Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-28-2017, 12:01 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Laneview, Va
Posts: 10
Year: 1990
bus low on power? help

Bought a bus a week ago and it seems to run good but it has no power it feels like. I need to get this thing able to move around at a decent speed. I was gonna start with the obvious things like fuel filter but what other things can I check for ?

1990 international bus
dt360 and 4 speed manual

nickstorm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 12:03 PM   #2
Skoolie
 
jctrembly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Terra Alta, WV
Posts: 153
Chassis: Sold
Well, need to clarify.
#1- Do you want to go faster.
#2- Does it slow down really bad when you climb a little hill?




Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
jctrembly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 12:07 PM   #3
Skoolie
 
jctrembly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Terra Alta, WV
Posts: 153
Chassis: Sold
After all this is a DT 360 with a 4/5 speed. Most likely that bus was set up to drive around at about 50-55mph. You may not get much more out it but do check your fuel filters, air filter. Other than that, anything extra will most likely cost $$ to get either more power or more speed. I'll let others chime in if that engine is electronic or not, if it mechanical it would be easier to work with.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
jctrembly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 12:13 PM   #4
Bus Nut
 
BurlKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 502
Year: 92
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 5.9L
Rated Cap: 77
Well i can say that i did change both my oil filters and my fuel filter and only noticed it to sound like it is running better, and not have a real difference in power increase (although mine was never lacking) I notice you say you have a 4 speed, mine is a 5 speed and i can tell you the 5th gear is all the difference and couldnt imagine a DT360 without one unless you like going really slow and having average pulling power. Mine is also After-cooled which is what the A in DTA360 so not sure if i can help you much. NOT a big mechanic just hope this stirs some thought in you.

I dont know how much experience you have. step 1 - make sure it at least has ENOUGH oil to run properly. lol.
BurlKing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 12:18 PM   #5
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 19,887
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
another thing to add is what are your engine RPM's when you are at your "top speed".. the DTA-360 is only going to run up to 2600-2700 RPM.. if you are at that RPM and still running slow then you are out-of gears..

the DT-360 *CAN* be turned up(adjusting RPM governer, timing, and fuel screws), however doing so WILL reduce its life span and could very well cause other issues like over-heating , burning a piston, or breaking other drivetrain parts,,..

-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 12:34 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Laneview, Va
Posts: 10
Year: 1990
I STRUGGLE to get to 50mph empty. I just worry about when i start weighing it down. I know I have a brake dragging and I'm getting that fixed
nickstorm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 12:39 PM   #7
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I've met folks who have a 32' bus with a 360/545 and theirs tops out around 55. They've been across the USA a few times in it already. 55 stay alive, right?
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 01:35 PM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Laneview, Va
Posts: 10
Year: 1990
Let me clarify. I struggle to get to 45. It just has no power. I'm not trying to drag race i just worry that once it's loaded i may not be able to go up a hill or pull out my driveway
nickstorm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 01:37 PM   #9
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 19,887
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
what are the RPMs??

I have a DTA360 and an AT545 in a 7 row bus thats GVWR 27,500 and itll go 65 on flat ground consistently, 68 is where it is redlined solid but any incline it will drop a couple..

I ask the RPM as im trying to determine if your issue is the engine or the gears..
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 01:42 PM   #10
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Laneview, Va
Posts: 10
Year: 1990
I got it up to about 60 or so with probably 2600 or 2700 or so. I know that is maxed out speed wise but the amount of brutal acceleration it took to get that speed was excessive. I had a hard time getting to 35 sometimes. But other times it was slightly better
nickstorm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 01:44 PM   #11
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 19,887
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickstorm View Post
I got it up to about 60 or so with probably 2600 or 2700 or so. I know that is maxed out speed wise but the amount of brutal acceleration it took to get that speed was excessive. I had a hard time getting to 35 sometimes. But other times it was slightly better

sounds about right.. and that brake drag is causing you much more harm than you realize acceleration-wise.. also make sure your tires are all aired up as well.. even a tire 15-20 PSI low on air in a bus can create a lot of drag.
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 01:48 PM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Laneview, Va
Posts: 10
Year: 1990
I will try a fuel filter change and put a new caliper on and try it out. Maybe it's just the brake caliper cuz i t was sticking hard enough to make it get very hot
nickstorm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2017, 02:06 PM   #13
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 19,887
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
the DTA360 needs to have the correct fuel filter on it... all the parts places list the filter as the same as the DT-466.. this is wrong... it has a Suction style pump with no lift and requires a different filter..

I run a 3412 on mine... its not quite as small of particle removal as the recommended 3338 (I think?).. but it is what works and doesnt cause me to lose prime.
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:35 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.