Oh, it just keeps getting better! (re-Bah humbug!)

[Busted Knuckle]

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!
  BK 

I'm not making that up we were told that when we went to their training academy!

[belfert]

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!
  BK 

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?

[RickB]

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

[NewbeeMC9]

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.

[Busted Knuckle]

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   

[gumpy]

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

[John316]

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

[RickB]

Bryce
My  friend said it would be 3500 if it needs normal rebuild
Rick

[belfert]

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.

[RickB]

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

[Busted Knuckle]

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
  BK