This has been a very long time since we found time to update on the grand restoration project that we decided to undergo with the no cost no matter attitude to the progress although this is slow and there has been some real curve balls thrown in there for good luck. So let us update you.
The Bus
Well since week 12 we have been rather busy messing with engine trying different things. also before week 19 we started to put the interior at the rear back together deciding the layout. So let us break this down.
Interior
The front is unchanged that is nice and quick. The rear however we have started putting the it back together right before we stopped. We got to the part where the wheel arch seat has been put back in rear facing with the seat behind that missing to allow a table to bit fitted and then the next one back has been put in also leading you up to the rear seats that are over the engine. For the shows with the family and friends we have taken the decision to install a diesel heater to provide us we warmth on the cold days which here in the UK we have quite a few of them. Other things we have added to make life bliss for us on board the bus at shows is a solar system with two batteries. At the moment we currently have just 1 200w i think it is solar panel. Solar charger and 2 batteries that are past there sell by date and don’t really hold charge but they are enough to power the heater and charge things while we are filming and restoring the bus which is a bonus. In the long run we are going to be putting proper solar batteries in as well as a split charger. A Split charger is a way to charge two systems in one. As you can guess from that we will be using the solar system to charge the bus main batteries and the leisure batteries. Also with a split charger we can get the alternator from the bus to charge both systems also with some proper wiring. All of which is in hand and will take time. It has also been put on a back burner as more important stuff has taken shape.
The Engine
Where do we start with this lump of rubbish. We have been chasing this problem down for months maybe even a year now. We have replaced the whole system pretty much now. We been left with a new pipe that goes from the fuel filter to the high pressure pump which did improve a few things however the pipe we have is only long enough for the filter to go in the car place on the side of the engine block not the rear like ours so that was all just sat on the throttle body while we was testing.
Then one night it hit me with all the white smoke that we was generating we had checked everything and we had a chat on the phone to where Jordan went we have not checked the water level on the bus in over a year we just take it that the sensor that tells the dash that the water is low was working. So with this thought we decided to check the water level in the bus first by shining a light at the side of the tank which we couldn’t see anything. So we decided to send the scope down the fill pipe which couldn’t see anything and then instantly steamed up which the bus had only just been started so it shouldn’t be that hot already. We added 2L of just plain water to the system. Normally the smoke will clear under full throttle however once the water was added to system even under full throttle the smoke wouldn’t clear and was getting worse. This kinda set the scene that we started to believe that just maybe the head gasket might be allowing water in the block.
Week 20 then seen us taking the engine apart all the head off etc we drained all the liquid out the system, We got the head off and there is no evidence of the engine having water in the pistons which is good however when we took the injectors out and inspected them we noticed they was all very carboned up and then on closer inspection the 3 injectors that was replaced 1 one a P9 and 2 was P7 so which was correct we looked at the older ones and they was P9 leaving us with 4 P9 and 2 P7 so some of our problems was the fact the injectors was incorrect so they was different spray and fuel amounts which will of been causing some of our problems. This was made even more clear when the exhaust was taken off the turbo. This was black as black the amount of carbon in the exhaust was mental. How this wasn’t coming out the exhaust who knows oh wait yes switched from a standard exhaust to a eminox euro 2 which has been hiding all this black smoke and carbon.
All these problems we are now able to look at and repair hopefully increasing the engine power and less smoke.
Income
As far as the income that is feeding the project this has taken a fall off a cliff this isn’t anyone’s fault other than YouTube as they have been messing with the platform and other creators have been reporting the same so our income has dropped like mad and we are trying to get as many members as possible to help with the loss from the platform but as you can see this is rather hard for a little channel/company like us with only the one project and bus.
You can also follow the project with this sheet we have made.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tovVWUNr-ZLVUZ9ARE5FQJMPMrOg8_sDODAb8cOvSMc/edit?usp=sharing
Things we are looking for and you can help with currently 1st April 2025
Oil Sump needs welding
6x injectors Kdal59P9 these are around £100.
Mobile welder
Someone who has good knowdgle of solar electricial systems
A small team to help with online, editing if you have skills you think would help us just get in touch.
Admin@mancbuses.com