GARAGE close to Lexington Ky

rcbeam · August 17, 2011, 03:28:44 PM

I am looking for a good bus garage or at least a garage that understands and knows buses, that is close to me. There is a place or two in Lexington, but frankly I'm less than impressed with the work both of them do. I'd really like to drive her down to Chattanooga to the Choo Choo as they seem to be highly recommended, but that is a 5hr drive or so, each way. With fuel costs and such I'd like to get this done closer. I was thinking of possibly Louisville or Cincinnati.

I have three things I want done... all wheel bearings inspected and changed over to grease. My high-idle fixed. A leaking diff seal.

Anyone have any recommendations or suggestions?

Thx in advance,

gmbusguy · August 17, 2011, 04:03:48 PM

I would go to Choo Choo if it were me. 5 hours of fuel will be nothing compared to having someone that does a poor job for a lot more money and Choo Choo supports our hobby and has a stellar reputation

Chris

robertglines1 · August 18, 2011, 04:55:14 AM

Other than high idle nothing to complicated. If high idle diagnosed wouldn't be hard either air/elect switch . is your rear end leak at the yoke? Take your rear end vent out and make sure it is working. A clogged vent will push oil out any seal in rear end. Also what are the symptoms of your fast idle problem? has it ever worked.? do you really need it? as far as you oil in your tags grease is ok and you could do : or keep it simple and just add something like lucas oil to your oil to put coating on bearings while sitting--surely you will move it once a year! Never had problem with oil in tags or steering bearings. Bob

Chopper Scott · August 18, 2011, 05:28:43 AM

I'm with Bob on the high idle. Unless you're using the factory ac I don't see much of a need for it.

luvrbus · August 18, 2011, 05:46:46 AM

If RC wants the fast idle repaired he is doing the right thing those need to be done right by somebody that knows what they are doing or just like the buffer switch for the Jakes it can cost you a engine
The governor holding cylinder and the engaging cylinder needs to be in harmony or you can see just how many RPM's a 2 stroke can turn lol

good luck

robertglines1 · August 18, 2011, 05:57:23 AM

Question:does he really need it if he is not going to be doing prolonged idling? like maintain Ac for passangers big $ involved here

luvrbus · August 18, 2011, 06:13:15 AM

I am not a huge fan of the fast idle on the 2 strokes Bob and they don't like it either,like you I would not waste the money I have drawer full of the things I have removed over the years, then you have the people that wants one that works it is a easy call when you install Jakes people will give it up before they will pay 700 bucks for the fast idle buffer switch lol

good luck

Busted Knuckle · August 18, 2011, 07:31:33 AM

Shoot should be some old timer over around them hills good with 2 strokes!
Look around at some of the old dump trucking companies (coal haulers) for some old worn out dump trucks find one with a couple of old GMC "Generals" sit'n round I can assure you they had a mechanic that could make them old "jimmys" run like a rabid dawg pull'n them hills loaded over the top with coal! Just look or ask around. I don't personally know anyone but with the coal mines over there I can assure you there are still some good 2 stroke mechanics keeping that mining equipment going.

BK

John316 · August 18, 2011, 07:39:08 AM

Quote from: Busted Knuckle on August 18, 2011, 07:31:33 AM
Shoot should be some old timer over around them hills good with 2 strokes!
Look around at some of the old dump trucking companies (coal haulers) for some old worn out dump trucks find one with a couple of old GMC "Generals" sit'n round I can assure you they had a mechanic that could make them old "jimmys" run like a rabid dawg pull'n them hills loaded over the top with coal! Just look or ask around. I don't personally know anyone but with the coal mines over there I can assure you there are still some good 2 stroke mechanics keeping that mining equipment going.
BK

BK,

Somebody from the MCI board is trying to contact you. The guys name is KevinH (his avatar anyways). He has like four church buses (MCI's 95 and newer, I think), that he wants a once over done too. Somebody (I won't say who, because I don't like to point at yours truly) mentioned your name. FYI

John

Busted Knuckle · August 18, 2011, 07:49:16 AM

Quote from: John316
BK,

Somebody from the MCI board is trying to contact you. The guys name is KevinH (his avatar anyways). He has like four church buses (MCI's 95 and newer, I think), that he wants a once over done too. Somebody (I won't say who, because I don't like to point at yours truly) mentioned your name. FYI
John

John,
I haven't been on the MCI board in so long I forget how to ~~speel~~ spell it! LOL!
Give him my # 731-986-5999 I'd be happy to work him in. Right now I got a church bus & a college bus taking some of my time. The college wants a complete evaluation before spending any $ here of there. And the church brought the bus w/list and said whatever else you find, fix it! (same church Ken aka "Frank" or "Slow rider" bought his MCI 8 from)

BK

Oh and then I still have my own buses that need this or that too. But we can sure fix them up.

demodriver · August 18, 2011, 08:00:23 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on August 18, 2011, 06:13:15 AM
I am not a huge fan of the fast idle on the 2 strokes Bob and they don't like it either,like you I would not waste the money I have drawer full of the things I have removed over the years, then you have the people that wants one that works it is a easy call when you install Jakes people will give it up before they will pay 700 bucks for the fast idle buffer switch lol

good luck

Well this just made me loose some faith in the garage I have been to with my bus. They told me to use the fast idle when ever I'm going to be at a idle for very long.

So this is not a good idea then?

Thanks

John316 · August 18, 2011, 09:08:16 AM

BK,

Thanks for your willingness. He is not looking for freebee work (at least I don't think so). If a church can own at least four buses, they should be able to afford the upkeep on them too...LOL

I will pass your info on.

BTW, the board is http://mcibustalk.com/bbs/index.php

Thanks,

John

Busted Knuckle · August 18, 2011, 09:29:29 AM

Well John talk about embarrassed I don't recall using any other name than Busted Knuckle an it says there is no user by that name. So 1, I either never did join the MCI board (I know I've been there before) or 2, I did it under another name that I can't for the life of me figure out what or why!

BK

John316 · August 18, 2011, 11:26:24 AM

Quote from: Busted Knuckle on August 18, 2011, 09:29:29 AM
Well John talk about embarrassed I don't recall using any other name than Busted Knuckle an it says there is no user by that name. So 1, I either never did join the MCI board (I know I've been there before) or 2, I did it under another name that I can't for the life of me figure out what or why!
BK

No worries, BK. We are a friendly bunch over there, no matter what you are registered under. LOL

Why be embarrassed? Everybody gets old

(ducks quickly).

Take care,

John

rcbeam · August 18, 2011, 01:25:24 PM

Ok guys to answer a few questions. I have had to add gear oil to the diff a few times and leaves a spot where parked. I think it's leaking out the front (yoke?). Haven't crawled under there yet to poke around. Good suggestion to check the vent.

On the high idle, didn't work right when I bought it. Usually would engage but idle speed was usually WAY HIGH. Every once in a while it would high idle at the right speed, but then start climbing. Pretty useless the way it is. The main reason I want it is because I just like for things to work right and it helps the air build up much faster without me sitting there with my foot on the pedal and also my aftermarket alternator does not turn fast enough at low idle to meet the cut in speed. I need to idle up around 800 for a charge.

On the wheel bearings, I want them inspected to see what I've got and the condition. Bus has done too much sitting over the past couple of years. I want to do whatever I can to prevent an "on the road breakdown." It may happen anyway, but if it does I don't want it to be because I didn't inspect things and do good PM. Everything I read about oil hubs/grease hubs makes me feel more confident in the grease hubs. I've also got the issue with one tag being oil and one looks like mucky grease.

I am fairly mechanically inclined... but I read that you need special tools to change the wheel seals, etc. If it is something I can do, then great but I don't want to get in over my head, get something tore apart in the lot, then realize I can't get it back together.

Bob, I like your idea of adding Lucas oil maybe to the hubs. Wondered if gear oil would help it hold on the bearings better. I hope to be able to drive the bus at least once a month during the winter to keep things working... we'll see. But I still need to know the present condition... and I've still got the issue of that mucky tag.

Ok... thats it for me. I appreciate averyones input.