Help Needed - Inspection of MCI 102A3 located in Christiansburg VA near Roanoke

[ScharpeStGuy]

Hello All,

I have been under the tutelage of DoubleEagle searching for a bus for my wife and I and our three children 7.5, 6, 2.5. I am looking for a Bus Nut hopefully someone familiar with the MCI's and DD 6V92 engines and Allison transmission to go inspect this bus (https://www.sawyersbussales.com/-90-mci-102a3--bus---741.html) for me prior to me physically flying from Houston TX to most likely Washington DC (cheaper) then driving down to Christiansburg.

Might any of you be willing to inspect this bus for me or know of someone who might for a fee? I reached out to a board member yesterday of the Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum www.commonwealthcoachandtrolley.org but have not yet heard back from him but will update post if/when I do.

If purchase was made I know already of a few issues this bus needs fixed and I was thinking of taking it down to Choo Choo for repairs and potentially leaving it there depending upon their availability and then going back to pickup. Is there anywhere better or better yet any knowledgeable DD/Allison/RV techs in East Texas/Houston/etc...?

Thank you all for your assistance

[John316]

Looks like you are about to swan dive off the deep end. There is no turning back, after you jump . What are they asking for the bus?

Those guys have to be related to Easters somehow. They are too close not to be .

Good job on trying to get the bus inspected. That is a great start.

[ScharpeStGuy]

Yes, I have been kicking around a lot of buses and reading this forum 24/7 and gleaning information from you all. I still really like the GMC 4905 in Phoenix but everyone is pretty consistent about getting the newest bus and one with a company still in existence such as MCI or Prevost. The wife likes this MCI better than the Phoenix 4905 as well so we are now headed down the path of potential bus ownership. Asking price is $24,995.

Know anyone in VA?? I read a post a few minutes ago about Abbott Trailways in Roanoke and John Abbott, I may call him and see if he has someone on his staff that could look at it.

Thanks!

[John316]

If it wasn't summer and I wasn't so busy, I would fly out there. Some of those bus inspections are a lot of fun. My only condition would be for you to meet me out there and go over everything with me.

Sadly, things are too crazy right now.

[ScharpeStGuy]

Thank you! I wish you were not that busy either. For someone knowledgeable I would gladly pay a reasonable fare to whatever location makes sense for distance and cost and I would love to be there at the same time.

[luvrbus]

Abbott has always had a good maintenance program,I looked the FMCSA web site they have the highest rating even with 2 drivers errors caused wrecks,does Abbott have the bus or Sawyers ?   

[ScharpeStGuy]

Sawyers Bus Sales has the bus, the bus is on consignment at Sawyers so they don't actually own it however they did sell the Bus as a shell and the man who ran Virginia Custom Coach performed the conversion and he works at Sawyers when he had to shut down his conversion business due to the economy.

Are you recommending I call Abbotts in Roanoke?

[John316]

Thank you! I wish you were not that busy either. For someone knowledgeable I would gladly pay a reasonable fare to whatever location makes sense for distance and cost and I would love to be there at the same time.

I'll tell you what. If you can't find someone by August 8th, let me know.

[luvrbus]

Virginia Custom Coach that was Mike Fitch only bad thing about him was he took forever to do the work, but I don't think he would shaft a person 

[DoubleEagle]

The condition of the interior of the coach appears to be quite good, going by the pictures and video available. The most important questions that need to be answered are the condition of the engine (6V92) and the Allison HT740. It was reported previously that there was some smoking from the engine, and rough shifting when cold. My advice to Fraser was to get it inspected by someone independent of the dealership. I hope someone is available fairly soon, I hate to see a newby burned.

[Scott & Heather]

I would fly in to look at this bus for you, but I have my back against the wall on our conversion...literally.


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[luvrbus]

If the concerns are about the 6v92 and the 740 Allison just drive it Western Branch Diesel they are a Detriot,MTU and Allison dealer 500 bucks at the most and would be a lot cheaper than flying some one into Virginia.What color of smoke was it, at what temperature,a rough shifting 740 at a cold start is not a deal breaker,new fluid and filters change will usually cure that hiccup,even if the shift points and trimmer springs need adjusting no big deal 300 bucks plus the 10+ gals of fluid.My dealing with Sawyer he is pretty straight forward either selling a bus on consignment or 1 of his own         

[DoubleEagle]

If the concerns are about the 6v92 and the 740 Allison just drive it Western Branch Diesel they are a Detriot,MTU and Allison dealer 500 bucks at the most and would be a lot cheaper than flying some one into Virginia.What color of smoke was it, at what temperature,a rough shifting 740 at a cold start is not a deal breaker,new fluid and filters change will usually cure that hiccup,even if the shift points and trimmer springs need adjusting no big deal 300 bucks plus the 10+ gals of fluid.My dealing with Sawyer he is pretty straight forward either selling a bus on consignment or 1 of his own         

Clifford, looks like you are the perfect person to fly in (first class) and check it out. You know the engine & transmission, know of the converter and sales outfit, but I am sure you have plenty of things to do already. Thanks for your valuable insights.

[ScharpeStGuy]

All,

Thanks for the help/assistance on this! I just received a message from Hi Yo Silver located north of Roanoke who has offered to go look at the bus with another board member sometime in July. I think if it makes sense if pending their positive review of the bus and if I were to obtain the owners permission and settle on a base price maybe one of them could drive the bus to Western Branch for the repairs?

My wife and I buy/sell real estate as a side business and that is so much easier than buying a bus!

Thank you everyone.

[luvrbus]

Walter,a bus inspection is a guessing game to began with nobody myself included wants to go out on a limb and say buy a bus there are to many unknowns.
People buying a 20 to 60 year old bus can never know for sure even with a inspection sh** happens.
This guy should fly out look the bus over drive the bus and ask questions.
Dennis can probably tell him what he see and dislikes but in the end it's the buyer. He needs to have a DOT inspection 125 bucks that will tell him a bunch,then pull fluid samples on the transmission,engine,coolant, power steering,and differential that will cost about 50 bucks in the end he has to roll the dice.
Virginia is a nice place to spend a week vacation IMO you are not going to buy a old bus without a few problems hell even new one have problems