London Buses | Fixing An Engine Oil Leak On A London Routemaster Double Decker Bus.

What does it take to keep an AEC Routemaster London double decker bus on the road?
In this episode we notice a large pool of oil on the floor under the engine so we set about trying to find where the leak is coming from.
Built in the 1960's our AEC Routemaster London buses need constant attention, so if you want to find out what it takes to keep a London Routemaster double decker bus on the road then make sure you check-out all our maintenance and restoration videos here on KZbin...
Filmed in the UK at the Routemaster 4 Hire HQ in Wrexham, North Wales we are passionate about London buses and with 7 vintage buses in the fleet we defiantly have our work cut out!
Also don't forget to check-out all our AEC Routemaster London bus restoration videos in this playlist...
• London Bus Restoration...
About Us:
We offer our London buses for private hire.
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 across North Wales and the Northwest UK, they add some nostalgic novelty and a touch of class to any occasion.
For more information, please visit our website: www.routemaster4hire.co.uk
#londonbus #routemaster #routemaster4hire

[@ashleypickering7234]

I'm with Tim - the writing on the belts does need to go the same way - not for any other reason than I think it should 😁. As always though, great video, I enjoy watching all of them.

[@colinmiles1052]

I love your videos. So many restoration channels just seem to spirit up the exact part at the right time. Real life ain't like that! And you are REAL LIFE! Keep it up!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

So true, thank you.

[@andyclark1426]

Happy days, crank seals a job I’m always doing in my work, and there is a reason for lining up the writing on v belts, line them up tension them up and after a while check to see if still in line, if not you know they are slipping

[@nigozeroichi2501]

5:13 hark, hark, I hear a lark💨😆

[@peterbarnes9375]

Love these videos that you guys do, fascinating. Thank you.

[@johnkenyon1532]

Another great video showing us the oily bits. Big boys toys, but at least you can fix them....

[@luislealsantos]

I think the buses get leaks on purpose so they get a cuddle. Great video, thanks for sharing your hard work

[@Mr-Dutchy-Dutch]

great job on fixing the bus big fan really enjoyed watching

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

Bloopers at the end are always the best part! 🤣

[@andrewsewell9179]

It’s wonderful how you keep these old buses running

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Andrew

[@Big.Al.3]

Do enjoy your films. Just goes to show you never know what you might find extra to do when you start a job. Keep up the good work gents 👍

[@mikecollings6889]

Great video again lads.

[@AgathaAndAnything]

Call that an oil leak 😂 my crank seal is leaking on the Land Rover, unfortunately it’s the rear and that’s gearbox out, fortunately the bell housing has a wading plug hole which lets it out neatly 😂 the road outside our house looks like the Exxon Valdez has run aground 👍

[@tonys1636]

If a Land Rover's rear crankshaft oil seal didn't leak one had a faulty engine! Saves on the oil changes. Just remember to put the plug back in before taking off road. Gearbox out job is back breaking if no engine hoist available. Get a tin tray and fill with clay cat litter to catch the oil and to mop up what is on the road. If someone slips or has an RTC because of it you could end up with a big bill to pay.

[@markobrien1439]

Really enjoy your vids boys....always looking out for your next one's 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks 👍

[@alcoats2889]

Lads your doing great work keep it up.

[@mikerobson3328]

Bloody marvelous great work guys excellent vid best wishes from down under :)

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Mike.

[@allanmason7544]

great work lads great vids keep them comeing

[@flyingbananatree5661]

12:00 delicate use of the persuading tool there hehe. Good video guys, enjoyed this one. Hope you don't need that last seal before more arrive!

[@Slovaricheg]

9:50 - I've got a spare one, BUT WHERE? - BUT WHERE? So familiar, lol :)

[@MrRossi1805]

Love your humor :-)

[@archiestrange4283]

Funny enough I've been sorting through things at my new job and I've already decided how I'm gonna properly store everything, make it all convenient and categorised so you can grab and go

[@martinking4729]

Great video

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you Martin.

[@dfishpool7052]

Well done boys - lucky you didn't have to take the engine out to get at the seal!

[@robbierobson3251]

Great content, as usual. What a shame RM471 has been robbed of its original registration number. They just don't look right with the inappropriate re-registered numbers! For some reason, its the first thing that I notice on a preserved RM.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Hi Robbie, totally agree, unfortunately the bus lost the original registration when it was in Scotland, its still on a car up there, I believe.

[@jimhill6236]

It is possible to tighten up the garter spring on a leaking oil seal, done it quite e few times on a vw camper drive shafts whose seals are unobtainium.

[@TheFlyingBusman]

Job well done. Could you please fit a fog light though as it looks odd having the cutout but no light. Cheers lads 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Will do Gary, it’s on the list of jobs to do on 471.

[@UnbelievableEricthegiraffe]

It's Originating in Aberystwyth!!

[@nomisburton1364]

Really enjoying the videos, keep them coming 🙂

[@petrolhead28]

Like all old machinery. Easier to work on and likely to outlast anything newer.

[@David-lb4te]

Buy Imperial size seals from Union Pacific in the USA. I have bought several obscure sizes from them; recommended.

[@Jack.me.]

I can’t wait

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Hope it was worth the wait?

[@RichardJW1]

top job.....and wiping off the excess silicon sealant.....nothing worse than seeing "Niagra Falls" oozing out of joints. Out of interest does the seal run on the spacer that went in before the fan hub ...or does it actually run on the crank....if its scored can you put it deeper/shallower or put a sleeve on it?

[@Ikaruszaki]

I love all the content you put out, I think you and your team filled a huge "market gap" by uploading up close, modern day content of the mechanical workings of the Routemaster. One piece of constructive criticism though: I find the intro to be waaaaaaaaaay too long, and skip it every time.

[@nickjervis8123]

Unnecessary row at the start.

[@barryhiggott9458]

I wish I had a pound for every RM AEC that I’ve overhauled.I’m surprised though that you didn’t need a speeding sleeve on the oil seal path.

[@crewealex1125]

Anyone else think the big tools bit at the start was setting up a joke at Tim's expense?

[@Lysdexis]

Seeing as that seal housing is removable maybe you can find a bastard seal that your local shop carries that's the correct shaft diameter and have a new housing made to fit the outer diameter of the seal Of course the other option is find a seal that has the same outer diameter of the housing and the same shaft diameter

[@articeddie5494]

What bus route are those blinds from in the background ? Wanstead Victoria Camden Town

[@warrengage9536]

Ah yes, that moment a 4 hour job turns into a 4 week ordeal.... at least you got away with minor injuries on that seal replacement.

[@alanoliver535]

why did you not clean the area around the seal with degreaser fluid before removing the seal?

[@richarddecoster4464]

I would look into wrenches with a ratcheting head and open end saves your wrists

[@Shoreditch]

What no 2 3/8" WW socket?

[@richarddecoster4464]

Is that like looking for Pandoras box

[@peterjhillier7659]

Any Plans about getting an RF?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes, maybe after the RT is finished.

[@clivetodd8782]

Do you have an RCL ? I grew up on the 716 Route and as a kiddy always thought how elegant they looked

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Hi Clive, unfortunately no RMC's or RCL's in the fleet, but maybe one day?

[@stevenmelhuish8128]

Bit darker than usual, but enjoyable to watch all the same.

[@MrRossi1805]

Please, from whom is the music in the intro?

[@tombailey6342]

The radiator fan, can't you undo the bolts, then use a ratchet spanner?

[@MARTINA-gc3tq]

he said that won't fit....i was thinking a crowfoot ratchet might.

[@timbarrington3607]

Not enough space as got about a 1/16 between the nut and centre boss of the fan.

[@tonylaw196]

In Hong Kong, KMB refit with Gardner 6LX engine on most AEC Regent V bus due to the AEC AV590/690 is unreliable in Hong Kong Climate.

[@theheirophant7113]

About timed you blagged a PPE supplier to sponsor you, don't you think. Ask Edd China for advice.

[@terrortorn]

I don't own a bus, just here for the farts.

[@nickjervis8123]

That a Cummins in there?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Is that a what?? How dare you use the C word on this channel!! Any more of that and you’ll be banned, now go and wash your mouth out. 😉🤣😉🤣 In all seriousness, no it’s an AEC, the original engine that these buses had fitted in the 1960’s. The reason we don’t use the C word around here is because some Routemasters were retrofitted with Cummins engines back in the late 1990’s, a modification that (in our opinion) totally ruined the bus. That’s why we never use the C word around here. 😃

[@philshilton3202]

Interesting? I was an h g v fitter for ten years 79 to 89). No front leaf springs on those old buses it would appear???....

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Phil, no leaf springs at all on Routemasters.

[@philshilton3202]

@@Routemaster4Hire interesting about the main oil seal? I worked on Gardner’s and there was no oil seal !)? They designed a screw thread on the end of crank so that as the oil approached it the effect of the thread threw the oil back in the opposite direction. Clever design. There was a bit of felt though just as a precaution.

[@dazzlerbob1870]

Sounds a bit like my garage, "But Where, is it?"

[@shanerountree3623]

I was thinking the same thing, "I know I just saw that part, but where?" (naturally you find it later when looking for something else unrelated to that item)

[@tonys1636]

Somehow it is wearing the wrong reg plate RM 471's reg should be 471 not 601. (Reregistered?). At least your storage is not computerised as if that goes down no one can find anything ever as they do not store things on racks and shelves in any logical order but if it fits the space that's where it goes. Maximises the space available but screws one's head.

[@warweezil2802]

Many RMs were stripped of their original VRMs by the privatised operators before disposing of the RM. In the case of Go-ahead group these were assigned to vehicles selected for use in private hire work as well as on LT Routes (sometimes known as "exhibition buses"). There was at least 1 Metrobus running out of Sutton (garage code A) wearing a VLT series number.

[@tonys1636]

@@warweezil2802 RM 471 has stuck in my memory as the one I booked off with faults more than any other RM when it was at AL (Merton) during the early 70's. We only had the one RM road, shared with AK, the other 3 D/D crew ones were RT. If I could get an RM replaced on the 59 with an RT I would, as often as was possible to. Often on a spreadover one took over the same bus again on the 59. The power steering locking up if one let the revs drop when making a tight corner (many on the 59) was its most annoying and possibly hazardous repeat fault. You've probably gathered I'm not an RM fan but preferred the RT.

[@graves3919]

Of course there is a oil leak, it is a British engine. Never had one that didn't have a couple.

[@patrickporter6536]

It's an AEC! Don't they normally piddle oil? Lol

[@shoominati23]

Can't you have one of those fluid drain pans on a tripod with the tank at the bottom instead of making the poor boy struggle and get coolant all over himself?

[@raymondmiddleton308]

Man against man part of the plan what next

[@iainwalker8701]

Great content, only thing i dislike is the intro/outro music. Its far to repetitive. Just a constructive criticism. Good content otherwise.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Ian, constructive criticism always welcome. Glad you enjoyed most of the content.

[@DuskHorizon]

I really like the intro/outro music. It is pleasant, melodic & unique to this channel.