Pre buy bus exam

[harleyman_1000]

 Im wondering what it should cost to do a pre bus buy exam? As some of you know Im in the market for my first bus, and am traveling to Phoenix the first week in August to look at and hopefully buy a 1958 Gm 4104 bus. I called a DD mechanic and he said to check the engine, brakes, and auto transmission , he would charge a 1000. He said his rate was 125.00 an hour. Im wondering if he is trying to take advantage of me? I don't know what is all involved in checking out a bus in this way. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[bobofthenorth]

That seems high to me.  A no fault DOT inspection should be in the $250 to $350 range.  I don't know what a "bus exam" would do that would be any more detailed than a DOT inspection - maybe some additional engine inspection but I'm not sure exactly what that would consist of.  For that money I'd want a pretty detailed list of what he was going to check before I agreed to do it.

[luvrbus]

Try Geoff in Chino Valley Az I have no idea what he charges but he is a bus owner and a good 2 stroke guy someone here will have his number

[harleyman_1000]

 What all would a dot inspection include?

[Jriddle]

What all would a dot inspection include?

Everything that has to do with highway safety.

John

[treeplanter]

Gary Labombard has a cd about pre exam check list, it covers everything you can think of.He rebuilt an Eagle bus to better than new condition after finding out the hard way it was falling apart.

[luvrbus]

A dot inspection on that bus would be a waste of time and money if you could even find someone to do it here in AZ they don't do DOT inspections on anything that had ICC brakes even if it has been converted to DD3 or spring brakes all they say is drive safe  

IMO you could open a big can of worms trying to get a DOT inspection here in AZ on that bus,we have a new director of that dept and he brought all of his screw ball ideas from CA with him  

[John316]

125 is about the going rate for a DD shop to work on a bus or RV. Get used to it, if you go name brand, because that is normal.

I talked to a guy recently that worked at an airport servicing small planes. They are a high quality shop, and going rate is 65 for single engine's, and goes up to 85-95 for the bigger stuff. My comment was, I should probably be flying

[harleyman_1000]

A dot inspection on that bus would be a waste of time and money if you could even find someone to do it here in AZ they don't do DOT inspections on anything that had ICC brakes even if it has been converted to DD3 or spring brakes all they say is drive safe  

IMO you could open a big can of worms trying to get a DOT inspection here in AZ on that bus,we have a new director of that dept and he brought all of his screw ball ideas from CA with him  

 I have sent Geoff a message asking him if he would be interested in doing an inspection on this bus for me. All I really need is an experienced busnut that knows what to look for and at, and possibly someone that would be interested in solving some known issues like installing a new inverter, and getting the jake brake to work. And even just explaining the basics of bus systems to me. Im not like most of you experienced busnuts in that I don't know anything about buses, but Im hopeful to learn enough from you to be able to do the preventive maintenance, and some on the road repairs while traveling and living in my bus. I learned from my grandfather many years ago (he was dying from cancer from exposure building the first atom bombs back in WW2 IN Tennessee), that it is better to learn from a mans experience than from a book.  

[Utahclaimjumper]

 Contact Gary Nickerson at (nine two 8-233-five 0 three 5)  Gary is a long long time GM bus nut/ owner, modifier, specialist,
parts supplier, mechanic and member of Western GM coach club.. Gary recently installed a V730 into a friends 4106 and completed a very clean bulkhead out installation that's totally trouble free.. Gary lives and works in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
  I know no one more knowledgeable about GMCs and conversions, and a good guy to know.>>>Dan

[Barn Owl]

Im not like most of you experienced busnuts in that I don't know anything about buses

Sadly the knowledge is disappearing faster than we can learn it.

[Charles in SC]

There is a certain amount of gambling involved with buying a bus even if you know all about them. Whatever you buy be sure to get it cheap enough to factor in those repairs that were missed on the inspection. Remember you are dealing with an old vehicle. A lot of folks are not comfortable with that and that is one of the reasons that there are so many stick and staples sold. Charging $125 an hour is not out of range these days. Remember they are sticking their neck out telling you what kind of shape it is in, you are getting a guarantee from them arn't you. If they are charging you full price they should be willing to back them selves up with some money.

[luvrbus]

A person would have to be nuts to guarantee or warranty a old bus after doing a 1 day inspection IMO

[Charles in SC]

I agree but if I was going to pay a $1000 for it I would want something for my money other than just some yo-yos opinion.

[harleyman_1000]

 Im not going to pay 1000 to have someone look at it. I just want to have a knowledgeable  person look it over. I just don't know what to look for on things like brakes, cooling, and other things which if I knew what to look for would be easy to spot. Can I do a simple inspection of the brakes by crawling under the bus and looking at the pads, or are they even viewable? Can I do a simple pressure test on a bus like you can do on a car?