| Author |
Message |
Doug (65.161.188.9)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 9:58 am: | |
Hello to all and thank you for all the information on so many topics.
I am looking at a bus with an 8V71 engine, manual trans that has been parked for about 2 years. The bus was "running fine" when parked per the owner and has not had a single thing done to it since then. It was not preped for storage.
My question is - I want to get the engine running before buying the coach. I have to run it about 300 miles to get it home. I want to be reasonably sure I don't trash the engine in the process. What should I do before running/moving the bus? |
degojoe (198.81.16.157)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 10:07 am: | |
i bought a similar bus, all i did was check all fluids, belts and wires, put in new batteries, prime the fuel system and started the engine. |
Jojo Colina (Du1jec) (68.8.172.117)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 10:24 am: | |
I would at the very least open the valve covers, operate the rack and make sure none of the injectors are frozen.
If the injectors look good, I would drain the tank of any old fuel (which could now be infested with algae), replace fuel filters, drain the oil and replace the oil filters, put fresh oil, fresh diesel fuel, check for coolant leaks, check power steering fluid, install new batteries and then prime and start. |
Scott Whitney (24.205.233.25)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 12:40 pm: | |
When I bought my bus, it had sat for about 9 years. The seller told me, 'I didn't start it as often as I should.' Whatever that means. . .
I replaced batteries, checked oil, checked tire pressure, filled the tank and drove 300 miles home. No problems.
However - months later, the fuel bug bit me. Ended up dropping and cleaning the tank, replacing filters several times and then a couple months later replaced the check valve. Now (I think) my fuel issues are over. Knock on wood. But I still keep a jerry can and my tubing pieces on hand.
If you have a way to safely and legally dump the old fuel and replace it with fresh fuel and new filters, you can probably remove 9/10ths of your potential problems. (assuming the seller is being honest and the bus was not parked for some other reason. . .)
Scott |
Scott Whitney (24.205.233.25)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 12:45 pm: | |
BTW, don't fall in love with any bus too soon. I would make sure it is running, drivable and safe before you offer the seller a dime. (so you can check things like brakes, clutch, tranny etc.) There are just too many good, drive-away busses for sale right now to buy something that needs work before it can even be moved.
Scott |
Ross Carlisle (Ross) (216.107.197.26)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 10:14 pm: | |
"There are just too many good, drive-away busses for sale right now to buy something that needs work before it can even be moved."
Unless you can steal it...
I found a 77 GMC transit today with a good running 8V71 and auto trans that needs some attention. Thinking about buying it for the engine and other misc parts. They are asking $950.
Also found an 81 GMC transit with rebuilt 671 and auto trans. It is supposed to run and drive like new...for $3800.
Ross |
jmaxwell (66.42.92.95)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 1:31 am: | |
Listen to Scott--not a dime until after u check it out, and that generally requires that it at least be running. Also, be very wary of people with buses for sale that don't run; there is usually a good and expensive reason why they don't. Keep in mind that Excellent translates to It Runs, Good translates to It might get u there, and Good for It's Age translates to It survived the scrapper 10 years ago! Right now, the market is flooded with used buses and getting more flooded as this economy tanks, so don't be impatient, and guaranteed, there is a better deal around the corner! Buses that 1 yr. ago were going for 25k are now sitting begging for 15k. Late '80's transits were 10-15k a year ago and now regularly go for 2-4k. |
FAST FRED (63.208.87.95)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 5:11 am: | |
Unless you have 25 years of DD time , don't bother to check it out,
PAY the local DD dealer to run it on his chasis dynomometer (about $100 to $150) AFTER you have a knowledgable pal drive it for at LEAST an hour.
A hundred miles would be better.
A bus is like a battery , you want to by one that has been kept up , not driven into the ground.
A bus gets "recharged" with pounds of cash.
There are soo many fine coaches , there is NO reason to be in a rush, unless its a very special coach , that PROVES to be that special after testing.
Otherwise you might buy a long term continuing repair / rebuild expensive mightmare!
Most really fine coaches do not sit abondoned in a field for years.
FAST FRED |
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