Missing rear apron = overheating bus?

The rear apron is part of the system that seals the engine compartment, and prevents hot air from the exhaust from being recirculated through the cooling fan. With it off, the hot air was being brought back into the engine, causing your hot situation.

I wouldn't drive too much with it off.

Thanks, planning on installing it tomorrow with new rubber seal.

Tom

Question to the group... when your engine is run for a while so it's fully up to operating temperature, how hot does your oil dipstick get? Is it easy to grab and hold on to nice and tight? Or is it more wise to use a rag for insulating your fingers from the heat?

-Rob

Your fingers can be a pretty good "temp gauge" for how hot your engine is running. If the dip stick is to the point of just being "uncomfortably hot", then you're in pretty good shape. If it is so hot that you can't hold on to it, or it actually burns, then the engine is TOO hot.

Should be able to hold it for hours on end.

Jan