What is this part of a Gillig Phantom?

[slipperysam]

Hi, I'm looking at buying a 2002 30' Gillig Phantom Transit Bus. There was one part with significant rust directly behind the rear driver's side air bag. Attached in the 1st picture. What is this part, and its functionality? The seller (who seemed knowledgeable) admitted to not knowing what it was for.


Also, while I'm at it, is it normal to see so much oil accumulating under the engine? See 2nd & 3rd pic.


Thanks for any help / advice!

[JackE]

I'm not a Gillig-er so I can only guess at that first picture, but it looks like some kind of a fluid reservoir, or maybe an overflow of some kind.

As for the oil, that looks like a seepage from somewhere ahead of the mess that's blown all over the under side of the engine allowing road dust & dirt to collect on the surface. My guess would from a hose connection with a tiny drip.

[TJones]

I would check to see what the mystery tank is connected to. It could be an oil to water cooler for the transmission. Does it have both hydraulic and coolant lines coming out of it?

The picture of the oil leakage looks like the bottom of the tranmission. It would be a good idea to determine where it is coming from.

Ted