Bought a different bus today

Jcparmley · April 06, 2019, 09:35:48 AM

Well! I bought a different bus today. It's a 1996 MCI 102DL3. I currently have a MCI 102c3 with a 6v92TA bus that I am still gutting but I just couldn't pass up on the opportunity to purchase a D series with a Series 60 with 40 k on the rebuild. It's interior is mostly gutted. The PO purchased it from California a few years ago and drove it to Wisconsin. It dosen't have a Wabesto which is too bad. The Windows arn't as heavy as my c3 Windows so I plan on swapping them. My plan is to part out my C3.

The PO tore out the upper luggage rack Air Conditioning by just cutting the copper lines. So, my guess is all the freon is out of the system. The PO says the OTR AC does work. So I guess I need to cap those lines and recharge the system to see if it actually works. I need to find the manuals somewhere so I can become more familiar with this bus. Here are some pics.

buswarrior · April 06, 2019, 12:39:12 PM

Great news!

Double the bus, double the fun!

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

lvmci · April 06, 2019, 01:17:04 PM

Tax steering?

6805eagleguy · April 06, 2019, 01:41:33 PM

oh boy, i like the look of that engine!
Does it have jakes? (just curious!?)

Jcparmley · April 06, 2019, 01:41:57 PM

Yes, I believe so.

Quote from: lvmci on April 06, 2019, 01:17:04 PM
Tax steering?

Jcparmley · April 06, 2019, 01:43:40 PM

I don't think it has jakes. It does have a retarder. I need to learn how to use that. Jakes would be nice.

Quote from: 6805eagleguy on April 06, 2019, 01:41:33 PM
oh boy, i like the look of that engine!
Does it have jakes? (just curious!?)

Jim Blackwood · April 07, 2019, 08:57:09 AM

COOL! Same year as my DL3. They really stripped it out didn't they?

Each of those OH AC's had a solenoid cutoff valve on the high side but I don't know where it is located. If the low side is open it's highly doubtful you have any freon.

Great bus. Should have the B500 6 speed with retarder. Andy tells me I won't find much use for the Webasto (actually Eiberspaecher) because it burns 4 times the fuel idling that the engine does so you may not miss it.

If you would, could you check how your dash fresh air vent works? (you can easily lift and pop out the cover panel at the front of the bus to access that area, wash the filter and such. Does yours have just 1 T-handle cable for heater control? If so that fresh air damper cable has to go somewhere. Mine was removed and I'd like to know what was there to begin with and what you did to open and close the damper.

It should have lockable tag axle steering, rear lift for extra clearance, kneel, and maybe more.

The manuals are online at MCI but the ones I downloaded had the schematics cut off and are almost useless. Let me know if you find something complete.

Jim

luvrbus · April 07, 2019, 09:06:40 AM

I doubt it has Jakes just the preset % on the retarder on the B500 if you are lucky it will have a joy stick so you can control it, if it does have Jakes it will only be on 3 cylinders from the factory,those are not steering tag axles they just follow and lock in place at around 20 mph

TomC · April 07, 2019, 10:48:17 AM

No Jakes-valve cover is flat.

buswarrior · April 07, 2019, 11:12:00 AM

Quote: Andy tells me I won't find much use for the Webasto (actually Eiberspaecher) because it burns 4 times the fuel idling that the engine does so you may not miss it.
Unquote

That's an exaggeration.
"Andy" isn't helping you or us with this statement. Fuel burn is a fraction of engine idle.

Interior won't stay warm, engine won't stay at operating temperature.

Coach goes cold on those long downgrades in cool weather... the Admiral is going to be pissed...

All of 'em install these expensive beasts from the factory for a reason, not out of the goodness of their hearts

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Dave5Cs · April 07, 2019, 12:15:36 PM

I've heard you can put a claw-foot tub in that model MCI !...

Jcparmley · April 07, 2019, 02:23:37 PM

I don't believe I have a Wabesto. I don't see a control for one and I haven't been able to find one in the engine compartment. Although, honestly I haven't found a manual yet so I don't exactly know where to look. If in fact I don't have one how might I heat the coach?

Quote from: buswarrior on April 07, 2019, 11:12:00 AM
Quote: Andy tells me I won't find much use for the Webasto (actually Eiberspaecher) because it burns 4 times the fuel idling that the engine does so you may not miss it.
Unquote

That's an exaggeration.
"Andy" isn't helping you or us with this statement. Fuel burn is a fraction of engine idle.

Interior won't stay warm, engine won't stay at operating temperature.

Coach goes cold on those long downgrades in cool weather... the Admiral is going to be pissed...

All of 'em install these expensive beasts from the factory for a reason, not out of the goodness of their hearts

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Jcparmley · April 07, 2019, 02:25:53 PM

Mine has just 1 T handle for the heat. There is a button on the shifter console that is used to open a damper to let fresh air in. at least I believe that is what it is for.

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on April 07, 2019, 08:57:09 AM
COOL! Same year as my DL3. They really stripped it out didn't they?

Each of those OH AC's had a solenoid cutoff valve on the high side but I don't know where it is located. If the low side is open it's highly doubtful you have any freon.

Great bus. Should have the B500 6 speed with retarder. Andy tells me I won't find much use for the Webasto (actually Eiberspaecher) because it burns 4 times the fuel idling that the engine does so you may not miss it.

If you would, could you check how your dash fresh air vent works? (you can easily lift and pop out the cover panel at the front of the bus to access that area, wash the filter and such. Does yours have just 1 T-handle cable for heater control? If so that fresh air damper cable has to go somewhere. Mine was removed and I'd like to know what was there to begin with and what you did to open and close the damper.

It should have lockable tag axle steering, rear lift for extra clearance, kneel, and maybe more.

The manuals are online at MCI but the ones I downloaded had the schematics cut off and are almost useless. Let me know if you find something complete.

Jim

sledhead · April 07, 2019, 03:55:29 PM

with my Cat if it is below freezing and I am not going up a hill the engine and the inside of the coach is cool not hot unless my aqua hot is on . if not my nuts get cold .
in the 2.5 days I drove from Florida to home this year the aqua hot burner ( timer is on the just the burner only) was on for 18 hrs of that time and the outside temp. was -10-15 cel . or 5-15 f so yes the other heat source is needed if you are driving in the cold weather on my coach

so 18 hrs x .4 gal. of diesel = 7.2 gal of diesel approximate over 1500 miles
not that bad to stay warm and have the engine at the recommended temp.

dave

thomasinnv · April 07, 2019, 03:57:42 PM

Open the roadside (left side) engine access door stick your head in and look up. If you have a webasto thats where it will be. I was under the impression that all D series coaches with series 60 had either a webasto or eberspacher installed, at least thats what my manual says.

That vintage D series when equipped with jakes had them on the first 4 holes, with the the valve cover dropping down flat under the floor over holes 5 and 6. MCI used different model jakes on those than what is used on other series 60.