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Old 01-26-2005, 10:21 PM   #1
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Got the other bus instead...

...but who cares?!? YIPPIEEEE!
Same specs as the 1991 only its a 1989. Yeah!

Once I have physically seen it, I'll take pix so ya'll can see its real ins and outs.

I noted on the picture on ebay that it has a power cord running from a station to the hood. This isn't unusual I think as I've seen such things before on both cars and buses. But I asked anyway. Re-asked all my questions plus two.
Damn I am excited and nervous-now the work begins for shizzle!

pg

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Old 01-26-2005, 10:23 PM   #2
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that power cord is most likely a cord to power the block heater. That's normal. The bus starts much much easier in cold weather if the block heater is plugged in. IT's diesel i assume?
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Old 01-26-2005, 10:50 PM   #3
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Yeppers a diesel


Er........what's a block heater?
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Old 01-26-2005, 11:03 PM   #4
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diesel engines don't like to start in cold weather. To combat this, most diesel engines that are operated in a cold climate come with an electric heating element built into the water jacket of the engine. This keeps hot water surrounding your engine even when the air temps are far below freezing. Some diesel engines will not start when it's cold. All diesel engines start better in cold weather with the block heater plugged in.

Some block heaters take a lot of electricity. It's not necessary to leave it plugged in all the time. IF you plan to use your bus ahead of time, you can plug the extention cord into a cheap timer form home depot (about 10 bucks) and set the device to turn on about an hour or two before you plan to start your skoolie.

I would suggest not using ether or starting fluid to start your engine. If you want your bus started in cold weather, and you don't have time to wait for the block heater to warm things up, i suggest hooking jumper cables from your car/truck to the bus battery prior to cranking the engine. I'v found if it's below 10 degrees outside, i might have to crank my ford 6.6 liter for a solid minute before she'll start. Fortunately, my bus seems toalways start as long as there's enough 12 volt power available. I did have to replace the starter this past summer however.

Some diesels have glow plugs, but i've found most medium duty and larger engiens do not. Glow plugs use 12 volt power and are turned on for up to 30 seconds automatically when you turn the key to the "run" position prior to starting. A light indicates whe the glow plugs are finished heating, then the key is turned to the "start" position. Glow plugs heat the inside of the combustion chamber (or sometimes the pre-combustion chamber in a mercedez benz diesel)

Hope that info helps
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Old 01-26-2005, 11:27 PM   #5
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My gas powered bus has a block heater too, it was an inline heater and heated up the water as it circulated. I ended up bypassing it when I had to replace all the rubber hoses.
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Old 01-27-2005, 12:46 AM   #6
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Wow. Did not know this. I'm so use to renting those uhauls that pretty much start right away.
So yes, that is very helpful information that I will save on my puter for later reference

In california, esp so. calif it rarely if ever gets below 30 degrees. Even were I live the coldest it got was about 27. I hope not to have to use that block heater but a few times traveling back east or something like that.

Still, cold is cold.

Ok, question: can you use those spare batteries as a jump? And ah, what are those extra batteries for anyway? (yeah I know, silly question...WAY silly)
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Old 01-27-2005, 10:22 AM   #7
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more info

How about this...

I just found out that the bus I bought is coming directly from the school district, they are the only owners and purchased it brand new from the dealership. I've heard that usually is a good deal so I think I did ok

Tires may need replacing down the road I think but other than that it sounds as if this rig is ready to drive. I've already had it insured as a RV though they will need to see it eventually.

pg
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Old 01-27-2005, 07:31 PM   #8
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Have a safe drive home.

RE: the block heater & cold starting: When I drove my DT360-powered skoolie home from Wisconsin a week before XMas '04, I woke up one morning to (way) sub-freezing temps. I was parked at a rest area, and couldn't do the block-heater thing. To my surprise & delight she started after 2-3 cranks.

Well, welcome to the klub. I've only had my skoolie about 1 month, so I know how you feel about nervous/excitement.
It's all good. Don't get overwhelmed -- keep the looong view. I'm planning on 1.5 years to get mine all set.

Looking forward to hearing about your progress.

Sean
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Old 01-27-2005, 09:54 PM   #9
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Wish I lived somewhere warm enough to not know what a block heater was.
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Old 01-29-2005, 09:19 AM   #10
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LOL ditto on the block heater knowing
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Old 01-29-2005, 02:22 PM   #11
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And to think I start shivering when the temp here dips into the 30's.

I don't know cold nes pa?
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