I was on the phone. I got to talk to JR and altho he TRIED to dance and spin, he could not. He said he was sending out a new compressor today. I actually think he might this time. (Everything was recorded.) But he has flat out lied before.
So..... hopefully in a few days I will get the AC and get it put on and see how it works. After all these months of fussing over this I pray it works this time. I will keep ya posted.
Bottom line... Never EVER buy anything from REI rebuilders out of Bridgeview IL. (basically Chicago, I think)
I hope I have not over stepped any boundaries with this post but I am trying very, very, VERY hard to be civil. I was actually vibrating earlier I was so mad.
Hopefully, this thread will save someone some grief in the future.
Chaz
Glad you got it fixed. If Dallas said it needed repaired after motor rebuild, how much time and aggravation, has it cost you.
Just asking.
Glen
It hadn't cost me anything till I had to deal with these _______. (think carribean sauce) It was working, but slow. I pulled the trigger too soon on buying one to find out how bad these guys really are. Now since I got this thing, there has been a LOT of time and aggrevation - with both the credit card co. and REI. If you want an hourly guess............................... 4-6 hours. Best guess. Trust me, you MIGHT, MAYBE, POSSIBLY could get a decent shake from these _______ (think beast of burden and displacement of dirt) but why take the chance. I never will again and I am very good at giving anybody another chance. (probably too good if you would ask some friends of mine.)
He said I'd have it in 1-3 days and HE was worried about me not sending back his junk. >:( >:( >:( Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Chaz
Understand. That usually happens to me. Do you do a lot of repairs on your coach? Take care and happy busing.
Glen
Chaz, this one I had to bite my tongue some of the guys here have had luck with him not me the guy lied to me about being a authorized Bendix re builder after several rounds I called Bendix they told me he was not a authorized re builder or they would send me another compressor without charge lesson learned spend the extra bucks and buy from a authorized re builder.
He got a friend of mine on Carrier compressor when it quit Carrier said no way would they honor his warranty take it back to him which turned out he wouldn't do anything and it cost him bucks for a new compressor but it came from Carrier.
He is bad news to deal with to save a few bucks I can feel for you been there done that
good luck
Almost 40 years buying rebuilt auto parts, selling rebuilt auto parts, and installing rebuilt auto parts. I believe over 1/2 of it was either completely wrong, or simply junk. Maybe even 3/4 of it. What I have found is that most things that fail have a simple fix and can be made to run again. What I have found too often are parts that dont even match the part you removed, and if you hand over your core too soon, you often regret it.
There just isnt much integrity anymore. Ive had so much better luck with used parts its usually my first choice. I found great interest in reading the old thread about fixing the air compressor, finding sticking unloader valves. Most of this Bus stuff is pretty heavy duty and well designed, and will last a long time if its just put together right and maintained a bit.
Chaz,
I feel for ya man. I wish "JR" had been that upstanding dude he gave you the impression of being!
Having never dealt with him before I had no dog in that race!
However had you gone with the guy I use I would have stepped up and asked him why your $ wasn't green as mine?
I hate when I recommend someone and they do not stand behind the product or their word.
;D BK ;D
20/20 hind sight; lesson learned. put out call for parts on board next time. fyi I just let 2 good ac compressors go 300 ea. Have no extra air compressors now but that changes daily. trading all the time. Bob Evansville Ind.
This question might very well go in the dumb arse section but here goes. The prices yall were quoting for a new comressor don't seem to high. Is that an over the counter price or is that drive the bus there and they fix it? Go ahead flame me if it is a dumbbutt question but I want to know.
Quote from: wal1809 on August 09, 2011, 04:01:46 PM
This question might very well go in the dumb arse section but here goes. The prices yall were quoting for a new comressor don't seem to high. Is that an over the counter price or is that drive the bus there and they fix it? Go ahead flame me if it is a dumbbutt question but I want to know.
Walt those were rebuilt compressors and that price was just for an exchange compressor only shipping and core charges extra! Shipped to your door for a fun filled exciting day of R&R and sending you used core back hoping that they accept it and don't tell you it is an unacceptable core! (what? unacceptable core? say it ain't so, the rebuilders would NEVER EVER try to use that excuse NOT to refund an up front core charge would they? Bawhahahahahahahahahahahaha!)
;D BK ;D
I probably need to work on mine but it aint about to happen right now. I need a "Work on the bus" break.
Looks like it would be a rather easy unit to disassemble and freshen up with new seals and whatever it needs. I bet there is a kit somewhere to do the job.
Art, Somewhere it was recommended to not bother to rebuild it myself. It's not beyond me to do it but I took the advice.
BK, Wow, I did not know that they could reject a non useable core. I guess it makes sense tho. Watch these _______ (think vacuum cleaner bag or some may think "biker" ;D) not want to take this one back saying it's a non useable core. Wouldn't surprise me. I think I may "mark it" just in case.
Bob, thanx for the heads up. I almost always consult this board when doing something to my bus and I believe I did in this case but pulled the trigger too fast.
Art, I know there are some people who don't want to say anything negative about others and cause waves. I would like to - for the most part - consider myself one BUT, truth is truth. (And when you get hosed like this, it's very hard to keep a civil tongue, I know. Navy experience gives me a rather creative tongue. ;D Ask my friends. ;D) And the truth can hurt some people, i.e. REI, but in such cases, it can save pain as well. A person's honest experience is all anyone can ask for. It still comes down to the person buying to "Buyer Beware" and make their best choice. I accept my error for pulling the trigger too soon and not checking them out better.
I'll let you all know how the next one works out. I gotta say, I'm a little concerned. After all, I did "read JR his pedigree" on the phone with a credit card company rep as witness on the line. I just couldn't control my tongue when he tried to spin it and blame me for not getting ahold of him sooner. (I talked to him personally twice and another guy twice to no avail. I had to take it to the next level - Credit card company. Four calls is enough lying.)
Talk to you all later,
Chaz
I think part of the prob;em with guys like JR &/or his company is that they do so much volume with big trucking/bus outfits and "shops", that when Joe Blow or Chaz Newbie call up they don't care if he's taken care of properly in the first place or if the problem gets corrected afterword because after all he's just a one time one piece order and they make their $ off the shops an companies that by in multiples!
We need to start letting suppliers know we belong to this group and good service will be rewarded with good reviews and bad service will be equally rewarded with bad reviews!
That said, I never have dealt with REI. But I have dealt with a company called Prior Re-manufacturing and while I have had an issue twice with their products they have always stepped up and made it more than right!
;D BK ;D
You make a good point BK.
I belong to an artists group here in Hoosierland, it's state wide and started out state backed until we got on our feet. The whole goal for this group - Indiana Artisans - is to promote our seal/logo. Then when people see an artist with that logo they know that the artist has been juried into the group, the group is high quality and therefore is a quality artist. Kentucky has a group called Kentucky Krafted that we got our model from.
Why couldn't we do something like that?? Basically, keep it very simple to keep the money aspect out of it but start promoting the fact that we all belong to this board/organization. Hell, I already DO that!!!!! In my conversation with the credit card company I told them about this board and others experiences. I also tell people ALL the time that if it wasn't for you guys there is no way I could have a bus!!!!!!! That's FACT!!!
Whataya think?? We should all - and I mean ALL - kick it around on a MASS thread sent out to everyone to get ideas and start the motion. But hey, what do I know?? I just one guy who loves this place. ::)
Just a thought,
Chaz
Quote from: Chaz on August 10, 2011, 07:04:40 AM
Art, Somewhere it was recommended to not bother to rebuild it myself. It's not beyond me to do it but I took the advice.
I used to know a real good starter/slternator rebuilder. He wasnt cheap, but he wasnt over priced either. The neighbor needed a starter for his Nissan, after 10 years and 140K miles it was dying. He didnt like Johns $120 price so bought the rebuilt from Champion with a lifetime warrantee for $79. Didnt last a month. Neither did its warrantee replacement, or the next one after that. Lifetime warrantees are often something more to be avoided rather than accepted. Things that are well made shouldnt need a warrantee. And if the guy you bought from has high standards, he'll stand behind his work/product, regardless of any warrantee. If something has stayed together for many years and many many miles, and is just a little worn here or there, or something is amiss, often a good cleaning and replacing a few parts will keep it going for a good long time. Ive occasionally taken apart stuff that was supposedly rebuilt and found them more worn out than what I was replacing.
Another dumb story. The FAA has descriptions for the terms rebuilt and overhauled. Rebuilt refers to something that is put together with new and used parts, and the used parts can be worn to maximum wear limits. They are considered used engines and have the same life limit they had when they were new or overhauled, less time in service. Overhauled refers to a part that is built with some used parts, but the parts have to be within new limits. Certain parts MUST be replaced. An overhauled engine is considered the same as a new engine with the same life limits are are sold as zero time engines.
Back in the late 90's some guys down in Texas were selling overhauled aircraft engines. They were actually engines that were thrown together out of used parts, some of which were "beyond" wear limits. Hard to tell what you have when its all pretty clean and shiny with new paint. After a few failures that resulted in damages, and after a few tear downs by FAA inspectors, the guys down in Texas got a knock on the door with a bunch of questions. Then they got a nice trip to Leavenworth and are probably still there today.
Some of the core policies I have seen seem a little silly. If the core is worn beyond certain specs they won't accept the core. Well, duh. If it wasn't worn out why would I replace it?
My water pump, air dryer purge valve, and air compressor are all rebuilt. The water pump is a Reliabilt only because it was as inexpensive as any non-Reliabilt I could find. No problems with any of them yet. In fact, I'm not sure you can easily get new for any of these three.
Chaz-aren't you glad you have a V-drive with the compressor right there on the right side of the bus. Instead of a T drive where you would have been crawling around the inside of the bus to get to the rear of the engine. Whew! Good Luck, TomC
It is easy to get to Tom. But this is my only experience with ANY sort of diesel so I guess I wasn't aware of how lucky I am. I actually thought, given the chain of events, I wasn't very lucky. :-\ I guess I must appreciate it. But we'll see what happens next with this whole deal. I'm a little concerned.
Chaz