Hi! New member, and just put a deposit on a mini skoolie! Good or bad decision??

madmagician · 12-27-2020, 10:24 AM

Hi Hello! Thrilled to join this forum and start the process of transforming my ideas into a reality!

I just put a deposit on an '08 ford e450 collins short school bus with 102k miles and a 6.0 turbo diesel. The price was $5k. I know it needs new injectors, and prepared to spend an addition $2k for that job. Going to go take a look in person next week, but was curious if the community had any feedback? I'm working on drafting different floor plans and can't wait to get started!

peteg59 · 12-27-2020, 10:39 AM

Welcome to the site.

Unfortunately, the 6.0 Power Stroke diesel Ford engine is prone to catastrophic failures due to poor engineering design of the emissions hardware.
Lots of info on here on the issues.

Hopefully your engine is not in total destruct mode, and new injectors will bring it back to life?

Good luck, and post pics if you eventually get this bus...

Brad_SwiftFur · 12-27-2020, 10:40 AM

You'll want to thoroughly research the Ford 6.0 diesel, as it had some *VERY* serious shortcomings as-built. The engine can be "bulletproofed", at no small cost, after which it is a good engine. However, if it fails before being bulletproofed, the engine is usually completely and irreparably destroyed beyond rebuilding.
More than one forum member has bought one of these engines (or its close cousin the IH VT365) and had a major failure on the trip home. The major enemy here is overheating, if the coolant temp exceeds ~220, you need to shut it down immediately, no matter what to keep from ruining the engine. (I seem to recall the members in question may have kept driving the vehicles since they were on the highway, trying to reach a safe spot/next exit.)

madmagician · 12-27-2020, 11:03 AM

thank you for such quick feedback.

I'm intending to take it to a diesel shop close to where the vehicle is and have it inspected to verify it's only injectors that are needed, and to also inquire of the cost to bulletproof it. I've been reading a lot over the past couple of days the increased longevity and reliability that comes from bulletproofing, and while I know it won't be cheap, hoping that the current condition of the motor allows for it to be done. Will share updates as they unfold.

BeNimble · 12-27-2020, 11:55 AM

$5k for a bus with a bad motor? There was one running for $3200 I posted recently, probably sold already.

madmagician · 12-27-2020, 12:38 PM

it runs, just smokes white smoke at start up - a injector problem from what I've gathered from my research.

madmagician · 01-02-2021, 10:03 AM

ended up not getting this bus - bad injectors, and got a off vibe from the seller. Back on the search for the right one!

rossvtaylor · 01-02-2021, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmagician

ended up not getting this bus - bad injectors, and got a off vibe from the seller. Back on the search for the right one!

Well, good for you! I don't think anyone wanted to "burst your bubble" and dampen your enthusiasm, but there were several things about that bus that were cause for concern. Good for you, trusting your gut and being willing to walk away. The right bus is out there, looking for you as well.

madmagician · 01-03-2021, 02:10 PM

So I've found a similar sized skoolie, but with a 6.8 v10 gasser. I've read a decent amount about the spark plug issues and overall **** mileage, but curious if there's any other feedback on this one? it's got 111k miles, which feels a bit high for a 2014, but also feels like it's in good shape. He's Asking $9.5k for it.

EastCoastCB · 01-03-2021, 02:35 PM

bro- just my personal opinion and advice- RUN from that dumpster fire of a bus!

EastCoastCB · 01-03-2021, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmagician

So I've found a similar sized skoolie, but with a 6.8 v10 gasser. I've read a decent amount about the spark plug issues and overall **** mileage, but curious if there's any other feedback on this one? it's got 111k miles, which feels a bit high for a 2014, but also feels like it's in good shape. He's Asking $9.5k for it.

the ford v10 is WAY preferable to the 6.0.

madmagician · 01-03-2021, 06:10 PM

thanks - it was definitely took some work on my part to walk away, but couldn't help but factor in all the things I've read re the 6.0 psd. I'm feeling much more comfortable with this 6.8 v10, and the communication with the seller in general. while a bit more than I was expecting to pay, it's already titled as an RV and has screws on all the panels vs. rivets - which seems like less work even if minimally

.

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