Sizing up a 2008 International

[trilldoms]

Sizing up figuratively, I'm looking at a 2008 international with 10 windows (not sure about capacity), rust free, new tires < 6000 mi, with an i6 cummins (he's unable to verify age or displacement for me) and an allison auto, odo says 280k, he claims he was doing 75mph on the highways while moving across the country (bus comes from a school in MD) and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. No warning lights on the dash.

The chassis is perfect for a first time skoolie (mid size, 78 inches interior height, with no wheel wells), but I'm unsure on the engine as I've been reading emissions gear could be expensive for new buses.

I've attached some pictures of under the hood - could anyone give me some insight from the pics or advice on what to check as if you were sizing up to buy it?

Thank you for your time!
Austin

 

[musigenesis]

Regarding the 75 mph: my bus was delivered to me (from five hours away) and the guy who dropped it off told me he'd done 67 mph on cruise control the whole way. Much later after I'd gotten more comfortable driving the bus, I realized that 67 mph was the bus' absolute top speed, with the engine turning at 2600+ RPMs. You don't really want to run an engine like that, so you might want to ask the seller if they know what RPMs they were turning at 75 mph, or see if they know their rear gear ratio and transmission (which will tell you the same thing).

The general advice here is to avoid engines from 2004 or newer because of emissions-control gear, but Cummins generally did the best job of handling the emissions standards so this probably isn't the worst post-2003 engine you could get (like a MaxxForce DT, for example).

 

[cadillackid]

the engine pictured isnt a cummins, its an IH Maxxforce-DT (the 07-09 Maxxforce DT's were pretty good if properly maintained)..

 

[trilldoms]

Ahh, 280k miles on it makes it seem well maintained I would guess. Wish I had a mechanic friend to come with me.

I'll ask him about RPMs today as well, maybe we can test drive it at the speeds he is so comfortable with. Thanks very much!

He wants 7500 for it but will negotiate - that seems high. I guess I'll make a low ball offer and see how willing he is to get rid of it. 3000?

 

[cadillackid]

280k is high for any engine.. I would want to see that run to look for blowby, error codes etc.. Not to mention if the trans is original that’s a lot of stop n go on a transmission..

 

[trilldoms]

Gotcha, I'm gonna pass on it then, there are better options out there I'm sure.

Thank you!