What would you guys consider *essential* parts and tools to take, for a 900i
8v non-turbo? Remember, the more we carry, the heavier and the less space in the car, plus we don't want to spend a fortune, as the car, tools and parts won't be coming home with us.
ma_twain (ma snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
We leave the UK, rapidly through France and Spain (1400 miles), cross over the Med, into Morocco, through the disputed territories of the Western Sahara, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (which is pretty much entirely rocky or sandy desert, apart from the 200km beach where you have to race the tide or get a bit damp), Senegal and the Gambia.... Nearly 4000 miles in all. Oh, and we may have a little wander through Mali and Burkina Faso when we get there - Timbuctou has to be worth a visit - although the three different Meningitis vaccinations recommended for Burkina Faso are a bit offputting....
We may come across the odd arabic blacksmith at times. And camels. Plenty of camels. Hopefully.
Erm, yes . The GPS will also be useful. As will food, water and petrol for the desert stretchs. Oh, and a guide for the bits with landmines.
This is what I'd take: # Socket + spanner set # Assorted tools (hammer, mole grips, water pump pliers, that kind of stuff) # Set of plugs, cap, rotor arm # Couple of reels of gaffer tape # Spare belts (alternator + ps pump) # 5l of oil, 10l of water # Brake fuild and ps fluid
If I had the money/space, I'd also take: # Clutch master + slave cylinders # Ignition amp (s/hand) # Fuel pump (s/hand)
I'd add a couple of jugs of antifreeze/coolant, some radiator stop leak and super strength windshield washer concentrate. Also an extra set of washer blades. Emergency tire sealant. A floor jack -- will work on uneven surfaces much better than the regular car jack. Or at least a couple of jackstands. A couple of those space age blanket things that fold up real small. A crowbar.
Cheap screwdriver set and socket set, Mole Grips and Pliers
5litres decent Oil
10 litres decent Fuel
10 litres pure water (for the car or you if you get stranded) Oil Filter Fuel Filter All belts Gearbox Oil Epoxy Putty (know the stuff that you cut a bit off and knead it together, good for fixing sumps) Throttle Cable Bulbs Gaffer Tape Lots of various size zip ties (if a coolant pipe splits gaffer tape and some zip tying will hold it)
Anything that breaks and you can't fix with the above is gonna be terminal. The above is what I take on my 2500 mile mad mission around europe. Many a TVR has been back up and running after some zip tie, gaffer tape and epoxy putty LOL.
Remember the front seat covers unzip so if you get stranded and its cold use em to keep your legs warm. Using the foam from the rear seats as insulation is also possible.
Matches and/or disposable lighters, especially if nobody smokes. Some of that super strong but light rope that mountain climbers use. Enough to tie from your car bumper to a camel:) A solar battery charger for stuff you've got that uses batteries in case you get in an emergency situation where you can't use the car to recharge them. There are quite a few companies these days making solar battery chargers for just about any type of battery, including cell phones. Also solar recharged flashlights, radios, etc.
You never know when you might need to cut something. Antifreeze Barrs Leak or other radiator sealer
The exhaust airbagt jack is a good idea, but what if you need to get under the car and it won't start? How do you inflate the airbag jack? I second the floor jack suggestion.
On that note, I would take LED flashlights. They run forever on one set of batteries and "never" burn out light bulbs. They are not inexpensive, but you can take them home with you.
The comment on cheap tools - fine if they don't break, but if they break in the middle of nowhere, they may cost you far more than the additional cost of a good set of tools.
Yep, if its spit wrap one or two layers of gaffer tape around it then zip tie it up, pull them tight and the rubber is forced together, forming a tidy seal. Any bits you've missed the gaffer tape will take care off.
GRP mainly ;-) My old Chim made it nearly 800 miles with the top rad hose zip tied together, rather worringly it lost less coolant than normal as well ;-)
CraigBob ( snipped-for-privacy@csi.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
We will be travelling with other cars. It's perhaps more appropriate to ask what happens, though, if we need it and there's not a single exhaust left among us. Mebbe I will lob my trolleyjack in instead. More control, too, if it's needed to bend things back into shape.
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