Wife and I bought a bus with a 6V92 that was leaking coolant. We had planned on doing a rebuild (ourselves, so minimal labor cost. I was a mechanic in a former life and am comfortable doing overhauls, though a 2 stroke would be a first for me.), but lots of people are saying that a swap to a newer engine would be wise.
So here is the info, and our plans going forward. Please any advise or thoughts you have are welcome and will be considered.
Bus: 1986 Neoplan, 6v92 Detroit engine. (Coolant pouring out side air box, likely liner o-rings gone bad). Bus interior is nice and has been fitted with a slide-out.
Our Plan: We plan on having life structured (in about a year) in a way that will allow us to travel full time. We are estimating 20,000-30,000 miles per year. We will probably only do that for 2 years, maybe a bit more, before moving on to other plans that wont really involve the bus. So we will probably only put 60,000-70,000 max miles on it before we are done with it.
Options: We had originally planned on rebuilding the engine. Pricing out parts puts us at around $8k-$10k (if the heads do need replaced). Other options that some have suggested include- get a totally different bus- Do a engine swap with a used newer engine. But so far, not many thought that a rebuild of the current engine (6v92) is a good idea.
So far, I still think the rebuild option is best (cheapest for what I am needing). A swap would likely cost more than a rebuild (though many say a rebuild is $20-30K though I cant seem to get the price that high. While a swap would have better MPG I don't think the savings would be that much over 70,000 miles.
But what are your thoughts with this situation. Is a rebuild (the original plan) not really a good idea? Thanks for any input and thoughts.
Don't waste the money on a reporter of a 40 year old bus. Also Neoplans aren't popular models anyway. So, either repair or replace with running takeout, rebuild, or find a nice used in better condition. A shell would be easiest, BUT then needs converted, which the cost and time would be prohibitive anymore. If it was me in that situation, I would find a good running takeout. Many 6v92's were used in most busses. Stay away from electronic ones unless yours is. AVOID increasing power with bigger injectors. Little gain on hills, and lots more heat into cooling system. What ever you do to this one, complete cleaning and servicing of cooling system is mandatory. Far too many Detroits have been damaged or ruined from overheating.
As far as repowers with different engine, only another Neoplan of same year as a done bus will be practical. Anyone that has recovered a bus will admit that they spent a LOT more money doing it that they expected. Some have never been finished due to major problems.
For 50k, a lot of nice used conversions are available ready to roll in good condition. Check ours and other bus classified.
Many bus owners have aged out or passed and heirs have no interest in one.
You need to pull the inspection covers from both sides and pressure the system 5 lb,if water is coming from the inside of the liner and pistion you have a head or gasket leak,if water is coming from the outside at the top of the cover then you liner o-ring bad. Water can come from the after cooler under the blower because of a o=ring or leaking cooler.Do some testing it may not need much,there is no written law that tells you all liner sets are bad sometimes you only need 1 kit,pull the caps on the mains if one has spun then start looking for a engine if that has happen your 8 to 10 grand is just a start.Me i would pull both heads and start from there,liner leaks and head leaks they need to come off anyways even to change a leaking injector cup
Good Luck `
A repower done properly is a long expensive job. I just finished repowering my Wanderlodge and it took 2.5 years and cost around $25,000. I did everything myself including buying a doner truck and stripping it down. Refresh the one its got and run it. If you are really attached to the bus in a couple years come up with a well researched repower plan and if you are not then sell it and buy the one you really want. (i am pretty attached to mine!)
The 6v92 is a good little engine if there is no damage to the crank,rebuild what you have then you know what you have,they can get costly to rebuild like all diesel engines.The Neoplan is not a bad bus if it is not rusty