Ep3: AEC Routemaster London Bus Restoration - ENGINE DISASTER! (Pt1)
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- čas přidán 12. 07. 2024
- What to do when your Routemaster London bus needs a new engine.
Built in the 1960's our London Buses need constant attention, so if you want to find out what it takes to keep a London double decker bus on the road then make sure you check out our maintenance videos...
In this video disaster has struck - the bus has blown its engine! Can Dave and Tim get the bus back on the road?
Here is the third in a series of videos following the restoration and repair of an AEC Routemaster London double decker bus. RM1214 is the latest AEC Routemaster to join the Routemaster4Hire fleet, but before she can carry passengers again we need to undertake some long overdue work on this iconic double-decker bus.
Also don't forget to check out our other videos of AEC Routemaster RM1214's restoration on this playlist...
• London Bus Restoration...
Remember to subscribe @Routemaster4Hire to follow our progress as we get this 58 year old bus fit to carry passengers again.
About Us:
Website: www.routemaster4hire.co.uk
Based in Wrexham, North Wales and Serving Cheshire, the North West, North Wales and North Shropshire we are an independent family run business; we are proud to have the privilege of owning one of London’s most recognisable sights - the iconic London Routemaster Double Decker Bus!
Our beautifully restored red London double-decker buses are available for Weddings and Special Events, they add some nostalgic novelty and a touch of class to any occasion.
All our buses are the iconic Routemaster London Double-Decker bus; each vehicle has been beautifully restored back to the original 1960's condition. With immaculate paint and bodywork, they are real head-turners. Inside they are equally pleasing with comfortable re-upholstered seats and authentic 1960s colour scheme; the interior paintwork is complemented by varnished wooden floors and tungsten lighting which create a warm homely glow inside the bus.
#londonbus #routemaster #routemaster4hire - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Loved Routemasters ever since I was a child, their shape, style and AEC and Leyland engines. I know every curve of this beautiful vehicle. But have never really seen the engine pulled apart like this. Seeing the heart and soul is quite something.
Proper toys for the boys! I'm only a girl, but I used to be a rally driver (amateur) in the 1980s and spent many a long night under cars, grovelling in mud, snow and slush in pine forests replacing clutches and bent and broken oily bits.
I love this project. Not keen on the music (a soundtrack of banter, ratchets, dropped spanners, grazed knuckles, curses, a constantly boiling kettle, and red-hot, X-rated mug and teaspoon stirring action would suit me more...), but it's great to see men willing to spend time and money doing something like this.
I'm delighted that the bus isn't being given a 'right-on' conversion to run as an electric vehicle. That would be as absurd as converting a steam locomotive to run on diesel. As Frank Zappa once said - "Keep it greasy..."
I hope you'll ignore the Negative Nancy-type Comments about 'the inadequate use of Personal Protection Equipment'. Such righteous nagging is all the rage on CZcams these days.
Donning a pair of safety specs when using an angle grinder is one thing, but there's a whole generation of peeps that flies into a tizzy if it sees someone using a drill without gloves, a face-shield, earplugs and safety boots, or holding a bl**dy screwdriver in (gasp!) their bare hand.
And as for spraying without a mask, extractor, nuclear haz-mat suit and organic vegan respirator... Nooooo! You're doomed! You could be breathing in toxic fumes! It's worse than smoking 780 cigars an hour! Think of the harm you're doing to your lungs and genes and the lungs of the poor ol' workshop doggie! Oh, woe, woe, and thrice woe...
Oh, shut up.
Perhaps the critics are from the U.S., where personal injury lawyers queue up to launch $100,000,000 compensation lawsuits if somebody stubs their toe or falls off a kitchen stepladder or looks at you in a funny way. Yes, hurt feeling are big business, too. Sigh.
Thankfully, this project's taking place in Britain, where nobody gives a toss. Hooray! People tend not to blame anybody but themselves if they drop a 30 pound toolbox on their foot, nobody sues anybody because that would be POOR FORM and BAD MANNERS, and lawyers who try to get involved are going to get a slap.
If you haven't got ("Possibly Carcinogenic!!!") dirt under your ("Broken!!!") fingernails, you're not doing the job properly.
I wish you well, guys. :-)
New subscriber, very interesting video and informative, just a real shame about the unnecessary very loud and intrusive music, keep up the great work!! Eddie.🤓
Hi Eddie
Many thanks for your comment, this was a recurring observation in our early videos, we have now addressed this issue. If you watch some of our more recent episodes hopefully you will see this has been much improved?
Interesting video, but what on Earth is all the heavy rock music for ....terrible 😖
Cannibalising one engine (or part) to repair another part at least doubles the workload involved. Not the most efficient way to keep a vehicle on the road, but sometimes it's the only option. Having to hand make replacement gaskets just adds to the time it takes to do the repair. However, you are keeping a British classic on the road, so it's worth it. Loving the rebuild videos.
You have thought that you could get every single part for these off the shelf, with it been a British bus. Great stuff!
Another top job, keep up the good work
Great informative videos but the music is jarring. Try something a bit more appropriate please.
And not so loud.
I was coming to say just that. I’m a yank (former USAF mechanic) and everything I know about a double decker bus can be put on the head of a pin but I would love to learn more. Your production values are great but the music sometimes kills it.
I will always love the route masters they are unique buses love they look I use to go to London a lot just to look at them and admire them they are the eyes of London even the black taxis and the telephone boxes I think they should keep London original and keep its history the new buses are not the same at all
These old strong robust route master buses are built for the job I wish these buses were still running in London they are a joy to look at even travelling on
Them big massive thank for this very interesting how the engine works looks nice with that silver paint on it thank you guys for your time doing these
And thankyou CZcams peace
Thanks Carlton, considering they were designed to last 17 years, they've not done too bad lasting over 60 years!
Agree about the music. Bit loud. Love the videos
God the music is so fkin annoying. I love the channel but turn it down.
Just subscribed and enjoy the videos but please tone down the music, really spoils the experience having to keep adjusting volume up and down.
your music is crap and to loud so when you speak I have to keep turning the volume up please sort it out
You're quite right to be concerned about the thermostat. I learned that lesson the hard way. I had a thermostat stick closed on a summer's day, and the engine badly overheated. It ran after, but it blew smoke on startup and lost a bunch of compression. Now, I change thermostats every few years just because.
you're like Dr who cliffhangers! used to get the 19 or 49 on these home from school, loved standing on the rear platform before the stops. I'm in Aus now wonder if any are over here? Great videos, perhaps more focus on the techy work and less music volume, but hey appreciate the huge effort these videos must take. What an amazing design these buses were.
Thanks Rob, Will take onboard yours (and others) comments about the music. Yes I believe there are some Routemaster in Australia. I know the bus museum in Sydney have at least one... www.sydneybusmuseum.com
Great presentation.
The music when it played did keep me awake you could turn it down by at least 75%, would still have the same effect.
I shouldn’t to have to ware hearing protection while watching.
To people complaining about loud
music , you can always turn down
Volume Control , it doesn't bother
me cos I'm H o H ( hard of hearing)
Loving this video takes me back
when l was a boy , Hope to fly
back to England in 2023 & visit
you guys , & family in Milton
Keynes 😀
Ha! I love that so many comments refer to the music, not the content. Content is great, so is the music. Mind you I'm stoned - how else would I have stumbled across this gem?
Very enjoyable excellent.😎
I used to love the routemasters as a child, though I rarely see them.. I was born '86.. just a baby lol
and yes, adjust the music levels please! lol
Hi Everyone, many thanks for your comments regarding the music volume in this episode. In the early days of our CZcams journey we did make a 'School Boy' error of not adjusting the music volume to match the rest of the audio in the video. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it in this episode, however, we have taken on-board all your constructive comments regarding this and we hope you will find in our more recent episodes that this issue has been resolved? Please accept our apologies for this, we hope this does not spoil you enjoyment while watching this episode.
Thanks for the thermostat "scientific" test procedure, I am going to try it out in my Pegaso (Leyland inspired engine). I hope you all are well. So sad you got tired of preserving buses.
Hi really enjoyed your video I see that when RM1214 came into the workshop it had blinds set to Route 190 that brings back memories as I was a conductor on that route in 1983 when I joined LT as a Bus Operating Youth Trainee. I also lived on the route - I served at South Croydon TC and Thornton Heath TH as a conductor and Driver I would love to drive an RM again ... great videos keep them coming
robert, you probably gave me a ticket as I went to Purley High School for Boys in the 80’s. Also one of my other buses (RM765) was at South Croydon garage so you probably worked on that bus too?
@@Routemaster4Hire hi i went to purley boys as well from 1980-1983 then went on the buses to work at TC on the 190 and 68
You guys are awesome I just found your videos good luck
Thank you.
My Dad is an old school mechanic and sadly he never wanted me to work on engines, so I am a curious watcher. One thing he taught me was to never put an old thermostat back on an engine and I was curious why you did, although it might be out of necessity as there may not be many new ones easily available and to save one is a better outcome. There's something really pleasant about the idle of those engines, they have like a high-low resonance. Great work gentlemen. Love the videos.
Thank you!
I wondered the same thing. I rarely ever open the thermostat housing on any of our vehicles, only if there are problems with temperature regulation. And if I do check them, it is only out of curiosity. Especially if it looks as old and grungy as the one in that bus!
Good work!
Thanks!
Awesome Sause
RCLs had 690s from new. 590 pistons, heads etc were difficult to get even 10 years ago.
Someone done nice job with the greyfergy new to channel love it
Love it I use to drive 4 London transport, I could have driven that same bus. Westburn park bus garage.
Hi Enid, as far as we know RM1214 was never based at Westbourne Park.
@@Routemaster4Hire ok, the time I worked there was very enjoyable, we had RML,S as well. In my opinion Rout Masters r the best bus,s ever made.🙂
Had never ridden in a double-decker bus before and went to the Sydney Bus and Truck Museum in the '90s, where I rode one-up in the middle upstairs of a similar red model. I was surprised at the stiffness of the ride even when you are so far away from the road. Of course I realised it was to stop them toppling over in their heyday on Sydney's winding downhill bends, as well as carrying the extra weight. One question - is the fan at 21:58 missing a piece from one of arms?
School life in the 70s getting the No. 8 along Bethnal Green Rd and Roman Rd 💙
THE RCL ( Long wheelbase Green Line) version of the Routemaster were fitted from new with the AV690 engine along with a higher speed drive axle. The G'box was semi automatic, unlike the RMC where fully automatic was an option.
Brilliant, great film and well done all round ..... top presenter.
Really like the work you folks are doing, real eye opener. Bit puzzled as to why paint is sprayed without the sprayer wearing a mask!! What would HSE say??😨
In Hong Kong, KMB have many trouble to maintain the AEC AV590/AV690 on their AEC Regent V bus, so they replace it with Gardner 6LX engine
Are you sure you don't mean they kept the Gardner powered Guy Arab half cabs in service longer than the Regent Vs? Never heard of Gardners going into the AECs. They all got withdrawn.
Wasn't the Guy a Gardner LW?
New subscriber. Love the work...hate the "music." It's just noise. Since this is a classic vehicle, perhaps some classic music.
I see you don't use impact wrenches much. I know you have to be careful but they are handy..
They are handy when dealing with some stuck bolts but when working on vehicles this old sometimes working by hand is safer and less likely to break off bolts or strip the threads.
They aren't under time pressure like a mechanical business and when working on antique equipment, it's better to have the dexterity of hand tools so you can feel what's going on.
Agreed, the music adds nothing and is exceptionally annoying inasmuch it's level is much higher than the speech so one is constantly adjusting the sound level . Just show us how you rebuilt the damn thing and ditch the music!
Really enjoyed this.
Are you doing the film production in house? If so well done, it's excellent. I don't agree with other comments about the choice of music being wrong but you do need to work on the levels. looking forward to the next one.
Thank you, yes all recording and production is done in-house and we are taking onboard yours (and others) comments about the music levels.
Wish I was there
very interesting videos but the music is too louder and also too long more talking explanting what's going on would be good
Thanks for your feedback John, if you view some of our more recent videos you will find we have indeed dropped the music and are doing more explaining. We've had lots of feedback on this and took everything on-board as the channel grew.
I have seen flat head/countersunk screws seize like that. I have learned anti-seize is great for the taper.
Great videos my only gripe is the awful loud annoying music😖
I so agree. I tried skipping it it, but I just gave up in the end and switched off.
The 690 biting the dust is not good news. It sounded so sweet too. Good to see a tidy bit of silvering going on. I’m curious as to wether someone has ever put a Gardner 6LW/LX in a Routemaster?
Hi Gary, yes it not good news about the 690! As far as I know there has never been a Gardner engine fitted in a Routemaster.
I love these videos, especially the techy stuff and I appreciate the need for the music during the bits that might be considered slightly tedious by others. I also appreciate that it's 17 months since the video was uploaded but - and it's a big but - please, please, please, can you balance the speech and music volumes a bit better. When you talk to camera in the shop, I set my headphone volume level to 14 via the sound control on my computer. However as soon as the music starts, for a second or two, my ears are blasted and I have to reduce the level to 4 and then back up again for speech. I can't see you wearing a mic so perhaps that could be an answer.
Hear Hear!
@@loubrewer8228 Pardon - music too loud!!
Hi Ray, yes fair point, this was a recurring comment in earlier videos and if you watch our more recent episodes hopefully you will notice a big improvement?
@@Routemaster4Hire I fully intend watching them all and have subscribed to do so - and to not feel guilty!
Silvering...? Is this just a paint colour or is there a reason why its silver.? The old armoured car (ferret) had silvering all over the wiring loom etc. any reason for this or is it just to show up oil leaks?
What is your main business for all these buses must very expensive keeping these vehicles on the rd . Plus tools and equipment premises list goes on .l found video interesting as drove these Rm Rml in London long time ago brings back some good memories.Thanks
Hi Geoffrey, our main business is offering our buses for private hire, typically for Weddings and special events; we also organise our our sightseeing tours from Llangollen using our open-top Routemaster. I may do a video soon on their running costs, it would make your eyes water!!
@@Routemaster4Hire So most are class VI?
What route do you take to get to London for your expeditions there and how long does it take in driving time?
We do try and avoid motorways as much as possible, not sure of the exact route as SatNav takes us a different route every time but typically its a good 6-7hrs driving time. With regular stops it can take us over 8 hours door to door.
Question Dave. Why were those engines so noisy?. Were they the same engines fitted to RMC’s in 1962 on 721 Green Line service and in 1967 to RML County Area buses at Harlow please?.
Really interesting video, thank you! I just discovered this channel and now I'm binge watching your videos ☺️! One question: Around 4:50 it seems that you making a new gasket (Is that the right term? I don't have ANY knowledge in mechanical work, sorry!) with some "paper" and a hammer. Could someone tell something about it, what's this material called and how does this work with a hammer? Does this process have a name? I'm from Germany and would love to dig a bit deeper into this, just out of curiosity. Thanks again.
short answer All apprentices are taught how to make a gasket by this method,Not all gaskets can be kept in stock or out on site ,so the mechanic has to be able to make one.😊
@@johnwoodhead4059 Thanks! Do you use the gasket material directly or is it a kind of template, that you work on with the hammer and then transfer it to a sheet of rubber or something like that?
Love watching the vid's just quit with the music please!
Beautiful refurbishment of the engine. I am based in The Netherlands and am considering buying an RM. One thing that makes me hesitant is the engine dying on me and then not be able to find a replacement. If that happens, are there any modern engines (that meet new diesel regulations?) available to place into the RM?
Hi Paul. Routemaster AV590 engines are like hens teeth nowadays so your best alternative is to fit a AV690, these engines are old but many were fitted to generators and so have much less hours then their AV590 equivalents. To fit a modern engine into a Routemaster would be a big engineering task and would undervalue the vehicle.
@@Routemaster4Hire Thanks a lot for the reply. Then if I get into such a situation, I know in which direction to look.
@@Routemaster4Hire Unfortunately, since the Brexit, I do not dare to buy an RM in the UK anymore.
I understand that imported second hand cars from the UK now have to be tested before I can get a Dutch registration for them. That adds a big risk to an purchase. So, I'll search on the continent.
@@Routemaster4Hire The reason why 590s are rarer is because LT brought up almost all the spares. 690s only differ in the liner, piston and cylinder heads. 690s principle use was in Mammoth Majors, Mandatory and Militant Mk 3s. Most mobile cranes used 470s, with earlier cranes running 11.3 engines. If you aren't worried about total originality a 691 or 760 could be used - de rated.
Some RMs came with Leyland 0600 new, 400 of them I believe. I used to not like the idea of that until I learned why LT did that -so as not to be so reliant on one make. Besides, they sound awesome!
So is there any reason in particular for not going the repower route given parts scarcity? Obviously you can still run these engines while you can get parts but it seems eventually that may become quite a problem.
The Routemasters that stayed in service in London into the 1990's and beyond were re-engined with Cummins and Iveco engines but this modernisation (in my opinion) ripped to soul out of these buses. That is why we prefer ours to be as original as possible. Mechanical parts are still available for the original engines and there are plenty of companies in the UK that can service and overhaul pumps, starters, compressors etc etc. For now, at least, there are enough parts knocking around to keep these buses running.
@@Routemaster4Hire plus you're not racking up the miles like a PSV bus, so they won't wear out at the same rate, yet you're keeping rhythm exercised and treating them better as well.
the music sound is too loud.thank's
those old strips of trim, decent spares to have if there is nothing better, but can they be repaired?
I was thinking that. DONT THROW THEM OUT.
Someone will want them.
Were the engines and frame originally painted silver? Do you have a color call-out number for the red that was used on the buses?
Up n down with the MUSIC 😡
Hi Tom
Many thanks for your comment, this was a recurring observation in our early videos, we have now addressed this issue. If you watch some of our more recent episodes hopefully you will see this has been much improved.
what did you do with the 690 engine?
Hi Alex, its currently gathering dust in our unit. The plan is to eventually rebuild it and put it back in the bus, but it needs expensive hard to find parts.
does not the routemaster association supply parts ?if owners get together they can get parts specially made cant they ?why did the engine blow up? lack of oil/dirty oil in the sump or runaway injection pump ?
Hi Peter. Many thanks for your questions...
Yes The Routemaster Association does supply many parts, they also get obsolite items remanufactured on behalf of the members.
If you watch the next video (Episode 4) we explain what happened to the engine.
a small company called hydrajaw make replica AEC trims if you ever find yourself in need of some
Thanks Alfie, yes we are aware of them.
I've heard that some Rm's had Leyland engines,Was there a difference in Power compared to the Aec engines?
There were 575 Routemasters fitted with Leyland 0600 Engines. Both the Leyland 0600 and the AEC 590 are 115bhp at 1800rpm, however the Leyland is 9.8 litre and the AEC is 9.6 litre.
Thank for your quick reply! Just a quick question, did the Leyland engines Sound different compared to the Aec engines? I've heard the Leyland engines, sound Melodic!
@@johnmichaeldorienjohn467 From memory ... living in Brixton in the early -mid 80s and while Brixton was still well served by RM operated Routes the Leyland had a slightly deeper note and seemed to idle faster. As I recall back then Brixton had 2,2b,3,35,37,109,159 & 172 all running RMs in 1982 and at the other end of where I lived just off of Railton Rd we had the 68 and 40. I’d always wait for an RM route if it duplicated an opo route...(edited to add) As I recall my move to Brixton was just about the time they were running DMS vehicles on the 133 on Sundays prior to conversion from RM crew operation, oh and I forgot the 45 that ran down from Stockwell turned left at Brixton Police Station and went on thru Camberwell
@@warweezil2802 thanks for your reply! I did notice, that some Rm's had a different sound! I miss both The sounds of both, the Aec & Leyland Rm's..
@@johnmichaeldorienjohn467 I miss them, They outlasted the DM & DMS (BL fleetline) even after the DMS had a mechanical refit to Iveco power) MCW Metrobus), Leyland Titans, some Volvos (including the couple of “experimental” Volvos allocated to SW (Stockwell) for the opo conversion of the 77/77a routes. I’ve always been an AEC man probably due to my childhood job washing trucks and helping out at a local firm here that ran a mixed fleet of AEC Marshall Mercury and Mandator trucks in the early 70s
Music is distracting
Like to See a strip down of the old engine to see what failed.
We will do that at some point.
Interesting but I agree with Metal Man....the rock music is awful!🤬
It isn't rock music - in fact it doesn't qualify as music at all - it is immensely annoying
don't know why CZcams wanted me to skip over ep3 and 4
hi, why dont you fit a proper air cleaner like the iveco engined routemasters, the engines would be a lot less noiser .i suppose its a case of getting a 690 lorry engine rocker cover where the oil bath air cleaner will fix on to. good luck,
Hi Peter. Our aim is to keep the bus as original as possible. Air filters were never fitted by London Transport besides I doubt one would fit under the bonnet.
@@Routemaster4Hire That's why RTs have a low bonnet line compared with other Regent IIIs: LT did not like the oil bath air cleaner fitted as standard, and had it deleted by AEC, though all other Regent IIIs had it. London Transport always “knew best” - or thought they did, arrogant so-and-sos. RLHs had the oil bath filter, so it was clearly something that created no problems, even for the LT engineering department! They, however, were responsible for the extraordinary decision to have 700 RFs made for them: a design which was at the best obsolescent from the outset, and only made for about 3 years before it was replaced by the far superior Reliance, a model with which, famously, London Transport could not cope, despite the fact that every operator of it in the country swore by its performance, reliability, and durability. Instead, they stuck their oar in again to help develop the AEC Merlin/Swift, which they bought in significant numbers and sold for scrap within 10 years. They should (and could) have bought Bristol REs instead, but oh no! These were designed for the Provinces and therefore not good enough for London! They even buggered about with Daimler Fleetlines and relaunched them as “The Londoner” (adding loads of unnecessary modifications and crap which made them virtually inoperable, and had to be removed before selling them on for useful work elsewhere). Then there was the Titan fiasco, in which they were intimately involved. A very good bus, when it worked, but was too damned complicated to be kept on the road. No, in their entire history, LT's only great success was the Routemaster, a wonderful bus, even though it was obsolescent (like the RF) as soon as its production wheels hit the road. Please do not extol the virtues of the LT engineers.
Oh - thanks, before this film I did not know the RM did not have an air filter. Very interesting, and very stupid. By the way, did the replacement FIAT and Cummins engines not have air filters either, or, come to that, the Leyland-engined examples from new? Personally, I would have designed the RM to accommodate a Gardner engine. Bristol made Lodekkas with the same capacity and dimensions as the RM incorporating the Gardner 6LX, so it must have been possible!
Sorry for the rant - just my opinions. Very good videos. Very interesting, and well done!
@@allenwilliams1306 If you think the Reliance in Medium Weight form was in any respect superior to an RF you haven't had any contact with either vehicle. Nothing with a 470 was trouble free. The RF was a rugged vehicle that could to huge amounts of work and deliver great reliability, even after many miles. Something you simply couldn't say about any wet liner AEC engines in horizontal form.
Vehicles virtually inoperable? What a load of rubbish! You do have a point about the air filters, but I'd like to know where you've got all your working experience from?
terrible music----why??????
Hi Mike
Many thanks for your comment, this was a recurring observation in our early videos, we have now addressed this issue. If you watch some of our more recent episodes hopefully you will see this has been much improved.
The heavy Metal Guitar Music is great whose is it please.
WHAT INJECTOR NOT CARBORATIOR
Get rid of the bloody music!
YOU MEAN 50 50 COOLANT
Why do you punch the botton twice?
HOW TORQUE AND HOW MUCH HORSE POWER DOES THOUGHTS EGINES PERDUCE
Enjoyed watching the video's, please ask the guys to wear PPE.
The last video when drilling some screws out the guy wasn't wearing any eye protection.
This video the guy had no mask on whilst spray painting. 😡
F.o.
Please dump the awful music..
Turn the background music down
Hi Jim, many thanks for your comments regarding the music volume in this episode. In the early days of our CZcams journey we did make a 'School Boy' error of not adjusting the music volume to match the rest of the audio in the video. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it in this episode, however, we have taken on-board all the constructive comments regarding this and we hope you will find in our more recent episodes that this issue has been resolved? Please accept our apologies for this, we hope this does not spoil you enjoyment while watching this and other episodes.
Terrible background noise
The music is beyond awful
Shame about the awful music.