t444e cooling system advice needed. summer trip home.

TheHubbardBus · 06-14-2019, 01:39 PM

Wish it wasn't summertime bringing our Texas auction bus home, but it is. We'll be traveling from Austin to Phoenix, and I could use y'alls advice on keeping our bus (6-window, allison 2000) cool.

1) What temperature should I aim to keep the bus below?
2) If it exceeds this temperature, what process should I follow to get it back down?
3) What pre-trip measures would help minimize excessive temps?
4) Is any coolant choice / mix significantly better than the others?
5) Any answers to questions I never thought to ask?

EastCoastCB · 06-14-2019, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Wish it wasn't summertime bringing our Texas auction bus home, but it is. We'll be traveling from Austin to Phoenix, and I could use y'alls advice on keeping our bus (6-window, allison 2000) cool.

1) What temperature should I aim to keep the bus below?
2) If it exceeds this temperature, what process should I follow to get it back down?
3) What pre-trip measures would help minimize excessive temps?
4) Is any coolant choice / mix significantly better than the others?
5) Any answers to questions I never thought to ask?

With that transmission you'll likely not have a lot of ups and downs on the gauge. Around 215-220 is normal. I think the engine warning comes on around 230-235 and higher than that it will shut down.
I'd say if it goes up over 220 much back off some.
You'll get a feel for driving it pretty fast especially a long return trip home.
For coolant whatever's in there should be what its supposed to have. There's red, yellow, green, and now blue. Just make sure its full. Top off with the appropriate type if needed. The 444E isn't as critical with coolant. Its a parent bore engine so there are no sleeves or liner seals to worry about. You'll want to make sure it the right coolant with the right ph/additives. But you'll be fine to get it home just make sure its full and check the fluids regularly till you get a feel for the bus more.
Check your oil every fuel stop till you get a good baseline of oil consumption. Its normal for a diesel to lose/burn some oil. I think the 444E's hold five gallons. Make sure you have an extra gallon on hand in case it needs a top-off. I use whatever 15w40 rotella-type oil is on sale. Rotella is really good and I use that a lot but I'm not brand loyal.
Don't overfill your 444E. Just fill it to the full mark. Its ok if its a little over. Too much and it will belch out of the blowby tube I think. I know that Chris told me not to overfill though and he's one smart cookie.

TheHubbardBus · 06-14-2019, 05:25 PM

Thanks for the info, ECCB!

I've got 5 gallons of oil (+ filter) with me for a complete change before I leave... T6 full synthetic. Going to pick up another gallon for consumption as you suggest. It's possible I won't change it out depending on the last service & what they used, but I won't know that till I get there.

Also prepared to do a full coolant change too... got drain pans, distilled h20, & filter. Same thing... that all depends on what they did and when. But if a change is warranted, I'm curious what mix/type would be suggested to use (If I'm flushing I then have the option to change to something different than what's in there, right?).

HazMatt · 06-14-2019, 05:26 PM

Won't an oil overfill blow out the main seal?
('Scuse me, still learning.
Just don't wanna end up on the sushi bar at Sea World, for being a slow learner...)

EastCoastCB · 06-14-2019, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Thanks for the info, ECCB!

I've got 5 gallons of oil (+ filter) with me for a complete change before I leave... T6 full synthetic. Going to pick up another gallon for consumption as you suggest. It's possible I won't change it out depending on the last service & what they used, but I won't know that till I get there.

Also prepared to do a full coolant change too... got drain pans, distilled h20, & filter. Same thing... that all depends on what they did and when. But if a change is warranted, I'm curious what mix/type would be suggested to use (If I'm flushing I then have the option to change to something different than what's in there, right?).

If everything's full and doesn't look ancient I'd be inclined to do the fluid changes at a more convenient place and time. MOST of the time I've gotten a bus the oil looks more or less new. They're usually a little more mindful if you let em know ahead how far you're going to be taking it.

EastCoastCB · 06-14-2019, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazMatt

Won't an oil overfill blow out the main seal?
('Scuse me, still learning.
Just don't wanna end up on the sushi bar at Sea World, for being a slow learner...)

I think it ends up belching out the excess through the crankcase vent tube/blowby tube.

HazMatt · 06-15-2019, 06:45 AM

Thanx, good to know. There are times I can f@€k up an anvil with a rubber mallet!
So, belching oil is socially acceptable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I think it ends up belching out the excess through the crankcase vent tube/blowby tube.

Farting oil, not so much...

TheHubbardBus · 06-15-2019, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazMatt

So, belching oil is socially acceptable.Farting oil, not so much...

Well, I intended to post a picture of a dinosaur passing gas, but I still can't seem to make images work. So... use your imagination (that shouldn't be hard for you, HazMatt)

HazMatt · 06-15-2019, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Well, I intended to post a picture of a dinosaur passing gas, but I still can't seem to make images work. So... use your imagination (that shouldn't be hard for you, HazMatt)

Dang! A picture that old would have to be either a tintype or daguerrotype...

TheHubbardBus · 06-15-2019, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazMatt

Dang! A picture that old would have to be either a tintype or daguerrotype...

LOL. You're a trip. And speaking of which... gotta get ready for mine.

HazMatt · 06-15-2019, 12:05 PM

"Shiny side up"

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

LOL. You're a trip. And speaking of which... gotta get ready for mine.

Happy Trails.

CHEESE_WAGON · 06-15-2019, 01:08 PM

'Scuse me, misread a post so here is my REAL contribution...

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazMatt

Won't an oil overfill blow out the main seal?
('Scuse me, still learning.
Just don't wanna end up on the sushi bar at Sea World, for being a slow learner...)

Oil overfill generally has nowhere to go if all is well with the engine. Most larger commercial diesels have a blowby vent in lieu of a traditional PCV system used on gassers. If you're blowing out out the rear main seal, it will not stop with a simple overflow discharge (not what it is designed for anyway - seals are designed to keep oil IN the engine, where it belongs).

For the OP...

An engine can be air-cooled at high enough speeds, but not likely with this big, heavy and slow of a vehicle. I would open up / remove any installed winterfronts (these are fabric/vinyl coverings on the grille used to help retain radiator heat in cold weather and hinder cooling in the summer). Slower speeds may help as well.

Also, check, double-check and triple-check for any cooling system leaks or other problems before you go, and if you're going a long way, it wouldn't hurt to stop every couple hours and check things over. If all is well with the cooling system and the engine is healthy, you shouldn't have any problems.

HazMatt · 06-15-2019, 02:01 PM

Thankya, sir! No intent on ever overfilling a crankcase, so I appreciate the informational tidbit.
Got a winterfront that has yet to be used during my tenure. Being in TX, looks like yet another piece of jetsam to be squirreled away for a rainy day.
Or snowy, actually...

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEESE_WAGON

'Scuse me, misread a post so here is my REAL contribution...

Oil overfill generally has nowhere to go if all is well with the engine. Most larger commercial diesels have a blowby vent in lieu of a traditional PCV system used on gassers. If you're blowing out out the rear main seal, it will not stop with a simple overflow discharge (not what it is designed for anyway - seals are designed to keep oil IN the engine, where it belongs).

For the OP...

An engine can be air-cooled at high enough speeds, but not likely with this big, heavy and slow of a vehicle. I would open up / remove any installed winterfronts (these are fabric/vinyl coverings on the grille used to help retain radiator heat in cold weather and hinder cooling in the summer). Slower speeds may help as well.

Also, check, double-check and triple-check for any cooling system leaks or other problems before you go, and if you're going a long way, it wouldn't hurt to stop every couple hours and check things over. If all is well with the cooling system and the engine is healthy, you shouldn't have any problems.

PatrickBaptist · 07-24-2019, 07:34 AM

Don't over fill the oil, great way to get oil leaking on the rear or front main.

cadillackid · 07-24-2019, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazMatt

Thankya, sir! No intent on ever overfilling a crankcase, so I appreciate the informational tidbit.
Got a winterfront that has yet to be used during my tenure. Being in TX, looks like yet another piece of jetsam to be squirreled away for a rainy day.
Or snowy, actually...

my bus 444E bus came from TX so no winterfront or air shutters lioke the DEV has... in driving at minus 10 degree weather on the highway with all the heaters on blast. i still maintained T-stat temperature. (I run a 180 instead of stock 192).. a winter-front may have helped some but i was in a short sleeve shirt inside.. was a tad noisy driving with all the heater fans on high for hours. but i didnt freeze..

Bluebird defrosters in the post 1994 era are WORTHLESS though..

HazMatt · 07-24-2019, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

my bus 444E bus came from TX so no winterfront or air shutters lioke the DEV has... in driving at minus 10 degree weather on the highway with all the heaters on blast. i still maintained T-stat temperature. (I run a 180 instead of stock 192).. a winter-front may have helped some but i was in a short sleeve shirt inside.. was a tad noisy driving with all the heater fans on high for hours. but i didnt freeze..

Bluebird defrosters in the post 1994 era are WORTHLESS though..

If you want my winterfront, I'd be,
A) Happy it went to a good home and could serve it's function.
B) Delighted not to have to occasionally muck about with it!

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