Honestly kids. I vote Mexi-NO !! I’m a Dad speaking here and I say do not go into Mexico with the ol gal. Stay down in SoCal maybe fork out the money and stay at the KOA in San Diego and take Ruby on adventures.
You diagnosed it correctly. It is a 1970's coolant system not designed to pull a full payload (likely maxed out), run A/C, tow a vehicle, all while operating in 104F heat. You should not be surprised it is NOT working, you should be surprised if it had no problems.
I live in the desert, so I'm wondering if I should slap a larger radiator on our RV (if that would even help), or if there's anything else I can do to improve the cooling of the RV. The Previous owner replaced the entire cooling system ~3 years ago, but it was with OEM. It's a 454 (EFI) on a 22ft Class A, and we're planning on towing a very small car on a trailer (~1500lbs total). We have solar and a minisplit, so we might be able to do without the cab AC unless we're driving directly into the sun. We're handy and can do just about any job. We upgraded the radiator on our 1975 IH pickup because it was overheating pretty much constantly.
Maybe, just to complete this final trip, drive overnight and spend days where You’re at … videos of the destination are actually more interesting than the troubles of driving 🔆💛
My recommendation to help and quite possibly end your overheating problem is to install a external transmission cooler as the current transmission cooler is using part of the radiator that cools the engine. The extra weight of the Samurai is putting a lot of heat into the transmission which is in turn adding heat to the engine through the shared cooling in the radiator. You can still keep using the shared cooling system with the radiator and add in line the external transmission cooler. Also, if the engine is carbureted, I would install a phenolic carburetor base plate spacer because all of the heat is causing the carburetor to “vapor lock” basically boiling the gas inside the carburetor and then there is not enough fuel getting through the carburetor and the engine dies from fuel starvation. Hopefully this helps, good luck with it.
In that case, disregard the phenolic carb spacer and move ahead with the external trans cooler. If they have a 4L60e transmission, it is definitely not happy with all of the weight of the motor home and towing the Samurai too. Heat kills transmissions quickly along with towing in overdrive. Maybe a good time to step up to a 4L80e. Having the LS swap is a great asset to this rig, it has great potential and can be very reliable once you get all of the bugs worked out.
I wouldn’t go to Mexico with the vehicle struggling with the heat. I would also recommend driving Ruby separately until you figure out the issue. At least Clementine will not be working as hard.
Stop at the next auto parts store and pick up a antifreeze tester, if you haven't already. I learned the hard way if you keep adding antifreeze above the recommended mixture +- 50/50 you actually start dropping the boil point (temp) of the coolant. When I tested mine I was shocked that all that antifreeze coolant caused it to boil over at just over 100*. Flush and properly fill and cleared my overheat problem. On my motorcycle I whet to 'Engine Ice' which is a premium coolant designed for extrema high temps but a bit on the $$ side. Good luck.
Please DO NOT take Clementine to Mexico, you can rent a car or even take Ruby, but taking Clementine and inevitably breaking down is going to go horribly wrong!!
@@citrusretna2088 nothing, reliable transport is the main issue . clementine is v tired💯.. preparation is the difference between a dream and a nightmare ❤️👋🇳🇿 NZ
@@citrusretna2088 You could ask my buddy, OH wait, no you can't he was shot and killed through his RV door in the middle of the night when refusing to open his door to banditos on the Baja. Other than that, nothing.
Please do not take Clementine to Mexico! If she breaks down there you might be in a world of trouble. Finding a reputable mechanic in Mexico might be a little hard to do if you don't speak the language.
I don't understand this comment. Of COURSE there are reputable, excellent car mechanics in Mexico. They have millions of people and they all use vehicles in one way or another, and when they break down, they get fixed.
I don't understand this comment. Of COURSE there are reputable, excellent car mechanics in Mexico. They have millions of people and they all use vehicles in one way or another, and when they break down, they get fixed.
I've lived in Mexico, and traveled all over Mexico in my car, with my child. We were careful, we avoided certain danger and were totally safe. Mexican people are very kind and hardworking.
I have some ideas that may help you... retired mechanic here. I wouldn't be driving it to the point of her shutting down as that's too hot and you will destroy your head. I would check the valve lash on your intakes as over tight valves can create overheating. You could even try putting a bottle of liquid copper aka permanate head gasket repair in case of damaged head gasket caused by the over heating. This would be a good and cheaper place to start as I'm from Australia...we know heat. If this fails it could be a water pump or fan. You don't need fancy upgrades if all factory engine parts are working properly she should never overheat. Hope this helps and gives you some ideas.
Limp mode is a safety feature that activates when a car's electronic control unit (ECU) detects that something isn't working as it should. This can happen when a car overheats due to a number of reasons, including: Coolant leaks Faulty thermostat Malfunctioning radiator fan Low engine oil, transmission fluid, or coolant levels Dirty air filter Faulty fuel injectors or coil packs Malfunctioning sensors, such as the MAF, MAP, or TPS Transmission errors, such as when the gearbox can't change gears properly
Maybe get up super early and do all your traveling before 10am, then find some shade for her to sit in during the day while you relax? Like travel 3am - 9am or something?
I have had that problem in the past, aluminium radiators really help dissipate heat much faster . Also I installed a small water spray system to put water through the radiator fin's Made a hugh difference . I used the on board water pump for the water system in the motorhome and pressure cleaner tip to disperse the water. Does not use much water, just kick it on when your temps start to climb. My motorhome was a 36 ft diesel push, only 5.9 litres, pulling a 20 ft enclosed trailer with a jeep and motorcycle plus to much other stuff. I did this in the high mountains, it really worked good.
I would definitely check your fan clutch, if it is wearing out or dead the fan won't spin and won't bring in fresh air. But ultimately if it's hot out there isn't anywhere for the heat to go. I would probably change route and maybe head up towards Canada and the Rockies rather than Mexico. Safe travels from a fellow camper and van traveler!!
Yep, 👍 Totally agree 💯, seems like at least one of the repair shops should have recommended an oversized large capacity radiator? Hopefully he's running the heater on floor or vent and not defrost? Most vehicles will run the A.C. pump to remove the moisture in the air blowing on windshield...they probably realize that
Especially when they're towing the ruby, maybe putting a 5 gl auxiliary water tank an putting sprayers across the radiator for last resort to get a safe place.😎👌
Thanks for showing reality of travel. I have anxiety about it and watching your calm demeanor handling these things reminds me, it will be OK! Thanks again all the great videos.
Hate to tell you this but you really picked a bad time of the year to be traveling in Texas, Arizona and California. I live in a city called Bullhead City, AZ. Our temps run anywhere from 106 to 120 degrees in the summer. I hope Clementine makes it okay. Great video this week.
You guys have such GREAT attitudes! 🎉 We are 6 years full time and we also broke down but in the California desert, yikes 106°...please be careful in Mexico, it's not what it used to be, Southern Cali too, lots of theft and assaults.
They have great attitudes because they’re getting paid to do this and all their RV issues provide content they didn’t have to plan, research, or think about. The more they break down, the more hate comments and suggestions they get, which helps their algorithm.
I think you're vapor locking. Fuel delivery gets too hot. Might need to add an electric fan. Cuts out and shuts down, then will start and run fine for a bit then shut down again.
Not sure what they did for the conversion but they should have used an in tank fuel pump and they generally do not vapor lock. They are under higher pressure as well versus the older carbed vehicles. I think they had a later model early LS fuel injected motor in it....
@rvninnorthcarolina3377 you are correct. Vapor lock has not been a thing for 30 years or so. It's just hard for people to let go of their anecdotal experiences. It's usually old people that make this comment.
The New Zealand family is in Yellowstone right now. Maybe you should head north and meet up with them, and their weather in Yellowstone is only in the low 70s. When will you ever learn that in the winter you stay South and in the summer you go north ❤
I had this happen in my RV, the fuel tank vapor locked because of the hot temps. We were told to never use fuel with ethanol in it when the temps get that high.
That engine is working so hard lugging all your crap and hauling a small truck behind it. #1 thing you should have done is disconnect that truck and drive it. That probably would have helped a ton. A bigger radiator might help too. If it was me i would not be towing with that in the heat.
I'm in Tucson and a mechanic if your in the area and have trouble I would love to check out clementine I'm curious if you have a single cooling fan or dual fans because with a/c you should always have 2 fans
What about the fuel line? I assume that engine came out of a truck. So the fuel line to the throttle body may have rerouted too close to the exhaust and when it's extra hot the fuel is getting vaporized. Used to happen in old cars a ton.
@@kevinsands6769 my bet is you are 100% right back in the day some different things in fuel line to keep cool. My husband put an electric fuel pump on our class A 1985 way back when. When it happen to us he said be patient when it cools down it start and it did also no more trouble whole trip.
Just finding your channel, loving it so far. If overheating somewhat like this, ideally remove the radiator and wash it with some ac coil cleaner...or back wash it with a hose, remember they work off airflow to cool. A lot of driving = lots of bugs and small debris
Hello Allison and Eric. As I commented before, the van I was in, coming back from El Paso to Midland, after a visit to Cuidad Juárez, broke down in the desert. It was back in the 1990s, so not unlike your issue. We made sure we got right off the side of the road, away from oncoming trucks. Our good Samaritan was a WW2 US veteran airman, who had flown in planes from UK and turned devout Christian after what he saw. We got a lift to the next town to get assistance. I was surprised you took on thus trip. Even back then I hired a modern vehicle for the next trip, to a cave in New Mexico.
Wow... Clementine must have overheard you saying that you are quitting Van Life and got mad 😠 Good luck for the rest of the trip. I think that your plan will work out 🤞
As the owner of a 45-year old Minnie Winnie (Dodge chassis) , I'd suggest not pushing the limits of old, tired technology when it's 104 degrees. You'll be disappointed with the outcome every time.
You earned you name today - the endless adventure - you didn't give up and you kept going. Bravo! Looking forward to some epic videos from Arizona, California and Mexico!
I must say, you two have managed to keep your positive side showing to us viewers, for the most part, while going through some VERY frustrating break downs! I can definitely see why you are ready to hang up RVing! It was fun, but having too many mechanical issues is enough to drive anyone nuts! Maybe retire Clementine to only your local campgrounds after this last trip? Looking forward to seeing what's next for you! Wishing you luck! Your best fans from Pittsburgh!
It is mind boggling how much money and time went into that RV! Absolutely bananas. It has essentially been built NEW from the ground up and inside-out. How can it fail so miserably so often? Especially the engine! That must have cost a mint. Yikes! I have to admit I am really looking forward to your adventures without that heap.
Assuming everything is working I’d bet they used the stock or a stock sized rad. It might be too small for the load. That is a giant box on wheels, and then it’s towing 2k lbs on top of that in 100 degree weather. If the mechanic put an electric fan on it I’d rig up a manual override and maybe even add a pusher fan.
I've experienced the same situation. What helps is putting your fan on high ,full heat and full defrost of course with both windows open, that should help keep the engine cooler.Good luck👍
Don't give up on Clem! You put so much soul and good vibes into her. She ust needs help getting temperature and fuel delivery under control. Other than that she's proved herself. Adding stuff isn't as hard as fixing stuff.
when I was about 14, my parents and I did a road trip to Kansas with a little Champion Motorhome. It kept breaking down along the way. there was no cell phones then, my dad had to hitch hike to the next town and get tow trucks. I recall getting to stay at little motels and swim everywhere with my dad. I learned to swim that summer. It was amazing for me, even with the breakdowns, but I didn't know the risks etc being autistic and young. But it all worked out in the end.
I am commenting while playing the beginning, you put a lot of work into her but I think she just said I'm done I had enough which is very unfortunate I can't wait to watch more of your videos though
Ive had a similar issue with a van here in New Zealand. My problem was a faulty viscous fan clutch. It had failed and would basically stop spinning at higher revs, but when idling, it would look like it was spinning fine. In cold temps or at lower speeds the engine temperature was fine, on hot days or at higher speeds it would overheat. Temporary fix was to whack a bolt right through the viscous fan so it was permanently locked and was always spinning, until i was able to find a replacement.
Some easy tips for keeping Clementine 'cool' - or at least cooler.... Use 70% water - 30% antifreeze. Water is a better conductor of heat so it will pull more heat out of the engine and reject it better through the radiator. Add a pint of 'Water Wetter' to the coolant. It is an additive that helps the water not boil as easy (as it can do when flowing through the heads) and thus also allow more heat to be pulled out of the motor. Liquid water absorbs more heat that water vapor, so keeping the water in liquid form helps the flow of heat out of the engine. I recommend both these things. I have driven cars for 40 years that have marginal cooling systems (classic cars) and doing these things helps a great deal. Good luck -
Not sure what you have on the rig, but you may want an external trans cooler, an oil cooler and maybe a larger radiator (5 core maybe?...I think they make a big block radiator for that year that is stock). That 70's van was not really designed for the payload you are towing...sorry. But you can make it work for you with some cooling system adds. Today's vehicles have external oil coolers and even trans coolers are part of the design. Yes the later model GM engine you have will cut power when it starts to overheat..runs low on oil, etc. Dont give up on it, just make it right! Since I no longer have kids summer schedules to work around to take my vacations, I do not go camping in the summer. I spend that time on a cruise, resorts or other places that have nice pools, bars and restaurants. Spring and Fall are my preferred RV times!
Perhaps consider a cooling system flush done by a reputable mechanic. The components seem to be functioning properly, just at a lower capacity. A partially plugged radiator would present a problem like this. Also consider replacing the thermostat, or even removing the thermostat until the 100 degree weather is finished. Best of luck.
My wife and I also drive a RV and the first thing we both said when your RV started to overheat is, "Unhitch your truck" as that extra weight no doubt is one of the main reasons the engine is overheating. We then watched you for hours and then finally you did it and low and behold it helped you lower the temp on your RV Engines. We both kinda laugh saying, why did you not do that first? All good, wish the best for both of you.
I don't know if it's still carbureted, but a old school problem is fuel boiling in the carburetor if you don't run a spacer under the Carb they sell aluminum one's from 1/2" to 1" it was a common problem "back in the day when I was young I'm not a kid anymore, but sometimes".
So much negativity from your viewers. I have so enjoyed the entire restoration and the trials and tribulations with Clementine. Maybe upgrade the radiator and head north instead of south. Sometimes all you need is a change in latitude to change your attitude. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Not sure if you read these comments but I'll throw my 2 cents in.... I agree with a previous comment about adding a transmission cooler. I'd also upgrade your radiator. Aluminum and multi-core . Also, double electric fan. I'm not really sure what you're running other than the LS swap. BTW.... my wife and I really enjoy your channel
I had a ford Pinto that hated hot weather...it would vapor lock... I'd have to pull off side of the road until it would cool down...once it would cool it would go for awhile and vapor lock again....once i got out of the heat car ran fine....it loved cold weather...hope yours will be ok...safe travels...
I had a 1989 BMW 325IM that was no problem until it was hot outside. When it was, I had to crank the heat, to help bleed it off the engine. It sucks but it works pretty well. Of course I was not trying to sleep in it though.. Windows open... Sunroof open, and an ice cold Roadie...
My guess is it’s a Chevy which is great but due tend to vapor lock in the heat once they cool down will restart. My husband fixed this after it happen to our 1985 class A many years ago with an electric fuel pump.
I was traveling on the salt flats once at 105 degrees. A gas station attendant gave me what seemed to be a burlap bag filled with water. He placed it in front of my radiator. Never overheated. Just saying.
Ugh, so sorry about the breakdown. It's a bummer since it's such a warm time in the southwest. But getting up nice and early and driving until 12 or 1 should be cool enough most days to get to your next destination safely. Sending all the happy thoughts and RV fairies your way. And lots of coffee so you can actually wake up nice and early.
Ok share more info! Like is the fan blowing? Is your temp gauge slowly climbing? It comes down to fan clutch, thermostat maybe radiator passage restricted. A water pump with low flow is a long shot. Need to verify all that working correctly. That should be a 4 core radiator so you should be fine even in high heat. Hope u get it fixed But should also stop by a shop with good reviews to diagnose issue.
I broke down on I-10 in Texas over a month ago in the middle of nowhere. Racked up a $500 tow bill and $800 in repairs in my RV. I know how you feel and can tell off camera you had a few choice word toward Clementine. I-10 in Texas is not a place to brake down.
Yay!!! Never say die!! I’m so proud of and inspired by you both! Bad stuff happens…that’s life. Love that you’re still trying to reach your goal. I’m cheering for you!❤🇨🇦❤️
Many years ago my partner and I and our dog made a road trip through the Western states in a borrowed VW Camper Van. Our first goal was our reservation at the Grand Canyon, Arizona. We were traveling from Santa Cruz California, with a stop over at Yosemite, and then a drive through Death Valley. Midway through Death Valley our van decided that enough was enough. First the air conditioning gave up, then the engine over-heated. So there we sat. Temperature in the low hundreds and no other idiots driving by to give us a hand. Mind you, this was YEARS before the advent of mobile phones. So we used nearly every water resource we had to thoroughly wet towels and draped them lavishly over our dog and ourselves. Once the engine had cooled, we then drove moistly and cautiously onward.
Years ago I came across the desert super hot with a 61 Chevy pulling a fairly heavy U-Haul and same as you I would go for 30 minutes overheat add water and go another 30 minutes. A mechanic suggested I needed a 7 tube radiator and a transmission cooler so I had it installed and didn't have any issues after that. In Phoenix it was 112 Deg F. This was 1971 it cost $150 for this mechanical work.
Hey guys! Just a suggestion but if you know she likes to over heat maybe you should install an auxiliary fan on a switch and turn it on when she begins to overheat. Just want to help you out! Drive safely you guys got this
Most likely the reason it is losing power and shutting down is the heat in the engine bay is so much it is causing a heat soak condition. The air temp is reaching high enough for the fuel in the fuel line to vaporize causing a vapor lock condition. Once it cools down some it liquefies again and will run until it gets got again
Great episode. I think you've taken the right approach in terms of travelling early morning or overnight. You don't travel very fast so airflow through the radiator is not great and what there is is hardly cooling. As you pointed out, the engine is working hard with the weight of the rig, the tow vehicle and the aerodynamics of a cinder block. Long term (if you're keeping Clementine) you could investigate fitting a larger radiator and a more powerful electric fan. I've already mentioned that you could do with a transmission oil cooler for long hill climbs albeit this was not the problem on this occasion. Good luck adventurers!
You guys did exactly what I hoped you would. I was driving a car that was overheating and on instinct I rolled the windows down and cranked the heat up….. Luckily the problem fixed itself and I rolled the windows up and switched to air conditioning
Did you check the coolant? also that engine uses 2 electric fans on the rad and also a heavy duty clutch fan on the water pump. If your not using the clutch fan I highly recommend you add one. That engine compartment is tiny compared to one of the trucks the engine came from, it needs all the cooling it can get.
10 years ago, we rolled into the Tucumcari NM KOA after having 2 blowouts in one day - the second time was the pasenger front - We came in on a big Pink heavy duty tow truck and the KOA folks and other campers treated us like celebreties. You may have missed out, as we got free drinks from other campers and the KOA gave us vouchers for free breakfast the next day
May I suggest a "Groundhog Day" exit for Clementine? Find a gravel pit, set up cameras, and rig her to drive off the rim with multiple camera angles (setting her up with pyrotechnics to explode is optional).😅
As your long-time viewer since well before COVID, I don't want to watch you repeatedly make the same mistakes anymore. Watching Clementine break down again and again, especially in a scenario you KNOW is a problem, is honestly really sad, not enjoyable to watch, and not worth risking your lives. I hope you'll turn around from the heat, drive Clementine back to wherever you want her to stay, and make her a stationary tiny home that you either live in or rent out. I'll be more than happy to watch you travel to Mexico any other way than in an RV that has an extremely long history of catastrophic breakdowns.
They were advised from the very get-go not to pursue Aristo on this particular vehicle. They disregarded the advice and rolled the dice. Some people learn from others, some people have to learn the hard way.
What about permanently parking her and setting it up as an air bnb (near someone to care for her). I bet a lot of people would love to stay in her!
nice idea
We have family who did that. Really nice RV with hookups. They are constantly booked.
I love this idea 💯
I totally would ❤
Before reading comments I posted the same idea lol saw yours and went back to mine and deleted it. It's a great idea😃
Honestly kids. I vote Mexi-NO !! I’m a Dad speaking here and I say do not go into Mexico with the ol gal. Stay down in SoCal maybe fork out the money and stay at the KOA in San Diego and take Ruby on adventures.
You diagnosed it correctly. It is a 1970's coolant system not designed to pull a full payload (likely maxed out), run A/C, tow a vehicle, all while operating in 104F heat. You should not be surprised it is NOT working, you should be surprised if it had no problems.
I live in the desert, so I'm wondering if I should slap a larger radiator on our RV (if that would even help), or if there's anything else I can do to improve the cooling of the RV. The Previous owner replaced the entire cooling system ~3 years ago, but it was with OEM. It's a 454 (EFI) on a 22ft Class A, and we're planning on towing a very small car on a trailer (~1500lbs total). We have solar and a minisplit, so we might be able to do without the cab AC unless we're driving directly into the sun. We're handy and can do just about any job. We upgraded the radiator on our 1975 IH pickup because it was overheating pretty much constantly.
Maybe, just to complete this final trip, drive overnight and spend days where You’re at … videos of the destination are actually more interesting than the troubles of driving 🔆💛
My recommendation to help and quite possibly end your overheating problem is to install a external transmission cooler as the current transmission cooler is using part of the radiator that cools the engine. The extra weight of the Samurai is putting a lot of heat into the transmission which is in turn adding heat to the engine through the shared cooling in the radiator. You can still keep using the shared cooling system with the radiator and add in line the external transmission cooler. Also, if the engine is carbureted, I would install a phenolic carburetor base plate spacer because all of the heat is causing the carburetor to “vapor lock” basically boiling the gas inside the carburetor and then there is not enough fuel getting through the carburetor and the engine dies from fuel starvation. Hopefully this helps, good luck with it.
They hav a modern LS engine swap (fuel injected).
In that case, disregard the phenolic carb spacer and move ahead with the external trans cooler. If they have a 4L60e transmission, it is definitely not happy with all of the weight of the motor home and towing the Samurai too. Heat kills transmissions quickly along with towing in overdrive. Maybe a good time to step up to a 4L80e. Having the LS swap is a great asset to this rig, it has great potential and can be very reliable once you get all of the bugs worked out.
Agree completely. A transmission cooler is a must have.
My husband says what they used to do in a pinch is wrap the fuel lines with foil - until you can permanently fix the problem
just park it in your garden and use it as a summer house. it is not worth the hassle of driving it anywhere.
I never comment, but Allison, I love your outfits. You always look well put together, no matter where you are traveling!
To be honest I was a bit confused by you guys going north in winter and now going south nearing summer...
Exactly what I was thinking. The 'Snow Birds' have lost their compass.
I wouldn’t go to Mexico with the vehicle struggling with the heat. I would also recommend driving Ruby separately until you figure out the issue. At least Clementine will not be working as hard.
They are probably already in Mexico 😢
Stop at the next auto parts store and pick up a antifreeze tester, if you haven't already. I learned the hard way if you keep adding antifreeze above the recommended mixture +- 50/50 you actually start dropping the boil point (temp) of the coolant. When I tested mine I was shocked that all that antifreeze coolant caused it to boil over at just over 100*. Flush and properly fill and cleared my overheat problem.
On my motorcycle I whet to 'Engine Ice' which is a premium coolant designed for extrema high temps but a bit on the $$ side.
Good luck.
And antifreeze has lower heat carrying capacity than water.
Please DO NOT take Clementine to Mexico, you can rent a car or even take Ruby, but taking Clementine and inevitably breaking down is going to go horribly wrong!!
What's wrong with Mexico?
@citrusretna2088 nothing, if you're Mexican.
@@citrusretna2088 nothing, reliable transport is the main issue . clementine is v tired💯.. preparation is the difference between a dream and a nightmare ❤️👋🇳🇿 NZ
@@citrusretna2088 You could ask my buddy, OH wait, no you can't he was shot and killed through his RV door in the middle of the night when refusing to open his door to banditos on the Baja. Other than that, nothing.
@@HighCountryRambler My buddy in Chicago had the same thing happen
Please do not take Clementine to Mexico! If she breaks down there you might be in a world of trouble. Finding a reputable mechanic in Mexico might be a little hard to do if you don't speak the language.
Those guys from Tread The Globe youtube channel know a good one close to Thiuana
I'm in disbelief that breaking down on these roads didn't make them realize how much worse the same scenario would be in Mexico!
I don't understand this comment. Of COURSE there are reputable, excellent car mechanics in Mexico. They have millions of people and they all use vehicles in one way or another, and when they break down, they get fixed.
I don't understand this comment. Of COURSE there are reputable, excellent car mechanics in Mexico. They have millions of people and they all use vehicles in one way or another, and when they break down, they get fixed.
I've lived in Mexico, and traveled all over Mexico in my car, with my child. We were careful, we avoided certain danger and were totally safe. Mexican people are very kind and hardworking.
Clementine is not meant to tow Especially in 104° heat we have a 30 footer that runs great but I don't know with it especially in the heat
I have some ideas that may help you... retired mechanic here. I wouldn't be driving it to the point of her shutting down as that's too hot and you will destroy your head. I would check the valve lash on your intakes as over tight valves can create overheating. You could even try putting a bottle of liquid copper aka permanate head gasket repair in case of damaged head gasket caused by the over heating. This would be a good and cheaper place to start as I'm from Australia...we know heat. If this fails it could be a water pump or fan. You don't need fancy upgrades if all factory engine parts are working properly she should never overheat. Hope this helps and gives you some ideas.
Hope old Clementine works well for you. And you can enjoy the rest of your road trip. Thanks for sharing content
Limp mode is a safety feature that activates when a car's electronic control unit (ECU) detects that something isn't working as it should. This can happen when a car overheats due to a number of reasons, including:
Coolant leaks
Faulty thermostat
Malfunctioning radiator fan
Low engine oil, transmission fluid, or coolant levels
Dirty air filter
Faulty fuel injectors or coil packs
Malfunctioning sensors, such as the MAF, MAP, or TPS
Transmission errors, such as when the gearbox can't change gears properly
Maybe get up super early and do all your traveling before 10am, then find some shade for her to sit in during the day while you relax? Like travel 3am - 9am or something?
Awwww...when Eric said 'Bye Bye"...the look of resignation on his face was a heartbreaker.....I really hope things improve.
They will 💯🌺 definitely a tough year to be Eric
I have had that problem in the past, aluminium radiators really help dissipate heat much faster .
Also I installed a small water spray system to put water through the radiator fin's
Made a hugh difference .
I used the on board water pump for the water system in the motorhome and pressure cleaner tip to disperse the water.
Does not use much water, just kick it on when your temps start to climb.
My motorhome was a 36 ft diesel push, only 5.9 litres, pulling a 20 ft enclosed trailer with a jeep and motorcycle plus to much other stuff.
I did this in the high mountains, it really worked good.
I would definitely check your fan clutch, if it is wearing out or dead the fan won't spin and won't bring in fresh air. But ultimately if it's hot out there isn't anywhere for the heat to go. I would probably change route and maybe head up towards Canada and the Rockies rather than Mexico. Safe travels from a fellow camper and van traveler!!
Hey yall, consider upgrading the radiator for more capacity an putting a extra auxiliar cooling fan. That would help a lot😎👍
I agree. They need a giant radiator . We did. We never overheated. In my old jeep too. Giant radiators save the day
Yep, 👍 Totally agree 💯, seems like at least one of the repair shops should have recommended an oversized large capacity radiator? Hopefully he's running the heater on floor or vent and not defrost? Most vehicles will run the A.C. pump to remove the moisture in the air blowing on windshield...they probably realize that
Exactly what I was thinking
Especially when they're towing the ruby, maybe putting a 5 gl auxiliary water tank an putting sprayers across the radiator for last resort to get a safe place.😎👌
Clementine is having fits because she knows you're not going to take her across the country anymore!
I absolutely love Clementine!
Thanks for showing reality of travel. I have anxiety about it and watching your calm demeanor handling these things reminds me, it will be OK! Thanks again all the great videos.
Awe sorry to hear your last trip is not going as smooth as you'd hoped 😞 Here's to hoping the rest of the trip goes a whole lot better.
Hate to tell you this but you really picked a bad time of the year to be traveling in Texas, Arizona and California. I live in a city called Bullhead City, AZ. Our temps run anywhere from 106 to 120 degrees in the summer. I hope Clementine makes it okay. Great video this week.
Not only a bad time----a REALLY stupid time!
You guys have such GREAT attitudes! 🎉 We are 6 years full time and we also broke down but in the California desert, yikes 106°...please be careful in Mexico, it's not what it used to be, Southern Cali too, lots of theft and assaults.
They have great attitudes because they’re getting paid to do this and all their RV issues provide content they didn’t have to plan, research, or think about. The more they break down, the more hate comments and suggestions they get, which helps their algorithm.
I think you're vapor locking. Fuel delivery gets too hot. Might need to add an electric fan. Cuts out and shuts down, then will start and run fine for a bit then shut down again.
No, that's not it.
Not sure what they did for the conversion but they should have used an in tank fuel pump and they generally do not vapor lock. They are under higher pressure as well versus the older carbed vehicles. I think they had a later model early LS fuel injected motor in it....
@rvninnorthcarolina3377 you are correct.
Vapor lock has not been a thing for 30 years or so.
It's just hard for people to let go of their anecdotal experiences.
It's usually old people that make this comment.
Awww Clemy!!! I love Clementine. ❤❤❤
The New Zealand family is in Yellowstone right now. Maybe you should head north and meet up with them, and their weather in Yellowstone is only in the low 70s. When will you ever learn that in the winter you stay South and in the summer you go north ❤
Australian?
I had this happen in my RV, the fuel tank vapor locked because of the hot temps. We were told to never use fuel with ethanol in it when the temps get that high.
That engine is working so hard lugging all your crap and hauling a small truck behind it. #1 thing you should have done is disconnect that truck and drive it. That probably would have helped a ton. A bigger radiator might help too. If it was me i would not be towing with that in the heat.
I'm in Tucson and a mechanic if your in the area and have trouble I would love to check out clementine I'm curious if you have a single cooling fan or dual fans because with a/c you should always have 2 fans
What about the fuel line? I assume that engine came out of a truck. So the fuel line to the throttle body may have rerouted too close to the exhaust and when it's extra hot the fuel is getting vaporized. Used to happen in old cars a ton.
@@kevinsands6769 my bet is you are 100% right back in the day some different things in fuel line to keep cool. My husband put an electric fuel pump on our class A 1985 way back when. When it happen to us he said be patient when it cools down it start and it did also no more trouble whole trip.
You two are great together, you have each other to keep going, good energy and humor. You got lot of memories, Good luck!
When will you guys learn go north in the summer and south in the winter! Well at least it makes for interesting videos.
Smart thinking un-hooking Ruby! Glad you are continuing your final road trip. - Hope the new gadget helps out! - Michelle
It's June! Go North! Go North! Go back to Colorado! Spend the summer in the mountains!
Ha Ha - love you guys, no matter where you want to go 🙂
We love your videos. Life is a journey and we really enjoy watching yours.
Just finding your channel, loving it so far. If overheating somewhat like this, ideally remove the radiator and wash it with some ac coil cleaner...or back wash it with a hose, remember they work off airflow to cool. A lot of driving = lots of bugs and small debris
Hello Allison and Eric. As I commented before, the van I was in, coming back from El Paso to Midland, after a visit to Cuidad Juárez, broke down in the desert. It was back in the 1990s, so not unlike your issue. We made sure we got right off the side of the road, away from oncoming trucks. Our good Samaritan was a WW2 US veteran airman, who had flown in planes from UK and turned devout Christian after what he saw. We got a lift to the next town to get assistance.
I was surprised you took on thus trip. Even back then I hired a modern vehicle for the next trip, to a cave in New Mexico.
Wow... Clementine must have overheard you saying that you are quitting Van Life and got mad 😠 Good luck for the rest of the trip. I think that your plan will work out 🤞
As the owner of a 45-year old Minnie Winnie (Dodge chassis) , I'd suggest not pushing the limits of old, tired technology when it's 104 degrees. You'll be disappointed with the outcome every time.
You earned you name today - the endless adventure - you didn't give up and you kept going. Bravo! Looking forward to some epic videos from Arizona, California and Mexico!
❤️👋🇳🇿 NZ
I must say, you two have managed to keep your positive side showing to us viewers, for the most part, while going through some VERY frustrating break downs! I can definitely see why you are ready to hang up RVing! It was fun, but having too many mechanical issues is enough to drive anyone nuts! Maybe retire Clementine to only your local campgrounds after this last trip? Looking forward to seeing what's next for you! Wishing you luck! Your best fans from Pittsburgh!
Clementine just made sure to make saying goodbye to her easy for you, and with no regrets later😎
It is mind boggling how much money and time went into that RV! Absolutely bananas. It has essentially been built NEW from the ground up and inside-out. How can it fail so miserably so often? Especially the engine! That must have cost a mint. Yikes! I have to admit I am really looking forward to your adventures without that heap.
I don't think it's the RV fault, I think it's the people that they have had work on it/build the engine.
They keep picking the wrong mechanics.
Assuming everything is working I’d bet they used the stock or a stock sized rad. It might be too small for the load. That is a giant box on wheels, and then it’s towing 2k lbs on top of that in 100 degree weather. If the mechanic put an electric fan on it I’d rig up a manual override and maybe even add a pusher fan.
I've experienced the same situation. What helps is putting your fan on high ,full heat and full defrost of course with both windows open, that should help keep the engine cooler.Good luck👍
Bless your hearts. It’s good to know when you’re done. Now on to the next big adventure. ♥️
Don't give up on Clem! You put so much soul and good vibes into her. She ust needs help getting temperature and fuel delivery under control. Other than that she's proved herself. Adding stuff isn't as hard as fixing stuff.
You have old fashion AC. the little windows on the doors . Open them and point them at you ..of course only works while you are driving ..
when I was about 14, my parents and I did a road trip to Kansas with a little Champion Motorhome. It kept breaking down along the way. there was no cell phones then, my dad had to hitch hike to the next town and get tow trucks. I recall getting to stay at little motels and swim everywhere with my dad. I learned to swim that summer. It was amazing for me, even with the breakdowns, but I didn't know the risks etc being autistic and young. But it all worked out in the end.
I am commenting while playing the beginning, you put a lot of work into her but I think she just said I'm done I had enough which is very unfortunate I can't wait to watch more of your videos though
The endless adventure is truly the endless adventure. Praying for a positive outcome 🙏 Love you guys❤️
Ive had a similar issue with a van here in New Zealand. My problem was a faulty viscous fan clutch. It had failed and would basically stop spinning at higher revs, but when idling, it would look like it was spinning fine. In cold temps or at lower speeds the engine temperature was fine, on hot days or at higher speeds it would overheat. Temporary fix was to whack a bolt right through the viscous fan so it was permanently locked and was always spinning, until i was able to find a replacement.
Some easy tips for keeping Clementine 'cool' - or at least cooler....
Use 70% water - 30% antifreeze. Water is a better conductor of heat so it will pull more heat out of the engine and reject it better through the radiator.
Add a pint of 'Water Wetter' to the coolant. It is an additive that helps the water not boil as easy (as it can do when flowing through the heads) and thus also allow more heat to be pulled out of the motor. Liquid water absorbs more heat that water vapor, so keeping the water in liquid form helps the flow of heat out of the engine.
I recommend both these things. I have driven cars for 40 years that have marginal cooling systems (classic cars) and doing these things helps a great deal.
Good luck -
Not sure what you have on the rig, but you may want an external trans cooler, an oil cooler and maybe a larger radiator (5 core maybe?...I think they make a big block radiator for that year that is stock). That 70's van was not really designed for the payload you are towing...sorry. But you can make it work for you with some cooling system adds. Today's vehicles have external oil coolers and even trans coolers are part of the design. Yes the later model GM engine you have will cut power when it starts to overheat..runs low on oil, etc. Dont give up on it, just make it right!
Since I no longer have kids summer schedules to work around to take my vacations, I do not go camping in the summer. I spend that time on a cruise, resorts or other places that have nice pools, bars and restaurants. Spring and Fall are my preferred RV times!
Perhaps consider a cooling system flush done by a reputable mechanic. The components seem to be functioning properly, just at a lower capacity. A partially plugged radiator would present a problem like this. Also consider replacing the thermostat, or even removing the thermostat until the 100 degree weather is finished. Best of luck.
My wife and I also drive a RV and the first thing we both said when your RV started to overheat is, "Unhitch your truck" as that extra weight no doubt is one of the main reasons the engine is overheating. We then watched you for hours and then finally you did it and low and behold it helped you lower the temp on your RV Engines. We both kinda laugh saying, why did you not do that first? All good, wish the best for both of you.
I don't know if it's still carbureted, but a old school problem is fuel boiling in the carburetor if you don't run a spacer under the Carb they sell aluminum one's from 1/2" to 1" it was a common problem "back in the day when I was young I'm not a kid anymore, but sometimes".
So much negativity from your viewers. I have so enjoyed the entire restoration and the trials and tribulations with Clementine. Maybe upgrade the radiator and head north instead of south. Sometimes all you need is a change in latitude to change your attitude. Good luck with whatever you decide!
I think people are just over it because there's continuously problems. For years...
@@jj-if6it - such is life.
Just wanted to say my husband and I LOVE WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL!!!!! 🥰 pure joy!
Not sure if you read these comments but I'll throw my 2 cents in.... I agree with a previous comment about adding a transmission cooler. I'd also upgrade your radiator. Aluminum and multi-core . Also, double electric fan. I'm not really sure what you're running other than the LS swap.
BTW.... my wife and I really enjoy your channel
I had a ford Pinto that hated hot weather...it would vapor lock... I'd have to pull off side of the road until it would cool down...once it would cool it would go for awhile and vapor lock again....once i got out of the heat car ran fine....it loved cold weather...hope yours will be ok...safe travels...
I had a 1989 BMW 325IM that was no problem until it was hot outside. When it was, I had to crank the heat, to help bleed it off the engine. It sucks but it works pretty well. Of course I was not trying to sleep in it though.. Windows open... Sunroof open, and an ice cold Roadie...
4:49 ummm, she crapped out at least once on all the trips you just mentioned.
Do NOT go to Mexico with the RV in that condition
I had the same problems in my 1991 Dodge B2 50 and I installed electric fans and that solved my heating issues.
Find a nice safe spot to stow the RV. Buy a plane ticket. Head over to Europe and relive the glory travel days!!!
My guess is it’s a Chevy which is great but due tend to vapor lock in the heat once they cool down will restart. My husband fixed this after it happen to our 1985 class A many years ago with an electric fuel pump.
Best of luck to you on your farewell voyage!
I was traveling on the salt flats once at 105 degrees. A gas station attendant gave me what seemed to be a burlap bag filled with water. He placed it in front of my radiator. Never overheated.
Just saying.
Ugh, so sorry about the breakdown. It's a bummer since it's such a warm time in the southwest. But getting up nice and early and driving until 12 or 1 should be cool enough most days to get to your next destination safely. Sending all the happy thoughts and RV fairies your way. And lots of coffee so you can actually wake up nice and early.
When it's that hot and overheating take the thermostat out and you will be fine. Probably an air flow issue or radiator serviced. best regards!
If you open those wing windows as far as they go, they will scoop up air and blow it right on you.
Blessings for your R..V to keep running safely and well
Van braking downs makes good tv dough. Thanks for entertainment!
Ok share more info!
Like is the fan blowing? Is your temp gauge slowly climbing?
It comes down to fan clutch, thermostat maybe radiator passage restricted. A water pump with low flow is a long shot.
Need to verify all that working correctly.
That should be a 4 core radiator so you should be fine even in high heat. Hope u get it fixed
But should also stop by a shop with good reviews to diagnose issue.
I broke down on I-10 in Texas over a month ago in the middle of nowhere. Racked up a $500 tow bill and $800 in repairs in my RV. I know how you feel and can tell off camera you had a few choice word toward Clementine. I-10 in Texas is not a place to brake down.
Fuel also vapor locks when it gets to hot. We have this issue in Southwest Florida when it gets above 100.
I've driven a lot of clunkers over the years. Driving in the summer with the heat blasting to try and cool the engine, sure brings back memories! 😅
I would change the thermostat, if you have a 170, put in a 190! At least start there. Next would be to upgrade the Radiator, also check the Fan.
You have your temps reversed
Brings back memories of my childhood, breaken down van was part of traveling for me. 😂 So glad everything worked out for you guys stay safe! ❤❤
A new radiator and or water pump may help.
I started watching you guys when we bought our RV a year or two ago. We sold that RV this past weekend, and it never looked so good.
Yay!!! Never say die!! I’m so proud of and inspired by you both! Bad stuff happens…that’s life. Love that you’re still trying to reach your goal. I’m cheering for you!❤🇨🇦❤️
🙄
Many years ago my partner and I and our dog made a road trip through the Western states in a borrowed VW Camper Van. Our first goal was our reservation at the Grand Canyon, Arizona. We were traveling from Santa Cruz California, with a stop over at Yosemite, and then a drive through Death Valley. Midway through Death Valley our van decided that enough was enough. First the air conditioning gave up, then the engine over-heated. So there we sat. Temperature in the low hundreds and no other idiots driving by to give us a hand. Mind you, this was YEARS before the advent of mobile phones. So we used nearly every water resource we had to thoroughly wet towels and draped them lavishly over our dog and ourselves. Once the engine had cooled, we then drove moistly and cautiously onward.
Years ago I came across the desert super hot with a 61 Chevy pulling a fairly heavy U-Haul and same as you I would go for 30 minutes overheat add water and go another 30 minutes. A mechanic suggested I needed a 7 tube radiator and a transmission cooler so I had it installed and didn't have any issues after that. In Phoenix it was 112 Deg F. This was 1971 it cost $150 for this mechanical work.
Baja is hot too. I don’t recommend going to Mexico in the summer. Plant yourselves at a resort campground and explore.
Hey guys! Just a suggestion but if you know she likes to over heat maybe you should install an auxiliary fan on a switch and turn it on when she begins to overheat. Just want to help you out! Drive safely you guys got this
Most likely the reason it is losing power and shutting down is the heat in the engine bay is so much it is causing a heat soak condition.
The air temp is reaching high enough for the fuel in the fuel line to vaporize causing a vapor lock condition. Once it cools down some it liquefies again and will run until it gets got again
Crazy as it sounds had same problem. Turned out it was radiator cap was bad.
Good luck guys, I feel your pain. I hate getting up early and excessive heat too!! Staying relaxed and hydrated will help! ❤🙏
Great episode. I think you've taken the right approach in terms of travelling early morning or overnight. You don't travel very fast so airflow through the radiator is not great and what there is is hardly cooling. As you pointed out, the engine is working hard with the weight of the rig, the tow vehicle and the aerodynamics of a cinder block. Long term (if you're keeping Clementine) you could investigate fitting a larger radiator and a more powerful electric fan. I've already mentioned that you could do with a transmission oil cooler for long hill climbs albeit this was not the problem on this occasion. Good luck adventurers!
You guys did exactly what I hoped you would.
I was driving a car that was overheating and on instinct I rolled the windows down and cranked the heat up…..
Luckily the problem fixed itself and I rolled the windows up and switched to air conditioning
Did you check the coolant? also that engine uses 2 electric fans on the rad and also a heavy duty clutch fan on the water pump. If your not using the clutch fan I highly recommend you add one. That engine compartment is tiny compared to one of the trucks the engine came from, it needs all the cooling it can get.
Check to see if you could put an oil cooler on for engine oil. Also is your radiator fan big enough.
10 years ago, we rolled into the Tucumcari NM KOA after having 2 blowouts in one day - the second time was the pasenger front - We came in on a big Pink heavy duty tow truck and the KOA folks and other campers treated us like celebreties. You may have missed out, as we got free drinks from other campers and the KOA gave us vouchers for free breakfast the next day
Oh Clementine! This is not how we want to end the adventures! BEHAVE! LOL
May I suggest a "Groundhog Day" exit for Clementine? Find a gravel pit, set up cameras, and rig her to drive off the rim with multiple camera angles (setting her up with pyrotechnics to explode is optional).😅
As your long-time viewer since well before COVID, I don't want to watch you repeatedly make the same mistakes anymore. Watching Clementine break down again and again, especially in a scenario you KNOW is a problem, is honestly really sad, not enjoyable to watch, and not worth risking your lives. I hope you'll turn around from the heat, drive Clementine back to wherever you want her to stay, and make her a stationary tiny home that you either live in or rent out. I'll be more than happy to watch you travel to Mexico any other way than in an RV that has an extremely long history of catastrophic breakdowns.
They were advised from the very get-go not to pursue Aristo on this particular vehicle.
They disregarded the advice and rolled the dice.
Some people learn from others, some people have to learn the hard way.
@@reubenj.cogburn8546 What's Aristo?
@@reubenj.cogburn8546 I don't mean to sound like an idiot but what does aristo mean?
This channel was so good before Covid. I’m so over the failed RV stuff
@margaretanglade5293 sorry, I was using Google Voice to Text.
It was supposed to be a resto ( restoration).
Hope the trip gets better. So sorry you guys are giving up on RV living. I rather enjoyed your adventures