Old LONDON BUS Breaks Down During A Late Night Run!

In this episode we do an engine change on our AEC Routemaster London Buses, but the replacement engine has some teething problems that cause us to make emergency roadside repairs on a busy duel carriageway.
What does it take to keep an AEC Routemaster London double-decker bus on the road?
Built in the 1960's our London buses need constant attention, so if you want to find out what it takes to keep a vintage London bus on the road then make sure you hit subscribe and check-out all our previous workshop maintenance and restoration videos here on KZbin...
• 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 #double-decker bus

[@fredmcclure1100]

I thouroley enjoy every minute of your videos but the most enjoyable is when you have your dog with you he is the most loyal friend you will ever have

[@johnessaye9509]

As someone who was born and bred in London it's wonderful to see these buses restored to their former glory and kept running rather than being confined to a museum. I think the dog is beautiful

[@john1703]

Absolutely, on all counts. London Transport should be ashamed that they stopped using them.

[@jamesfrench7299]

Modern regs, AEC ceasing to be in 77 makes such a thing unrealistic. A 1950s bus based on a 1930s concept lasting into the 21st century in service did really well. They were going to start withdrawals in the early 70s!! How many reprieves do you want???

[@martingardener7747]

@@jamesfrench7299 Dont want any reprieves! Should still be in service!

[@trucksavage]

Also nice to see them bearing their original registration numbers, so many of them were sold off as 'personalised numbers' by the privatised bus companies after deregulation.

[@jilianmakabayan330]

I'm from the Philippines, I always watched videos featuring about the London double deckers. The nice thing about it is, what you see in the early 30's , it is still around with the same shiny blazing red color.

[@phillsocialist7191]

Miss this program 😊

[@Hammondfreak]

You are all a bunch of bloody heroes. Brilliant !!!

[@allantavener7378]

As a relative newcomer to your channel but a London Bus Driver for many years lovely to see these old ladies getting some care and attention, shame a certain tour bus operator in London doesn't look after there's better.

[@warweezil2802]

I know what you mean. Many years ago I jumped on a 36b that had been fitted with cctv. The fleet number had been hand painted above the platform window and I thought LT would never have allowed the bodge that the privatised operator was apparently happy with. These guys have a “quality of work” ethic that matches and maybe exceeds the high standards LT had before it was destroyed.

[@stevek3036]

I Really enjoyed watching this video - thank you for keeping a piece of British engineering going. I don't know but i'm prepared to bet that the design and construction of these machines was so advanced and designed for long-term use that they never really have been given there due credit. Anyway, I normally don't like pets being involved but on this occasion the Labrador melted my heart - one on the most underrated breeds in this country. Such a lovely companion

[@jonniejam-shovel6405]

The last time myself and a colleague changed an RM engine must have been 35 plus years ago. Watching you guys on the tools, have bought back many memories. In the London Transport garages, we would be allowed 2 men one working day for the complete engine out, rebuild the replacement engine and refit. We were also allowed a full total of 19 man hours for the job, if snags were encountered. We would generally swap the engine units fuel pump, flywheel etc over to the rebuilt unit. However we would raid our garage stores to find any replacement parts that were in better condition. The fluid flywheel would also be transferred over to the new engine, but the flywheel race, gland gaskets and fusible flywheel plug would also be changed. The fully refurbished flywheel, would be part filled with oil and then fitted with an air gauge.I believe we would charge it with 10/20 lbs ( or so) of compressed air to test for leakage. As for the cloth fuel filter, there was an older engineer at West Ham Greengate Street, who could assemble these in under 5 minutes. This man was in charge of the fuel pump shop, and he was a goldmine of information. Thanks again you lads for taking me back in time. I certainly look forward to every film. Many thanks.👍 Jonnie.

[@highpath4776]

Did that include wing and rad off ? / on

[@jonniejam-shovel6405]

@@highpath4776 hi, the rad we would deal with, but strictly speaking the coachmakers would remove the wing. We would help them of course. A couple of them were past retirement age. So we helped our mates.👍

[@rudybreuker]

I an not from the UK, but i loved the routemaster all my live (i am 67) the first time i rode a routemaster was in the BEA routemaster from Heathrow to the west london air terminal. In 1968. I take my hat of for your team work.

[@leytonexile]

That dog is adorable.🥰

[@josephseverino674]

You have to love the london double decker buses,very unique,i remember riding on one in new Hampshire that a guy imported back in some time in the early 1980s Cheers from the USA

[@capnpugwash5403]

Spent a good few years as a LT Coachmaker looking after these girls. At the very least I worked on 25% of the fleet as I was involved as a part of 4 "radio teams" in installing the two way radios to the entire LT fleet. As we worked in so many garages with so many different types of bus that needed moving I was type trained to drive everything from the RT through to the Metro. So everything from oiling the windows during it's rota, to replacing the back stairs after a crash.

[@drummingriffin]

Great work on the buses lads, and Jess the dog is adorable.

[@stephenstarlinggiantinnertues]

I like Tim he is a nice person he works hard I think he deserves a pay rise.

[@jamesfrench7299]

He is so young, so his knowledge will be invaluable going forward.

[@jackking5567]

Some fabulous footage there folks and it's much appreciated. The sound of those old diesels is wonderful and the fleet is looking great too.

[@rolanddunk5054]

Hi,on some of the marine engines that i worked on we did a fuel pump spill timing cut off,checked against the timing marks on the flywheel to be spot on.Considering the length of time that your engine had been stood I was surprised that it ran at all,so well done to everyone.Cheers Roly 🇬🇧.

[@OlliBris_]

Wow, the quality of these videos is getting even better! As someone who is too young to have seen the Routemaster in proper operation, this really brings them to life!

[@gdwnet]

When people like you say stuff like that it reminds me of how old I am as I do remember when these were in proper operation! :-)

[@timbarrington3607]

17 years and counting since they finished in proper service. Seems like yesterday.

[@oc2phish07]

Absolutely loved this episode. One of the very best yet.

[@jamesbalchin4640]

They sound absolutely lovely

[@bgdavenport]

Great episode! Loved the butt crack! Finally, your girl, Jess, is a sweetheart.

[@steveward60]

Just love the RM's spent 10 years at stamford hill bus garage tottenham and hackney Great on a week end driving around the westend

[@stendecstretcher5678]

You guys made my day love the banter.

[@robarnold4104]

Back in the 70's I worked on P&W 2800 radial engines, we used to wash our overalls in 140 octane petrol on Friday afternoon, they were ready to wear on Monday morning lol.

[@davidluck4608]

Great to watch this video of your RM engine changes. Clearly I can see now that you have kept your original AEC engines, which can only be congratulated, in a world where other operators change engines to Cummins or whatever. I served an apprenticeship at AEC Southall and although not actually involved with the production side of the vehicle manufacturing, I became a maintenance electrician, and one of the areas I served in was the Engine-Test building, and marvelled at 24 engines on dynamometer test beds roaring away together. 😇

[@northstar1950]

That dog is gorgeous. Great work on the engine swaps , good to see they have AEC engines

[@100SteveB]

I love the old Routemasters, growing up in south London I must have done thousands of miles on them during the 70's. Great to see the work you do on them to keep them running so well. Makes me feel old though, now that they are classed as being vintage!

[@briangentle5515]

Thanks very much for another great video. Best part for me was that Dave took us in the cab for a test drive. Particularly enjoyed that; also seeing the gear changing etc. Amazing how much skill is needed to keep these vehicles on the road, and also how much brute force. No worst parts; though some seem to have troubles keeping their trousers up with all the effort needed!

[@simongardner6166]

I Really enjoy watching you guys doing what you do. With these lovely buses. Plus all the hard work that goes into to restoring your fleet of buses. But I can't leave Jess out. What a lovely Labrador. Thank you from a happy viewer.

[@memyself7413]

Womderful, full episode. If only we still had Routemaster buses on the roads today, instead of what is there now.

[@fetus2280]

I used to take my work clothing to Laundromats and use their facility for a 1$ wash and bring home to dry, hang it or dryer weather dependent . But then they had a place a block down who did it all for you for 5$ , washed, dry and folded and if you wanted same day service . Was great .

[@adammellor8134]

Excellent episode. Perfect amount of detail for most of your audience, and loved the length of the video. Great work guys.

[@johnjephcote7636]

I had to check my 1961 spotter's book. Yes, RM652 is underlined in red by me. The book lists up to RM1178 and I saw (underlined) most of the 400-700 numbered 'buses.

[@briangentle5515]

Oh, those British Bus fleet books! I think I have about half a dozen of the London Transport editions and several others too, and that's a small collection compared with some of my friends.

[@sidney001]

With regard to the fuel filter, perhaps using elastic bands to hold the cloth in place until you've tied it off

[@christopherbutler7588]

Great video guys very interesting. Glad you got the teething troubles sorted out great work well done.

[@nickraschke4737]

Five of them would make an awesome Newtons cradle.

[@watchmrcontent]

Amazing how smooth the engine runs, as soon as it fires

[@chris_A8502]

Excellent video that made even more sense when you explained the engine swaps at the end. You dodged a bullet when the bus didn't totally fail on the first test run 👍☺

[@davidbassett4577]

Another great Video.. and well done getting all those engines swapped round! Love Jess getting the attention she deserves! 🐾❤️🐾

[@lackodhr.5303]

🤗👍👌❤️ lovely video, thank You !

[@nigelbranthwaite8471]

Just that gunty sound that AV 690 gives the Routemaster, really enjoyed your videos

[@philipboyce5774]

Brilliant video, thanks for sharing it. Lovely to see and hear AEC engines.

[@aswclassicsdorset1743]

I remember going on them with my dad, who was a lorry driver, as a kid in the late 60s early 70s from the lorry park in wood Lane down to Shepherds Bush to go to the cinema better than the modern day buses

[@WeeShooey]

Great team effort, loved the the video, well done.

[@petemullen842]

Congratulations to everybody involved in the change of engine, all good, but my favourite bit the dog sitting on your lap she is beautiful so cute. Please show more of the dog❤

[@nutsnproud6932]

Lovely woof.

[@simonsteele1119]

Fantastic video really interesting might even watch it again LOL

[@davepax982]

What a great bunch of blokes. Thanks for you efforts and entertainment value. It's appreciated here in Australia.

[@adriangiddins6065]

Well done boys....good job. Always good to see other people doing the hard yards....and all we have to do is watch !!

[@geoffgreenhalgh3553]

Great entertainment.

[@66PHILB]

Superb video as always. The balance between detailed explanation and fun is spot on for me. Its also great to see and hear Tim becoming much more comfortable on camera. As a Londoner born and raised, there's nothing like the sound of an RM to set off a wave of nostalgia. Keep up the great work folks!

[@richardholt9497]

The quality of these videos is getting even better! As someone who is too young to have seen the Routemaster in proper operation, this really brings them to life! but your killing them off, please buy them a forklift truck and scrap the out-of-date engine lift yours RH

[@iamthefatstig]

The excuse in our house is "Can't move, I've got the dog!"

[@kangaroo257]

Well done to everyone involved in changing the engines over, thoroughly enjoyed watching this vlog

[@LarryBees]

enjoying your channel !! great work guys😍

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Very interesting indeed and so good that you superbly illustrated the difficulties of having a dog as supervisor. Everything stops for tummy scratches 👍

[@jamesbalchin4640]

Nice to see Garry as well also I love to see the yard and travel on the fleet

[@davidkelly3705]

Great sounding routemasters. Great job done as usual by all you fellas 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@johnmichaeldorienjohn467]

You Guys all deserve, medals and( India currys ) for the amount of hard work in keeping those old girls running! Another Fantastic upload!

[@davidclark3603]

It was brilliant that

[@Jimbo007]

Its so nice to see these buses worked on, one day when i have the funds i would love to buy one Great video keep up the nice work

[@tonylawlor3503]

Love your videos, brilliant job, Many thanks, to all of you🐲

[@lucythemoggy1970]

lovely gearchanges, well done!

[@andicog]

Great video, best yet! Well done guys. 👍

[@huwdavies6650]

Jess certainly knows who's in charge. She is!🤣

[@davidskidmore6768]

That bus looks like a real beast to drive... Also it looks like the dog thinks you're nuts 🤭🤣

[@anthonypiggott7075]

You broke a golden rule of fixing vehicles. When you are doing a test drive/ride, always do a test drive/ride UPHILL. It is easier to push it back that way. Other wise great video and great skills and knowledge.

[@colinmiles1052]

Great video. You boys sure do have a laugh as well as getting the job done! Keep it up!

[@adamconner5584]

Another great video Dave et al! How remarkable that that engine came from RM652! I'd have driven that at Clydeside whilst a shunter and remember it's blue engine! As for names of Clydeside RM's...come on Alan! 2208 aka Rocky!! Lol! Not to mention Raymond, Ross, Rambo, Rumplestiltskin (yes!), Robin, Rudyard, Roger, Roland, Ralph, Russell, Rudolph, Richard, Rupert, Reggie, Ryan, Rabbie, Roy, Ringo, Ronnie & Rex! These are the only ones that actually carried names but they did have a schedule of names for all 70 of them, just never got around to applying them!

[@highpath4776]

They should have kept the engine blue.

[@jamesbalchin4640]

Brilliant video. Wow I didn't know that was rm652 engine. Rm652 was Rodney, rm2208 was Rocky. Also there was Rudolph and Rupert as well

[@andrewforeman5716]

Love watching you videos your such a great bunch of guys and your knowledge of routemasters is exemplary keep it up

[@johnkenyon1532]

Brilliant effort Lads, another great episode. Where is 1214s original engine that failed in a much earlier episode?

[@Dellboy56]

A ‘temporary’ sturdy rubber band may have helped retain the fabric filter and help manipulate and retain the folds of the pleats...just a suggestion! Great vid, guys 👍

[@jamesfrench7299]

I imagine the diesel fuel would break down the rubber band over time.

[@Dellboy56]

@@jamesfrench7299 ‘temporary’

[@jamesfrench7299]

@@Dellboy56 missed that. Sorry.

[@silas184]

Keep those brews and vidoes coming!

[@ianmaddams9577]

Super effort boys 👍🏻 and Dave that pov in the cab was brilliant. Love these long videos. I also have an old enamel London sightseeing bus stop flag if you want it for your collection . Free of course Awesome video boys 👍🏻

[@marksinthehouse1968]

Could you fit an AV690 rated like what the Greenline or BEA RMs had so it would the really keep up remember seeing the BEA buses flying through Hammersmith flyover trailer bouncing about at the back,all the best from an ex RM/RML driver Mark 😊😊

[@markobrien1439]

Another great video lads....just love watching you guys 👍

[@wrdcc01]

That fuel filter, if only someone invented a sort of band made of rubber!

[@frankboff8185]

Lot of work lads, well done.

[@michaelkeen5010]

Another great video, thank you. I love watching the work you carry out, realising the many hours of hard work that goes on behind the scenes, it is much appreciated. 👍

[@Bus2000]

Good work you have a great team over there,

[@seery188]

The engines look the business in silver, is it an original colour, great work lads, 👏

[@jamesfrench7299]

No not original. I think pastel green is a common factory colour, but not sure in the case of the AEC. I think green looks nicer personally

[@timbarrington3607]

Yes the engines were silver when new.

[@raymondpearce5245]

Brilliant video guys

[@Ju1ian10001]

Both the AEC 590 and 690 sound epic, used to love hearing them as a kid traveling on the 36 from Lewisham to Peckham to see my dad (god rest his soul) at the weekends, one of our oldest family friends used to be a driver from Peckham garage as well, used to quite often be her driving the bus i was on. Anyway love watching your channel and Pete and his bus, as it brings back so many good memories. Thank you so much and keep up the brilliant work on the RM's and the RT, would love to see you restore an RF as well.

[@jamesfrench7299]

The 505 and 760 in the Swifts I grew up in (and that got me into AECs) were epic also. Problem(s) was the 505 was prone to overheating in a rear engine bus and the 760 was reliable but very thirsty. Too much engine for a bus!

[@highpath4776]

@@jamesfrench7299 looks like it was the stop start (though even the LCBS Swifts of all kinds had probelms), run them as a 3 hour non stop coach and change the filters regulary and they were a lot better

[@johnavery15]

Great video guys!

[@JVChester]

Brilliant, great episode loved every minute 😁

[@jmurray01]

Great video, much enjoyed!

[@johnrees]

Truly another great video lads well done all ....... not forgetting the dog look forward to your next video .... keep up the good work.

[@jamesschultz7550]

I see you a real ferocious watch dog. Love the video. Cheers

[@NikonChris]

Think Jess is my favourite member of the team 😂

[@andyclark1426]

Rodney was allocated to our thornliebank (south side) Glasgow as well as stints at other clydeside depots

[@christopherdalton9171]

Good episode. Now that's exactly how a Routemaster bus should sound like! To my mind, a great noise from the AEC AV 590 engine. Marvelous! Of the Routemasters, the AEC AV 590 engine was-in my opinion- the best fitted to the bus type with the Leyland 0.600 close behind.

[@john1703]

I wonder why Gardners were not used?

[@christopherdalton9171]

@@john1703 Good question. The choice of engine for the Routemaster was always going to be AEC AV 590 and LT were obliged to have certain Routemasters fitted with Leyland engines as Leyland took over the AEC premises at Southall I think around 1962. The Gardner engine was fitted to the Bristol Lodekka bus, . Correct?

[@mrstanhope1516]

Great video, enjoyed that on a Sunday evening. An eating video with some bus content chucked in…..?!

[@Big.Al.3]

Yet again another good and interesting film. Well Don gents. You must have been working hard as you seem to of cut down on the hot brown liquid intake (tea). The dif. in RM1214 is it from a Green Line Routemasters? Looking forward to your next film. 👍

[@highpath4776]

I have forgotten, were the RMCs same as RMs (With Platform Doors) and the RCLs those with different diffs ? (The BEAs were different again ?)

[@Big.Al.3]

@@highpath4776RMA {BEA buses}, RMC & RCL were Green Line Coaches. Think they had different difs. To make them faster not sure if the country RML's had them as well. RM, RMA & RMC were all standard length. RMF, RML, & RCL had the extra small window add in the middle. The longest was the ERM which gained a full extra window from a withdrawn RM for use on the site see route in London. Think most then went to Edinburgh.

[@jamesbalchin4640]

Aww Jess

[@musicismytherapy4936]

Great episode, liking the warts and all coverage! What happened about the roof dome repair, is that scheduled for winter when bookings are fewer? Keep up the good work 👍

[@normanjosling8705]

Great video. (Try some clothes pegs when pleating the fabric.)

[@markmooch]

I think you should have a routemaster drag race.

[@Taz6688]

Need to get that floor cleaned and painted, would it be a Routemaster clip without a breakdown.

[@evan_kumar]

42:30 YOUR BEING A BABY

[@evisresortatnggatiranaisla1673]

Would be good to know the tech differences AV590 vs AV690.. also some history of the engines tech development.. roots of the design, any specific features etc.