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10-18-2015, 08:44 AM
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#1
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Rear Engine Bus Fire Montgomery MD
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10-18-2015, 10:29 AM
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#2
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 489
Year: 1982
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: International S1800
Engine: DT466 Trans: MT643
Rated Cap: 65
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This almost doesn't qualify as news anymore!
We sold all our rear engine buses we got from Montgomery County after we had one burn down on us in the yard and take out the bus it was parked next to as well.
We didn't figure out what caused it
__________________
Patina enthusiast and professional busman
www.bustoshow.org
Blog: www.lookatthatbus.com
Instragram: @lookatthatbus
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10-18-2015, 10:31 AM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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It does seem more common than it should be.
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10-18-2015, 10:35 AM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: EHT New Jersey
Posts: 1,134
Year: 2003
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International 3000RE
Engine: T444E/AT545
Rated Cap: 75
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When I see Thomas and BB REs, all I can think of is just how little air there is circulating around the power plant coupled with that tiny radiator, versus the engine bay and radiator of an International RE. Biased in my opinion? Probably.
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10-18-2015, 10:56 AM
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#5
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Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 217
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner HDX
Engine: CAT 3126B250
Rated Cap: 84
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I read somewhere that at one point in time, those buses had hydraulic actuated fans that could catch fire due to a hydraulic leak.
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10-18-2015, 11:01 AM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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My friends Thomas has that setup.
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10-18-2015, 01:18 PM
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#7
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Almost every rear engine bus fire is caused by lack of maintenance. The hydraulic actuated fans run engine oil, from the same pump as the power steering.
When the hydraulic actuated fan motors front seal starts to leak, it sprays hot oil into the fan, that then blows the oil all over the hot turbo and exhaust manifold.
We run just under 100 rear engine buses in both Bluebird and Thomas.
To date, due to our diligent maintenance, we have not had a single bus fire in our fleet of over 400 buses.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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10-19-2015, 03:48 PM
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#8
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Skoolie
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Monrovia California
Posts: 151
Year: 1984
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Engine: 3208 turbo Cat
Rated Cap: 78
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Ok, you guys just scared the pants out of me, what kind of maintenance can I provide to the hydraulic actuated fan to minimize leaking and prevent fires?
J
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10-20-2015, 11:32 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Just watch for leaks, and when they happen, fix the leak.
It starts slowly, not suddenly.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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10-21-2015, 05:26 AM
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#10
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
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That particular model of Thomas RE also has a manufacturer's defect with the battery cables being pinched between the chassis and body. Last year FOUR of our '04 Thomas RE Saf-T-Liner buses went up in flames the same way, IN OUR PARKING LOT without the keys in the dash, or the vehicles ON. CHECK THE BATTERY CABLES. We sued Thomas, and won for the defect which caused the recall (along with several other ISD jurisdictions in Texas). I also checked the set-up on Heavy, different configuration.
Just a heads-up from our experiences.
M1031
__________________
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. — George Washington
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10-21-2015, 07:36 AM
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#11
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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Outstanding info above...thanks for sharing.
All Thomas RE owners...Take Note!
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10-22-2015, 10:29 AM
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#12
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Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 217
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner HDX
Engine: CAT 3126B250
Rated Cap: 84
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Hm. Guess I'll have another look at the cables. My fan is air-actuated, belt driven, so I'm good there.
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