bus low on power? help

[nickstorm]

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

 

[jctrembly]

Well, need to clarify.
#1- Do you want to go faster.
#2- Does it slow down really bad when you climb a little hill?




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[jctrembly]

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.

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[BurlKing]

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.

 

[cadillackid]

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

 

[nickstorm]

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

 

[EastCoastCB]

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?

 

[nickstorm]

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

 

[cadillackid]

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

 

[nickstorm]

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

 

[cadillackid]

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

 

[nickstorm]

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

 

[cadillackid]

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