11.6v on battery necessarily bad? And how much mileage is too much?

[byebyebirdie]

So I’ve found a bus I’m pretty interested in, it’s a 2007 Thomas,
Cummins ISB 215 6.7
Allison Auto 2500 Trans
236,260 miles as of now
27 feet

Over13K in service maintenance, fluids changed, water pump, fan clutch, alternator, belts, valve cover, rear air bags, shocks etc

It has no rust either.

2 things im wondering, in one of the pics the battery says11.6v, which i read is a dying battery. But I also read that it’s not necessarily a bad battery and am now not sure which conclusion I can draw nearest to.

And about mileage, is that too much? Or am I okay because there’s not much rust?

 

[Bjorkinman]

11.6v is a dead battery. Mileage is high, but depending on maintenance isnt a deal breaker. Is it with the school district still or is this a private sale? Could you talk to a mechanic at said school that knows the history?
You will have to plan on replacing and repairing things, on any vehicle, if the batteries are bad now but its the right bus for you, dont let that one issue be the deterrent, batteries really arent that expensive all things considered.

 

[byebyebirdie]

11.6v is a dead battery. Mileage is high, but depending on maintenance isnt a deal breaker. Is it with the school district still or is this a private sale? Could you talk to a mechanic at said school that knows the history?
You will have to plan on replacing and repairing things, on any vehicle, if the batteries are bad now but its the right bus for you, dont let that one issue be the deterrent, batteries really arent that expensive all things considered.

It is a private sale so can’t go thru the detailed history, but was able to look up the vin number. All things considered that’s very true about battery replacement.

I asked about the batteries and he said he has it on a charger to keep the batteries up.

 

[Mr. Beefy]

I know nothing about your bus, but our battery voltage gauge won't display the actual value unless the key is on / accessory. And even then, it will read very low during the time period in which the glow plugs are heating (which is another thing I don't know if your bus even has). All this to say: I think I'd ask about the battery voltage before just assuming one picture is providing accurate info.

 

[nikitis]

Those engines are usually pretty good to at minimum 300k, and possibly a good bit longer. does it have emissions of any kind? You're in the 4 year range where it could have emissions or not have them. For me if it didn't have DPF or EGR, then likely will go a lot longer in longevity. If it has emissions, maybe not so.

And 11.6v your battery is dead. If the bus can still start on that, then it's a good sign the engine is working well as it shows it starts easily.

 

[1dmpo]

Those engines are usually pretty good to at minimum 300k, and possibly a good bit longer. does it have emissions of any kind? You're in the 4 year range where it could have emissions or not have them. For me if it didn't have DPF or EGR, then likely will go a lot longer in longevity. If it has emissions, maybe not so.

And 11.6v your battery is dead. If the bus can still start on that, then it's a good sign the engine is working well as it shows it starts easily.

2007 is when Cummins switched from the 5.9, EGR only to the 6.7, full emissions. he said it's the 6.7 so it's got the full array of garbage.

 

[desrtdog]

2007 Cummins engines have DPF, but no DEF…. So not entirely the “full array of garbage”…

 

[1dmpo]

Correct, DEF was not a requirement until 2010.

 

[nikitis]

I'll try to remember that. I don't have cummins so I didn't know the year it switched. I'll remember going forward 6.7 has EGR/DPF.

 

[desrtdog]

I believe the general rule is that engines manufactured in 2007/08/09 will be EGR+DPF; 2010+ engines will also have DPF…

Note that this is the engine manufacture date, not the vehicle year…

 

[Mr P]

11.6 volts on a "12v" battery means it's discharged. Charge and test.