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 07-20-2022, 05:43 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 6
Question help need repairs! andover, ma, usa

hi skoolie friends!

i have a 42' bluebird with a caterpillar 3126 turbo diesel engine. the conversion is complete, been in use for years. BUT with covid and all we haven't driven it in a few years.

my neighbors need better hobbies and have called the cops on this thing; apparently i need to get it running and inspected.

found a mechanic who gave me this list of "needs done":
. air filters in and out
. fuel filter
. oil filter, 15w40 oil, oil pan
. antifreeze
. brake drums, shoes, air cans front & rear
. battery
. tires

alas mechanic has since had medical issues and can't do the stuff ((

anyone know of someone who can do this kind of work in andover, massachusetts?

thanks for any help!!

cheers
--copper moon

coppermoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2022, 01:30 AM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
Rwnielsen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,075
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000, 40' MPV
Engine: 5.9 Cummins/B300 trans
Rated Cap: U/K
I would first get a second opinion about what needs to be done. You're looking at a lot of money
Rwnielsen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2022, 06:04 AM   #3
Bus Nut
 
Dbacks2k4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Iowa City, IA
Posts: 642
Year: 2006
Chassis: IC CE300 (PB105)
Engine: DT466e @245hp | Allison 3000PTS
Rated Cap: 66
If its been sitting for 2+ years and not run you'll probably need new batteries to start it. Brakes may have to be done to pass inspection depending on how worn they are. Everything else is a good idea before embarking on a new cross country trip but not necessary just to get inspected and moved to a new storage place.
__________________
TSLABUS Build thread:
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/j...ert-38328.html
TSLABUS YouTube Channel:
https://youtube.com/@thetslabus
Dbacks2k4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2022, 10:15 AM   #4
New Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 6
we got it to turn over with a jump, so def needs new batteries. (i can do that myself!)

i don't think i can manage the brakes job myself, so even if that's all that needs done i'd want help. am i right that i need an actual mechanic or other more-clueful person? my brakes experience was all on a '79 plymouth horizon with manual brakes that needed bled every five hundred miles, pretty different.

my storage place is fine (on my land) i just apparently can't keep it there without an inspection tag if my neighbors can see it, and their house is on a hill. //eyerolling//

--copper
coppermoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2022, 11:13 AM   #5
Bus Nut
 
Tejon7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Western MT
Posts: 629
Year: 1990
Chassis: Crown Supercoach
Engine: Detroit 6-71TA, 10 sp.
Rated Cap: 90 (40')
On my bus, the hardest part about changing any brake component is taking the wheels off. If you're comfortable doing that, you can figure out the rest with Youtube's help.

That said, brakes and tires are the most important safety features on your bus, so it's never a bad idea to have professionals do it.
Tejon7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2022, 12:01 PM   #6
New Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 6
i'm very wary of lifting the bus -- it's parked on gravel and i'm not sure it wouldn't just sink if i tried
coppermoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2022, 05:08 AM   #7
Bus Nut
 
La Camioneta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: CSRA Georgia
Posts: 385
Year: 1994
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Ford B-700
Engine: 12V 5.9
A fence between it and your neighbors would be cheaper?
La Camioneta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2022, 08:16 AM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
ewo1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Central Tx.
Posts: 1,951
Year: 1999
Chassis: Amtran / International
Engine: DT466E HT 250HP - Md3060
Quote:
Originally Posted by coppermoon View Post
hi skoolie friends!

i have a 42' bluebird with a caterpillar 3126 turbo diesel engine. the conversion is complete, been in use for years. BUT with covid and all we haven't driven it in a few years.

my neighbors need better hobbies and have called the cops on this thing; apparently i need to get it running and inspected.

found a mechanic who gave me this list of "needs done":
. air filters in and out
. fuel filter
. oil filter, 15w40 oil, oil pan
. antifreeze
. brake drums, shoes, air cans front & rear
. battery
. tires

alas mechanic has since had medical issues and can't do the stuff ((

anyone know of someone who can do this kind of work in andover, massachusetts?

thanks for any help!!

cheers
--copper moon
Please don't take this the wrong way but most of those things you can do yourself quite easily....and save quite a bit of money too!
. air filters in and out
. fuel filter
. oil filter, 15w40 oil, oil pan
. antifreeze
. batteries


As for the tires, a tire shop will handle that so no brainer.

Brakes, while very important safety issue, I would just go get the bus inspected. If it passes then your good to go, inspection-code enforcement issues.

If it fails then you will know exactly for what and then address that issue.
ewo1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2022, 09:16 AM   #9
New Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 6
LOLsob their house is on a hill looking over my land it would need to be like 40' tall!
coppermoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
#help, #repair, #skoolie

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 07:09 AM.


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