Tell me about the MBE 926 engine (2008 Freightliner mid-size bus)

RomaniGypsy · 09-28-2017, 07:53 AM

I searched all over this forum and couldn't find anything on the MBE926. I'm looking at an auction which includes, among other things, a 2008 Freightliner mid-size bus with handicap lift, and the engine is MBE926. Not sure about the transmission, but it is automatic.

What do any of y'all know about that engine? I know it's made by Mercedes... is it a bad engine? Expensive to operate and maintain? Seems that people might not get too excited about it since it's not showing up in many posts...

cadillackid · 09-28-2017, 07:58 AM

the MBE engines are good engines.. HOWEVER they are very espensive to repair if you need parets or service.. AND being a 2008 makes it so the bus will have the first year of full emission controls on it.. something I would shy away from personally.

MBE906 (the predecessor) was known to be a pretty reliable engine but they tended to use a lot of oil over time.. i dont know about the reputation of the 926.. a 2008 bus is pretty new to be showing up on the auction block.. makes me wonder if it has had issues or such and the schools are dumping it?

-Christopher

RomaniGypsy · 09-28-2017, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

the MBE engines are good engines.. HOWEVER they are very espensive to repair if you need parets or service.. AND being a 2008 makes it so the bus will have the first year of full emission controls on it.. something I would shy away from personally.

MBE906 (the predecessor) was known to be a pretty reliable engine but they tended to use a lot of oil over time.. i dont know about the reputation of the 926.. a 2008 bus is pretty new to be showing up on the auction block.. makes me wonder if it has had issues or such and the schools are dumping it?

-Christopher

I don't know. Check out my new thread "Went to my first bus auction today!" to see what I did find.

Tango · 09-28-2017, 04:02 PM

MBE's???

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

joeblack5 · 09-28-2017, 04:40 PM

I have a 906 LA with 400000 miles and it is doing fine, hearing the horror stories at this forum about dt466, 5.9 8.3 cats... with 160000 mile and blowing up, overheating, in frame overhauls?????? for engines that were professionally maintained makes you wonder.

With the emissions and fuel prices in europe their engines in general are more refined, not to mention that their are a whole lot more diesels in europe.

Just check some prices of parts on ebay, a used mercedes 906 to 926 can be had for 4000 to 5000, i am sure cheaper if you look around. After all several of these busses like mine were sold for around 3000.

The oil issues in some of the early mercedes 906 were resolved under warranty.

pick your poison

Later J

jazty · 09-28-2017, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeblack5

I have a 906 LA with 400000 miles and it is doing fine, hearing the horror stories at this forum about dt466, 5.9 8.3 cats... with 160000 mile and blowing up, overheating, in frame overhauls?????? for engines that were professionally maintained makes you wonder.

Uh oh! Let the fury be unleashed! Thems fightin' words.

Jk

You hear more about Cummins, Navistar and Cat engines because they are more common place.that's all

EastCoastCB · 09-28-2017, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeblack5

I have a 906 LA with 400000 miles and it is doing fine, hearing the horror stories at this forum about dt466, 5.9 8.3 cats... with 160000 mile and blowing up, overheating, in frame overhauls?????? for engines that were professionally maintained makes you wonder.

With the emissions and fuel prices in europe their engines in general are more refined, not to mention that their are a whole lot more diesels in europe.

Just check some prices of parts on ebay, a used mercedes 906 to 926 can be had for 4000 to 5000, i am sure cheaper if you look around. After all several of these busses like mine were sold for around 3000.

The oil issues in some of the early mercedes 906 were resolved under warranty.

pick your poison

Later J

I thought those engines were built FOR Benz by Detroit.

joeblack5 · 09-28-2017, 07:48 PM

from wiki:

The Mercedes-Benz OM 900 is a series of inline, four or six cylinder diesel engines used in medium duty trucks and buses. It was launched in 1996 with Mercedes-Benz's Atego truck. The engines use a cast iron block and are available in vertical and horizontal configurations.
The engine was designed and built by Mercedes-Benz in Mannheim, Germany and was introduced to the North American market in 1998 with Freightliner trucks. In 2002, Detroit Diesel began to provide sales support, servicing, and part support for the OM 900 engines, known as the MBE 900 with Detroit Diesel.[1] Production of engines for North America was transferred to Redford, Michigan in 2007.
With the introduction of the EPA 2010 emissions legislation, the OM 900 series was discontinued in North America. The latest generation of the OM 900 will return in 2016 as the Detroit Diesel DD5 (OM 934) and DD8 (OM 936). As previously, the engines will be built in Germany and shipped to the United States.[2]

later j

EastCoastCB · 09-28-2017, 07:56 PM

Ah, I see. Very well then.

Tarheel Travelers · 01-25-2018, 12:17 PM

Good to see some talk about the MBE926!! I was a bit worried as I bought one with the MBE 926 last year and haven't had any issues with it so far. I've only taken a little 10 hour drive.

Ricko · 01-15-2019, 11:45 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm new to Skoolie.net and have been reading much and learning loads. This is an incredible resource and I fully plan on using it as much as possible.

I just recently purchased a 2007 Freightliner Thomas special needs bus (wheelchair lift) with the MB 900 engine with 45k miles. I picked it up in Pitts. PA and drove it home to Atlanta, GA. It does have some rust so I'm a little anxious about that, but willing to do whatever to get it into travel mode over the next year or so.

Exactly two blocks from my home the ABS/Tractor light came on the bus so I'm addressing that currently, or I should say Peachstate Freightliner is

.

Can anyone tell me more about this model bus and especially the MB 900 engine and what I can expect. I realize everyone bus and its history is unique but they also have reputations, etc.

Thanks for all the help,
R

cadillackid · 01-15-2019, 12:01 PM

from the people I know in the industry, the Mercedes engines are troopers.. like any opf these newer EPA engines, they can have gremlins or issues from time to time.. but for the most part, my friends thaty run fleets of thomas C2's say the mercedes motors run well.. the multiplex electrical systems of the body controls. give them more fits than the engines
-Christopher

ianb4music · 04-02-2021, 10:39 AM

For those that have the Mercedes Benz engines, does anyone have a website where I can look up part numbers etc.? I'm looking for part numbers for a couple of the engine sensors like intake manifold pressure sensors etc. but I'm not having much luck finding any.

t1gress · 07-15-2021, 06:45 PM

Bumping this thread to say i just won a 2008 thomas c2 with mbe900 diesel engine and allison pts 2500 transmission

Its a mini bus, 5 windows

Bought from school district with 97,000 miles. Was maintained and apart of their fleet until last year.

Not very many builds with this make/mmdel hopefullyi can contribute knowledge as i go along

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