8v92 Oil Pressure

[Doug1968]

Hello Everyone,

I am a new member in the last week only after purchasing my first bus. A couple of weeks ago I purchased a 1986 MCI 102A3 with a 5 speed. I had been looking for a bus for the last year or so but became serious after attending the Bus'N'USA rally in Rickreal, Oregon last June.

At that rally I met a fellow named Zip Zepede from the San Diego area who was there with his 102A3 coach. Zip was kind enough to show us the ins and outs of his beautiful coach and while driving home from that event I decided to get more serious about my search. I kept my eye on buses for sale but most are located in the south or east. Last month I decided that I would travel out to look at all for sale buses located in the Northwest that caught my attention. I looked at a few MCI 9's, 8's and a couple of Eagles.

Then a couple of weeks ago my friend, Paul Lawry was visiting the Northwest when the 102A3 came up for sale on E-Bay. Paul, my wife, Lori, and I jumped in Paul's car and drove to Seattle to see the bus and at that time there was 12 hours left on the auction. After meeting with the owner, a pilot for Alaska Airlines, we spent a couple of hours going over the bus and completing the best inspection we could in the rain. Looking for rust, body damage, and generally asking many questions of the owner I decided to try to buy the bus. The fellow that owned the bus had purchased it approximately three years ago and had driven it about 10,000 miles. He had receipts for service and repairs he had made to the bus. Nothing really major, a clutch cable, miscellaneous lights, air bag replacement, trailer hitch installation, rebuilt radiator blower assembly, brake inspection, oil changes, filter replacements, etc.

The bus is really clean with only one side glass cracked. He had the bus painted in July and he seemed very straight up with me in regards to known problems. Part of the sale was that he would deliver the bus anywhere in the states, Canada, or Mexico for the cost of fuel. Being a pilot he flies back to Seattle free of charge.

We left Seattle headed back to Vancouver and began bidding on the bus. Paul had brought along his laptop and we had the capability of remaining on-line during out trip. It appeared as though there were five bidders at the start and then with about 30 minutes to go it seemed to be only myself and one other bidder. With about 5 minutes remaining we had a serious discussion about the price and I once again raised my bid. With 3 minutes remaining the other person raised his bid a dropped me out. Once again, the stress of the auction process entered my stomach and I began the sole searching to see how serious I really was to become a bus owner? Then I hit the refresh button on the E-Bay screen saw that I was indeed not the top bidder and with a slight hesitation raised my bid and hit confirm. At that very moment, with 2 minutes remaining, Paul's laptop came up with a message that said "Battery Is Very Low" shut down immediately. We had no clue how the auction ended until about 5 minutes later when my cell phone rang and it was the pilot telling me that I had been the top bidder.

He delivered the bus to me on September 30th as promised, spent 4 hours going over everything on the bus, front to back. He then pulled out what he called a "Pre-Flight Checklist" and walked me through the pre-trip inspection that he said he completed before every trip.

I then got in the drivers seat and received my first bus driving instruction. It was great. I had a little trouble for the first few miles getting use to the clutch and shifting but he commented that he was surprised how well I handled the bus. Since then I have driven it a few times mostly in town to get use to handling the width and length. I have to say, I'm not sure I will mind the manual transmission?

I'm sorry for such a long story my first time on the board but I have that first time excitement. You guy's know the feeling? I will become a regular and after this initial introduction of myself I promise to keep it short. Also, I want to thank Paul Lawry for being available to assist me and I appreciate all of his help.

Now, to a more serious matter. The bus has an 8V92 motor, mileage unknown, and running down the highway at 16-1700 rpm the oil pressure is sitting right about 50 psi. When the motor drops to an idle the oil pressure drops to maybe 15-20 psi? The temperature gauge is about 185-190 and the motor sound great. Oil level is fine according to the dip stick. Is this anything to worry about? Could it possibly be a sending unit or gauge problem?

If anyone has comments or experience with this issue I would like to hear what you have to say. Looking forward to communicating with you guys/gals as I complete my bus conversion over the next year or two.

Thanks,

Doug

[luvrbus]

Doug, that is great idle oil pressure for a 2 stroke most are in the 7 to 10# range at 500 to 600 rpm and 50# is about right for 1600 rpm enjoy your bus nothing to worry about     Good luck

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Doug,

Welcome and Congrats on your MCI !

50 psi is right on the money. So is your idle psi.

Good Luck
Nick-

[quantum500]

A DD with oil pressure going down the road is healthy enough.  Even with zero at idle it still has a long life a head of it.  It will let you know far a head of time when it is sick and tired.

[makemineatwostroke]

Don't be surprised if on a hot day after a long run the idle oil pressure is 5 lbs, 5 to 7 lbs is good and all 92 series have a valve to dump the oil at 50lbs unless it has been shimmed,this is the reason DD 2 strokes use 40 or 50w engine oil.I have a question for you how many rpms is the engine idling most won't idle 15 or 20 lbs of oil pressure at 500 rpm with a standard tranny also that is one of the reasons for a high idle switch is to help with the oil pressure   welcome and have a great evening

[Dreamscape]

Welcome Doug,

Good to see you here asking questions.

That was a fun journey, wasn't it? Sure glad it worked out the way it did! Now I don't have to send you possibilities anymore!

By the way, my 8v71 runs real close to the same oil pressure that your 8v92 runs. But because of the difference in the engines I was not sure, now I know.

You will get lots of very good help here,

Take Care My Friend, and Let the FUN Begin!

Paul

[bobofthenorth]

Congratulations on your new purchase.  Its good to have another fellow Canuck in the asylum.

[hargreaves]

Hi Doug, welcome,  congratulations on you're purchase, I  have a 1987 MCI 102a3 and also live in the Vancouver area.  Would love to get together and discuss buses. 

Gerry

[Iver]

My newly rebuilt 8-92 has similar oil pressure as well.
      Iver,  (another Vancouver area busnut)