WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY: Repairing the BMP-1 Armoured Personnel Carrier

WANT TO RIDE IN THE BMP-1? General entry tickets are on sale now! ➡️bit.ly/ausarmourfest2024
AusArmour Mechanic, Steve, continues our "repairing Soviet vehicles" theme with the BMP-1 Armoured Personnel Carrier!
This vehicle has had a long service life and is currently facing its ultimate test on the battlefields of the Ukraine on both sides of the conflict.
Subscribe to our channel & hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss an upload! ➡️ bit.ly/ausarmouryt
Keep up to date with the Museum!⬇️⬇️
Facebook ➡️ / ausarmour
Instagram ➡️ / ausarmour
Twitter ➡️ / ausarmour
Website ➡️ ausarmour.com
Email ➡️ [e-mail]

[@user-ub9dh1pq2n]

Steve was such a pick up for the museum. What an asset he has turned out to be….. on the tools and in front of the camera.

[@Slaktrax]

Agree, he's a good unit who knows his stuff 🙂

[@huwtindall7096]

Good shout. I wasn't really interested in the mechanics of the restorations before but Steve really brings it to life and makes it interesting.

[@LyleHatch]

Yes, agreed, Steve is a great addition to the AAM team!

[@jiversteve]

I used to employ a team of about 12 engineers. Each used to have their own particular combination of skills. Steve seems to be a Jack of all trades, master of some. I interviewed sor 2IC once he was excellent but he was called Steve, the same as me. I made part os his T&C that he would be called Colin. He turned out to be an excellent all round engineer. Best employee I have ever had, Steve looks to be the same, an asset all round.

[@plainnpretty]

I agree I like him in front on the camera as much as I like him elbows deep in a motor .

[@lupta]

22:10 Those labels are in Slovak language. It reads: Heater fuel, Open/Close, and Turn fully to endstop.

[@2mikulin]

Yes! cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/BVP-1

[@electra2259]

You have to have a lot of respect for the technicians that do this kind of work in the field under harsh conditions.

[@paralogregt]

Thanks, i suffered in the rain and cold in Germany repairing british armour.

[@thefagus1]

Hello, greetings from Detva, Slovakia, I think this BMP 1 was manufactured under license here in Detva, according to the labels. I follow you regularly, you are great.

[@paulorchard7960]

Having a milkshake in the radiator is never a good sign, but its a better sign than the engine oil being a milkshake!🇦🇺👍

[@ausarmour]

So true!

[@MA-iv7ol]

For sure, sort of worried it may be a head gasket with the radiator being pressurized like that. Keep our fingers crossed and hope it was one of those valves causing the issue.

[@corentinnaisse5350]

In French, we call that mayonnaise :-)

[@paulorchard7960]

@@corentinnaisse5350 I was in France in 2015, never had a milkshake, maybe thats why!🤣🇦🇺👍

[@nv1493]

Calmest guy in the world, just gets the job done.

[@bobkohl6779]

God what a collassal Pain in the arse. This needs part II

[@jarkkovanska6681]

Hello from Finland... i was in army -98-99 to bmp-1 mechanic. Then was fin army those little tanks

[@jarkkovanska6681]

Normal thing that oil are in coolant system 😂

[@ausarmour]

Good to know!

[@StrangelyBrownNo1]

One of the best things about this channel is the candour shown by your mechanics. There's no ego, there's no excuses - just really clever blokes nutting out these vehicles as they go. Love it.

[@jorgec.a3123]

Guys I just wanted to say that life's been really tough lately but your videos light up my day everytime. I'm really thankful. Thank you.

[@garibaldiSVK]

21:53 - it's not in Polish but Slovak language - vypustenie kondenzatu (condensation drain). Cheers from Slovakia ;)

[@TheSlugstoppa]

"Soups up". Steve you are an utter Martyr to this place and a hero - well done mate.

[@kenbb99]

Steve is one of the best, you are lucky to have him. Besides his technical skills, his explanations are clear and concise. Makes for great watching.

[@uzivatel56]

He's so methodical and smiling all the time, I like his style.

[@thurin84]

steve is always so upbeat. he takes the messes in stride.

[@DaveMHLV]

Hi Steve, avoid coolant in the armpit by having the museum purchase a 120 litre (or larger) wet/dry vacuum cleaner and suck the coolant/oil mixture up as you crack the pipe union open. Maybe fit a drain valve in the pipe before the union you opened for future "drain downs" ???? P.S. I really enjoy the Aus Armour videos.

[@logsmyob8267]

Thats exactly what i was thinking but suck the oil out first then drain it 👍

[@markthompson4885]

I was thinking add drain valve.

[@ozzybusey575]

Australian law states we’re only allowed a 20 litre catch can. Vacuums have been outlawed since the incident with the Prime Minister…

[@causewaykayak]

​@@ozzybusey575 Australia has some pretty bizarre laws. What was the matter with your PM and a vacuum cleaner that you have laws about them too ?

[@vsvnrg3263]

davemhlv, yes, what an essential piece of equipment for this place.

[@RobbieGraybeal]

I love watching Steve do maintenance on the vehicles. It is a good mix with the restoration portion of this channel. You should keep adding these in the future. Add in looking for vehicles to restore and searching for parts... the complete story.

[@earlatkins9559]

Steve looking into the compartment at all the pipes, wiring, and pumps, reminds me of all the new vehicles on the road today. Where to even start, to change the oil, and air filter. Servicing a vehicle in the 60`s was so easy, you could almost stand in the engine bay. Steve is a natural in front of the camera. He`s a great asset to the museum.

[@aussie6910]

"Almost" my arse, I have done many times. General 'rule of thumb' is if you open the bonnet & can't see the ground there's to much unnecessary crap in that engine bay.

[@zagan1]

Soviet vehicles are easy to fix due to systems having a separate colour only for that system

[@larsbkurin1740]

Another nice job. Last week's job was also so lovely to see. That Russian stuff is built in its own way and cumbersome to screw on is a challenge. Nice to see that you don't use sledgehammers and skewers but want to understand how the Russian thought who constructed the misery. The difference between a mechanic and a parts changer.

[@johnnewman366]

First up, Get well soon Al, we miss you. Good job Steve, yet another armoured vehicle type to add to your resume of “I can fix/service that!” Cheers, (PS, with the growing collection of ‘runners’ Aus Armour needs to expand the mechanical team, if it can be afforded that is).

[@dbaider9467]

Steve is certainly the right guy in the right job.

[@1chish]

We used to get oil in the cooling system on Scanias because the oil intercooler was in in the water system and they used to leak. The repair took about an hour but clearing the milkshake took hours. Steve's ability to just work through issues is a major asset to the Museum.

[@simonmcowan6874]

Thanks Steve that was great, good to see a BMP complete and in one piece, I'm more used to seeing them in pieces all over the Ukrainian countryside.

[@sjoormen1]

That climate somehow doesn't agree with them...

[@Blackcloud_Garage]

Right now there’s an old BMP mechanic that is telling the computer screen “ah yes, the old (insert problem name here) leak. You can fix that by blah blah blah”.

[@depleteduraniumcowboy3516]

Oh, yes. Screw driver as a chisel. Screw driver as a hammer. Tell me you watch Mr. Hewes without telling me you watch Mr. Hewes. Another great video. Thank-you.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Dont forget the oversize shifter. Joes specialty and Steves!

[@gabrielneves6602]

Screwdriver as a separator for the plutonium cover... Oh no wait

[@discordia013]

If you have to wear out a screwdriver, Thats the best way to do it.

[@depleteduraniumcowboy3516]

@@discordia013 no doubt. All my knives and forks are twisted and in not nearly in as cool a way did they get there.

[@gerardhogan3]

Ive got to admit....'depleted uranium cowboy' is the best name I've seen on youtube yet. Simply clever moniker mate

[@aserta]

Cleanest BMP around.

[@Jan-hx9rw]

Wow. Really appreciate the M113-series after seeing this thing needing to be horsed around when servicing.

[@michaelfrank2266]

Me too. Pulling a pack is often the easiest route with our equipment.

[@highlander147]

Another great Workshop Wednesday - always learning heaps (but I already knew how to munt a perfectly good screwdriver 🙄😆)

[@fastmoverfixer2089]

I get a kick out of watching you guys get these "old tanks" in running order! I'm older than a lot of them. As a retired A&P Tech. I truly know what is like working in "Tight places"! I really in joy these weekly shows!

[@ulfhedtyrsson]

Za Rodinu! By now Steve has had to have earned his Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR". 🏅🔧🐻

[@chriswilliams1944]

That’s the one thing about the BMP that fries my brain. “Let’s put fuel tanks in the rear doors. What could possibly go wrong?” 😑 😂

[@coolhandab5296]

You prefer to have them inside the fighting compartment? Lol

[@noscopesallowed8128]

Blew my mind when I first heard about it too, but honestly I've been thinking about it for a while and I can't find fault in it. It's diesel anyways so a hit to it isn't likely to set the tank on fire I'd think. And if a round penetrates the armor in that area, you're probably gonna take casualties anyways. If anything I'd expect the fuel to act as additional armor in a way. And if it gets hit and starts to leak, I'd think it would be more likely to leak out of the vehicle than into it.

[@coolhandab5296]

@@noscopesallowed8128 Exactly correct. In addition, doctrinally, these things weren’t supposed to be receiving direct fire from the rear quadrant, just frag from indirect, and the fuel would indeed act as armor.

[@madmullets]

@@noscopesallowed8128 Also If I remember from one of my Ultra Armor Nerd books that it was SOP to use the Fuel storage in the doors first. It was a common thing to for USSR to use fuel tanks as a bit of spaced armor. The other thing that blows my mind is how small the interior crew space is in the BMP 1. I went to look at a restored BMP 1 that was for sale here in the US and the guy selling it had his 15 ish year old kid driving it around, when he stopped it and climbed out I took one look in to the divers compartment and handed the owner a $20 to cover his fuel and said "thanks but my American ass would never fit in that thing.".

[@markmelb5732]

@@noscopesallowed8128 There's multiple videos of drones lighting them up. Exiting the vehicle has less than ideal outcomes.

[@pinetree013]

Wow, what a "Champ" Steve is! As usual, great job Kurt!

[@999torino]

Steve is my hero. Cool as a cucumber.

[@54mgtf22]

Hey Kurt, Another great Workshop Wednesday. We’d all be lost without Steve keeping the work pumping along. 👍

[@MGB-learning]

Steve is a One Man army. Great video

[@paulday-lh5mx]

Next Wednesday! Don't forget fix it Friday, so we can watch Steve sort out the BMP. Can't get enough of Steve. He is so calm. I would have had lots of choice words dicking around with that machine. Be safe Steve.

[@claytonnans5639]

I don't know how he maintains such a sunny disposition.... Saint Steve

[@specialse]

great video . very interesting , the way the Soviets are going . surplus armour is going to be VERY hard to find and buy in the future .

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Naah the Ukraine is full of blown up armour. The boys weld together 80 y/o tanks so modern ones will be easy, at least as display tanks. Though just watch out for Vlad, he may be looking for these soon!

[@paulstefanovich5217]

What Soviets are they?

[@pjrebordao]

At least all the lines and hoses are color coded.

[@luvtruckin]

Kurt glad you’re feeling better and Steve is always a great person to have on.

[@gerardhogan3]

Gday Silvio, hope you're enjoying Australia mate. Steve you're an engine wizard.

[@notchboy]

Hang in there Steve-O! Love watching the puzzle get figured out.

[@jb6668]

who knew that restoring complex military vehicles from 80 year old bits and pieces (if you'r lucky) would be such a complex undertaking?

[@yattaran1484]

Great restoration work as always !. Because of those hard maintenance work, all the precious historical vehicles kept in healthy.👍

[@thomassmart4088]

Steve for MVP

[@NSYresearch]

Watching Steve works reminds me why im a chef.... i couldnt work in those cramped places....😮

[@markstrauss4964]

Steve has a good way about him and to a layman sure seems to know his stuff. Keep working him in…

[@skyraider8793]

A very patient and knowledgeable man.

[@andrewgellert6172]

Sorry to be a 'trainspotter' but the BMP-1 is far from a APC. It was the worlds first IFV. But loved the vid nonetheless. great job!

[@drewschumann1]

Also noticed this.

[@rustywrench2119]

Steve I feel for ya. Been there done that. Several days in a row you come out from under the machine and your right shoulder and back are dripping with oil and coolant. Always kept an extra pair of clothes jammed under the passenger seat of the field truck for those days. Retired now and feel the pain each day. Take care of the body, you’ve got a few years ahead of you yet.

[@SnowmanTF2]

"Looks like a cabin heater", seems unusually crew friendly luxury for a soviet vehicle

[@SzwarcuKX5]

Steve is such a great guy!

[@VicNoel-fk5vg]

Get well, Al!

[@leccybadger]

Did Steve's milkshake bring all the boys to the yard? Asking for a friend....😂

[@dankorolyk5917]

Awesome work by Steve,a true professional.

[@michaeltemple8333]

Hope to see a resolution to the issue in your next episode. Steve’s a trooper.

[@Agnemons]

Put a coolant and ol evac system in so you don't have to put up with the mess and the added work. The coolant evac can be as simple as a tee on one line with a valve on it and a bung to force closure.

[@eugenemonasterio2024]

Another great show by Steve. Cool as a cucumber. I’d be cussing up a storm at the parts that fight back and don’t want to cooperate. 🤣. Great job! 👍

[@gregedmand9939]

Milkshakes in the radiator or oil sump... Visions of blown head gaskets and cracked blocks dancing in my head! 🤕

[@sh60guy25]

We were all screaming "two more bolts"!!

[@Duffy3074]

Great work Steve, it’ll be interesting to see if you get to the source of the contamination. You doing anything about the clutch?

[@vennyg7451]

you guys should try to get a 38cm sturmmorser. It would be a wonder to see it being restored, but from the fact that only three are left in the world, its probably impossible to find one. Maybe you could find a wreck and make a 'frankenstein' with parts from other sturmtigers? It would have a powerful story. Your videos are amazing, keep up the good work!👍

[@premium_boss5130]

Nice BMP from Slovakia

[@rickbates9232]

Looking forwards to next Wed to see what the cause for the oil in the cooling system was.

[@ozzybusey575]

What a trooper. Keep it up Stevo.

[@danbusey]

Man, you guys are a tough crowd. You make the new guy work on the Soviet stuff...😂

[@TheKRU251]

Love these 'in depth' engine stuff. Steve. You're doing a great job. My commentary would be a lots of bleeps !!!!! 😁

[@Wasa9191]

Some jobs are just messy and this one's doing its best to be a pain. But you will get there. Watching with interest.

[@k5nutt]

I worked at Freightliner for 11 years. When we had this issue we would use dish washer powder and spool them up on the dyno. Come out clean as a whistle.

[@Hobo_samuri23-kg2sh]

another great video keep up the great work boys

[@chasin21]

Stunning machine

[@williamshine1346]

This gentleman is terrific in both his knowledge and ability to troubleshoot. Thanks for another great episode. Hope the covid folks recover quickly.

[@rburns8581]

Good work, all the best to all the staff 👏👏

[@jimhannegan9083]

I could watch Steve work on vehicles in the museum all day.

[@shanemossmoss]

You blokes have great patience if it were me I would have stuck a match to it. Thanks again for the video

[@GIITW.5OKC]

I watched a video of some guys pulling a BMP-1 power plant, and they found out that the BMP has no friction material on its clutche dics (theres 3 or 4 of them). They're steel plates, so its only on or off nothing in between unless you fancy friction welding your transmission to your engine.

[@neilgibbs3880]

“Now all Steve has to do is drain the remaining fluid from the cooling system”. Fetch me a sump pump this one’s a gusher. Great job. 😂😂

[@Denni_g]

Poor Steve stops working on Subarus only to be back diagnosing oil in the coolant on Tanks now 😂 keep up the good work and videos guys!!

[@maggiespeaks8555]

i’ve seen some auto channels go out and buy a couple of those kiddie wading pools to use as a big drip pan. Just an idea. You guys always make my Wednesdays fun, thanks

[@tedcopple101]

A vacuum liquid pump might be a good investment.

[@bilalsadiq1450]

Man, the way the vehicle lurches back and forth when it starts moving/brakes/pivot steers is really something to behold (although it's probably made worse by the bad clutch lol). Not fun for the dismounts, but probably a good laugh on an offroad track once in a while lol.

[@LazyLifeIFreak]

BMP1: I love those soft hands of your.

[@michaeldallimore8590]

Great work by Steve and really interesting content.

[@Andrew-hb3pg]

Never apologise for not having any restorations Steve more than makes up for it just problem solving other countries equipment is fascinating to watch keep up the great work guys hope to see more.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks Steve, good luck with your investigations, looking forward to the next episode. Cheers

[@glenncpw]

Entertaining to say the very least. Good onya

[@wormyboot]

Watching Steve make that gasket was pretty rad.

[@johnviney7919]

Nice video! Really enjoying these maintenance and repair videos that Steve is hosting. After watching, I wonder how the repairs were done 'in the field' in the day!! Would be very difficult I think in cold and dark conditions! Good luck with this one - hopefully it is the valves being left open!! Have a good week! 😀

[@user-ey3st2qs5u]

Ahoj ahoj ❤zdravím Marťas 🖤BMP ooooojeeeeeeeeeeee super duper truper

[@janrasmussen1209]

Nice work

[@aussie6910]

Might be an idea to fit drain taps/valves as you go on these things to make it easier in the future.

[@347jpb]

Some Russian/Soviet engineers are sitting together in the after-life, having a beer and a laugh, as they watch Steve work on their creation(s). Steve says, Hold my beer, as he once again does a great job. Great job Doc Steve and company, always fun and informative to watch you perform surgery.

[@jeffreytan2948]

Kudos to Steve. I'd be too lazy to do what he is doing. Knowing what to do is very different from having the skills and patience to actually do it. Case in point is that header tank that wont come off from the attached piping. I'd be kicking myself and cursing and probably throwing in the towel halfway through what he's been doing.

[@pubbeaver]

love it!

[@joefrasson8997]

Persistence always pays off working on vehicles....

[@causewaykayak]

A cliff hanger !!

[@sphinx12345100]

Interesting fact: Based on the tag over the valve it is actually soviet BMP-1 manufactured under a license in Czechoslovakia and called BVP-1.

[@sokoloft3]

Steve is great. It shows that he's super knowledgeable.

[@Spitsz01]

That must be one hell of a watch you wearing!

[@roberthocking9138]

Good work Steve, can’t wait to see the next epp

[@richardphelan8414]

Poor Steve what a nasty Job just to flush the coolant system How many of us mechanics haven't had coolant or gasoline or oil running to our arm pit a time or two love your work Steve and your such a good fit with the Rest of your mates at Aus Armour my favorite Wednesday u Tube program ,Crack on mates