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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Oregonconversion on July 13, 2017, 09:07:49 AM

Title: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Oregonconversion on July 13, 2017, 09:07:49 AM
 What type of oil do I put in the  blower gearbox?

How do I check my coolant?  Also what type of coolant do I use?

  Outside on the front drivers side there is a compartment ( hello fuse panel compartment ) with a  plastic  reservoir with some type of oil. Is that power steering and if so what type of oil does it take?

Thanks in advance taking off in a couple hours
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Oregonconversion on July 13, 2017, 09:51:06 AM
 42 views and no one can help me out? Need some help here I'm afraid my power steering will go out if I don't put in the correct oil in it   

I figured out the oil for the blower fan
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Oregonconversion on July 13, 2017, 10:37:40 AM
 I just really need to know what is in the reservoir next to the airhorn? It's a  plastic bottle with some type of black fluid in it.  Has rubber hoses coming in and out   
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: bevans6 on July 13, 2017, 11:04:59 AM
On my bus, that is the windshield washer fluid container.  The power steering reservoir is on the back of the engine near the compressor, directly above the power steering pump.  I have no other plastic container on the bus.  Coolant level is on the sight glass on the expansion tank up above the fan blower box, coolant fill is behind a little door on the upper passenger side rear panel (above the radiator).  I use normal green antifreeze.
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: plyonsMC9 on July 13, 2017, 12:10:00 PM
On my MC9 - for the blower gearbox

Blower Oil ( per MCI9 Manual: SAE 30 )    Between the two squirrel cages - there is the sight glass.  Again using my MC9 as a reference.

As Brian said, the plastic bottle on my bus is for windshield fluid.

Hope this helps, Phil
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: plyonsMC9 on July 13, 2017, 12:18:06 PM
For antifreeze I use the pink - Fleetguard, or red if non-diluted.

We have pretty rough well water, so I mix the undiluted with distilled water.

Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Shell-Rotella-Ultra-Antifreeze-Coolant-Ready/dp/B072JKTQM1/ref=sr_1_2?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1499973153&sr=8-2&keywords=rotella+antifreeze (https://www.amazon.com/Shell-Rotella-Ultra-Antifreeze-Coolant-Ready/dp/B072JKTQM1/ref=sr_1_2?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1499973153&sr=8-2&keywords=rotella+antifreeze)

per the book I think this is recommended.   YMMV..
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Branderson on July 13, 2017, 12:58:59 PM
Quote from: bevans6 on July 13, 2017, 11:04:59 AM
On my bus, that is the windshield washer fluid container.  The power steering reservoir is on the back of the engine near the compressor, directly above the power steering pump.  I have no other plastic container on the bus.  Coolant level is on the sight glass on the expansion tank up above the fan blower box, coolant fill is behind a little door on the upper passenger side rear panel (above the radiator).  I use normal green antifreeze.


That is where my steering reservoir is also (on my 74 MCI)  I put antifreeze/water on the little opening on passenger side towards the top.  I need a latter to reach it.  Basically it's above and to the left of the tag axle. 
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Branderson on July 13, 2017, 01:00:23 PM
I can't remember what type of oil to use for power steering.  But I have it written down on my bus.  If no one answers by the time I get off work, I will stop by storage and see what I wrote down and post it.
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: bevans6 on July 13, 2017, 01:16:00 PM
You can use SAE 30 engine oil, or about any variant thereof, for power steering fluid, or transmission fluid.  I think I used 10W-30 engine oil.
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: plyonsMC9 on July 13, 2017, 02:07:42 PM
Missed the power steering question;  again referencing my MC9 :

per MCI9 Manual: 10 W 40

hope this helps, Phil
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: ol713 on July 13, 2017, 02:33:46 PM
Quote from: Oregonconversion on July 13, 2017, 10:37:40 AM
I just really need to know what is in the reservoir next to the airhorn? It's a  plastic bottle with some type of black fluid in it.  Has rubber hoses coming in and out   

        Hi;
          I am pretty sure that reservoir used to hold washer fluid for the wind shield.  That
          is what it was for om my MC-7.    (close enough)
                                                  Merle.
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: ol713 on July 13, 2017, 02:41:31 PM

    Hi again;
         How far are you going on your "first drive"?  By now you should have all your
         questions answered.   Please post again if questions not fully answered.
                                                      Merle.   ;)
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: bigred on July 13, 2017, 04:55:54 PM
Napa has a heavy duty marine and diesel anti freeze it has all the additives in it for the Detroit engines that I use .If you have a good contact it will run you a little over thirteen dollars a gallon and about a buck for a gallon of distilled water.This works out to be two gallons.

Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Scott & Heather on July 13, 2017, 05:14:18 PM
And no response. The search feature is your friend. I recommend for sure that you spend a few days getting your bus mechanicals ready before your next trip...I know my bus inside and out intimately and I spend a day prepping it before trips and I drive it 20,000 miles a year. If you're this unfamiliar with it, asking the questions you asked above should happen days before your trip. Just my thoughts. Hope you got your questions answered.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: PP on July 13, 2017, 05:18:13 PM
Quote from: Scott & Heather on July 13, 2017, 05:14:18 PM
And no response. The search feature is your friend. I recommend for sure that you spend a few days getting your bus mechanicals ready before your next trip...I know my bus inside and out intimately and I spend a day prepping it before trips and I drive it 20,000 miles a year. If you're this unfamiliar with it, asking the questions you asked above should happen days before your trip. Just my thoughts. Hope you got your questions answered.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Ditto
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Geoff on July 14, 2017, 07:41:43 AM
I knew someone who had a foaming problem with his fan blower oil.  The cause cost him a lot for labor and was actually simple--. someone had mixed engine oil with gear oil in his MCI 8.  Either oil will work but you need to know which one you have before adding oil, or better, change all the oil.  Coolant test strips or a simple Prestone coolant tester for the antifreeze.  If it strong (50-50), just add distilled water.
--Geoff

Quote from: Oregonconversion on July 13, 2017, 09:07:49 AM
What type of oil do I put in the  blower gearbox?

How do I check my coolant?  Also what type of coolant do I use?

 Outside on the front drivers side there is a compartment ( hello fuse panel compartment ) with a  plastic  reservoir with some type of oil. Is that power steering and if so what type of oil does it take?

Thanks in advance taking off in a couple hours
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Branderson on July 14, 2017, 07:56:16 AM
I made the mistake of not seeing the sight aperture when filling it and filled it to the top.  Yea...there was a mess when I got to wherever I was going to. 
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Dave5Cs on July 14, 2017, 08:10:54 AM
And a lot of us have done that too. I did it coming back from Las Vegas and the back and engine was covered in 40 weight. I had to pressure wash it and thought I had the seals going on it. I took the whole thing out and rebuilt it and then realized it was only overfilled. Oh well needed new rubbers anyway and now has them plus new seals as well. ;D
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Boomer on July 14, 2017, 08:32:53 AM
Why is it that so many inexperienced new bus owners don't make their first priority obtaining a maintenance manual?  And reading it.
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: bevans6 on July 14, 2017, 09:12:59 AM
Quote from: Boomer on July 14, 2017, 08:32:53 AM
Why is it that so many inexperienced new bus owners don't make their first priority obtaining a maintenance manual?  And reading it.

Probably the same reason a lot of new owners don't take driver training or get air-brake certified.  I don't know what that reason is.  Not implying that is the case here, in any way.
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Oregonconversion on July 14, 2017, 09:39:09 AM
 Got there safe and she ran great. Constant maintenance even though  she does not move much does the trick for sure. Thanks for your help everyone.
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: daddysgirl on July 14, 2017, 10:01:45 AM
I'm glad you made it safely!
What everyone else said...and...
Please don't put oil in the round wiper container. It has air lines that run to the windshield, located just below the emergency fill valve.
I use ONLY 100% ethylene glycol antifreeze. Some newer mixed brands are actually not recommended.
Don't let her idle for long periods without a good run.
Double check the tires
Get the maintenance manual and read, read, read. It will save you time, money, and sanity. :)
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: bevans6 on July 14, 2017, 10:15:57 AM
Oregon, I went back and looked at your posts - you've been working on her since 2008, but is that the very first trip?  If so, congratulations!

Brian
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: bigred on July 14, 2017, 02:46:28 PM
Quote from: Branderson on July 14, 2017, 07:56:16 AM
I made the mistake of not seeing the sight aperture when filling it and filled it to the top.  Yea...there was a mess when I got to wherever I was going to. 
Mine blew that silly little hose that feed's down to the engine causing it to leak right down on that big fan!!! Talk about a mess!!!
Title: Re: A couple quick questions before I drive my MCI for the first time in a while
Post by: Dave5Cs on July 14, 2017, 10:26:29 PM
If you need manuals, engine manuals, Parts books etc. these guys have them. Have no affiliation with this company. :)

http://www.coachinfo.com/ (http://www.coachinfo.com/)