YOU GUYS!!! SOO happy you’re back on the road and Bessy is behaving again! We absolutely love you and are so grateful for the light and kindness you bring to the world! Honestly, I think it was the magical pancakes that fixed everything!!!
@@allmomomosthomebus3895 Thanks! These guys are such kindness pollinators and we wanted to send some kindness back their way! This community is amazing!
@@TheHiveDrive definitely is. The people is what I'm looking forward to most when we eventually hit the road. Skoolie people are free thinking mavericks with gumption creativity and persistence. And we're all a little nuts.
I am a beginner to woodwork, the main test I have with this bundle ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxTNB_zFBSnTo_O1PqfVUwgi7ityw0JlKt is that I think that its hard to settle on a choice of the plan and outline to use as there are a large portion of them there. Nonetheless, I like the simple stride to step directions laid out there.
I learn from people all the time! Your patience and positivity are contagious! Hope you are still enjoying amazing adventures and meeting positive people with good energy like yourselves!❤️
I would never live in a bus without knowing how to fix it. You guys are crazy. I lived in a bus for years but had the tools and the knowledge to keep it running. I mean you never made pancakes but have the balls to pack everything on a bus and travel. I got to hand it to you, that’s faith.
Haha I may not know much about the bus engine but I can cook. Just not a huge fan of pancakes for breakfast which is why I had never made them😊 definitely have to have faith in everything we do!
You got took for granted at that shop, but those prices are the "I don't want to deal with it" estimates. Would highly recommend getting a factory service manual for that engine though as it will save you a lot of head ache
Lmfaoooo 5k for a fuel pump relay 😂😂😂 they really got you guys. Replacing all those parts for no reason. A good me mechanic would check those first but looks like they wanted the ticket
I'm binge watching your videos. Who's crying? I'm not crying. You're crying. YOU GUYS ROCK. I have spent the past 2 months researching/doing my homework before we purchase our future skoolie & I'm SO glad I found you guys. Fortunately for me my husband is a MASTER PLUMBER & ELECTRICIAN (owns his own business) w/ 25+yrs experience as well as carpentry so when it comes time we have the knowledge we just have to put the hard work in. At our age we know that if we don't do this NOW....then WHEN? lol We're getting too old to do all of the physical things we could do 10, 15 years ago so it's NOW OR NEVER & I'm so excited to do this I want to leave tomorrow. We live on the East Coast & have never been out west...well my husband has been but I haven't. The furthest West I've been is Tennessee & Kentucky so just seeing all of the beautiful land on your videos has me so excited. I wish I could twinkle my nose & make it happen. Thank you for sharing your experience with us & being so transparent. Best wishes on your future endeavors.
$400 miscellaneous fees? There is no hazardous waste coming from a bus! You could have chem packed 40 atomic weight percent nitric acid in a 50 gallon drum and shipped it off to Canada for the $100 they are charging. $150 shop supplies? What did they do, electroplate gold on the relay contactors? Why is there no outrage? Their business practices are criminal!
That’s how it works in California. They tax the shops so much that they have to do something to stay afloat. That’s what happens when democrats run a state.
My boyfriend has been on his skoolie for 3 years. First and only breakdown was $2500 in Tennessee. The mechanic let him stay on board while fixing it. The problem was a broken torque plate. Fortunately he had the money.. I hope this never happens again but he learned a lot and he now knows he needs at least 5,000 for savings. Keep your heads up and keep on bussing! Love you both!!
I just found your channel and subbed. Through my years on this earth, I've learned it's important to know as much about your vehicle as you can. With a cheap multimeter and a wiring diagram you might have been able to find the problem yourselves and saved some money. With that being said, I'm very gald you got it fixed and the community came together to help get you back on the road. Safe travels and i look forward to watching all of your videos.
It breaks my heart to say this, but I think your entire problem was the relay to begin with. I am fairly experienced with a variety of vehicles, ranging from commercial grade to consumer grade, and this is a common problem. A similar thing happens with the charging system and mechanics/shops will say that there is a "blown" alternator, when it is just the regulator (which acts as a fuse, while regulating the alternators output voltage) that is defective. The last time such a thing happened, it was a couple of friends stuck in Mississippi in a classic Mercedes sedan. The mechanic wanted over $1,000 telling them both fuel pumps would have to be replaced, etc. Fuel pumps rarely fail in that particular vintage Mercedes and I told them to ask the mechanic about the fuel pump relay, and to look him in the eyes while he answered. Initially the guy acted outraged, etc., then admitted that it was only the fuel pump relay, and that the pump had not actually failed, and that he had made a "mistake." New repair price? Under $100.00 The next time this happens to you, remember two things. Your engine will not run if it does not receive fuel, and that your engine will also not run if there is air in your fuel lines. You can spray just a short burst of ether (commonly known as "starting fluid,") into your air intake, and immediately try starting your engine. If it starts, then quickly dies, this means you are not getting fuel to the engine. If this happens, turn on the key and "listen" for the electric fuel-pump. If it is operating, you will hear it whirring, if not, check fuel-pump relay! (90% of the time, this is the ONLY problem!) I f your pump is running, and yet your bus is not starting, look for diesel fuel leaks under the bus. It is possible that you could have a leak that is sucking air into the fuel-lines, preventing your bus from starting. Freightliner is owned by Mercedes-Benz and their diesels typically have hand-pump fuel pumps to help prime the lines/filters and when not being used, they are typically turned clockwise until they don't turn and this locks them in shut position. Sometimes, they will work themselves loose, once again, causing air to be sucked into the lines/fuel system. There is a fuel bleed screw, loosen it, (if already loose, this is your problem!) then pump the hand pump until the air bubbles are gone and just diesel is coming out of the bleed screw. If there is more air than fuel in the filter/lines, it is not a good thing. You can also loosen the bleed screw, then crank your engine, (and continue cranking your engine,) until you've "bled" the air out of the fuel-lines, and have ONLY diesel coming out of the bleed screw. Incidentally, I saw at least $400.00 worth of bogus charges, and who charges nearly $500.00 for diagnosing a problem like that?! This should have been only one-hour charge at best. If you think mechanics can be bad, wait until you need computer work! I hope this is helpful to you.
Oh this all sounds so like my Toyota Landcruiser 1978. He has a diesel engine and I ran into the problems a million times. I learned to figure it out myself, so every time i break down I am not freaking out anymore. When I had a very weak battery I disconnected one or two spark plugs to get it started and then I reconnected them again.This might not be the right thing to do but it worked. One of the times I couldn't get it started, the mechanic came and said the alternator needs to be changed. I refused to take it. When I insisted him checking the relay because I was so sure it is not the alternator he stopped answering the phone and never showed up again. Of course it was not the alternator. I am so stick of these rip-off mechanics. Besides them wanting to overcharge, they also don't like to be told by a woman what has to be done. I live in Costa Rica (the ego above everything else). I would love to remodel a bus and live in it with my dogs. This is so nice of you to explaining that for them and others so they can help themselves. It really gives some peace of mind if you are not totally helpless. I wonder if they could have stayed and waited for the tow truck at the place where the bus broke down, instead of the overprised camping spot. I don't know about parking rules in the States.
Next time just put your Venmo out there to begin with!! I would have donated too! I’m not really on social media much so I didn’t find out. Also, some advise from a girl- Shops always look for the most expensive fixes first. Home mechanics always look for the least expensive first. Relays and fuses, etc should always be checked first. You can google or teach yourself how to, or just insist next time you’re at the mercy of a mechanic. I got lucky to receive all the manuals and repair logs with my bus purchase, but I’ve heard you can buy manuals/schematics online. Skoolie.net is a great place to ask some old pros too. Congrats on getting out of crisis and mastering pancake making!
Wahoo for being back on the road, breaking down sucks. Our radiator cracked recently😞 I hope y’all get a fuel pressure gauge now. That VP44 is temperamental. I’ve installed an aftermarket lift pump, THE STOCK ONE STARVES THE INJECTOR PUMP Thanks for the videos👍🏼 💛💚💜
You kids are awesome!- you have great videos. I just recently come across your channel and I’ve been binge watching!.. keep it up... maybe I’ll see you down the road!-Cheers!
Glad you are back in the road again! That’s awesome the community came together for you. You guys deserve it, I’ve enjoyed watching how you’ve helped people everywhere you go. ❤️
It’s so awesome to see you guys in good spirits!! Your videos have taught us and motivated us so much. The love in this skoolie community absolutely blows us away, we’re all rooting for ya!!!
Just a couple maintenance tips if y’all want em, If y’all get a chance try to put some cat fuel filters on that if you have a dual fuel filter set up Cross Reference for fuel filters is pretty easy to find- diesel fuel is terrible quality these days and a good fuel filter set up and a good additive hot shots edt will go a long way, never run a wix filter don’t forget anti gel in the winter, hot shots secret makes both and tractor supply usually has it. Cummins life 300k +
I have really enjoyed watching y'alls vids. I'm currently in the middle of my bus build and it's been great to watch someone else who has been through it already. I have learned a lot from your vids, so thank you for that. I'm currently stuck on my roof raise, which got me thinking, may be y'all could make money from helping others with bus builds, some of the people out here make tons of money doing that. Good luck!
So glad to hear that, the roof raise was definitely the hardest part for us! Make sure you watch our video so you know everything not to do hahah. That is a great idea, we would love to go out and help others for free on their builds too, especially after receiving so much support from the community!
Great news!! What a wonderful update. Your positive attitude is so inspiring guys! You have been so giving throughout this journey. What goes around comes back around, and this is exactly that!
That’s the most expensive relay ever typically happens thousands of times in the RV community. Take a mechanical course to learn about your machine. Injector pump doesn’t just go like that especially on a Cummins.
The relay was the problem the whole time is my guess. This is the problem with some repair shops, they suck ppl dry. I'm not speaking from ignorance here, my father owned a auto repair shop my whole life until I was 17. I could tell you SO many stories of ppl getting screwed. Anyways, to prevent this from happening again...research the shop before even considering it. And have a smart car guy/girl (or 5) to bounce ideas off of. 5k is ridiculous to fix an old 7.3 International. Sorry it happened guys, I'm happy ppl came together to help you guys out
I’m, a heavy equipment and heavy truck mechanic and I totally agree the relay was very likely the issue injection pumps don’t usually just quit and they were ripped off
Wow! What an amazing story. So glad everything worked out in the end. What a strong Skoolie community. Can't wait to be part of it. Started looking for a bus. You guys are awesome. Thanks for sharing your story...LOve your videos too...
I was just about to say 10 bucks says the pump was fine and it was just a relay. That mechanic thought process for troubleshooting was all over the map.
Yup yup yup. Same exact thing I thought. Right, like a fuel pump is just gonna fail in-between starts. Damn relay or fuse blew and they knew they could screw these two clueless kids on $7k. Dang, learn how to diagnose/fix basic mechanical issues with this bus. You could have probably been back on the road in 3-4 hrs from when it didn't start if they had basic knowledge of engines
@@davidmaiolo I don't necessarily think this mechanic was out to screw these guys, but Yes, his approach to fixing the bus's issue was completely wrong! He 'should' have started with the simplest potential points (ie: fuses, relays, connection points, ect) and worked from there. When they broke down on the previous video, I knew right then that this wasn't a huge issue, because like you stated, fuel pumps fail, relays go bad...but I'm lost on how this bill ended up in the $4K bracket. An engine needs fuel, fire, and a starter. To me, I'd have started at the battery, then the starter (which will show any weak links in between) In the video we see that when they turn the key, they got nuthin'. This is where we start looking for problems! If it was running just fine, as it was, then there's not a whole lot else that would go bad that quickly. Lesson here... Learn to diagnose simple problems when out on the road. Oh... and 'next time', don't get towed to a campground! Nuthing wrong with finding a spot somewhere off the road and calling it good...especially when you've got all your own amenities right there with you already
Unfortunately it seems you paid five grand for a relay , it’s very unusual for two items to break at once , I wonder if the fault was misdiagnosed in the beginning. I feel gutted for you two but the way you can smile and carry on is a credit to you both, happy trails
I'm glad you haven't given up. On a pee note, the smartest thing I did was put a hole in the floor and a tube for a drain under my (self made) composting toilet. My pee bucket is mounted outside under my bus. I have to get under there to empty it but there's no spill inside. And I don't plan on being anywhere it will freeze.
I’m so sorry kids. That estimate is huge. I worked in a beautiful place and was a parts control clerk. Always keep things in good working order, new plugs all those things. Please check the oil regularly too xx
I am so thrilled you guys are ok! I read the title wrong and was like omg it happen Again they didn't even leave the shop !! I so wish I knew about the donations! But you have my words of encouragement ,love and prayers! You 2 pay everything forward with the help you do, the kindness you bring to your videos. If there are any 2 ppl that deserve this help it is the 2 of you. I am glad your on your way to exploring California. Enjoy and relax you give Pippa a couple of chin scratches for me I am sure this was tramatic for her. Much Love ❤
Keep a spray bottle of vinegar to spray after you pee to neutralize the ammonia and kill bacteria that makes it smell but not into the solids side because that will kill the good bacteria, hope that helps.
I just found you guys &if I'd known sooner I'd have given what I could. You guys are so sweet!! Sorry you had such a difficult time with certain people, but unfortunately, they are a part of life. I subscribed & I can't wait to see your future videos. Stay safe & keep smiling...give your precious kitty a petting from me.
They should have checked the relays and fuses first. Which would take no time and easy simple fix. Instead they charged for something you didn't need. Mechanics are shady it's hard to trust. Happy your on the road and moving again. Good luck and stay strong thru your journey.
I found your channel, quite by accident mind you, & I absolutely fell in LOVE with you guys.....glad you got your bus running & I will keep on watching!!!
My thoughts also.... most do not know the basics of the Diesel engine and usually get taken advantage of by mechanics....!!!!!! It’s sad.... it happened to me me....!!!!!!! $27k in 1 year put me out of business....!!!!!
Assuming labor is around $100 an hr, it doesn’t take 2 full work days to figure out why a mechanical diesel won’t start. Newer electronic engines- in some cases yes you can chase wiring and sensors all day. If you get fuel to the injection pump and the fuel doesn’t spray out when cranking, they should pull the fuel pump and have it tested at a pump shop (diesel performance/tuning shop) that can most likely rebuild it. If it’s the injectors, then it should at least run rough because it’s not likely all of them failed. If you don’t have fuel coming to the injection pump, then there’s no business even quoting one. I also didn’t see fuel filters billed out. That’s step #1 diagnosing a crank no start- priming the fuel system and making sure it’s clean.
Guess I was a bit to late. Didnt see my post in time either. Oh well as is said. So SO glad ur on the road again. I knew others would help too. See you out there! Be well, stay safe and God bless
I don't think you needed an injection pump to get back on the road. It sounded like a clear electrical issue to at least a couple of us... and so it was. But very happy you're back on the road! All is well that ends well!
Being a mechanic myself,,I've seen this over and over,,,if it was just a relay,,I would think they would reduce the labour. It's not your fault,,your putting you're trust in them to be honest,,
I think the mechanics even did work that was not related to the bus not starting/running like the u-joint charge on the repair quote/paper.looks like what you needed was a fuel injector pump.
Glad you are on the road again. I have a fear of breaking down on the road but realize stuff happens. Your videos have been great to watch and I am not the most positive person. I have had depression, anxiety, and cptsd since I was 12, for the first time I do not have any issues with depression or anxiety. I believe it has been due to the following things: Working on our skoolie, thinking about the future(we live in a bad situation currently)and your videos. Thank you for sharing your travels both the good times and the not so good times. :)
I'm so sorry to hear that you struggled in the past, but we are so glad to hear you are doing so well now. Working on the skoolie is definitely a great distraction! So glad our videos help you as well, thanks Christy ❤
You guys deserve everything good coming... Kelsey the pancakes looked magical and delicious. Best of luck moving forward, back on the road guys, let's gooooooooo! Lol yaaaaaayyy, 😉🤣
this would be a huge fear of mine as we are in the process of building our first schoolie a 2003 thomas with a c7 cat and allison transmission bought the bus 1500 not running but i had a good feeling about it and after 2 mechanics and 800 in labor it was just a solinoid witch we foundout after a new starter new batterys but we are on our way i love your videos you have given us great ideas thank you so much remember shiney side up be safe out there
You guy's are awesome. I feel sorry for you both.... I owned a Frightliner mine had the Mercedes engine that blew bought it from New. Nothing but trouble.. Wishing you both safe travels and happiness 😊 I wanted to help you both... but
They put a vp44 injection pump and it still wouldnt start and they put in a relay and got it fixed? Sounds like it was just a $20 relay. Im wondering if they misdiagnose the problem. There is a fuel transfer pump relay, if that goes out the electric fuel pump will not run and the vp44 injection pump will go dry causing a no start. I dont know all that was done, just saying i hope it wasnt misdiagnosed. Make sure your fuel filters get changed when it gets serviced and keep a spare filter on hand.
We are hoping the same. We had two different mechanics look at it so we are just telling ourselves it needed to be fixed or would have needed to be fixed soon anyways. Thank you for the advice, we will definitely do that!
@@KelsAndJay Im a mechanic myself, our shop works on bluebird busses for Ft. Benning, little familiar on busses which led me to get one for my wife and I. Its usable bur not finished. The Cummins you have is actually a good engine, its used in everything. Parts are easy to get, same engine in the dodge ram. Should get over 500000 miles on engine if service is done. Good luck to you all, stay safe and keep making memories!
YOU GUYS!!! SOO happy you’re back on the road and Bessy is behaving again! We absolutely love you and are so grateful for the light and kindness you bring to the world! Honestly, I think it was the magical pancakes that fixed everything!!!
So cool of you two to spearhead getting their venmo out there. Well done!
@@allmomomosthomebus3895 Thanks! These guys are such kindness pollinators and we wanted to send some kindness back their way! This community is amazing!
@@TheHiveDrive definitely is. The people is what I'm looking forward to most when we eventually hit the road. Skoolie people are free thinking mavericks with gumption creativity and persistence. And we're all a little nuts.
You guys are amazing!
You guys are the best, we can't thank you enough! Can't wait to come visit when we're back on the East ❤❤
I am a beginner to woodwork, the main test I have with this bundle ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxTNB_zFBSnTo_O1PqfVUwgi7ityw0JlKt is that I think that its hard to settle on a choice of the plan and outline to use as there are a large portion of them there. Nonetheless, I like the simple stride to step directions laid out there.
I learn from people all the time! Your patience and positivity are contagious! Hope you are still enjoying amazing adventures and meeting positive people with good energy like yourselves!❤️
I would never live in a bus without knowing how to fix it. You guys are crazy. I lived in a bus for years but had the tools and the knowledge to keep it running. I mean you never made pancakes but have the balls to pack everything on a bus and travel. I got to hand it to you, that’s faith.
Haha I may not know much about the bus engine but I can cook. Just not a huge fan of pancakes for breakfast which is why I had never made them😊 definitely have to have faith in everything we do!
You got took for granted at that shop, but those prices are the "I don't want to deal with it" estimates. Would highly recommend getting a factory service manual for that engine though as it will save you a lot of head ache
Lmfaoooo 5k for a fuel pump relay 😂😂😂 they really got you guys. Replacing all those parts for no reason. A good me mechanic would check those first but looks like they wanted the ticket
Absolutely. Always start with small stuff
I'm binge watching your videos. Who's crying? I'm not crying. You're crying. YOU GUYS ROCK. I have spent the past 2 months researching/doing my homework before we purchase our future skoolie & I'm SO glad I found you guys. Fortunately for me my husband is a MASTER PLUMBER & ELECTRICIAN (owns his own business) w/ 25+yrs experience as well as carpentry so when it comes time we have the knowledge we just have to put the hard work in. At our age we know that if we don't do this NOW....then WHEN? lol We're getting too old to do all of the physical things we could do 10, 15 years ago so it's NOW OR NEVER & I'm so excited to do this I want to leave tomorrow. We live on the East Coast & have never been out west...well my husband has been but I haven't. The furthest West I've been is Tennessee & Kentucky so just seeing all of the beautiful land on your videos has me so excited. I wish I could twinkle my nose & make it happen. Thank you for sharing your experience with us & being so transparent. Best wishes on your future endeavors.
Thankyou!! Glad you like the videos and good luck on the build!
$400 miscellaneous fees? There is no hazardous waste coming from a bus! You could have chem packed 40 atomic weight percent nitric acid in a 50 gallon drum and shipped it off to Canada for the $100 they are charging. $150 shop supplies? What did they do, electroplate gold on the relay contactors? Why is there no outrage? Their business practices are criminal!
That’s how it works in California. They tax the shops so much that they have to do something to stay afloat. That’s what happens when democrats run a state.
My boyfriend has been on his skoolie for 3 years. First and only breakdown was $2500 in Tennessee. The mechanic let him stay on board while fixing it. The problem was a broken torque plate. Fortunately he had the money.. I hope this never happens again but he learned a lot and he now knows he needs at least 5,000 for savings. Keep your heads up and keep on bussing! Love you both!!
Another great Cummins fix. We were stranded in the midwest and found a great Cummins dealer that repaired our rig.
Absolutely wonderful!!! Have a safe a great life!!!
We were so worried about you kids. So happy you are going to continue your journey.
Thanks so much guys, thank you again for your support! ❤❤
Awesome awesome 👏. Keep going and having fun
im so happy you got it figured out hope you have many more years left in her
I just found your channel and subbed. Through my years on this earth, I've learned it's important to know as much about your vehicle as you can. With a cheap multimeter and a wiring diagram you might have been able to find the problem yourselves and saved some money. With that being said, I'm very gald you got it fixed and the community came together to help get you back on the road. Safe travels and i look forward to watching all of your videos.
Such a sad situation. I'm glad everyting was corrected. I wish you guys the best of luck. Hang in there.
It breaks my heart to say this, but I think your entire problem was the relay to begin with. I am fairly experienced with a variety of vehicles, ranging from commercial grade to consumer grade, and this is a common problem. A similar thing happens with the charging system and mechanics/shops will say that there is a "blown" alternator, when it is just the regulator (which acts as a fuse, while regulating the alternators output voltage) that is defective.
The last time such a thing happened, it was a couple of friends stuck in Mississippi in a classic Mercedes sedan. The mechanic wanted over $1,000 telling them both fuel pumps would have to be replaced, etc. Fuel pumps rarely fail in that particular vintage Mercedes and I told them to ask the mechanic about the fuel pump relay, and to look him in the eyes while he answered. Initially the guy acted outraged, etc., then admitted that it was only the fuel pump relay, and that the pump had not actually failed, and that he had made a "mistake." New repair price? Under $100.00
The next time this happens to you, remember two things. Your engine will not run if it does not receive fuel, and that your engine will also not run if there is air in your fuel lines. You can spray just a short burst of ether (commonly known as "starting fluid,") into your air intake, and immediately try starting your engine. If it starts, then quickly dies, this means you are not getting fuel to the engine. If this happens, turn on the key and "listen" for the electric fuel-pump. If it is operating, you will hear it whirring, if not, check fuel-pump relay! (90% of the time, this is the ONLY problem!) I
f your pump is running, and yet your bus is not starting, look for diesel fuel leaks under the bus. It is possible that you could have a leak that is sucking air into the fuel-lines, preventing your bus from starting. Freightliner is owned by Mercedes-Benz and their diesels typically have hand-pump fuel pumps to help prime the lines/filters and when not being used, they are typically turned clockwise until they don't turn and this locks them in shut position. Sometimes, they will work themselves loose, once again, causing air to be sucked into the lines/fuel system. There is a fuel bleed screw, loosen it, (if already loose, this is your problem!) then pump the hand pump until the air bubbles are gone and just diesel is coming out of the bleed screw. If there is more air than fuel in the filter/lines, it is not a good thing. You can also loosen the bleed screw, then crank your engine, (and continue cranking your engine,) until you've "bled" the air out of the fuel-lines, and have ONLY diesel coming out of the bleed screw.
Incidentally, I saw at least $400.00 worth of bogus charges, and who charges nearly $500.00 for diagnosing a problem like that?! This should have been only one-hour charge at best.
If you think mechanics can be bad, wait until you need computer work!
I hope this is helpful to you.
Oh this all sounds so like my Toyota Landcruiser 1978. He has a diesel engine and I ran into the problems a million times. I learned to figure it out myself, so every time i break down I am not freaking out anymore. When I had a very weak battery I disconnected one or two spark plugs to get it started and then I reconnected them again.This might not be the right thing to do but it worked. One of the times I couldn't get it started, the mechanic came and said the alternator needs to be changed. I refused to take it. When I insisted him checking the relay because I was so sure it is not the alternator he stopped answering the phone and never showed up again. Of course it was not the alternator. I am so stick of these rip-off mechanics. Besides them wanting to overcharge, they also don't like to be told by a woman what has to be done. I live in Costa Rica (the ego above everything else). I would love to remodel a bus and live in it with my dogs. This is so nice of you to explaining that for them and others so they can help themselves. It really gives some peace of mind if you are not totally helpless. I wonder if they could have stayed and waited for the tow truck at the place where the bus broke down, instead of the overprised camping spot. I don't know about parking rules in the States.
Next time just put your Venmo out there to begin with!! I would have donated too! I’m not really on social media much so I didn’t find out. Also, some advise from a girl- Shops always look for the most expensive fixes first. Home mechanics always look for the least expensive first. Relays and fuses, etc should always be checked first. You can google or teach yourself how to, or just insist next time you’re at the mercy of a mechanic. I got lucky to receive all the manuals and repair logs with my bus purchase, but I’ve heard you can buy manuals/schematics online. Skoolie.net is a great place to ask some old pros too. Congrats on getting out of crisis and mastering pancake making!
the relay was was the problem from the beginning.... 20 dollar part
Agreed
I am so pissed the way these two young folks got ripped off. What a bunch of lowlifes taking advantage of people just trying to make it.
I am so glad you said it so I didn't have to. They got taken for a ride bigtime !!!
Its awesome to see the community that we have now joined is incredible. You guys rock!!!
Wahoo for being back on the road, breaking down sucks. Our radiator cracked recently😞
I hope y’all get a fuel pressure gauge now.
That VP44 is temperamental. I’ve installed an aftermarket lift pump, THE STOCK ONE STARVES THE INJECTOR PUMP
Thanks for the videos👍🏼
💛💚💜
Alright! Congrats! Be Careful! And HAPPY Travel ing!!
Yay! So thrilled the adventures of Kels and Jay will continue! Looking forward to the next video!
You kids are awesome!- you have great videos. I just recently come across your channel and I’ve been binge watching!.. keep it up... maybe I’ll see you down the road!-Cheers!
Dude was driving the bus like it was his I love it
Happy you are back on the road 😁
New subscriber
Glad you are back in the road again! That’s awesome the community came together for you. You guys deserve it, I’ve enjoyed watching how you’ve helped people everywhere you go. ❤️
Thanks so much Sherry, we are so grateful!!
Wow, crazy expensive. So much for the "low cost life,"! Thanks for another great video, filled with tension humor and drama.
It helps to know how to do your own repairs.
It’s so awesome to see you guys in good spirits!! Your videos have taught us and motivated us so much. The love in this skoolie community absolutely blows us away, we’re all rooting for ya!!!
You have been so giving to everyone your entire journey. This was God providing for you! ❤️❤️❤️ keep going y’all!!
That's so sweet, thank you Elizabeth!
So glad you are part of a beautiful and caring community! Safe travels ...
Just a couple maintenance tips if y’all want em, If y’all get a chance try to put some cat fuel filters on that if you have a dual fuel filter set up Cross Reference for fuel filters is pretty easy to find- diesel fuel is terrible quality these days and a good fuel filter set up and a good additive hot shots edt will go a long way, never run a wix filter don’t forget anti gel in the winter, hot shots secret makes both and tractor supply usually has it. Cummins life 300k +
I have really enjoyed watching y'alls vids. I'm currently in the middle of my bus build and it's been great to watch someone else who has been through it already. I have learned a lot from your vids, so thank you for that. I'm currently stuck on my roof raise, which got me thinking, may be y'all could make money from helping others with bus builds, some of the people out here make tons of money doing that. Good luck!
So glad to hear that, the roof raise was definitely the hardest part for us! Make sure you watch our video so you know everything not to do hahah. That is a great idea, we would love to go out and help others for free on their builds too, especially after receiving so much support from the community!
Hopefully all of the people in your schooly group can start a repair fun, that everyone can pitch into every month to help people like you.
Dang auto correct.. sorry about the spelling errors. Lol
Great news!! What a wonderful update. Your positive attitude is so inspiring guys! You have been so giving throughout this journey. What goes around comes back around, and this is exactly that!
Glad Your Making Progress!!
So glad you guys are on the road again and your home isn't broken anymore
YOU Guys! Are Amazing!
Wow! I was just looking at the list of names who donated to get you guys back on the road. The community is amasing, compassionate and caring!
That’s the most expensive relay ever typically happens thousands of times in the RV community. Take a mechanical course to learn about your machine. Injector pump doesn’t just go like that especially on a Cummins.
Right. Thats ridiculous.
Vp44s suck but agreed
The relay was the problem the whole time is my guess. This is the problem with some repair shops, they suck ppl dry. I'm not speaking from ignorance here, my father owned a auto repair shop my whole life until I was 17. I could tell you SO many stories of ppl getting screwed. Anyways, to prevent this from happening again...research the shop before even considering it. And have a smart car guy/girl (or 5) to bounce ideas off of. 5k is ridiculous to fix an old 7.3 International. Sorry it happened guys, I'm happy ppl came together to help you guys out
I’m, a heavy equipment and heavy truck mechanic and I totally agree the relay was very likely the issue injection pumps don’t usually just quit and they were ripped off
Yay for magical pancakes and the Skoolie Comumunity!
The best!!
Wow! What an amazing story. So glad everything worked out in the end. What a strong Skoolie community. Can't wait to be part of it. Started looking for a bus. You guys are awesome.
Thanks for sharing your story...LOve your videos too...
Magic pancakes=$4,000 misdiagnosis $3 relay
I was just about to say 10 bucks says the pump was fine and it was just a relay. That mechanic thought process for troubleshooting was all over the map.
Yup yup yup. Same exact thing I thought. Right, like a fuel pump is just gonna fail in-between starts. Damn relay or fuse blew and they knew they could screw these two clueless kids on $7k. Dang, learn how to diagnose/fix basic mechanical issues with this bus. You could have probably been back on the road in 3-4 hrs from when it didn't start if they had basic knowledge of engines
Fuel shut off relay
@@davidmaiolo I don't necessarily think this mechanic was out to screw these guys, but Yes, his approach to fixing the bus's issue was completely wrong!
He 'should' have started with the simplest potential points (ie: fuses, relays, connection points, ect) and worked from there.
When they broke down on the previous video, I knew right then that this wasn't a huge issue, because like you stated, fuel pumps fail, relays go bad...but I'm lost on how this bill ended up in the $4K bracket.
An engine needs fuel, fire, and a starter.
To me, I'd have started at the battery, then the starter (which will show any weak links in between) In the video we see that when they turn the key, they got nuthin'. This is where we start looking for problems!
If it was running just fine, as it was, then there's not a whole lot else that would go bad that quickly.
Lesson here...
Learn to diagnose simple problems when out on the road.
Oh...
and 'next time', don't get towed to a campground! Nuthing wrong with finding a spot somewhere off the road and calling it good...especially when you've got all your own amenities right there with you already
You're good. I am glad that the journey continues!
We are too!!
So happy for you guys!!! 🤗Magic Pancakes 🥞 🦄to the rescue! Keep the awesome videos coming!!
Im happy you guys are on the road again. So much love I send you!
Brilliant back on your travels again.
Unfortunately it seems you paid five grand for a relay , it’s very unusual for two items to break at once , I wonder if the fault was misdiagnosed in the beginning. I feel gutted for you two but the way you can smile and carry on is a credit to you both, happy trails
Great News!! Amen!!
I'm glad you haven't given up. On a pee note, the smartest thing I did was put a hole in the floor and a tube for a drain under my (self made) composting toilet. My pee bucket is mounted outside under my bus. I have to get under there to empty it but there's no spill inside. And I don't plan on being anywhere it will freeze.
So glad you guys are safe and back on the road!!! Praying for you both
I’m so sorry kids. That estimate is huge. I worked in a beautiful place and was a parts control clerk. Always keep things in good working order, new plugs all those things. Please check the oil regularly too xx
Then you have a sensor for when its full. Much cleaner to work with and less smelly. And you have like a 20 gallon tank!😍
Looks like the mechanic shop was doing a budget breakdown also, they found out how to make their money. $5000.00 relay.
I am so thrilled you guys are ok! I read the title wrong and was like omg it happen Again they didn't even leave the shop !! I so wish I knew about the donations! But you have my words of encouragement ,love and prayers! You 2 pay everything forward with the help you do, the kindness you bring to your videos. If there are any 2 ppl that deserve this help it is the 2 of you. I am glad your on your way to exploring California. Enjoy and relax you give Pippa a couple of chin scratches for me I am sure this was tramatic for her. Much Love ❤
Keep a spray bottle of vinegar to spray after you pee to neutralize the ammonia and kill bacteria that makes it smell but not into the solids side because that will kill the good bacteria, hope that helps.
I just found you guys &if I'd known sooner I'd have given what I could. You guys are so sweet!! Sorry you had such a difficult time with certain people, but unfortunately, they are a part of life. I subscribed & I can't wait to see your future videos. Stay safe & keep smiling...give your precious kitty a petting from me.
They should have checked the relays and fuses first. Which would take no time and easy simple fix. Instead they charged for something you didn't need. Mechanics are shady it's hard to trust. Happy your on the road and moving again. Good luck and stay strong thru your journey.
I found your channel, quite by accident mind you, & I absolutely fell in LOVE with you guys.....glad you got your bus running & I will keep on watching!!!
Glad to see you're back on the road..
Thank you 😊
should ask to keep the old parts - could have just been the relay the whole time!
If you keep the old parts such as the engine, transmission, or differential, you have to pay the core charge.
Yes, that's what I was thinking. Buy a couple for spares. They just plug in.
That’s exactly my thought
Perhaps you need to study up on basic Diesel engine faulting ....
7 k for a duff relay is shed load of money
My thoughts also.... most do not know the basics of the Diesel engine and usually get taken advantage of by mechanics....!!!!!! It’s sad.... it happened to me me....!!!!!!! $27k in 1 year put me out of business....!!!!!
The core charge for an injection pump is a lot more than the rebuilt pump costs. So, that would throw another $1500+ onto their bill.
What an inspiring story. You both hae great outlooks on life...do not eer loose that
good job guys. It's not what happens to us it's how we respond and you guys handled it like a boss!
YOUR videos are my inspirations!!
We love you guys and glad you are back on the road!!! Those pancakes are awesome 😎
Haha pancakes on us next time we see you guys, we owe you!! ❤
I am glad you got the engine fixed
Thanks Beth, we are too!!☺️❤️
Assuming labor is around $100 an hr, it doesn’t take 2 full work days to figure out why a mechanical diesel won’t start. Newer electronic engines- in some cases yes you can chase wiring and sensors all day. If you get fuel to the injection pump and the fuel doesn’t spray out when cranking, they should pull the fuel pump and have it tested at a pump shop (diesel performance/tuning shop) that can most likely rebuild it. If it’s the injectors, then it should at least run rough because it’s not likely all of them failed. If you don’t have fuel coming to the injection pump, then there’s no business even quoting one. I also didn’t see fuel filters billed out. That’s step #1 diagnosing a crank no start- priming the fuel system and making sure it’s clean.
Guess I was a bit to late. Didnt see my post in time either. Oh well as is said. So SO glad ur on the road again. I knew others would help too. See you out there!
Be well, stay safe and God bless
I couldn’t find out how to give I looked all over glad you doing better love from another Brit!
That's so sweet Karen! Just subscribing and being here is more than enough support! ❤❤
I hope that you got too keep the old fuel pump, if you did put it away for a later date if you do have problems with the new one
Glad your journey is back on track. Well tarmac...........
Thank you for your honest portrayal! Good luck!
😮😮😮 the sillies at the end had us cracking UPPPP!!!! Y’all are so transparent!! Great video as always, friends!!
hahah thanks guys!! ❤❤❤
I don't think you needed an injection pump to get back on the road. It sounded like a clear electrical issue to at least a couple of us... and so it was. But very happy you're back on the road! All is well that ends well!
Exactly what I was thinking 😳
Being a mechanic myself,,I've seen this over and over,,,if it was just a relay,,I would think they would reduce the labour. It's not your fault,,your putting you're trust in them to be honest,,
Get yourself a gray water tank up under the bus , then all you would do go to rv dump spot , most ppl have it set up like an RV
Oh I am so happy for you guys God Bless You.
So happy you guys are back on the road.
I applaud your courage to share the nasty with the good.
The only fault was the relay for the FCV ... Hate dishonest People...
You guys are totally blessed and amazing
I think the mechanics even did work that was not related to the bus not starting/running like the u-joint charge on the repair quote/paper.looks like what you needed was a fuel injector pump.
Glad to see you back on the road
Those pancakes look fantastic
Great job.
We have a DP.
An unlimited, open checkbook
Keeps us rolling ♥ 😎
Glad you are on the road again. I have a fear of breaking down on the road but realize stuff happens. Your videos have been great to watch and I am not the most positive person. I have had depression, anxiety, and cptsd since I was 12, for the first time I do not have any issues with depression or anxiety. I believe it has been due to the following things: Working on our skoolie, thinking about the future(we live in a bad situation currently)and your videos. Thank you for sharing your travels both the good times and the not so good times. :)
I'm so sorry to hear that you struggled in the past, but we are so glad to hear you are doing so well now. Working on the skoolie is definitely a great distraction! So glad our videos help you as well, thanks Christy ❤
You made that mechanics day. Paying 5k for what should have been at most a $200 job.
Congrats!!
You guys deserve everything good coming... Kelsey the pancakes looked magical and delicious. Best of luck moving forward, back on the road guys, let's gooooooooo! Lol yaaaaaayyy, 😉🤣
thank you for detail video as wish best further travelling around the USA as joy your video
from Australia
Have fun and take care and take it easy and enjoy it
this would be a huge fear of mine as we are in the process of building our first schoolie a 2003 thomas with a c7 cat and allison transmission bought the bus 1500 not running but i had a good feeling about it and after 2 mechanics and 800 in labor it was just a solinoid witch we foundout after a new starter new batterys but we are on our way i love your videos you have given us great ideas thank you so much remember shiney side up be safe out there
I like supporting the schoolie world
Nice to see your on the road
You guys are amazing people and beat of wishes with life I’ll keep watching
You guy's are awesome. I feel sorry for you both.... I owned a Frightliner mine had the Mercedes engine that blew bought it from New. Nothing but trouble.. Wishing you both safe travels and happiness 😊 I wanted to help you both... but
TRULY TRULY INSPIRED
Been following you for a while I'm sooooo happy you guys are back on the road again I wish you the best your fan from Algeria
Thank you!! 🤗
They put a vp44 injection pump and it still wouldnt start and they put in a relay and got it fixed? Sounds like it was just a $20 relay. Im wondering if they misdiagnose the problem. There is a fuel transfer pump relay, if that goes out the electric fuel pump will not run and the vp44 injection pump will go dry causing a no start. I dont know all that was done, just saying i hope it wasnt misdiagnosed. Make sure your fuel filters get changed when it gets serviced and keep a spare filter on hand.
We are hoping the same. We had two different mechanics look at it so we are just telling ourselves it needed to be fixed or would have needed to be fixed soon anyways. Thank you for the advice, we will definitely do that!
@@KelsAndJay Im a mechanic myself, our shop works on bluebird busses for Ft. Benning, little familiar on busses which led me to get one for my wife and I. Its usable bur not finished. The Cummins you have is actually a good engine, its used in everything. Parts are easy to get, same engine in the dodge ram. Should get over 500000 miles on engine if service is done. Good luck to you all, stay safe and keep making memories!
Whew! Glad it all worked out✌🏼🙏🏼
Never Give Up! God WILL See you THREW!!!