| Author | Message | ||
| Jeff Pritchard (Jeffpritchard) (68.8.222.153)
Rating: N/A |
I was wondering what size is the diesel tank on an MCI 7, 8, and 9? thanks, jp | ||
| Derek (24.85.245.203) Rating: N/A |
I've heard around 140, or 170 with an aux (gallons) | ||
| Tony (64.215.196.116) Rating: N/A |
Jeff I have a 1969 MCI-7 and the main Tank Is 144 US Gal. The Axillarie Is 35 US Gal Tony | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (65.40.154.82) Rating: N/A |
My 96A3 has the same set-up as Tony's MC-7, 144 + 35 gallon auxilliary tank, although according to Da Book the Aux. tank is an option. Brian | ||
| Nick Russell (66.82.9.31)
Rating: N/A |
My 1976 MCI-8 has a 144 gallon tank and no auxillary tank | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (69.3.74.15)
Rating: N/A |
About 700 miles. | ||
| DaveD (142.46.199.18)
Rating: N/A |
Usable fuel is 136 Gal. Dave D | ||
| Doug Dickinson (Dougd470) (65.161.188.11)
Rating: N/A |
My MC9 is 144 US Gal Something I have been thinking about is usable quantity. I have been using a rule-of-thumb of fill-up at 1/4 tank. This leaves a little under 40 gal (36 gal more or less) in the tank, which will take care of most any odd angle I am operating at, or bad angle to park the coach. Considering the size of the tank, and the cross-ways mounting, 35 gal is about the least I want in the tank, lest some rude surprise show up. I hate rude surprises! Am I paranoid about running out of fuel? Yup! I was thinking of using an approach like a day tank between the main tank and the engine with a booster pump to keep it full. If the booster pump looses intake, it would trigger an alarm (loss of output pressure alarm) indicating I have hit rock bottom of the pick-up tube. At least that would allow me to use the maximum amount out of the tank and the day tank would get me at least 25 miles. That would be similar to a reserve tank. I am also wanting to put in another 144 gal tank so I can take advantage of low fuel prices in certain places (means $15 or more per fillup in my current situation - would mean twice that with two tanks.) So - I am throwing this out to get kicked around. I am interested in what you think and why. Thanks Doug St Louis MC9 | ||
| DaveD (142.46.199.18)
Rating: N/A |
I generally don't let the tank get down to much less than a third full, mainly because I never want to get in a situation where I run out of fuel (such as being stuck in slow traffic if there is a pileup or construction ahead). The last time I had my bus out was when I picked it up from the shop where I had it in for some brake work and fluid and filter changes and it took me more than two hours to go about 3 miles due to freezing rain and a resulting 7 car pileup on the road I was on. There was no place to turn off and even after I got past this when I stopped to top off my fuel tank, the first station I came to had problems with its diesel pumps. Dave Dulmage | ||
| Craig S (65.202.123.254) Rating: N/A |
Doug, I noticed that when I fill my tank from 1/4 to close to full, my MC8 drives much better. I can also "feel" the added fuel weight on the front suspension. 125 gallons is about a half a ton of fuel. Even though the day/reserve tank sounds like good insurance, adding over 1000 lbs of fuel to the load doesn't sit well with me. Of course there are busses with massive amounts of water tanks. I'd put the extra load toward the back a little to balance the weight. Maybe the bus suspension can handle it all up front, I don't know. Craig S. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad) (204.193.117.66)
Rating: N/A |
Our front axle is rated at 12,500 per MCI certificate plate. We recently weighed the bus on a certified Cat Scale. Weight was obtained with full fuel tanks (170 gallon), (we have the aux. tank on our bus), full water tank (100 gallon) and full generator tank (25 gallon). Our bus has ceramic tile floor on steps and bathroom, ceramic tile shower, vanity/backsplash, and kitchen counter/backsplash. Rest of floor is Australian cypress flooring. Pantry, closets and refrigerator fully stocked with my wife and I on board. Front axle weight was 11,180. Rear axle was 18,000 (rated 20,000)and tags were 4000 (rated 6000). Jack | ||
| Terrance A.Haag (Mrbus) (152.163.252.163)
Rating: N/A |
Doug, There used to be an old adage around aviation that the only time you could have too much fuel was when you are on fire. This has been rethought and the present thinking is what does it cost to carry that extra fuel. In our bus conversions we must also be concerned with center of gravity or balance, so where would you place that much extra weight and how will it effect the handling. I think it is a matter of planning and monitoring to assure that you do not exhaust your fuel supply. (also know as severe air contamination of the fuel system  . I travel a considerable amount of miles in the more unpopulated states, (Mont.,Wyo.,the Canadian Provinces and the Yukon and NW Territories, and with some planning and monitoring, I find the original fuel tank to be adequate. But the name of the conversion thing is "Your way". Enjoy, Gus Haag | ||
| Doug Dickinson (Dougd470) (65.161.188.11)
Rating: N/A |
Everyone All goodpoints. I travel quite a bit in a car and just find it uncomprehensable to run out of gas. I am not too worried about running out my MC9 with the current tank capacity, but would like to find a way to streach it without taking bad chances - hence the day tank idea (5 or maybe 10 gal). When I start to travel a good bit, the ability to buy and carry lots of fuel has a real dollar impact. and extra $15 a fillup totals up fairly quick. I too have noticed that my MC9 drives and handles better with the weight on the wheels like a full tank. It feels like the coach is happy to go! Kinda cute. As for weight distribution and overall axle weights, I too am sensative (I used to fly also) even though the consequences are not quite the same, It does matter for a lot of good other reasons (other than the plane falling out of the sky at the worst time). I think I might just wait until I am at the 95% point and see what the axle weights are before I decide which compartnemt to use. The rear one is already full, and the other 2 are hardly/not used yet. I plan on using them for storage/cargo. Dave brings up a good point. Getting stuck in a traffic jam for a long time can happen anywhere. Running the gen set helps with AC etc, but one may need the engine for some putpose - and if it is a creeping traffic jam, you don't have a choice. Hmmmm - should think some more on that. Jack has good info on axle weights that I appreciate. Gus is right on with the quote on fuel in a plane. My father (aero engineer) always told me it costs about the same to drive on the top half of the tank as the bottom half. Thanks guys Doug St Louis MC9 | ||
| FAST FRED (65.154.177.85) Rating: N/A |
http://www.floscan.com/html/index.asp Is a site that will solve ALL your running out of fuel hassles. Their gage includes a Tach , an hour meter, an instantly reading Gallons Per Hour (lift your foot on a hill and you can see if the GPH changes or if you slow down, and a Totalizer .With a GPS you get instant mpg reading too. The Totalizer keeps track of fuel consumed and usually is within 1% at refill time. Not only can you find rigged fuel pumps at truck stops , you can run 135G out of that 144G tank, and get rid of the goo on the bottom!. Boat stuff , not cheap, but a GREAT! way to go. FAST FRED |