School Bus Fleet Magazine Forums
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Members | Search | FAQ
 All Forums
 Professional Garage
 Enter Forum: Professional Garage
 Maxxforce 7 coolant leak
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Dvorak
Senior Member

United States
95 Posts

Posted - 04/28/2015 :  04:54:44 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Recently one of our Maxxforce 7 engines with 90,000 miles developed a leak in the block. We found a pinhole on the left side about an inch away from the frost plug above the starter. It looks to me like a defect from when they cast the block. I send it to the dealership (under warranty) expecting a new block/motor to be installed. Navistar's warranty repair is to drain the coolant, clean the block and use a 2 part epoxy on the inside and outside of the motor. How long do they expect this "fix" to last? It's frustrating when you pay as much as you do for these buses including an extended warranty and these are the types of repairs you get.

With that in mind, how are the Thomas and Blue Bird bodies holding up? Does anyone have any experience with the Lion buses yet?

RonF
Top Member

867 Posts

Posted - 04/28/2015 :  10:12:04 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
LOL. Last year we junked a 2001 IC bus for a pin hole in the block located just in front of the right rear freeze plug. That motor was a 7.3.
AS far as the bodies, we are running a few 20+ year old Bluebirds and the bodies are just fine. Other then a few floor issues with the plywood all is well. We only have 2 Thomas, both 2013's but those bodies are solid like BB. No one could convince me to buy another International again. This is not just because of the engine issues, although a major point, but when you have a 2 year old bus and the windows, seats, paint and body screws look and are in worse shape then a 20 year old bus, I have a problem.

US Army retired CMBT
Go to Top of Page

bedfordone
Active Member

USA
47 Posts

Posted - 04/29/2015 :  07:19:41 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
We bought three Lion school buses last year. We bought them from Bobby's Truck and bus sales, of Toledo Ohio. We have not had any major problems this far. We had one or two small issues that Bobby's corrected immediately. We currently have plans to purchase two more this year. Blue Bird still seems to be having paint adhesion issues, especially with the blacked out areas, rub rails and pick up lights. The service doors also seem to rot out rather quickly.

Brian Prochazka
Bedford City Schools
Transportation Specialist
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
 


School Bus Fleet Magazine Forums © 2022 School Bus Fleet Magazine Go To Top Of Page
This page was generated in 0.03 seconds. Snitz Forums 2000