Bus Reliability

[MB LeMirage]

Isn't that the truth. No matter where they got it from or who rebuilt it, no engine will take that sort of sustained abuse.
Ryan.

[eagle19952]

the way i read it (the story) the 4 liners were pressed in with a 22 lb. hammer... no one could have nursed that motor to success.

i have seen cab drivers and grocery baggers drive B-70's and R-35's after having passed a grocery cart exam not be able to kill a Detroit.

if the motor is built right and not over sped and they have oil in them AND anover temp shut down...
which really is not that much to ask....
they are bullet proof and quite frankly some of the stories i've read here prove my point

[IMABUSBOY]

Our longest trip in "The Sparrow", our 1987 mci96A3,6v92, Allison 740, was 3,068 miles over 12 days. From central WV to Pigeon Forge,(Dollywood),Tenn. where we stayed for two nights., then to Hurricane Mills where we stayed at Loretta Lynn dude ranch for two nights.. on to Memphis and stayed one night at the Graceland RV park. Then to Lake Charles LA for two nights with my niece. On to Huston TX  and two nights with my sister.  on the trip home, for one night, Nashville Grand Ol' Opera for one night after a CDB show  and one night in WV at our favorite lake.
No problems, great adventure!   

[Scott & Heather]

Busboy, was this in the summer?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DoubleEagle]

I would have to say that my first bus, a 1974 Silvereagle Model 05 with the Spicer 4 spd. and the 8V71, that I got in 1996, has been pretty dependable. Before it was even finished inside I took it on multiple trips out west (from Ohio) to Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, Texas, South Dakota, Missouri, Minnesota, and everywhere in between. The only events that ever slowed me down, besides the mountains, was a ruptured fuel return line that had rusted, and a incorrectly wired (by me) generator that was putting out full current which boiled the batteries. My current project is a 1984 Model 10 Eagle, which has only had trouble with a skinner valve malfunction which was overcome by reaching in and pulling the fuel stop back so I could start. Considering the age involved, these buses are pretty amazing. Of course, you have to be mechanically inclined, or have lots of ready cash when things do go bad, but compared to a RV of a similar age or newer, we are better off.

[Nel]

Last summer drove my 4104 to a local car show , total trouble free miles driven last year, about 20, but I have to say one of the most exciting and fun things I have driven in a long time.just an amazing machine. Besides driving it around the block here and there, you feel like you have left the nest and your hard work is starting to show, looking forward to 100 times those miles this year after I get the new tires, can't wait.  Nelson

PS. it was a big hit at the car show too

[lostagain]

Just got home a couple of days ago from a trip from Blackie near Calgary AB to Fort Worth TX. By myself in the bus, and without a towed: nice, and nice... Taking a model air plane for my sons U of C team to a SAE International competition. The kids flew there and back. The bus ran strong and smooth as usual. The 6V92, like all 2 Stroke Detroits, is made heavy duty to run for hours and hours around the clock. Once set up and tuned up properly, it will run and run for 300000 miles before a change of bearings and a tune up. This was my first trip with 15W40 in the HT740 (from trans fluid). It shifts a little smoother, and a little cooler.

My only annoying problem is an oil leak at the back of the engine getting worse. And a coolant leak that started at the pipe flange to the intercooler. Both will be tough to get to. I am going to have to drain the coolant and remove some parts to get to that flange. And hopefully I can see what's what about the oil leak through the floor hatch in the bedroom. Neither leaks are gushers, but it is messy, and need to be fixed.

Just wanted to post this to show that these buses are tough, heavy duty machines that, if maintained properly, are very reliable.

JC

[Melbo]

We take our bus out about three or four times a year.  Since we switched to the L10 and ZF we have only had two issues.  One I should have caught before it was a problem -- the driveline came loose and shook like crazy -- the other one was a fluke.  We drove through some wet conditions and got water into the brain box for the trans.  We bypassed the brain box with some long distance telephone help from the transmission rebuilder and a rats nest of wire and made it home.  We also do an annual schedule of maintenance -- Just basic stuff if you are going to have trouble free travel.

Melbo