| Author | Message | ||
| M&M (Busnut_pd4106)
Registered Member Username: Busnut_pd4106 Post Number: 125 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 64.207.15.130 Rating: N/A |
Hello fellow busnuts, Please allow me to share this experience. I broke all the bus buying rules that I've learned on this board and purchased an Eagle coach unseen and uninspected. Yes I rolled the dice and now feeling like a winner. The bus is a 1975 Eagle 05 with model 10 caps. The bus is equip with air assist steering and clutch, a recently rebuilt 8v71 motor with approximately 50k miles since rebuilt, 4 speed transmission, new starter, alternator and control box. I drove to Indianapolis IN last Friday to pickup the bus; the temperature was between 0 and 10 degrees. The bus smoke heavily then cleared up within 20 minutes on the road. The drive back to Atlanta GA was very challenging. The wind along I-65 was gusting upwards of 45 MPH and I had the hardest time keeping the bus in its lane. It was so bad the big rigs were hesitant to pass. I got as far as White House TN (exit 108) before calling it a night, returning to the bus the following day. The following day we had no problems with the wind which had died down to about 5 to 8 MPH. We ran the local hwy US 31 all the way to Birmingham AL where we then jumped on US 78 east. We got about 15 miles east of Birmingham and lost power as we reached the crest of a very steep hill in Leeds AL. I was able to coast to the bottom of the hill and parked safely. We contacted M&M tire and mechanical in Birmingham and they responded with an hour. The fuel gauge is not working; apparently the fuel tanks were not full at. The seller assured me that both tanks had enough fuel to go a total of 1100 miles. However I can not fault anyone but myself for not stopping and checking my fuel regularly. Need less to say I lost prime and the bus would not start even after the mechanic from M&M tried for 3 hours. The conclusion was that the fuel pump is bad and should be replaced. However after communication with Ray Cox and another mechanic in Atlanta GA, I am being told the fuel pump is built like a tank and should not have failed under the circumstances. The bus is still in Leeds AL and I plan to return with a more seasoned mechanic, who thinks the fuel lines just needs to be purged of air. We are taking a fuel pump just in case the fuel pump does need to be replaced. I am very comfortable with this bus, it was such a pleasure driving it. I am so ready for my next Eagle. Once I get the bus to Atlanta I’ll do an assessment to decide if it is a keeper or a candidate for parting out. Thanks for letting me share this experience! Mark | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 420 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 209.183.55.84  Rating: N/A |
From one Eagle owner to another, nice to hear of your experience even with the mechanical issues you are having. Good Luck and please keep us posted on your fix. Sounds like operator error huh! LOL Eagles do have a phenomenal ride! | ||
| Jason Simons (Bigblock01)
Registered Member Username: Bigblock01 Post Number: 23 Registered: 6-2008 Posted From: 209.177.247.193  Rating: N/A |
If you ran it out of fuel it is hard to start. You will have to reprime the fuel system. I ran our mc-9 out I used a vaccum pump to pull the fuel back to the top of the engine. Free lone tool from auto zone and small air fitten that I screwed in the line. Very agrevating will try not to run out again. | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 259 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62  Rating: N/A |
Let me know if you need a mechanic reference from the Atlanta area. I have a good detroit guy who travels | ||
| Jack Campbell (Blue_goose)
Registered Member Username: Blue_goose Post Number: 119 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 71.100.201.35  Rating: N/A |
From someone that has been there. Get a Plaws suction gun, they look like a greese gun but pull a good suction. Take a Plug fitting out of the secondary filter, put a fitting in to match the hose with the suction gun. Every time you pull a suction you will have to take the hose off and them put it back on to get the next suction. The suction gun is very cheap and it only takes a few pulls to have the line and filters full. When you have it full it will be easy start. Hope this helps Jack | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 391 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.230.210  Rating: N/A |
After running out of fuel myself once I found two ways of doing it. 1.get an electric fuel pump ,plumb it in line with a shut-off valve as others will have pictures to show install and 2. use a primer bulb from an outboard motor and carry a 2 1/2 gallon of fuel and put a fitting on the primary filter and pump it up and when engine starts gradually close off the valve and let the fuel pump take over. It will work with either set-up. gomer | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 55 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
You experienced what air assist steering will do in a cross wind. I had air assist steering on my bus when I first bought it and thought it would be good. Being a transit bus, it worked alright in city (8.5 turns lock to lock-busy steering), but out on the road at 65, was constant work. I had it changed to Sheppard power steering-now 4.5 turns lock to lock with finger tip speed. Even in cross winds, no more drifting back and forth-really is a driving changing experience-highly recommend you change to regular power steering. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 427 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 166.129.193.215 Rating: N/A |
I have heard that they switch off the air assist when driving the interstates. No real time experience on this though. | ||
| M&M (Busnut_pd4106)
Registered Member Username: Busnut_pd4106 Post Number: 126 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 64.207.15.130 Rating: N/A |
Thanks to all for the responses. The bus finally made it home to Atlanta GA after a week and three attempts. Wildbob24 got her started without much effort and we did not need a starter as recommended by M&M tire and mechanical. The auxiliary pump, some oil and antifreeze did the trick. The bus she is a good strong runner, but because of the rust I'll probably end up parting her out or putting the drive train in a better coach. By the way turning off the air assist did improve the handling dramatically. | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 430 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 75.93.55.100 Rating: N/A |
If you sadly end up making the decision to part her out let me know what's available. :-( | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 394 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.228.218 Rating: N/A |
dreamscape: are you saying your eagle is rusting?? That is what salt water does to one when in the western tip of Florida.LOL It will even make aluminum corode, I know that too and wow what a mess it can make. However I am glad that M&M made the trip home and arrived safely | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 206 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
If you raise the front of a Eagle you will never know you are driving in a cross wind. |