Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
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12-27-2007, 06:32
Post: #1
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
This is a contest:
Whoever can claim the greatest number of miles driven before having to rebuild/replace their motor gets Bragging Rights Authority to make other Birds listen to how they did it Envy of a maybe-buyer looking for something that lasts Contest rules: State the miles you've driven with no remorse, divulge what year/engine/tranny you drove to achieve this feat, and lay down the law about how to imitate you. (Sorry: Only over 150,000 eligible) __________________ John in Arizona Wannabe |
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12-28-2007, 05:36
Post: #2
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
What you're really asking is: How long will the engine in a Blue Bird
last? The only rational answer is "It depends." The key to a long lasting engine is proper preventative maintenance and attentive operating control. Blue Birds use the same engines as commercial trucks and busses. But many Wanderlodges seem to require a rebuild many miles before similar engines in commercial service. The key difference is maintenance and operational control. I purchased a Bird with about 118,000 miles on it. So far as I know, the engine has not been rebuilt. I've put nearly 20,000 miles on it in the 18 months I've had it. I noted (on my maiden trip) that it had an overheating problem. A trip to a heavy-duty bus/truck radiator shop quickly found the reason and I had a new radiator core installed. Excessive heat kills engines, probably the quickest of any abuse an owner can give. I've also added regular cleaning of the (external) radiator fins (which were clogged with oily-dirt) to my maintenance list. Obviously, regular oil changes are necessary. You can debate the value of synthetic vs. regular oil. I note that oil temperatures can get quite hot. The DD Series 60 manual states that the normal oil temperature operating range is between 200 and 250!! degrees f. At 250 degrees, oil can break down fairly quickly. I've made it a practice to start watching carefully when oil temperature gets to 220 degrees and to pull over for a cool-down when it reaches 230 degrees. (This occurs only on steep grades.) I note that the oil temperature will drop significantly in only 2 or 3 minutes at idle by the side of the road -- but can take some time to cool off while going down a grade after reaching a summit -- so I usually take advantage of "brake check" pull-outs at many summits to cool things down. My only observation about synthetic vs. regular oil is that synthetic oils will degrade less quickly under high-heat, so if steep grades are an expected regular part of your travels, that may be a consideration. Synthetic oil, in a diesel application, do not extend the change period significantly (as may be the case with some automobiles). Currently I have regular oil in the engine. The previous owner used synthetic. While you're certainly right to be concerned about the longevity of the engine -- Blue Bird Wanderlodges have used Cat 3208 (in various NA and TA configurations), DD 6v92, DD 8v92, DD Series 60, and, in the newest years, various Cummins models. Each of these engines have various life-span parameters and have different maintenance needs. The biggest unknown with the purchase of any Bird is what care and attention the previous owner(s) have provided to the engine (and other components). I was fortunate to get the maintenance records of the immediate previous owner (two years worth) -- but I have no idea what maintenance was done for the 9 years my coach was on the road before the previous owner got the coach. So, there is simply a matter of faith (hope) that earlier owners did not seriously abuse the engine. The fact that some engines only last 60 or 80 thousand miles vs. other engines that last 250 thousand miles is not going to tell you that the coach you buy will have either experience. You simply don't know (can't know) what abuse or neglected preventive maintenance may have occurred with the engine in the coach you ultimately may buy. And, it will provide no insight into how well _you_ may maintain the engine... Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 El Sobrante CA aeonix1@... On Dec 27, 2007, at 10:32 AM, johnjzmail wrote: > This is a contest: > > Whoever can claim the greatest number of miles driven before having to > rebuild/replace their motor gets > > Bragging Rights > Authority to make other Birds listen to how they did it > Envy of a maybe-buyer looking for something that lasts > > Contest rules: State the miles you've driven with no remorse, > divulge what year/engine/tranny you drove to achieve this feat, and > lay down the law about how to imitate you. (Sorry: Only over 150,000 > eligible) > __________________ > John in Arizona > Wannabe > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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12-28-2007, 08:00
Post: #3
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
We,ve talked a lot about engine rebuild and replacements in these
motor homes and I actually think this would not be meaningful information for the reasons mentioned. No way to know how the engines were cared for. If you had a detailed history of both service history and use history then you would have something. With out it I can not think much meaningful information is to be gained. And then you factor in the truth and bragging factors. I believe that the reason motor homes have a rather poor record for engine life is as follows. 1) the way they are used: Left to sit for weeks and months at a time and then run hard and put away wet. 2) many are rather over weight for the engines that pull or push them. 3) Poor service because of the fact that for the most part they are owned by people who drive cars and don't have much understanding of what is required for the care and feeding of big equipment. 4) Multiple owners who buy them and loose interest and as a result just neglect them. The life of a Motor Home is not an easy one. John Heckman central Pa 1973 FC > > What you're really asking is: How long will the engine in a Blue Bird > last? > > The only rational answer is "It depends." > > The key to a long lasting engine is proper preventative maintenance > and attentive operating control. Blue Birds use the same engines as > commercial trucks and busses. But many Wanderlodges seem to require a > rebuild many miles before similar engines in commercial service. The > key difference is maintenance and operational control. > > I purchased a Bird with about 118,000 miles on it. So far as I know, > the engine has not been rebuilt. I've put nearly 20,000 miles on it > in the 18 months I've had it. > > I noted (on my maiden trip) that it had an overheating problem. A > trip to a heavy-duty bus/truck radiator shop quickly found the reason > and I had a new radiator core installed. Excessive heat kills > engines, probably the quickest of any abuse an owner can give. I've > also added regular cleaning of the (external) radiator fins (which > were clogged with oily-dirt) to my maintenance list. > > Obviously, regular oil changes are necessary. You can debate the > value of synthetic vs. regular oil. I note that oil temperatures can > get quite hot. The DD Series 60 manual states that the normal oil > temperature operating range is between 200 and 250!! degrees f. At > 250 degrees, oil can break down fairly quickly. I've made it a > practice to start watching carefully when oil temperature gets to 220 > degrees and to pull over for a cool-down when it reaches 230 degrees. > (This occurs only on steep grades.) I note that the oil temperature > will drop significantly in only 2 or 3 minutes at idle by the side of > the road -- but can take some time to cool off while going down a > grade after reaching a summit -- so I usually take advantage of > "brake check" pull-outs at many summits to cool things down. My only > observation about synthetic vs. regular oil is that synthetic oils > will degrade less quickly under high-heat, so if steep grades are an > expected regular part of your travels, that may be a consideration. > Synthetic oil, in a diesel application, do not extend the change > period significantly (as may be the case with some automobiles). > Currently I have regular oil in the engine. The previous owner used > synthetic. > > While you're certainly right to be concerned about the longevity of > the engine -- Blue Bird Wanderlodges have used Cat 3208 (in various > NA and TA configurations), DD 6v92, DD 8v92, DD Series 60, and, in > the newest years, various Cummins models. Each of these engines have > various life-span parameters and have different maintenance needs. > > The biggest unknown with the purchase of any Bird is what care and > attention the previous owner(s) have provided to the engine (and > other components). I was fortunate to get the maintenance records of > the immediate previous owner (two years worth) -- but I have no idea > what maintenance was done for the 9 years my coach was on the road > before the previous owner got the coach. So, there is simply a matter > of faith (hope) that earlier owners did not seriously abuse the engine. > > The fact that some engines only last 60 or 80 thousand miles vs. > other engines that last 250 thousand miles is not going to tell you > that the coach you buy will have either experience. You simply don't > know (can't know) what abuse or neglected preventive maintenance may > have occurred with the engine in the coach you ultimately may buy. > And, it will provide no insight into how well _you_ may maintain the > engine... > > Pete Masterson > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 > El Sobrante CA > aeonix1@... > > > > On Dec 27, 2007, at 10:32 AM, johnjzmail wrote: > > > This is a contest: > > > > Whoever can claim the greatest number of miles driven before having to > > rebuild/replace their motor gets > > > > Bragging Rights > > Authority to make other Birds listen to how they did it > > Envy of a maybe-buyer looking for something that lasts > > > > Contest rules: State the miles you've driven with no remorse, > > divulge what year/engine/tranny you drove to achieve this feat, and > > lay down the law about how to imitate you. (Sorry: Only over 150,000 > > eligible) > > __________________ > > John in Arizona > > Wannabe > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > |
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12-30-2008, 10:44
Post: #4
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
Pete,
How much did you pay for the radiator? I'm trying to get an answer for a Powell Brown and his 88 8v92. He is new to this and needs to replace his rad. He has been quoted $3,500 for one in Corpus Christi. Is this out of line? Bob Lawrence 84 PT36 Padre Island, Tx. > I noted (on my maiden trip) that it had an overheating problem. A > trip to a heavy-duty bus/truck radiator shop quickly found the reason > and I had a new radiator core installed. Excessive heat kills > engines, probably the quickest of any abuse an owner can give. I've > also added regular cleaning of the (external) radiator fins (which > were clogged with oily-dirt) to my maintenance list. > > Pete Masterson > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 > El Sobrante CA > aeonix1@... > |
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12-30-2008, 11:39
Post: #5
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
It's been 2-1/2 years since I had to work done, so my recollection is a bit sketchy. (I have the receipt somewhere, but I really don't want to look for it.)
The bill ended up costing about $4600 -- with $1000 being work on the AC system (that wasn't related to the R&R of the radiator). Most of the cost was labor (at SF Bay Area rates) and I believe that the new core was about $1000 with about $2600 labor to remove and replace all the stuff -- the air charge radiator had to come out as it's part of the same assembly. I expect that a core might be a lot more expensive now (aluminum? brass?) -- and I'd think that labor in Corpus Christi is a bit lower than here. I think the S-60 radiator is a little larger (but big is big) -- and other costs of the R&R might be different in an S-60 vs. an 8v92. So, if the $3,500 includes R&R plus the new radiator core -- it's probably a fair price. Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale) El Sobrante CA "aeonix1@mac.com" On Dec 30, 2008, at 2:44 PM, Bob Lawrence wrote:
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12-30-2008, 14:21
Post: #6
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
Bob: Talk to Steve Guerasko. He replaced his radiator last year. He
has a 90 PT. R.e. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, tX 92WB40 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Lawrence" > > Pete, > How much did you pay for the radiator? > I'm trying to get an answer for a Powell Brown and his 88 8v92. He is > new to this and needs to replace his rad. > He has been quoted $3,500 for one in Corpus Christi. > Is this out of line? > Bob Lawrence > 84 PT36 > Padre Island, Tx. > > > I noted (on my maiden trip) that it had an overheating problem. A > > trip to a heavy-duty bus/truck radiator shop quickly found the > reason > > and I had a new radiator core installed. Excessive heat kills > > engines, probably the quickest of any abuse an owner can give. > I've > > also added regular cleaning of the (external) radiator fins (which > > were clogged with oily-dirt) to my maintenance list. > > > > Pete Masterson > > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 > > El Sobrante CA > > aeonix1@ > > > |
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12-31-2008, 15:32
Post: #7
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
Hi Pete,
No, the price of $3,500 was just for the rad. No labor. Altho, Richard, who did mine works for $35 per hour. Can't beat that! Bob Lawrence 84 PT36 Padre Island,Tex > It's been 2-1/2 years since I had to work done, so my recollection is > a bit sketchy. (I have the receipt somewhere, but I really don't want > to look for it.) > > The bill ended up costing about $4600 -- with $1000 being work on the > AC system (that wasn't related to the R&R of the radiator). Most of > the cost was labor (at SF Bay Area rates) and I believe that the new > core was about $1000 with about $2600 labor to remove and replace all > the stuff -- the air charge radiator had to come out as it's part of > the same assembly. > > I expect that a core might be a lot more expensive now (aluminum? > brass?) -- and I'd think that labor in Corpus Christi is a bit lower > than here. I think the S-60 radiator is a little larger (but big is > big) -- and other costs of the R&R might be different in an S-60 vs. > an 8v92. > > So, if the $3,500 includes R&R plus the new radiator core -- it's > probably a fair price. > > Pete Masterson > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale) > <http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html> > El Sobrante CA > aeonix1@... > > > > > On Dec 30, 2008, at 2:44 PM, Bob Lawrence wrote: > > > Pete, > > How much did you pay for the radiator? > > I'm trying to get an answer for a Powell Brown and his 88 8v92. He is > > new to this and needs to replace his rad. > > He has been quoted $3,500 for one in Corpus Christi. > > Is this out of line? > > Bob Lawrence > > 84 PT36 > > Padre Island, Tx. > > > >> I noted (on my maiden trip) that it had an overheating problem. A > >> trip to a heavy-duty bus/truck radiator shop quickly found the > > reason > >> and I had a new radiator core installed. Excessive heat kills > >> engines, probably the quickest of any abuse an owner can give. > > I've > >> also added regular cleaning of the (external) radiator fins (which > >> were clogged with oily-dirt) to my maintenance list. > >> > >> Pete Masterson > >> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 > >> El Sobrante CA > >> aeonix1@ > >> > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > |
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12-31-2008, 15:34
Post: #8
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
Thanks, Ron.
Bob > Bob: Talk to Steve Guerasko. He replaced his radiator last year. He > has a 90 PT. > > R.e. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, tX 92WB40 |
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01-01-2009, 06:13
Post: #9
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
Well, in that case, it seems a rather high. When I researched the matter, there was a radiator core place  (they manufactured radiator cores, whom I no longer remember*) that referred me to several northern California radiator shops, including the one I eventually used.Â
* I _think_ I got the name from one of the Blue Bird lists, way back when... I don't see any references in  my saved files, though.
A price of $800 plus shipping comes to mind for what my core cost. Even with the considerable increase in some materials prices, a 400+ percent increase doesn't seem reasonable. You might discuss what core manufacturer they're using and it might be worth searching the Internet for radiator cores for busses. I found these: <http://www.completeradiators.com/radiatorcores.asp> with a specific mention of the DD Series 60... and <http://radiatorgroup.com/238559bluebirdbusradiator.aspx> but this one looks more like what you'd put in an FC... This link has Blue Bird "truck" radiators: This outfit has a radiator assembly (rebuilt and used) for 6v92: I'm wondering if the price differential might be in part due to the 6v92 being so long out of production...? Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale) El Sobrante CA "aeonix1@mac.com" On Dec 31, 2008, at 7:32 PM, Bob Lawrence wrote:
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01-01-2009, 08:03
Post: #10
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Most miles before engine rebuild/replacement
If I might jump in here with my experiences on this subject. Summer before last I found that our radiator needed to be replaced. I had had good experiences with Performance Radiator in Everett, WA when our FC needed radiator attention. As I recall the new core, using theold tanks, cost around $3800 for the radiator work only. I delivered to their shop and picked it up. I did the removal and installation myself in the "Birdhouse" which has a nice flat floor. I point that out because the thing is very heavy and not something I could have managed alone were it not for the nice floor. I used a ATV jack to do the heavy lifting. I just had to balance it.
While the radiator was out I replaced all of the 1 inch heater hoses in the engine room with silicone hose, removed and replaced all of the insulation and cleaned and painted the surfaces that I couldn't get to when the radiator was in place. I don't remember what the total came to with all of the extra work and can't look it up just now since the bus is in Yuma and I'm at home.
The radiator was necessary and the hoses were to the point of needing replaced as they were getting hard and brittle due to the heat. As withmost of our coaches the insulation was completely shot and a mess and badly needed attention. The painting was not really necessary and involved mostly my time but it sure looks nice.
I believe Performance Radiator is a west coast operation and I've seen their ads in Yuma.
Good luck Bob.
Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
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