| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Mark23290
Senior Member
United States
96 Posts |
 Posted - 04/26/2016 : 09:15:01 AM
|
Looking for the good bad and ugly on this type of bus, 2008 Blue Bird Vision Air Brakes and Cummins engine. Looking to maybe pick a used one up with 120K miles on it.
Thanks |
|
|
mwood
Active Member
45 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2016 : 09:45:28 AM
|
| 5.9 or 6.7? EGR? I have a 08 with 5.9 with egr rotted the freeze plugs at 100k miles. could of been misstreated but none the less cost a little of 1k in parts and machine work. I wouldnt want any other motor in a bus than a cummins, but thats just my opion. |
 |
|
|
busrench
Active Member
31 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2016 : 12:55:45 PM
|
| We have an '08 Vision with a 5.9 Cummins / air brakes, 165 K. It's been a good bus. Usual stuff... Replaced rear leaf springs, radiator,EGR valve twice, air tanks (rusted out), entrance door (rusted out) and did some work on the muffler. (Fixed it.. It's $6,000 to replace) I hope the one you're looking at has air ride, this springer's a rough riding cob! |
|
|
|
Thomasbus24
Administrator
USA
4544 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2016 : 05:53:51 AM
|
Make sure you see that engine with your own 2 eyes. Lots of folks starting to unload the end-stage Caterpillars along with their problems.
We all know how sometimes school buses get listed incorrectly! |
|
|
|
mwood
Active Member
45 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2016 : 06:45:00 AM
|
| Also had a fuel pump on one go out. EGR valve on the other. Depending on your road conditions you may have trouble with radiator and intercooler. |
|
|
|
Mark23290
Senior Member
United States
96 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2016 : 08:38:04 AM
|
Thanks for all the insight. I'm currently running a 04 Freightliner with a Cat C7. No major issues yet with 125K on her..
What kind of mileage or service hours could I expect if it has been taken care of? I'm looking for it to last the next 5-6 years. Average 14-16K miles Indiana weather.. |
|
|
|
Thomasbus24
Administrator
USA
4544 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2016 : 10:18:09 AM
|
| My reference to "end-stage Caterpillars" was meant to be taken as the last ones made, where they tried to force them to meet emissions and had spark plugs in the exhaust for regen...cute little things like that. |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2016 : 10:34:52 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Thomasbus24
My reference to "end-stage Caterpillars" was meant to be taken as the last ones made, where they tried to force them to meet emissions and had spark plugs in the exhaust for regen...cute little things like that.
My last trade in was a 2004 Thomas FS65 with a cat 3126. It got right at 255K on it when it broke a ring (might have been more than one, didn't take it appart). We chose to trade it rather than fix it. I could have put it back together for about 3k but with those miles I was afraid I would start seeing a lot of little things go wrong and we'd be in a mess after spending 3k. It doesn't seem to matter if you take care of one of these or not. What they like are miles and lots of miles. This thing was getting over 200 miles a day on it for several years. Three identical engines with around 150k on them did the same thing. These didn't average over 100 miles per day on them. |
Bryan |
|
|
|
Mark23290
Senior Member
United States
96 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2016 : 07:09:48 AM
|
So for Bryan your saying the Cat drive it.....?? LOL.. Are the Cummins engines good as well? Just a tad worried with a bus starting at 125K miles going into service for me. It would be around 215-225K time my next go around.
|
|
|
|
Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2016 : 07:21:16 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Mark23290
So for Bryan your saying the Cat drive it.....?? LOL.. Are the Cummins engines good as well? Just a tad worried with a bus starting at 125K miles going into service for me. It would be around 215-225K time my next go around.
I would say that for a 2008 model year bus, the Cummins would be your best bet to take you from 125k on out to 225k miles. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
Edited by - Fastback on 04/28/2016 07:23:48 AM |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2016 : 07:30:37 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Fastback
quote:
Originally posted by Mark23290
So for Bryan your saying the Cat drive it.....?? LOL.. Are the Cummins engines good as well? Just a tad worried with a bus starting at 125K miles going into service for me. It would be around 215-225K time my next go around.
I would say that for a 2008 model year bus, the Cummins would be your best bet to take you from 125k on out to 225k miles.
As much as I like Cat and the local Cat dealer I work with on these. And as easy & cheap as it is for ME to get them repaired, I'd also think the Cummins would be your best bet when you are starting at 125k |
Bryan |
|
|
|
Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2016 : 08:18:28 AM
|
For 2007-08 and newer we aren't just talking about the base engine anymore, its how well the engine works with the exhaust aftertreatment, Cummins won that battle. Caterpillar failed miserably and soon threw in the towel. International was hit and miss and got ate up with warranty claims.
If its got an exhaust particulate trap/aftertreatment system and especially if its out of warranty, I would be looking for buses with red engines. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
Edited by - Fastback on 04/28/2016 08:25:49 AM |
|
|
|
Mark23290
Senior Member
United States
96 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2016 : 07:22:56 AM
|
| Thanks for all the insight and help. |
|
|
|
slippert
Top Member
USA
630 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2016 : 09:41:55 AM
|
If it helps your decision any, I have 2 2008 BB vision's with the 6.7 cummins engine...1 has over 220,000 plus miles on it... the other is around 190,000.. both have been very dependable.. 2-3 egr valves each bus, one set of injectors in 1 bus under warranty, turbo and egr cooler on the other just over warranty... all in all not bad at all compared to my Maxxforce engines
Just starting now at higher miles to get a few more sensor issues... |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
08 Blue Bird Visions Cummins Engine
