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Old 12-19-2017, 06:12 PM   #501
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I'm hoping that buying a used front cover is the worst case scenario.
I'm in no way itching to buy brand new parts, trust me. I'm really hoping for a miracle here.
I'm hoping for one for you too. This blows, especially after it performed so well from Texas to Florida.

I know the first thing I'll be examining on my bus this weekend.


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Old 12-19-2017, 09:11 PM   #502
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I'm hoping for one for you too. This blows, especially after it performed so well from Texas to Florida.

I know the first thing I'll be examining on my bus this weekend.


Don
Its all in the coolant. Check it, make sure its not red or blue. If it is, get something green or yellow. Keep your coolant in top notch, your oil changed at regular intervals and these engines will last a long long time.

I'm not trying to start an argument, but I don't fix things with Jb weld. Sorry, but I'm just not gonna do that.
I don't need to drive it bad enough to do that. I have the time, I'd rather spend the time and energy actually fixing it.
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Old 12-19-2017, 09:24 PM   #503
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Its all in the coolant. Check it, make sure its not red or blue. If it is, get something green or yellow. Keep your coolant in top notch, your oil changed at regular intervals and these engines will last a long long time.

I'm not trying to start an argument, but I don't fix things with Jb weld. Sorry, but I'm just not gonna do that.
I don't need to drive it bad enough to do that. I have the time, I'd rather spend the time and energy actually fixing it.
For me it depends on the fix.

I've seen 1" holes in a crankcase successfully fixed with JB Weld, and last for many years.

In your case, however, I can see that using JB there would probably rule out or compromise a proper fix later.

It still sux. We all hope that when we buy at auction we get a decent running example with no expensive issues. Mostly that's what we get, and sometimes we don't.
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Old 12-20-2017, 05:21 AM   #504
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For me it depends on the fix.

I've seen 1" holes in a crankcase successfully fixed with JB Weld, and last for many years.

In your case, however, I can see that using JB there would probably rule out or compromise a proper fix later.

It still sux. We all hope that when we buy at auction we get a decent running example with no expensive issues. Mostly that's what we get, and sometimes we don't.
Yeah, buying any vehicle whether its new or used is always a crap shoot.
You roll the dice enough, you're gona crap out. Just how the game goes.
Looking for a parts bus, and somewhere to strip parts off it.

If anyone in FL has a space to strip a bus down let me know.
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Old 12-20-2017, 06:37 AM   #505
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Reading through this just made my Wednesday sad ☹️ This is awful, Charlie. I love your commitment to do it right, though. I'll see you in 6 days and we can commiserate together. Hugs to you and Roxy.


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Old 12-20-2017, 08:40 AM   #506
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I know that having a drivable bus matters, BUT this sounds like an opportunity to focus on the interior/exterior while you save money. Distracting yourself with great cheap finds on Craigslist and in junk yards, will help it feel less overwhelmingly bad. (Just trying to be optimistic )

Keep your head up CB, you're creative and resourceful. I'm rooting for you and have faith in your ingenuity!
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Old 12-20-2017, 09:38 AM   #507
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Today is Wednesday?

Unexpected changes are just opportunities. I'm still voting for the 530 for that bus.
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Old 12-20-2017, 11:49 AM   #508
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is there a Christmas Bus party at EC's?
-Christopher
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Old 12-20-2017, 02:10 PM   #509
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Today is Wednesday?

Unexpected changes are just opportunities. I'm still voting for the 530 for that bus.
Don't tempt me!

I'd need a trans upgrade, too.
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Old 12-20-2017, 02:11 PM   #510
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is there a Christmas Bus party at EC's?
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Sure! Come on out!
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Old 12-20-2017, 02:12 PM   #511
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I know that having a drivable bus matters, BUT this sounds like an opportunity to focus on the interior/exterior while you save money. Distracting yourself with great cheap finds on Craigslist and in junk yards, will help it feel less overwhelmingly bad. (Just trying to be optimistic )

Keep your head up CB, you're creative and resourceful. I'm rooting for you and have faith in your ingenuity!
Thanks man!!!
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Old 12-20-2017, 02:20 PM   #512
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I saw this used cover and it makes me wonder. Yall see where the water was?
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Old 12-20-2017, 02:42 PM   #513
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That pic does raise many questions that make me wonder too. It is very similar to another I think you posted earlier.
That design is definitely looking like a weak point for that engine. Your diesel guy would likely confirm that but they all have weaknesses. At what mileage is this happening and that looks like it was tap water or worse added to the mix?
Could installation be wrong from the outset is my thinking? Bolts come undone and stretch under stress so are these not getting required maintenance? If yours does look like that I would think it would be fairly easy to cleanup and reseal.
What you think CB and others?
How much to buy that used cover?

John
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Old 12-20-2017, 03:10 PM   #514
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anything to me that requires so much rubber 'O-ring' area on aluminum with coolant under pressure raises questions to me in design.. nevertheless design means nothing now.. gotta fix it.. and use the correct coolant that the dealer recommends from here on out.

I can easily see where if that inner channel gets eaten at all then the gasket gets loose and will leak for sure..

I find quite a few of these out there.. many of them look in good shape..

I was looking for the part number stamping location.. guess what its on the INSIDE where the coolant goes through... oh yeah navistar smart one... cant see the part number without taking it apart.

so the danger in tearing it to pieces is that shaun will give you fits for having it in pieces a long time? you'll get in over your head and overwhelmed and have to pay to tow it to a shop?

it seems the first step would be to get the old cover off and assess.. it could be as simple as that POS rubber O-ring is cracked or bad.. just like the rubber O-rings on the 444E thermostats that are notorious.. (me included had one leak)... same style material..

this is the seal on that cover.. its not a normal "gasket" like you are accustomed to..

https://www.ebay.com/i/112686019286?chn=ps

this cover doesnt look too bad... its a file photo but the guy answers questions so you can have him shoot pics of your exact..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/INTERNATION....c100688.m4649


Navistar dealer can tell you the part number installed on your bus at build and the updated kit.. so you know which covers to look for and which ones to avoid if you just want to replace the front part.
-Christopher
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Old 12-20-2017, 03:31 PM   #515
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I *think* the updated cover has two casting numbers on it.
There's a NOS pre-update front cover on ebay (i think), that may be something to consider.
This is definitely a stupid design!

Shaun's not just going to give me "fits". He's extremely obsessive and compulsive. If something in his yard doesn't run or move under its own power he WILL NOT stop calling and texting until its gone. So once anything is being worked on, I basically will have to do it ASAP. If I bring it to my own yard, I'll have a day or two at most till the city is on me.

If its really bad and the inner cover is shot, I can get a rebuilt engine for about a grand or two more than paying for the repair on this one.
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Old 12-20-2017, 03:33 PM   #516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackJohn View Post
That pic does raise many questions that make me wonder too. It is very similar to another I think you posted earlier.
That design is definitely looking like a weak point for that engine. Your diesel guy would likely confirm that but they all have weaknesses. At what mileage is this happening and that looks like it was tap water or worse added to the mix?
Could installation be wrong from the outset is my thinking? Bolts come undone and stretch under stress so are these not getting required maintenance? If yours does look like that I would think it would be fairly easy to cleanup and reseal.
What you think CB and others?
How much to buy that used cover?

John
I don't think its the installation that's the issue. Its the design itself.
Why else would there be an "updated" cover. I want to see an old cover and updated cover side by side for comparison. I bet there's an extra fastener or two and thicker sealing areas, but that's just a guess.
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Old 12-20-2017, 03:34 PM   #517
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I know one thing- I'll never ever use blue coolant!
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Old 12-20-2017, 03:56 PM   #518
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dang you EC.. got home from nashville, pulled redbyrd outta storage to starbucks and sprung a coolant leak..... looks simple.. biut whats with the coolant stuff lately..

LOL

-Christopher
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Old 12-20-2017, 04:02 PM   #519
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dang you EC.. got home from nashville, pulled redbyrd outta storage to starbucks and sprung a coolant leak..... looks simple.. biut whats with the coolant stuff lately..

LOL

-Christopher
IDk, man. That sucks! Where's the leak coming from?
BTW- if you ever need a front cover its only like $500 for yours BRAND NEW with the seals.

For what the front cover costs to replace you can almost pay for an in-frame for this DT.
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Old 12-20-2017, 04:04 PM   #520
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Reading through this just made my Wednesday sad ☹️ This is awful, Charlie. I love your commitment to do it right, though. I'll see you in 6 days and we can commiserate together. Hugs to you and Roxy.


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Thanks-
Always look forward to seeing you, Sandi!
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