Frame crack on MCI - suggestions on how to pick a good welder?

[artvonne]

I guess I don't understand the electrolysis part previously mentioned.

  From what I understand, spurious voltage is going everywhere under certain conditions, not just from the weld to ground. That under these certain conditions, standing sparks can occur anywhere there are weak connections. My brother made a jacobs ladder from an oil furnace transformer. There were sparks coming off everything in the room from that thing, everything you touched, it was creepy. I would imagine what is being discussed is happening due to the same forces at work, but with much greater current.

  By the looks of what I saw, the majority of cases came from body shops, so perhaps it has more to do with cars that have had more extensive welding, perhaps welding dirty welds and/or with poor grounding, etc..

[dougyes]

Try ABC Bus in Costa Mesa. Not cheap but they know what they are doing.

[Chopper Scott]

I can give you an example artvonne of something stranger. My son was recently plumbing up a stainless steel tanker to a pump and sorts using the tig welder. Nothing hooked to the trailer at all. just the trailer.  As he was welding the led lights on the tanker would flicker! Strangest thing I ever saw!

[buswarrior]

daveola, don't screw around.

This is old hat for people in the know. Do you want to fund someone's initiation to MCI cradle repair?

Go find the MOTORCOACH BODY SHOPS in your area, they know where they crack, and why.

ESPECIALLY if you want to tow with it.

You need it done right by the guys who know, and who have done dozens of them before yours.

Have them do the hitch at the same time.

Pay now, or pay again, and again, later...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[daveola]

Go find the MOTORCOACH BODY SHOPS in your area..

That's good advice, I'll look into it and see if I can find anything.

Have them do the hitch at the same time.

Ooh..  Good idea. 

[Chopper Scott]

daveola, don't screw around.

This is old hat for people in the know. Do you want to fund someone's initiation to MCI cradle repair?

Go find the MOTORCOACH BODY SHOPS in your area, they know where they crack, and why.

ESPECIALLY if you want to tow with it.

You need it done right by the guys who know, and who have done dozens of them before yours.

Have them do the hitch at the same time.

Pay now, or pay again, and again, later...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Sound advise from someone who has had this happen to them I gather....

[buswarrior]

Spent a bunch of smart cash on mine at the start, knowing it's condition before the sale.

Being in the bus business helps clear the thought processes sometimes.

Why experiment and take way more time and materials to do it wrong, when there's an entire industry available that will whip off an experienced repair in a fraction of the time?

There's a place for do it yourself, and there's a place to pay a pro for his knowledge and skill.

Where those places are depends on what the busnut has for skills, time and inclination, and whether there are viable and reputable competing vendors available for the service.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[luvrbus]

I have seen the cracks on a MCI cradle repaired before at MCI they remove the engine and tranny and replace the cradle pretty expensive I was told and that is why so many are parted out with cradle failure and as far as age I don't think that matters one bus was 6 months old with cracks  being replaced under warranty.
One source would be Sam Caylor he may or may not weld it for you just depends on the crack

good luck