School Bus Mechanic Archives

Shop Talk – Fleet Servicing Insights

Diesel Engine Maintenance When it comes to maintenance in a fleet the diesel engine is one of the most important component of all. The engine needs close attention since it costs the most to repair compared to the transmission, differential and brakes. The following is some insight into our fleet maintenance program on the best… Continue reading Shop Talk – Fleet Servicing Insights

C2 School Bus Mechanic Tip – Axle Installation

Installing Rear Drive Axle With Air Operated Differential Lock When we started working on this 2008 school bus it was supposed to be a basic brake job on the rear axle. As it turned out the passenger side wheel seal was leaking so the hub assembly needed to be removed. The video shows you how… Continue reading C2 School Bus Mechanic Tip – Axle Installation

International CE School Bus Improvements

Improved Battery Tray International announced some new changes with their 2015 conventional school bus. The battery box will now be frame mounted instead of being secured to the the body. The new assembly will have a heavy duty drawer style design compared to the original weld type rollers. This change will allow easier sliding out… Continue reading International CE School Bus Improvements

The Diesel Engine Water Fuel Separator

Water In Fuel Engine Code In the video I explained the engine code was a water in fuel problem. This isn’t really common since our regular maintenance should avoid that but if there is water getting into the fuel tank of the bus or even the bulk tank that has to be checked out. The… Continue reading The Diesel Engine Water Fuel Separator

Cummins ISB Diesel Engine Oil Cooler

The coolant leak on the oil cooler was noticed during a service with the bus on the hoist. That’s what it’s all about when it comes to preventive maintenance. Finding problems before they get worse is our daily goal in the shop. Every 5,000 kilometres our buses go up on the hoist and gets a… Continue reading Cummins ISB Diesel Engine Oil Cooler

Cummins 2010 Diesel Engine Emission System

Cummins Diesel Engine Emission System For the past 3 years we have been buying International school buses CE models equipped with DT 466 Maxxforce and MaxxForce 7 engines. For 2014 International CE school buses will be coming with the Cummins ISB engines since IC can not meet emission standards. The big difference is the DEF… Continue reading Cummins 2010 Diesel Engine Emission System

The Blue Bird Micro Bird School Bus

The Micro Bird School Bus I would like to tell you about the 10 to 30 passenger Micro Bird school bus that is manufactured by Bluebird Bus Micro Bird by Girardin. It’s a bus model that you may not see much of and since we have one in our fleet I can share my experience… Continue reading The Blue Bird Micro Bird School Bus

The PacBrake Used On A School Bus

Exhaust Brake For Cummins ISC Since our bus fleet uses medium duty diesel engines around the 250 hp range engine exhaust brakes are not available. Exhaust brakes are the only retarder device we can use on the buses. They work more efficiently at higher rpm…..1,800 to 2,000 rpm is best. The throttle position has to… Continue reading The PacBrake Used On A School Bus

Two Ways To Regen A Diesel Engine

Two Exhaust Regens Are Better than One Getting all that nasty soot and exhaust contamination out of the exhaust system DPF (diesel particulate filter) takes time and heat to do a proper job. The first step to take is to do a ‘parked regen’ where the diagnostic software comes in handy to force it to… Continue reading Two Ways To Regen A Diesel Engine

C2 School Bus J1939 Wiring

Troubleshooting J1939 Multiplexing The J1939 is a twisted pair of wires in the multiplexing system between modules that communicates using inputs and outputs. Multiplexing can be compared to broadband cable supplying internet access, cable TV and telephone. It sends multiple electronic messages using the same signal path simultaneously with other signals. The J1939 also known… Continue reading C2 School Bus J1939 Wiring