Prevost XLII Skin Delamination Repair

[cattfuu]

(05-11-2018 20:33)cmillsap Wrote:  

(05-11-2018 19:07)davidbrady Wrote:  Hi Cattfuu,

Probably the best thing for you to do is to take any XLII that you're considering buying to a Prevost Service Center and have them examine the coach for panel separation. Only Prevost knows exactly what the issue is and why it occurred. In the years you're looking at panel delam is a reality. You asked, "which manufacturing years have been mostly affected"? I'd say, and only based on anecdotal evidence, the years from 2000 through 2010. It may go beyond that but reports are sketchy. No one but Prevost knows if slided coaches are more afflicted or if 45 footers are more afflicted than 40 footers, and so on. It's more than likely a process phenomenon related to panel preparation and adhesive application conditions and restrictions. There are several fixes that Prevost is offering, but I'm afraid there won't be any financial help on a coach over ten years old. If you can get Prevost's opinion on the bus you're considering purchasing and if you can get a quote from Prevost for the cost of repairs, that's a very good bargaining chip in negotiating purchase price. Good luck!

Pay attention to what David is telling you above but don't be dissuaded from buying an XLll. My XLll has never had a loose panel. Just have the panels inspected by Prevost along with their pre-purchase mechanical inspection to know exactly what you are buying regarding the Prevost chassis. Last time I had it done, it cost $500. That's money well spent. Either do a thorough inspection yourself on the condition of converter (household) items or if possible, have the converter do a Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI).
Know What You Are Buying!!!

Our follow-up question is regarding the two different tests to check for separation. We read about the bubble test, where the bus gets soaped up and then pressurized to check for bubbles. The other test procedure seems a bit more mysterious to us and less conclusive. Is it simply a walk around using a tool trying to lift/pry the panels to check for movement? Are all Prevost maintenance facilities set up to perform the bubble test and what is the $ amount for that test should somebody here know. How does the Marathon dealership panel check differ from the Prevost facility test?

We have been reading and studying whatever we could find over the last 1.5 years. After everything we have learned we have come to the conclusion that the only difference between all XL2s produced from 2000 to 2010 is that some already leaked and were repaired to varying degree of success, and those that have not yet, but will leak in the future as the buses get older. What we take from this is that on a sixteen year old bus we better have about $40,000 squirreled away specifically for re-attachment of panels (once or twice) and possibly repainting if they fly off while driving. Labor costs will continue to increase over our hopefully 15 years of ownership, so we need to factor that in as well. Trying to step into this with eyes wide open!

By the way, thank you to both of you for your replies. So very much appreciated!!!