Old to the board but new to MCI's

moosemanusa · January 19, 2016, 02:02:56 PM

Hi All,

We finally took the plunge and picked up a 1975 MCI-8 Crusader to join our RTS and Eldorado Transits, I need to pick the brains of a few people here as don't really know many MCI owners.

She has the 8v72 engine (first 2 stoker i've had the pleasure to manage) and the Allison auto transmission - I read it came with a manual but at sometime was switched over.

1 - The Steering is the original hydraulic system, she moans when i turn the wheels, it was low on fluid so aded some 10-weight today, it helped a lot but the moaning noise is still there, the system does leak slightly at the front so a rebuild will happen eventually, just wondered if there's anything i can check to make the noise go away.

2 - When I close the main entrance door and push the main handle to latch the door air will leak badly through the door override lever to the left. (the little red pull down lever).. If i take the door off the latch with the main handle the air leak stops. Are these easy to rebuild? doesn't look like much there, I just dont want to drive down the road with the door unlatched.

3 - on newer buses the parking brake will pop up at 45 ish PSI, I've noticed this one doesnt, is that correct for a DD3 system?

4 - Someones painted over the front, I'm hoping the stainless is behind this panel (on the pic) - unless they made different panels at some point.

Everything else appears to be good, the coach has been sitting, but the engine started immediately, I was extremely surprised at just how quickly, the air beams are in good condition and after a drive around the parking lot the leveling system started working again (at one point I was heavily leaning, then next time I tried it she was perfectly level).

There's a few engine hoses that need to be replaced but I usually do all those with a new unit as I dont know the age of them. oh and someones done some "home" repairs on some wiring, that will also need to be fixed

Think thats it.. any help greatly appreciated...

I'm read the manual daily to try and memorize most of that but most times owner tips are much better than any book.

Thanks, Gareth (Moose)

Scott & Heather · January 19, 2016, 02:23:01 PM

Hey Moose, 8v71? I'm assuming the 2 was a mistype. The leaking air from the door latch is kinda the norm for these buses. Mine was bad enough I just removed the system and installed a deadbolt. Works for me but not for everyone. I'm pretty sure the parking brake button should pop mine does at least at 40 psi. Not sure if you have an issue there or not. Someone will chime in. And yes I'm sure the stainless is under that paint. Hopefully you can remove the paint and shine er up /)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

flynbanjo · January 20, 2016, 02:42:10 AM

I had a question about the type of fluid to put in the power steering on our 9. MCI tech support suggested it should be the same as your engine. Straight 40 wt.

ol713 · January 20, 2016, 04:44:01 AM

Quote from: flynbanjo on January 20, 2016, 02:42:10 AM
I had a question about the type of fluid to put in the power steering on our 9. MCI tech support suggested it should be the same as your engine. Straight 40 wt.

That is what I use. Engine oil helps slow down the leaks.
Merle.

bevans6 · January 20, 2016, 07:23:38 AM

On DD3 MCI systems the push/pull valve should pop up when the air pressure in the emergency tank gets down to 35 psi or so. The emergency tank is separated from the main air system by a one-way check valve. One way to check to see if that one-way check valve is actually working is to drain all the air out of the wet tank and the dry tank. The dash gauge should read zero. The push/pull valve should not pop up, the emergency brakes should still work (controlled application on the rear drive axle only), you should be able to apply the parking brake and there should be full air pressure in the emergency tank when you go to drain it.

Brian

moosemanusa · January 20, 2016, 06:59:15 PM

thank you all that answered..

I have a list of items to repair.. However the parking brake popping up at 40psi, 3 people have said it should, 2 people say it should not.. LOL

Then with the steering, the book calls for Straight 10 - however I've read guys use ATF to stop it moaning in cold weather.. not really cold here.. chilly 66f today..

buswarrior · January 20, 2016, 09:36:13 PM

Beware democracy when it comes to opinions about brakes.... especially DD3!

Brian's typing is correct.

Somehow, driver trainers got it in their heads that pumping down the brakes and checking for the parking control valve to pop was something to do....

It is a waste of time on a spring brake system, as the brakes should have already started coming on way back at 60 lbs, and on a DD3, if it pops by fanning the brake pedal, it proves that the emergency tank isn't properly protected by its check valve, which is bad.

The parking control valve has an internal spring that is kept in check by 25-40 lbs of air pressure being applied to its supply port, below that, the spring moves the valve to the "brakes applied" position. These valves last almost forever, mechanics rarely, if ever, have changed one.

Focus on the practical issue of whether the thing is going to move with the parking brake applied. A dynamic test of applying the parking brake while moving will tell you lots more.

On the door air lock, try to repair it. It holds the door closed snugly against the strong suction at highway speeds. Wind noise through the seals will happen if alternate securement efforts leave any play in the door.

If all else fails with the steering noise, raise front wheels off the ground so the steering may be cycled lock to lock without resistance. Having been run low by previous owner, perhaps it has air in it?

Good coach, I am familiar with these....

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Oonrahnjay · January 21, 2016, 10:33:35 AM

Quote from: buswarrior on January 20, 2016, 09:36:13 PM... If all else fails with the steering noise, raise front wheels off the ground so the steering may be cycled lock to lock without resistance. Having been run low by previous owner, perhaps it has air in it? ...

My owners manual (which, believe me, is nothing like yours) says to do this to purge the air anytime the system has been opened for service or run low on fluid.

moosemanusa · January 21, 2016, 02:35:43 PM

Will be jacking her up and flushing the steering system soon as I move her to her new home..

Curious, whats the standard time for 0-120PSI air up, I dont hear any major air leak (except for the typical windsheild wiper unit leaking a little bit sometimes)..

running on standard Idle.

Thanks

luvrbus · January 21, 2016, 02:48:52 PM

Gareth,Ritchie Bros has a 1992 Neoplan CityLiner with a 60 series on the auction block for Feb 5 in Vegas the last one went cheap it could fit your plans better than the MCI 8 check it out at their lot on I 15

moosemanusa · January 21, 2016, 02:53:51 PM

hey Cliff..

We have the 8 (its a side project) however also love the look of that neoplan! registering an account now.. Thank you for the heads up.

We have 102dl3 also in the works..

G