M380 DATA RE:Engine Critical Defect

Data is being collected in an effort to pinpoint the group of ISL 400 engines in the M380 model Bluebirds that have or may have a critical defect in the cylinder head gasket.

Participation by M380 owners by posting your engine’s serial #, coach body # and date of manufacture here will allow us to compile the data and possibly determine if the issue can be traced to a certain series (group) of engines. If you have your engines manufactured date, please post that also. This data can be found on the upper left hand corner of the engine compartment and above the dash on the passenger’s side.

If you have already repaired your engine due to this critical defect and have any photos related to the repair procedure, please upload them to this thread also.

Recent evidence has come to light that it may be possible to ascertain that your engine may be more likely or may be less likely to suffer this critical failure. An inspection of your engine by checking to see if any part of the cylinder head gasket is protruding out of the rear of the engine where the head is mated to the engine block will determine this. This can be done by feeling for the gasket protrusion or taking photos of that area of the engine. Finding a portion of the gasket protruding out from under the cylinder head could indicate a potential gasket failure could occur. That data or photos should also be included with you posting here.

We have documented that at least 5 of the 48 know WOGmembers /M380 Owners have already repaired their engines due to this critical defect with the cost ranging from approximately $2000 to $24000 depending upon the amount of damage found. That shows that 1 coach out of 10 or (at least) 10% of the known M380 coaches have experienced this problem. That is an extraordinarily high percentage.

If you are a M380 owner, please participate in this gathering of data.
It could save you a costly repair to your engine.

Year 2004
Mileage = 46,100
Engine Serial # = 46245166
Engine build Date = 08/21/02
Body # = 000170
Date of manufacture = July, 2003
Experienced a blown head gasket= NO
Gasket inspected? = Yes Results = No gasket protrusion.

[Doc&Linda]

Year: 2004
Engine Serial # 46242958
Body # 000103
Date of Manufacture: 2/2003
Engine Build Date: 9/12/2002
Experienced blown head gasket: No
Inspected Gasket: No
Current Mileage: 77,400

[Doc&Linda]

Did a visual inspection (with handy Harbor Freight scope) and can see no evidence of the gasket protrusion. Doc

[marvjeanm380]

Year - 2004
Engine Serial # 46255358
Body # 000144
VIN: 1BBCLB3864W100100
Date of Manufacture: 3/2003
Engine Build Date: 19 Sep 2002
Experienced blown head gasket: Yes at rear of engine cylinder #6
Gasket was pushed out from under the head and protruding as described by others.
Mileage at failure - 50,300
Date of failure - 9/3/07
Cost of Repair - $2,995.80
Covered by Cummins as a warrenty item.
Current Mileage: 92000

[hooverg]

Year:2004
Body #000104
Engine Serial #46221752
Date Manufactured: 06/07/02
Gasket Failure Date: May 28, 2008
Mileage: 60,006 mi
Mileage Now: 106,000 mi
Cost of Repair: $1330.00 (Cummins Mid South Columbia, MO) Cummins paid $400.00 toward repair

[Robert Britton]

Year 2004
Mileage = 60,350
Engine Serial # = 46296988
Engine Build Date= March 22 2003
Body # = 000185
Coach Date of manufacture = July, 2003
Experienced a blown head gasket= NO
Gasket inspected? = Yes Results = No gasket protrusion.
__________________

Further Inspection of with scope to be preformed, will post if findings differ from above.

Note: Engine build date cane be found on right side of block (when facing engine from rear) Its hard to see... center of block, can be seen with light if you lean in over batteries...on block, just under the head theres an I.D. plate.

[Dan & Cindy]

Year 2004
Mileage = 24748
Engine hours = 678
Engine Serial # = 46288589
Engine Build Date= dont have that info - YET
Body # = 000162
Coach Date of manufacture = uncertain
Experienced a blown head gasket= NO
Gasket inspected? = Yes Results = No gasket protrusion.

Not an easy place to get to. No evidence of head gasket issues but I don't have the 40K+ miles on mine that seems to be a starting pint. I did find what seems to be valve cover oil leak.

Here's the Data transferred to the working spreadsheet.

[DonB]

Chuck, the database you are using lists Garry Hoover's as a 2003. In this data set he says 2004, and his body number is one higher than Doc&Linda's listed both places as a 2004.