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Old 04-05-2021, 10:52 AM   #1
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Vt365 engine

Hello, purchased a 2005 international ce200 with vt365 engine. After getting it home found out it needs new glow plugs and fuel injectors. After a mechanic came out he said he could fix it but said vt365 engines are not reliable and have lots of problems. I’m not a mechanic so I want something that is dependable. Thinking of swapping out the engine. Does anyone have any recommendations for a replacement engine for vt365. Thanks

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Old 04-05-2021, 11:07 AM   #2
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I'd agree with the mechanic, not on the diagnosis per say, but on the conclusion in that the engine is problematic. It can be fixed, and it can also be "bulletproofed" to make it reliable. But doing either of those isn't necessarily cheap, especially if you're paying someone to do it.

BUT, I wouldn't swap out the engine, or repair it/bulletproof it, I'd swap out the bus.

Engines and labor are too expensive when the average school bus is as cheap as it is. So if you're not doing the swap/labor yourself, you'll be money and time ahead by buying a better bus. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it is what it is.
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Old 04-05-2021, 11:23 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Booyah45828 View Post
I'd agree with the mechanic, not on the diagnosis per say, but on the conclusion in that the engine is problematic. It can be fixed, and it can also be "bulletproofed" to make it reliable. But doing either of those isn't necessarily cheap, especially if you're paying someone to do it.

BUT, I wouldn't swap out the engine, or repair it/bulletproof it, I'd swap out the bus.

Engines and labor are too expensive when the average school bus is as cheap as it is. So if you're not doing the swap/labor yourself, you'll be money and time ahead by buying a better bus. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it is what it is.



pretty much this..



I love the VT365 engine it can be made pretty solid however if you have one thats already broken or you cannot do serious wrenching yourself its much better to replace the whole bus..



there are other engines you can swap in however the work is pretty colossal to make them work right.. everything from cooling system to mounts to front suspension, wiring harness etc would need to be taken into consideration..



as for your VT365 itself.. what conclusion was made that its the injectors and glowplugs? a general mechanic buddy? or someone who works on HEUI emgines or at least knows about them? if it starts hard and runs rough i can think of a couple things that might make it do that.. CPS sensor and ICP come to mind..
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Old 04-05-2021, 11:48 AM   #4
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I’ll second what Booyah just told you. CUT YOUR LOSSES. We used a lot of those VT365’s in the oil fields here and compared to the T444E they are a joke. Find another bus with a better power train to start with. But hurry they are disappearing fast. Most of the newer emission buses are only suitable for scrap steel.
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