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 I am talking with a guy that has a 4106 that he says will sputter at about 20 mph, then take off and run good. He says he was told it sounds like water in the fuel. Any other ideas on what it could be? Fuel filter? What could the worst case for this be? Im interested in this bus, but don't want to travel several states to look at something that I could rule out with your experience. It has a auto trans if that matters?   

Chris, Call pc industries at 877-885-4724 they are just down the road from you in WY. If you find a standard right hand engine you need to change the camshafts fuel pump and oil cooler along with all of the cooling set up i.e. thermostats and housing water cross over,  flywheel housing, oil pan and sub pan, oil pick up tube, and a few other things. I know where there are several 6V62TA bus engines on the cradle radiator to out put flange, Atec V730 from rts buses, they are DDECII so they would be easy to change over for your GMC.

Don

Almost any bus you find for under $10k is likely going to need some sort of major work to get it roadworthy and livable - that's why they're priced as such.

Take a look back over our history with Zephyr - we bought her for $8k, and immediately put another $8k in catch up maintenance (tires, wheels, suspension, fluids, brakes, etc.). We've also spent about $2500/year in addition to that in preventative maintenance and minor repairs.  And even with all that attention, we *still* had an engine overheat and are now facing a $15-20k+ repair bill to get back on the road.  (We are blessed that our research lead us to a bus that was pretty much livable... but we do have another bit of change into truly making her ours... and you WILL want to do modifications, no one will have created a bus to your desire.)

The difference is, we took the wise advice of the folks here and knew that these costs were a high likelihood and factored that into the cost of acquiring our bus. We look at the combined cost of everything we've put into Zephyr (including the repair bill we're dealing with as I type this) and we're *still* way ahead from buying a quality Class-A that would look generic.

Now, could we have done it cheaper by doing more of the work ourselves? Yes?  But not under $10k in total cheaper.


If $10k is really your hardline acquisition and first year ownership budget... and you want a reliable road worthy coach that is completely livable for full timing...  I'm afraid I'd have to concur with others, and advise seeking a less expensive machine to own. Or be looking at buses folks are literally giving away and use that 10K to get it and keep it road worthy.

Now, if you want a bus that you're good with it sitting still a lot as you deal with coming up with money to deal with the issues that will come up...  

 - Cherie

People are actually giving buses away? Do tell..... 

 Thank you all for your advise, and I am taking it to heart. I actually have 15,000 cash but want to have 5000 for putting into the bus. I do own 2 other houses outright and plan to sell 1 and rent one out. I have someone that is interested in possibly trading me a 2000 40' wanderlodge for 1 of my houses, but I really do like the GM 4104 and 4106 buses.
 

Keep in mind that whomever you choose it is highly doubtful that anyone will have a left hand GM configured unit in stock, it will have to be reconfigured, but I am sure you already know that.

I am very curious about what it takes to "reconfigure" an 8V71 for left-hand use.  If we buy a generic remanufactured 8V71, is this something that can be done during installation?

While I am tracking down 8V71 options - what is it I need to look for to make sure I find something that will be compatible with our bus?

Thanks!

  - Chris

Another remanufacturer is Perkins Pacific in Ridgefield, WA.  They are a division (a very large one) of Pacific Power the Detroit MTU distributor.  They are a program DDC, Allison, Perkins remanufacturer.  My contact there is Dave Mueller.  Keep in mind that whomever you choose it is highly doubtful that anyone will have a left hand GM configured unit in stock, it will have to be reconfigured, but I am sure you already know that.

Here is the skinny. We had an air leak on one of our drive axle air bags a few years ago, so we simply cut the floor to get at the offending fitting. Fast forward to yesterday, and I noticed the cutout above the air bag wasn't sitting flat.

I really knew what was going on, but I confirmed it. The main supports, that are under the floor, and run across the bus side to side, are totally rotted out. The air bag is buckling the support up, which is what I noticed.

So here is my question. I really don't want to tear the entire back of the bus apart and pull the floor up, just to weld new beams in there. I thought, at one point, we heard about someone doing it from the bottom side of the coach. Anybody know?

Second part of the question, that Belfert (Brian) might now. Is CJ bus repair good and reliable?

Thanks for the help.

John

I am trying to help you get a real cost or it will get out of hand you need to know that part up front people don't tell you the whole story, the DD dealer may be the cheapest when the final tally is done wish you guys the best

And we so very much appreciate that   You know we like dealing with reality.   Either way - rebuild or swap in a remanufactured - is going to have similar price ticket when all is said and done (within a couple grand at least).  For us, it's not a matter of the cheapest option, but the right option.

And, we also want to be armed for when we get the estimates if they're inline with reality - or inflated.

 - Cherie

Buying a engine when they get through swapping all the accessory's it will add another 3000 or 4000 dollars to the bill always keep that in mind Cherie plus there will another 1000 bucks for fluids and filters and other items like the 9850 price that engine will not come with a bell housing or the fan drive all of that will need to come from your engine no matter where you or who you buy from the 14,000 engine will be closer to 20,000 grand when finished

I am trying to help you get a real cost or it will get out of hand you need to know that part up front people don't tell you the whole story, the DD dealer may be the cheapest when the final tally is done wish you guys the best

good luck

Sorry about your problems, and that is one of my biggest fears, I don't have much help to offer you since we are on the eastern side but the engine I just pulled from my bus was from Diesel exchange and I had no problems with it other than the power 8v71. It had 80,000 mile when I pulled it and used very little oil and didn't even leak, The guy I sold it to put it in a tour bus in NJ so as far as I know it is out running every day. So if I was in your situation I would buy another engine from them.
Good Luck Jason