Buying a bus help

Newbie · 10-09-2017, 05:13 PM

My wife and I looked at two buses today
http://ncschoolbussales.dpi.state.nc.us/ And
http://ncschoolbussales.dpi.state.nc.us/ The Thomas for $2500 uses some oil. The other just has more miles than I'd like one is re other is fe the fe has four wheelchair positions so less seats to take out and an extra door. Are these cat 3126's at the end of their lives or am I just paranoid? lol

Njsurf73 · 10-12-2017, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbie

My wife and I looked at two buses today
http://ncschoolbussales.dpi.state.nc.us/ And
http://ncschoolbussales.dpi.state.nc.us/ The Thomas for $2500 uses some oil. The other just has more miles than I'd like one is re other is fe the fe has four wheelchair positions so less seats to take out and an extra door. Are these cat 3126's at the end of their lives or am I just paranoid? lol

The one that uses oil is a crap shoot, to be honest. CAT parts are a bit pricey, and a rebuild needs to come out of the bus and runs in the 5-10k range.
High mileage on a non-sleaved diesel engine that was serviced properly is north of 200k (my opinion, some will say higher or lower). I don't believe a 200k engine will last another 100k without a rebuild or major work.
If you can find out why it uses oil, or how bad blow-by is, it may help you determine if you want to take that gamble.
Just my .02

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Newbie · 10-12-2017, 12:47 PM

Well..... I bought the freightliner today we'll have it home around 10pm tonight I might have jumped the gun as I was overly excited.... oh well it's just money right??

cadillackid · 10-12-2017, 07:16 PM

congrats on your new bus!!!!
-Christopher

Dog Rescuer · 10-12-2017, 07:43 PM

Welcome! Nice looking Bus you got there!

Johnny Mullet · 10-12-2017, 07:53 PM

Congrats on the bus!

Versatile · 10-12-2017, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbie

Well..... I bought the freightliner today we'll have it home around 10pm tonight I might have jumped the gun as I was overly excited.... oh well it's just money right??

Welcome. How did it do on those hills?

Newbie · 10-12-2017, 11:08 PM

Thanks guys, I drove from Greenville nc to Sanford Nc at 40mph 😐 Not fun at all step one will be to fix that asap!!!

cadillackid · 10-13-2017, 06:15 AM

the bus's top speed is 40 on flat lands or going up hills? is it revved out or perhaps computer limited speed?
-Christopher

Newbie · 10-13-2017, 09:47 AM

40 on flat land or hills. The bus seemed to have plenty of power makes me think it has computer speed program. Any ideas of how to get that checked?

Jolly Roger bus 223 · 10-13-2017, 04:11 PM

Welcome from swansboro,NC
What year model is your new project? If it is an electronic model then it is probably just getting into the computer program.
If it's aged before the computer then like mine it is a combination of rear gears,tranny and motor Horsepower. I think my 49mph bites but 40 would drive me crazy?
I bought mine directly from the school district and the mechanics have no problem talking and giving advice to me so I would start with talking to yours.
I have also seen a huge school district repair shop off of I40/85 just east of Graham on the east bound side.
Good luck

cadillackid · 10-13-2017, 04:15 PM

how many gear did you shift through.. and when you reached 40 what were your RPMs.. if you have abn AT545 trans did your RPMs drop off when you reached 40 or did they stay the same?

if it is geared VERY low you could run out of gears.. sounds ,ore like a computer program.. but you can tell by how it acts when it hits 40.
-Christopher

Newbie · 10-13-2017, 07:22 PM

It hit 40 then rpm dropped until it was up hill. So I'm guessing it must be the computer I'll have to get that fixed. I need at least 55mph out of it so I may even need to regear I'd definitely be taking it somewhere for that. Start on the floors tomorrow tho all seats are out!! What do you guys suggest for type of insulation? And to cover the holes where the bolts used to be?

cadillackid · 10-13-2017, 08:09 PM

sure sounds like its computer limited. unfortunately my scan tools wont reprogram a freightliner, though you can probably take it to a freightliner dealer.. pay them a hour of shop time and have them reprogram any parameters you would like changed..
-Christopher

Newbie · 10-14-2017, 03:32 PM

What do I do about the coolant lines that runs on the left side of the bus where the heater vents were?

Johnny Mullet · 10-14-2017, 05:12 PM

Loop them together with an elbow.

Newbie · 10-14-2017, 05:14 PM

does it matter how much of the hose I cut? Can I cut and loop it right by the front heater? do I have to drain any fluid since there's less hose?

Njsurf73 · 10-14-2017, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbie

does it matter how much of the hose I cut? Can I cut and loop it right by the front heater? do I have to drain any fluid since there's less hose?

There will be coolant in those lines. Have a bucket handy. If you have shut off valves, shut them before to save draining the engine as well.

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Twigg · 10-14-2017, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbie

does it matter how much of the hose I cut? Can I cut and loop it right by the front heater? do I have to drain any fluid since there's less hose?

You can loop them anywhere you want. Right by the engine if you have access.

No, you don't have to account for less fluid, but try to collect any that comes out of the hoses, and don't let your cat drink it.

Run the engine up to temp, check the coolant level, top off as necessary.

Rusty · 10-14-2017, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

No, you don't have to account for less fluid, but try to collect any that comes out of the hoses, and don't let your cat drink it.

My cat loves antifreeze- so sweet. He takes a loooong nap after drinking it.

I like barbs on the U-whatever you do. Smooth pipe with chinese hoseclamp scares the bejesus out of me on a hot day in the mountains.

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