2008 BE200 ...yes?....no ?

[skidfrog]

Hi All.....I'm looking at one listed here in Southern Ontario.....a nice, very clean ) full size 6 window already converted / fresh brakes / 200,000 km ( 120,000 miles ) for $15,000 Canadian

from the owner :

"The engine is a international 6 liter diesel. I believe it is called a dl60 I think. I'm not sure about the make of the tranny. It is a 5 speed, I know that. I haven't had any problems on hills or anything. It might be a little tough if you were in huge mountains or something. I'm not sure though, it's pretty torquey. I am paying $650/year for insurance with heartland mutual. I will just take a picture of the ownership and email it to you sometime. You could just ask your insurance company about a 2008 BE200 International RV. Hope this helps!"

I've been advised to avoid Ford 6.0 litre diesels in the mini buses....but this is a different engine right? Basically I'm hopeless technically....I draw pictures for a living and want something trustworthy.

Tips welcome on other models......also considering a 2003 E450 superduty 7.3 litre with same miles ( already converted for $11,000 )


Thanks team !!!

[PNW_Steve]

The likely engine is a VT365 which Ford also used as the 6.0 Powerstroke with a few changes.

I would look closer at the 7.3 bus.

[skidfrog]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

The likely engine is a VT365 which Ford also used as the 6.0 Powerstroke with a few changes.

I would look closer at the 7.3 bus.

I noticed on schoolbusfleet dot com this rating : "
a VT365 in an 08? From what I've heard from out mechanics the VT365 is the single worst engine they have ever worked on. Nothing but trouble. "

reading more on the thread about the VT365 engine there from what looks like fleet owners they seem to unanimously hate that engine for bad injectors and poor gas mileage / short trips only.

[skidfrog]

from Wiki :
The VT365, also known as the 6.0 L PowerStroke in 2003.5-2007 model year Ford Super Duty trucks and 2003-2010 model year Ford E-Series vans/chassis cabs, is a 32-valve pushrod V8. Bore is 3.74 in (95 mm) and stroke is 4.13 in (105 mm). Output was 325 hp (242 kW) at 3300 rpm and 560 ft·lbf (759 Nm) at 2000 rpm, but as of 2005 that was increased to 570 lb⋅ft (773 N⋅m) at 2000 rpm. It also uses a 2nd generation (G-2) HEUI (Hydraulic-Electronic Unit Injector) direct injection fuel system, as well as a variable-geometry turbocharger, which is designed to reduce turbo lag and create better throttle response.
An optional TorqShift 5-speed automatic transmission is available for Ford trucks. This special transmission gives improved performance to the engine, featuring a tow/haul mode (for example).[1]


He says he has a 5 speed.....and that powerstroke seems like a lot of HP for a short bus ....hmmmm ?

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by skidfrog

from Wiki :
The VT365, also known as the 6.0 L PowerStroke




He says he has a 5 speed.....and that powerstroke seems like a lot of HP for a short bus ....hmmmm ?

The Ford versions had different horsepower ratings than the International version. Also used different transmissions.

If it is an E450 cutaway then you probably have the Ford version. If it is an International bus the it is likely to have the VT-365.

I have owned and driven Ford 6.0's and don't have the hate that some do. BUT, all else being equal, if I had to choose between a 6..0 or 7.3 I would take the 7.3 without hesitation.

[EastCoastCB]

I'd avoid anything that new at all costs. 92-2002 are sort of the sweet spot for quality.

[skidfrog]

thanks folks......you are helping my understanding immensely !

[cadillackid]

there are a couple flags that stand out on this one..



1. as mentioned 2008 is the first full model year of full-on emissions on school buses.. diesel emissions were dicey.. Caterpillar hjad ACERT, International EGR;'d everything to death to avoid using DEF fluid..



2. the VT-365 is a fine engine in its later years **IF** its been well taken care of.. as I think i mentioend in another threasd on this subject.. the VT is suceptible to EGR cooler and oil cooler failures.. esp with poor coolant and / or oil maintenance.. these engines also dont like to get run hot.. there are plastic parts internally ... and yeah they can melt..



3. you mentioned its already converted.. another flag - a school took this bus out of service at less than 10 years old, enough time ago someone has already converted it and decided to sell it... soo.. was it a maint nightmare for the school? they ditched it and new owner had same experience and therefore also ditched their conversion?



4. is it a BE or a CE? there is a BE and there is a CE200.. 2 totally different animals.. the BE is a pretty light duty chassis compared to the CE200..



-Christopher

[skidfrog]

thanks Christopher.....yeah....it's a BE model with the lighter chassis.....but your notes make perfect sense !