Hello from Oregon!

[fauxname11]

Got the roof raise and rv windows done for me and picked her up today. She’s a 25’ 2005 Freightliner with a Mercedes diesel engine. The only regret I have is removing the interior heaters that were under a kid seat and in the very back during demo. I really believe that’s why she momentarily overheated today coming back to Salem from Bend. I’m calling a diesel mechanic tomorrow to look for solutions, potentially to have those heaters reinstalled (mounted underneath maybe?). I want more coolant available essentially because if she overheats on Oregon hills then traveling anywhere with actual mountains wouldn’t be cool.
Otherwise, drives like a dream and I love the roof raise & new windows! I even got matching rub rails from a bus graveyard so pretty soon it’ll be hard to tell there was a wheelchair ramp door that was removed!

 

[AlphaHare]

Welcome! That's an awesome looking blank canvas - great place to start! Post pics!

 

[fauxname11]

Welcome! That's an awesome looking blank canvas - great place to start! Post pics!

Thank you! I have my floor plan mapped out, though most of the interior will be on hold until I get the solar system in place (and out of my garage)

 

[Mr P]

FWIW, the rear heater is not used for engine cooling. Merely deleting one will not cause overheating. Possibly during the process the coolant level was left too low....?

 

[AlphaHare]

FWIW, the rear heater is not used for engine cooling. Merely deleting one will not cause overheating. Possibly during the process the coolant level was left too low....?

True. Many of us just put in a bypass loop to replace the heater loop. The engine design should not rely on the auxiliary radiator for cooling, but it does use the same coolant/fluid circuit.

We had an old AMC wagon with a failing radiator - I remember driving in the summer with the heat on high to keep the engine cool. Not optimal. ;>)

 

[fauxname11]

I’ll post pics of the bypass later. I just have a hard time imagining that relieving the bus of gallons of coolant when deleting two heaters had no effect. I have swapped the coolant to the higher quality orange stuff and replaced the coolant filter. Only thing I didn’t do was install a new thermostat. I have one though so that’ll happen soon.
On the drive I turned the heater on full blast but all that accomplished was both the bus and I being hot

 

[nikitis]

It won't affect the temps of the engine because the radiator runs the coolant through the engine first before your heaters. There is likely also already shut off valves in the engine bay to shut off the coolant from even going to your heater inside the bus during summer. It closes the loop at the engine by turning the ball valve to only circulate at the engine which signifies it's designed to run fine without the heaters.

It's a basic medium duty truck engine in which most of them don't have extended lines when used as trucks that haul. There's literally no difference. Same front ends. The engine is designed to operate fine without extended lines and additional heaters.

So it should operate the same as if it's not extended.

Also keep in mind depending on your engine age. 2005 may be new enough to use the newer coolant with detergents in them. Older bus engines cannot use the newer detergent coolants. Those engines should use the Red coolant without the detergents as the newer stuff can cause engine cavitation which will ruin the block by rusting out the internal coolant canals, and then bleeding coolant into the oil chambers. 2000 years and older I would not use the detergent coolants. The non detergent stuff is more costly too and can't be found in auto parts stores as easily, but can be found at truck stops. Most engines in the last 20 years can handle it so it's been mostly phased out and not as many 90's trucks still operating.

 

[Mr P]

As Nikitis says, most bnuses have cut off valves to completely eliminate any coolant from circulating in the heater circuit during warm weather. It's as if those heaters to not exist when the valves are closed.

But, the imagination thing is strong with some folks...in the words of Aerosmith, Dream On.

 

[Lon Gillas]

Where in Oregon are you? I might be able to give you a hand if you need it.

 

[1dmpo]

I have a 28' bus and removed the big interior heaters and replaced one just behind drivers seat with an aftermarket from Jeggs or Summit. Much quieter. I use the two cut off valves in the system to stop the coolant flow during warm weather. The heaters and the heater hoses do nothing for cooling the engine. If your engine is getting to warm while pulling grades then you have an issue that is not related to removing the rear heaters. Themostat, water pump, wrong type of coolant, any number of things, but not the fact that you removed the heaters.

 

[BusBiz]

View attachment 1337561
Got the roof raise and rv windows done for me and picked her up today. She’s a 25’ 2005 Freightliner with a Mercedes diesel engine. The only regret I have is removing the interior heaters that were under a kid seat and in the very back during demo. I really believe that’s why she momentarily overheated today coming back to Salem from Bend. I’m calling a diesel mechanic tomorrow to look for solutions, potentially to have those heaters reinstalled (mounted underneath maybe?). I want more coolant available essentially because if she overheats on Oregon hills then traveling anywhere with actual mountains wouldn’t be cool.
Otherwise, drives like a dream and I love the roof raise & new windows! I even got matching rub rails from a bus graveyard so pretty soon it’ll be hard to tell there was a wheelchair ramp door that was removed!

View attachment 1337561
Got the roof raise and rv windows done for me and picked her up today. She’s a 25’ 2005 Freightliner with a Mercedes diesel engine. The only regret I have is removing the interior heaters that were under a kid seat and in the very back during demo. I really believe that’s why she momentarily overheated today coming back to Salem from Bend. I’m calling a diesel mechanic tomorrow to look for solutions, potentially to have those heaters reinstalled (mounted underneath maybe?). I want more coolant available essentially because if she overheats on Oregon hills then traveling anywhere with actual mountains wouldn’t be cool.
Otherwise, drives like a dream and I love the roof raise & new windows! I even got matching rub rails from a bus graveyard so pretty soon it’ll be hard to tell there was a wheelchair ramp door that was removed!

Where did you find a bus graveyard? I'm looking for an AC for my 25' 2014 Freightliner..

 

[fauxname11]

Where in Oregon are you? I might be able to give you a hand if you need it.

Thanks but I have an appointment with a diesel mechanic next week. I probably should have had the engine looked over first before doing anything else. It’s what I would’ve done if buying a used car. But I got too excited. I should stress, the body of my bus is pristine and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my engine. It just got hot coming back to the valley from Bend on a 90°F day and I freaked out.

 

[Shortbusjohnny65]

View attachment 1337561
Got the roof raise and rv windows done for me and picked her up today. She’s a 25’ 2005 Freightliner with a Mercedes diesel engine. The only regret I have is removing the interior heaters that were under a kid seat and in the very back during demo. I really believe that’s why she momentarily overheated today coming back to Salem from Bend. I’m calling a diesel mechanic tomorrow to look for solutions, potentially to have those heaters reinstalled (mounted underneath maybe?). I want more coolant available essentially because if she overheats on Oregon hills then traveling anywhere with actual mountains wouldn’t be cool.
Otherwise, drives like a dream and I love the roof raise & new windows! I even got matching rub rails from a bus graveyard so pretty soon it’ll be hard to tell there was a wheelchair ramp door that was removed!

The MB 906 has two thermostats change them top off fluid. Check fan clutch as well while you are in there.

 

[fauxname11]

The MB 906 has two thermostats change them top off fluid. Check fan clutch as well while you are in there.

Thanks! I’m dropping it off to the diesel mechanic on Monday. I have one new thermostat but didn’t know there was a second. I have much to learn about this engine! I’m mostly just giddy there’s room in the engine bay to work on it AND it doesn’t look like a computer
I miss working on muscle cars. So this is a nice experience.

 

[Timeline]

View attachment 1337561
Got the roof raise and rv windows done for me and picked her up today. She’s a 25’ 2005 Freightliner with a Mercedes diesel engine. The only regret I have is removing the interior heaters that were under a kid seat and in the very back during demo. I really believe that’s why she momentarily overheated today coming back to Salem from Bend. I’m calling a diesel mechanic tomorrow to look for solutions, potentially to have those heaters reinstalled (mounted underneath maybe?). I want more coolant available essentially because if she overheats on Oregon hills then traveling anywhere with actual mountains wouldn’t be cool.
Otherwise, drives like a dream and I love the roof raise & new windows! I even got matching rub rails from a bus graveyard so pretty soon it’ll be hard to tell there was a wheelchair ramp door tha

View attachment 1337561
Got the roof raise and rv windows done for me and picked her up today. She’s a 25’ 2005 Freightliner with a Mercedes diesel engine. The only regret I have is removing the interior heaters that were under a kid seat and in the very back during demo. I really believe that’s why she momentarily overheated today coming back to Salem from Bend. I’m calling a diesel mechanic tomorrow to look for solutions, potentially to have those heaters reinstalled (mounted underneath maybe?). I want more coolant available essentially because if she overheats on Oregon hills then traveling anywhere with actual mountains wouldn’t be cool.
Otherwise, drives like a dream and I love the roof raise & new windows! I even got matching rub rails from a bus graveyard so pretty soon it’ll be hard to tell there was a wheelchair ramp door that was removed!

That's a very good looking RV and I really like that length. Happy Trails!

 

[Santa's Toy Box]

Nice looking bus and great craftsmanship on the roof raise.

 

[Ozbozz57]

Your roof raise looks fantastic! I have an '05 Freightliner/Thomas with the MBE 906 as well, a "7 window", 28 ft. long. I kept the wheelchair lift door. It's access to under-the-bed storage from the outside, and emergency egress.

I hope you got your overheating sorted out.

I deleted the rear heater in my bus too, and rather than simply bypassing the rear circuit with a hose loop, I eliminated the rear circuit entirely and connected the heater hoses to the front heater core only. I still use the valves in the engine compartment when the weather is hot. My concern was that the loop would provide no flow restriction (compared to a heater core), causing most of the coolant to flow through the loop, with not enough going through the front (dash/defrost) heater.

Years ago, a friend bypassed a leaking heater core in a rotary engine Mazda and burned up the engine because so much of the coolant flow went through the bypass instead of the radiator.

 

[fauxname11]

Thank you! I’m not sure if I have it sorted or not. I took it to a diesel mechanic to have everything looked over. He had to redo the coolant flush because a friend had steered me wrong and had me use the expensive red/orange stuff. Apparently I should have used a completely different kind. I’m not currently near the bus to go check the partial jug he gave me so I could take note of the appropriate coolant. So can’t report what that is at the moment. Mechanic was very happy with my bus and feels like the engine and transmission are solid. He had few recommendations (really just to replace the air bags and shocks). However, when I went to drive it home the check engine light was on so I ended up leaving it with him to diagnose. That was a week ago Monday and I’ve not heard back yet. Trying not to worry.

 

[nikitis]

Older buses like in the early 2000's and 1990's should use the older OAT Non-detergent expensive RED stuff.

I think a 2005 is new enough you can use the cheaper detergent based stuff.

2005's are considered a newer bus here on the site, but it fits in with the times. As time moves on this site, so do new people owning newer and newer buses.

Changing times requires us to know about the differences between the buses as well which is a challenge for many here. Your friend may have been giving you sound advice but didn't know that your bus is new enough, but by the same token, it's been my experience and most here that most modern Diesel mechanics don't understand the older bus requirements either and would just put the cheaper detergent based coolant into an older diesel and would inadvertently cause "Cavitation" of your engine where coolant will erode the inner tubes of the engine block and leak coolant into your oil pan. This is something we've seen here on the site many times over the years occur. Essentially ruining your engine over a short time.

It's a serious enough issue that you want to get that one correct. The older stuff in a newer bus shouldn't harm it though, as it has no detergents in it and is safe to use in any engine. It's only if done in the reverse.

My point is I wouldn't necessarily trust diesel mechanics either as they really only know stuff well for the last 10 years. things change roughly every 10 years in the field and so do the requirements, and so do the trainings that diesel mechanics get. If you know diesel mechanics who've worked on 2000-2010 era buses then he likely knows all of the differences, and should be a question you ask them before you request their services.

We gotta be ever vigilant and cautious when we invoke the services of others. That includes mechanics and regular internet advice.

 

[fauxname11]

Well I can’t say for sure who is trustworthy and who is not. The guy I went to at least has been in the business for 30 years and works on large trucks as well as tractors & other farming equipment. He forwarded a pdf of a manual to me for my bus and has been accommodating with making sure I have part numbers so I can keep doing basic maintenance myself once it’s all up to date.