My bid won I have a bus

[syntaxterror]

I have a bus well not yet. It is in Cleveland TX. I have 5 days to pick it up or have it shipped. I am waiting on verification of insurance. The description of the bus said it has a fuel leak so I need to check that out and hive it a good inspection. Is there anyone from the Houston area know a good to take it to before i drive it back home to Florida? I can get it shipped for $1200 but I kind of want to take a road trip. Don't have pictures yet. She is a 6 window Thomson with a back side door with a 444e and a 4 speed auto. The international dealer told me the rear end has 3.91 gears so she should do ok on the highway.

[Ryannmelis]

That is awesome. CONGRATS

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[Ryannmelis]

Fuel leaks are easy to fix depending on where it is

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[cadillackid]

congrats!!!! on a T-444E the MOST common place for a fuel leak is the O-ring on the fuel filter canister ..sometimes one of the fittings going in. or the fuel return line to the tank... both are relatively simple to fix..

if you are roadtripping to houston, take some tools with you.. thats what I did when i went to houston to get my Bluebird. theres also quite a few forum members in houston that are knowledgeable, someone may be willing to help you figure it out.

if its "internally" leaking fuel into the oil or antifreeze things get much more complex.. but those leaks are pretty rare on a 444E.

my 444E is in ohio ad im in florida currently, but I can try to give you pointers if you post pics of whats leaking.

-Christopher

[syntaxterror]

I either ship it or fly out and pick her up waiting on phone calls to make my decision.

[1olfart]

If you fly in, let me know. I'm not too far from IAH, and Cleveland isn't that far North of town. I'm no mechanic, but I can get to your bus. You may try contacting the local school bus barn, and work something out with them. OR I can get you to other Houston area skoolers, if they can help you.

[syntaxterror]

Thank you. Booked a flight at 12am and didn't realize it departed at7am bout ready to take off. Will be in TX round 11am

[1olfart]

pm me, if you need me.

[cadillackid]

good luck!! PM me if you need my digits for texting, etc im in florida but can help via phone.
-Christopher

[1olfart]

Joe......nice to have met you, and helped you, in getting your bus. I hope that is just the O-ring and an easy fix, so you can get on the road in the morning. I'll be looking for pictures on the build.

Drive safe, and watch those great La. and Miss. roads.

[cadillackid]

when I came across from houston i just drove right across route 10 to 19.. (19 in a bus to tampa was faster than I-75).. im guessing he will go right across to 95 and down..

one thing I forgot to mention on the phone is dont mess around with the temp gauge on that T-444E... you can damage the engine by running up to 230 degrees.. you should be behind that cool front so the engine should stay cool... but T-444E's Love to run hot when driven at high RPM's for loing periods of time.. they are known for bad fan clutches and stuck thermostats...

I had to take it easy on mine during the heat of the day when i drove from houston to tampa (it was in the upper 80s).. as it wanted to flirt with that 230 degree line.. though as I learned my gauge was off by a little but it still ran up to close to 220 which starts dropping oil pressure and such..

so just be mindful of it and slow down if necessary...

what size tires are on yours?

-Christopher

[syntaxterror]

Talked to Christapher tonight and it is the fuel filter. Thanks again ol fart you dont know how much you helped me today.

[yellowxj]

Sweet!

Jeep, bus, repeat.

[syntaxterror]

Spent the day getting insurance and tag. went out to start her and no love. Will it be a good idea to get 2 deep charge batteries to get home then if my other batteries take a charge i can use the deep charge ones as house batteries.

[yellowxj]

I wanted to ask how it was going but was afraid. LOL I hope you have an awesome trip back. Mine just got registered today as a motorhome and is going to make its maiden voyage to go camping tomorrow.

Jeep, bus, repeat.

[syntaxterror]

getting batteries in the am and giving it a shake down run. Any thoughts on the batteries.

[EastCoastCB]

How old are the batteries in it? Group 31's?

[Geo Jeff]

For $1200 ship it. its worth every penny to be able to get it home and not have that stress of breaking down etc on the road. If they offer seat removal take them up on that if you can. Its worth a 200/400 to just get rid of the seats after you take them out and its a lot of work. I heard some places charge 350 to 500 for this. I just got back form the dump with the seats and floor. and its cost me about that and a lot of labor. Not to mention its a even better deal if it includes fuel. Id rather be at work then be so far from home broken down. Its One thing breaking down around your house testing another setting on the highway. Just my few cents.

[1olfart]

When you parked it, at the motel. you had to disconnect the power door switch. Any chance something got crosswise on the switch that would cause the batteries to discharge?

[cadillackid]

are the batteries definitely dead or is there a possibility of a starter interlock not alloweing the bus to engage the starter? a door not closed all the way, the wheel chair lift opened and then not closed completely.. all things that will disable the starter..

the transmission has an interlock that if the switchj isnt perfectly adjusted will disable the starter also.. sometimes reclosing the doors and jiggling the shift handle around between N and D and R will sometimes helop you get started...

-Christopher