| Author |
Message |
Justin Dortignac
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 6:40 pm: | |
We just got our transmission diagnosed due to a lack of power (just got a fresh engine). Allison MT643 w/retarder(retarder dosen't work).
The diagnosis...converter not locking, cracked cylinder...they want to rebuild for $3500
Why would this be the case at only 188k miles?
What are your opinions? |
TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 7:13 pm: | |
what kind of bus...automatics SUCK |
Justin Dortignac (3of14)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 8:17 pm: | |
TwoDogs,
The bus is a 1990 National 31'coach...I just regitered with the site so you can click on my profile and see a picture. |
TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 8:38 pm: | |
643...is that a city bus |
jimmci9 #2
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 9:14 pm: | |
i work for a dd/allison shop....and depending on what is wrong has a lot to do with the cost of a rebuild... your description is very vague...the "cylinder" that you're referring to might be where the piston is that causes the torque convertor to lock up... if this is it, its the size of the torque convertor.... huge.... and as to the $3500.... it that labor to remove replace???? or just rebuild?? patch whats wrong????what kind of guarantee???? |
TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 10:10 pm: | |
but....what 'I' was getting at...if this is a city bus..a 55 m.p.h. bus ...and he wants to drive it at highway speeds...now...might be a good time to bail out...and get another bus...why pay 3500 to fix something that will only go 55...guess it depends what he is going to use it for.. |
Justin Dortignac (3of14)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 11:55 pm: | |
TD, I don't think it has city gearing...it mantains 65 on level ground and will do 75-80 on a light downgrade.
Jim, I am sorry about the vague description...I got am qouting what my mechanic heard from the allison shop...tomorrow, we intend to talk directly to the allison dealer and get the details.
My biggest question is Why would this happen at, what I understand to be, "LOW mileage"?
Everything I've read before indicated that the 643 is a "bullet proof" workhorse. |
Phil Dumpster
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 12:24 am: | |
It is "bulletproof" but only to a certain point. If you want "BULLETPROOF" then you're talking 700 series Allison.
I doubt you are the original owner. If the previous owner(s) abused the coach, didn't do regular maintenance, or subjected it to extreme operational parameters, then 188k may be a reasonable lifespan for a transmission.
Nationals are popular as airport shuttles. Lots of slow speed operation, starts and stops, idling, startups and shutdowns all take their toll on the equipment.
Just because something has a good reputation for durability doesn't mean that they don't fail. I once had a catastrophic engine failure in a Ford pickup with a FE block 360. Those engines were used in everything from race cars of the 60s to medium and heavy duty trucks and school busses all the way up into the 80s. They have a reputation of not coming apart, but mine did. It's the luck of the draw. |
DMDave
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 9:33 pm: | |
Justin, that price sounds like a rebuild. you can get 643 trans used for 500-800 bucks. check out www.truck.com/parts. Probably worth the bigger $ if they guarantee. good luck |