Thomas C2 School Bus Heating System

The heating system in the Thomas C2 conventional school bus is fairly modern with electrical controls that move using a dial type switch that is called a rheostat. A rheostat is a resistor that controls how much the motor turns to open and close a door in the heat ducting for cold and hot heating… Continue reading Thomas C2 School Bus Heating System

2009 Cummins ISB Diesel Engine Parked Regen

The Cummins ISB diesel engine needs a regen just as much as any other diesel engine on the road. Knowing when is important and reducing down time happens by following a very simple step. If the diesel particulate filter builds up a restriction then the onboard computer signals a regen while the bus is driving… Continue reading 2009 Cummins ISB Diesel Engine Parked Regen

Thomas School Bus Diagnostic Link 8 Software

Thomas school buses along with Freightliner highway trucks have multiplexing software built in to reduce wiring and connections. It’s similar to optic cable where messages are flying back and forth at high speed. To make all of this work there are several modules that interconnect with J1939 to relay inputs and outputs. if the operator… Continue reading Thomas School Bus Diagnostic Link 8 Software

DT MaxxForce Diesel Engine Will Not Run

There are 2 valuable tools that come to mind when working on your typical diesel engine … engine diagnostic software and your brain. There are so many areas that need to be checked when the engine will not start. Checking the source is the number one step to carry out. This means checking the fuel… Continue reading DT MaxxForce Diesel Engine Will Not Run

Thomas Pusher Mercedes MBE 900 Emission Maintenance

It doesn’t matter who you talk to preventing problems is natural. Prevention is a big word when it comes to anything mechanical that runs on wheels. This 2007 Thomas rear engine pusher school bus is going through several repairs. The diesel particulate filter needs cleaning because of an engine code which indicated that there was… Continue reading Thomas Pusher Mercedes MBE 900 Emission Maintenance

DT MaxxForce Rebuild Running Check

It’s a glorious time to run a diesel engine after the rebuild is completed. it’s bitter sweet because of the money spent and knowing that eventually there will be the same problems down the road that originally caused the engine to wear out in the first place. Thousands of dollars and numerous hours of labor… Continue reading DT MaxxForce Rebuild Running Check

MaxxForce Diesel Injection Control Pressure

This running test for injection control pressure (ICP) is a good test to run since these specs determine the fuel injection operation. This is the DT MaxxForce which requires 870 psi of ICP to run while the maximum can go as high as 4500 psi. These high pressures create problems if there is a leak… Continue reading MaxxForce Diesel Injection Control Pressure

IC School Bus Air Horn Installation

The video proves how lame the factory electric air horn sounds. I was shocked when I first heard it. It would be the perfect device for an Austin Mini perhaps but not a 40 foot school bus. There are other buses that we have installed regular high and low tone electric horns to get that… Continue reading IC School Bus Air Horn Installation

School Bus Mechanic Daily Routine

Now you can see my cubicle where I run the fleet with various resources. Drivers will walk by and verbally inform me with defects on their bus which they also report using their pre-trip and post trip paperwork. We rely heavily on the drivers to report any problems to the shop to keep defects from… Continue reading School Bus Mechanic Daily Routine

MaxxForce 7 Diesel Engine Forced Regen

It’s hard to believe that the MaxxForce 7 diesel engine regenerating in this video is manufactured by Navistar. Constant issues with these engines have cost us down time and expense over poorly designed components. I know everybody involved with the manufacturing of these models feels bad for the customers out there who are dealing with… Continue reading MaxxForce 7 Diesel Engine Forced Regen