Griff prep for a long run.
Discussion
Hi lads,
Prior to the post on the Le Mans trip I have arranged with a few mates to do the run too. We have the ferry/camping already booked.
Other than the obvious servicing what would you recommend is checked/changed prior to such a trip?
My car has about 90k miles but the top end was rebuilt about 14k miles ago. Due to the age I was thinking service +gearbox oil and diff oil change. Anything else I should do?
It would be good to meet some of the members once at Le Mans and I will post about that nearer the time.
Thanks.
Prior to the post on the Le Mans trip I have arranged with a few mates to do the run too. We have the ferry/camping already booked.
Other than the obvious servicing what would you recommend is checked/changed prior to such a trip?
My car has about 90k miles but the top end was rebuilt about 14k miles ago. Due to the age I was thinking service +gearbox oil and diff oil change. Anything else I should do?
It would be good to meet some of the members once at Le Mans and I will post about that nearer the time.
Thanks.
Hi,
Just have a real good sniff around, an in deapth visual inspection is what works for me take you time and you will hopefully see whats not quite right.
Especially check for things such as clean tight battery terminals, starter & earth connections also any slight water leaks on the cooling system such as staining on the radiator and also have a look at the clutch slave and master cylinders for weeping.
Even maybe now is a good time to put a new battery in the alarm fob and if budget allows a new fan belt distributor cap, rotor and leads.
I would also check that all wheels are able to be removed (no PITA locking nuts) of stuck to the hub alloy wheels.
I always carry a small rescue kit containing a throttle cable fuses, fan belt some basic tools and a can of tyre weld etc
As mentioned before have a few runs and see if anything pops up it will be something silly that stops you rather than a catastrophic breakdown, good luck and enjoy the trip.
Just have a real good sniff around, an in deapth visual inspection is what works for me take you time and you will hopefully see whats not quite right.
Especially check for things such as clean tight battery terminals, starter & earth connections also any slight water leaks on the cooling system such as staining on the radiator and also have a look at the clutch slave and master cylinders for weeping.
Even maybe now is a good time to put a new battery in the alarm fob and if budget allows a new fan belt distributor cap, rotor and leads.
I would also check that all wheels are able to be removed (no PITA locking nuts) of stuck to the hub alloy wheels.
I always carry a small rescue kit containing a throttle cable fuses, fan belt some basic tools and a can of tyre weld etc
As mentioned before have a few runs and see if anything pops up it will be something silly that stops you rather than a catastrophic breakdown, good luck and enjoy the trip.
You need a 'spares' box/bag and a tool box/bag.
I take it you already carry these, but tell us whats in them and we can advise what else you might need.
The reason I mention this is if you haven't got things like an Ignition Amp you should have one. So get one and fit it and keep the one you take off as your 'known good spare'
I take it you already carry these, but tell us whats in them and we can advise what else you might need.
The reason I mention this is if you haven't got things like an Ignition Amp you should have one. So get one and fit it and keep the one you take off as your 'known good spare'
Spare bulbs.
Duct Tape x 1 roll.
Check your wheel changing kit......
Tyre weld tins x 2 (to get you off the motorway so you can do a tyre chanage if required).
Small tools /screwdriver / Pliers, etc.
Rags for wiping down 'anything'.
Red Triangle.
Hi Vis Vest (in the car, not the boot).
Spare oil for top up'
Mobile phone and charger.
Insurance and breakdown docs.
Breath test kit for foreign travel.
Sat Nav.
Loads of $$$ for petrol !
Digi camera to record the good and bad bits.
Duct Tape x 1 roll.
Check your wheel changing kit......
Tyre weld tins x 2 (to get you off the motorway so you can do a tyre chanage if required).
Small tools /screwdriver / Pliers, etc.
Rags for wiping down 'anything'.
Red Triangle.
Hi Vis Vest (in the car, not the boot).
Spare oil for top up'
Mobile phone and charger.
Insurance and breakdown docs.
Breath test kit for foreign travel.
Sat Nav.
Loads of $$$ for petrol !
Digi camera to record the good and bad bits.
Barreti said:
The worrying thing is Hoover actually believes that.
It worries me to 
I must admit a carry a spare belt, which I've used once...... always got my relay at hand for something more drastic, ie alternator failure
Edited by Hoover. on Thursday 2nd January 23:38
actually just thing about it... regards of the massive list of spares carried by others, basic tools, amp meter, spare cable n isolation tape.... and more use then anything leather gardening gloves as engine is effing hot
Edited by Hoover. on Thursday 2nd January 23:46
Leather Gardening Gloves : Good shout ! 
Oh how I laughed when the 'grumpiest recovery man in the world' attended our car on the hard shoulder in Belgium and promptly burnt his forearm on my nice shiney Y-piece.
I was a bit pissed off as it made a mark on my nice clean metal work, that requuired some serious polishing to get it back up to standard.
Bloody French (Belgian) Buffoon.
Oh how I laughed when the 'grumpiest recovery man in the world' attended our car on the hard shoulder in Belgium and promptly burnt his forearm on my nice shiney Y-piece.
I was a bit pissed off as it made a mark on my nice clean metal work, that requuired some serious polishing to get it back up to standard.
Bloody French (Belgian) Buffoon.
I've done quite a few trips to europe over the last 10 years in my grif and learnt a few lessons on the way. Now I recommend the following.:
Service before trip:
Spares to include, coil leads, rotor arm, ignition module, dissy cap, plugs, relays, fuses including 100amp, spare hose clamps and good Stanley knife, basic tools etc,, plenty of oil. Extra puncture foam and the regulatory hi viz jackets, bulbs, and drink driving test kit.
Its sounds a lot but for a couple of hundred quid its worth having. I was saved on trip before last to stelvio when the coil started to fail! Friend had a spare and in 10min holiday continued as normal.
Then hopefully you'll never need any of them while travelling.
Mark
Service before trip:
Spares to include, coil leads, rotor arm, ignition module, dissy cap, plugs, relays, fuses including 100amp, spare hose clamps and good Stanley knife, basic tools etc,, plenty of oil. Extra puncture foam and the regulatory hi viz jackets, bulbs, and drink driving test kit.
Its sounds a lot but for a couple of hundred quid its worth having. I was saved on trip before last to stelvio when the coil started to fail! Friend had a spare and in 10min holiday continued as normal.
Then hopefully you'll never need any of them while travelling.
Mark
I've done quite a few trips to europe over the last 10 years in my grif and learnt a few lessons on the way. Now I recommend the following.:
Service before trip:
Spares to include, coil leads, rotor arm, ignition module, dissy cap, plugs, relays, fuses including 100amp, spare hose clamps and good Stanley knife, basic tools etc,, plenty of oil. Extra puncture foam and the regulatory hi viz jackets, bulbs, and drink driving test kit.
Its sounds a lot but for a couple of hundred quid its worth having. I was saved on trip before last to stelvio when the coil started to fail! Friend had a spare and in 10min holiday continued as normal.
Then hopefully you'll never need any of them while travelling.
Mark
Service before trip:
Spares to include, coil leads, rotor arm, ignition module, dissy cap, plugs, relays, fuses including 100amp, spare hose clamps and good Stanley knife, basic tools etc,, plenty of oil. Extra puncture foam and the regulatory hi viz jackets, bulbs, and drink driving test kit.
Its sounds a lot but for a couple of hundred quid its worth having. I was saved on trip before last to stelvio when the coil started to fail! Friend had a spare and in 10min holiday continued as normal.
Then hopefully you'll never need any of them while travelling.
Mark
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