Mechanic Road Test and Service Call Tips

The road test is one of the most important steps to take when troubleshooting a mechanical problem on any vehicle. Thousands of mechanics will agree with this statement. When you listen to a complaint from the driver of the vehicle in question you may not get the whole story. I like to find out as… Continue reading Mechanic Road Test and Service Call Tips

School Bus Body Shop

I haven’t said anything about our onsite body shop so I think now is the time to tell you all about it. We have a journeyman body man who does everything related to school buses. He replaces and repairs body panels, repairs and replaces seat covers, replaces damaged and fogged glass and paints where required… Continue reading School Bus Body Shop

Air Brakes System with ABS

Air brake abs or antilock brake systems are similar to automotive in principle with wheel sensors, tone wheels and a control module. The difference of course is air brakes compared to hydraulic brakes. On our newer school buses there is an off road switch on the dash to engage the ABS and reduce wheel spin. The results using this system during winter… Continue reading Air Brakes System with ABS

Mercedes Diesel Engine Code 2631

This is another Mercedes diesel engine MBE 900 post. These engines are keeping us busy. Just when we get one code repaired another one comes along. Tonight while working on the engine in this video one of the drivers walked in to the shop and reported an engine code on his dash. It’s another MBE 900 that… Continue reading Mercedes Diesel Engine Code 2631

Cummins ISB Diesel Engine Code Repair

The Cummins ISB diesel engine is the most reliable diesel engine in the fleet. However they are not invincible and can act up once in a while. The operator came in and told us there was an amber light on the dash. Most descriptions of the issue are pretty good but it is a habit… Continue reading Cummins ISB Diesel Engine Code Repair

MaxxForce 7 Diesel Engine Low Power

In 2008 we purchased an International CE school bus with a MaxxForce 7 diesel engine. It also was a hybrid that operated up to 50km per hour. The idea was to assist the launch out of the gate then going full diesel after the 50km per hour speed was met. It worked fine for a… Continue reading MaxxForce 7 Diesel Engine Low Power

School Bus Automated Light System

The pre trip on a school bus is one of the most important steps of the day for the operator. At this stage the bus is sitting in the garage yard and the driver checks everything head to toe to determine if the bus is safe to use. Once they know the bus is safe… Continue reading School Bus Automated Light System

International DT MaxxForce Engine Low Power Tip

MaxxForce DT Preventive Maintenance Low Power No Codes This condition no power no codes is a common problem with diesel engines. So the first steps are simple like checking for obvious problems with the fuel injection and air intake system. The fuel filters and air filter are exactly where you want to start. I’m not… Continue reading International DT MaxxForce Engine Low Power Tip

School Bus Mechanic Garage Talk

Allison Transmission Clutch Pressure Test This is an old photo testing clutch pressures on an Allison 3000 series automatic transmission. The pressures would tell the story on clutch slippage and pressure retention when the transmission was at different shifting points. The tool of the day back then was a “ProLink” which was a hand held… Continue reading School Bus Mechanic Garage Talk

School Bus Emission Warning Lights

The HEST (high exhaust system temperature) warning light and the DPF (diesel particulate filter) or exhaust filter are the two main indicators that tell the operator when a manual regeneration is required. The ECU is programmed to initiate what is called a passive regeneration while the engine is running on the highway or in the… Continue reading School Bus Emission Warning Lights