So I bought a Setra S215

[eb99603]

Hey folks. First time poster. I thought I was going to buy a skoolie, but long story short - I ended up buying a 1994 Setra S215 HDH. Detroit S60, Allison B500R. Drove it home from FL to MN with a few issues, but nothing that couldn't be solved with a screwdriver, crescent wrench, vise grips and a butane torch. 

So now I'm back home and looking to fix some of the known issues. I have a few questions for all you bus conversions experts out there.

* Any idea where I can find wiring diagrams? Man alive would those be helpful.
* Parts diagrams and parts suppliers. Where should I look for Setra parts (preferably without getting reamed for dealer pricing)? I'm striking out with online searches. In addition to some steering parts, I need some new luggage compartment gaskets. The latter seems like it'll be much harder to find than the former.
* Does anyone know what/where the starter interlocks are? I had an issue with the starter which turned out to be caused by one of the 3 starter interlock relays, but as I have no wiring diagram, I'm not sure what actually feeds the relay.
* I'm missing all of the internal components on my entrance door to be able to lock it from the outside. I have a lock cylinder, and it spins with the key, but it doesn't *do* anything. It's not attached to the electronic switch to lock-out the push button to operate the door. And it doesn't have any mechanical linkage to physically hold the door closed either. I have the manual door lock on the inside (the knob which turns to throw two pins out from either side of the door), but nothing similar for the outside. Anyone else experience this? Or have a correctly functioning one that'd be willing to snap a few pictures for me?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. This is all new to me!

[TedCalvert]

Welcome. 

You've just had one of the happiest days of your life.  lol

I think ABC Bus is the importer/servicer for Setra.  Not sure.  I was thinking Van Hool when I started to answer.  Those European buses have nice styling, should make a sharp Private Coach.  Especially like those hanging mirrors, but some people say they are head-bumpers!

Check on Setra's website for manuals & diagrams.  They are essential, especially in a newer bus like yours. Btw, Kassborer (sp) is the manufacturer, I think.

Nice drive line.  I like the 500R, especially the R part.  But I think, from reading Allison's website several years ago, that they quit retarding if the trans. oil gets too hot and remembering my experience with them at the time, they warm up fast.  Nice on the West Virginia hill pike.


Good luck & have fun.

[luvrbus]

MCI for Setra parts BK is our resident Setra guy he can answer your question and may have a 215 parts bus I know he sold one to a Senic owner for the engine that would be another parts source for you too

[eb99603]

Nice drive line.  I like the 500R, especially the R part.  But I think, from reading Allison's website several years ago, that they quit retarding if the trans. oil gets too hot and remembering my experience with them at the time, they warm up fast.  Nice on the West Virginia hill pike.

Truth be told, the drive line is almost exclusively why I bought this particular bus. Not many mountains here in MN, but I don't plan on being in MN for much longer. Where I'm going, a retarder will be nice. And the S60 will make going up those inclines that much easier.

[Timkar]

 Any pics?

[bcbusman]

I have built a Setra and owned another one. Its the best driving bus out there. Ones you drive a Setra anything else feels like a hunk of junk. I did drive anything from Prevost to MCI and the bus you have is the Cadillac of them all. I regret selling my Setra.  Parts are thru MCI as said above, and yes BK is the guy that knows everything about them.
Your door should operate by air, however if the switch inside the door is in the locked position from the inside the door won't work.

Cheers

[eb99603]

Sorry on the lack of pics. My neighbor decided he didn't like looking at my bus, so he called the cops less than 12 hours after I parked it in front of my house and I got a nastygram from the local PD saying I had to move it within 48 hours. Instead of moving it every 2 days, I just moved it to a relative's where I wouldn't be nagged. Long story short - I can't run out and snap pics.

Entrance door - next time I'm at the bus (this weekend) I'll snap a few pictures of what I'm describing and what (I think) I'm missing.

[eb99603]

Oh, the old eBay listing is still up. Some photos there: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1994-Setra-215HD-51-Passenger-Tour-Bus-w-All-New-Interior-Fabric-/161600171675?pt=Buses&forcerrptr=true&hash=item25a01eee9b&item=161600171675&nma=true&si=RvWLeDfOPzKYFJFWgVgk8gDIY58%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[LuckyChow]

From all appearances, that is one super deal!

[eb99603]

Well having taken ownership, I'm not so sure I'd go as far as to say "super deal". But! I think it'll turn out OK for me after all. Took a bit (understatement of the year) of a gamble buying a repo'd bus 1800 miles away, but hey. Go big or go home, right? Life's about taking risks.

On the drive home I lost an alternator tensioner bolt, resulting in the loss of both alternators for a while. In the middle of a snow storm. Not near town.

Things I've learned it needs:
* new tie rod ends up front.
* probably a ball joint on the front right tire.
* tag axle tire (though, I found that the spare up front holds pressure and has good tread. booyah!)
* tag axle doesn't lock automatically in reverse (not that big of a deal, as the switch seems to lock it correctly)
* baggage door gaskets all around
* webasto's disconnected and likely doesn't work
* starter interlock issue I described above
* entrance door issue I described above
* air leaks in the suspension
* air leaks in the luggage compartment door latch system
* top windshield leaks
* check engine light (which is probably the coolant temp and level sensors)
* dryer doesn't shut off correctly, and the governor doesn't seem to kick out correctly. it seems right now my dryer is functioning as my governor.
* assorted dash electrical issues (no turn signal indicator when one is on, but i get the indicator when the hazards are on. cruise works, but doesn't disengage when the brake is pressed).

Seems like a fairly lengthy list, but after driving it for 1800 miles, I'm pretty confident I've found most of everything I'll uncover in the short term. I also bought the bus to be a learning vehicle for myself, as I'm plenty capable but have little mechanical experience. And in spite of that list, it drives pretty well (a bit of a shimmy with the front end work that needs to be done, but that's to be expected). Starts right up with the starter interlock bypassed. Engine doesn't skip a beat. Transmission shifts well. Retarder functions. No major leaks anywhere. AC seems to work, though I might have a leak there.

Long story short, it should be a fun project!

[TedCalvert]

So it has some issues.  What do you expect for $7 1/2 grand, a perfect bus?  You're right, I wouldn't call this a super deal.  I'd say you freakin' STOLE it.  Congratulations!  Except that I don't see mileage.  Is the odometer past 1 MegaMiles?  If the engine is getting old, that could be expensive.  I've not heard many here doing rebuilds themselves on S60s.  Two-strokes, yes, but not 4s.
But it sounds like you know buses, so have fun.

Is it CAN buss, or real wiring?

[Lostranger]

A lovely coach, and you have my number one choice of engine and transmission. Glad to read that they drive so well.

As far as your list of issues, it does not seem excessive. Each item is an opportunity to get better acquainted. Both the busses I've owned came with air leaks and "minor" electrical issues. I use the term minor advisedly since electric work scares some more than others.

My only advice would be to spring for all the factory manuals if available. We bought Flxible parts from MCI back when we had the Metro, and we found them remarkably well stocked and easy to deal with. Maybe they stock the manuals.

All the best with your project. You'll enjoy being the "only one around" most of the time.

Jim H.

[eb99603]

@TedCalvert Odometer reads a bit over 737k. I sure hope it hasn't rolled over once. No idea if those are original miles or if the engine's had a rebuild/overhaul at some point. Haven't yet had an oil sample taken/examined.

"But it sounds like you know buses [...]" Yes! I've successfully duped, er, convinced someone! Rest assured, I'm a rookie. I know very little about buses, cars, or many things mechanical. I have a lot of experience with my house, but not much with my vehicles. Electrical work doesn't scare me, so I guess I have that going for me. And I'm not shy about digging in and trying to figure out how something works. So this should be a great learning experience and adventure.

CAN buss vs real wiring - didn't even know what that meant before you brought it up and I went to Wikipedia. Not sure how I'd go about determining the answer.

@Lostranger My thoughts exactly on the work list. None of it is terribly laborious or terribly expensive, and each should give me a chance to get to know the beast.

I'm doing my best to find as many manuals as I can. So far, it's been a bit of a challenge. I think I found a parts catalog, which will at least tell me how things go together. Unfortunately it's in German and I speak English. Looks like I have a bunch of google translating in my future.

@all thanks all for the well wishes! Looking forward to sharing my progress.

[luvrbus]

Is the series 60 a 11.1 or 12.7 that year model had both ?

[eb99603]

12.7 DDEC II, per the model decoder: http://www.powerlinecomponents.com/literature/detroit_diesel/s60_model_chart.htm