Tool kit and Octane boost additive

[jeffsy]

Hi

I am taking the red 'un for a spin on the Continent in September (Autobahns - Alps - N Italy) and could do with some guidance on what tools to take with me. Could somebody advise on a socket set? Space is obviously at a premium but I could do with some input on what sizes and whether Imp/Metric?

Also

Does anyone have any comments on octane boost that I can take in case I cant find super-unleaded?

I appreciate it....thanks in advance

[richb]

I always take fuses, zippie-ties, emery paper, bits of wire, pliers, small screwdriver, spare bulbs, electrical tape, etc. but as for a socket set I wonder what I'd use it on? Think about what you intend to dismantle in the event of a breakdown and that will give you an idea of what to take. You want a couple of cans of tyre-weld, and a warning triangle as well. Rich...

[FlipFlopGriff]

Do a search as there was a long post on what to carry somewhere - can't remember if it was Griff or general.
I'd add a drive belt, 100a fuse, fuel pump relay. I think you need a small compressor as well as the tyre weld as I think it'll still be flat with just the weld and you need the forced air to ciculate the gunge. Isn't is compulsory to carry spare bulbs?
FFG

[jeffsy]

...Iv got the fuses (not 100a though), tyreweld,cable-ties,footpump,lamps,pliers,molegrips,triangle,highviz vests (compulsory for Italy and Austria BTW),spares will be sorted via my TVR garage,screwdrivers,gaffa tape,insulation tape,towrope...I was just worried about nuts and bolts thats all.

Any ideas on the fuel additive?

[Sundance Kid]

I regularly use octane booster in my Griff 500.

I have used both STP and Wynns brands, and have never had any problems. It costs about £4.00 from most car accessory shops eg motoraids etc, for a 250ml bottle which treats 50 litres.

If your car has a cat, double check on the bottle that the booster is for unleaded fuel and safe for catalytic converters.

I have used Optimax, BP 97 octane, Sainsburys super unleaded 97 octane and normal 95 octane unleaded with octane booster. the car runs fine, no problems.

[cv1040]

Jeffsy,

I'm in a similar situation to you about to embark on a continental touring holiday, first time in a Griff. I've picked my tools based on what I might be able to fit myself if I have to. But TBH I'm a lousy mechanic and I'll gladly give the problem / spares to someone else who knows his job better than I do if I can't fix it myself.

But as regards tools it all depends on what you are carrying in the way of spares (you didn't say in your post what you're carrying) and whether you can fit them yourself. Pretty well all of the sockets you will need will be metric, but TBH you'll need to do a few dry runs while you are still in the UK to see what you need to carry with and that you are confident you can do the work. You'll need a few screwdrivers, including a big one for the jubilee clips or as a lever for the serp belt, spanners, open and closed type and I find mole grips pretty handy.

If you are on Eurohoon you might have the luxury of calling in the mechanic and letting him deal with the problem. Ever fitted a serp belt yourself?

Not sure I can comment on octane enhancers, France (where I'm going) has 98 available in most places, but I've bunged a tub of Redex in just in case.

BTW, with a bit of luck if you carry lots of spares you'll never need to use any of them.

Cheers

John.

[richb]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Do a search as there was a long post on what to carry somewhere - can't remember if it was Griff or general.

Here's a summary of the items... Rich...

2 x Tyre Weld
Disposable Camera for when some idiot hits you
Fan Belt
Zip ties
Fuses
Gaffa Tape
Warning Triangle
Tape up lights
GB Plate
Green Card
Vehicle docs (copies)
Insurance docs (copies)
AA card
Insurance card
E111
112 for Police on mobile
First Aid Kit
Few spare bulbs in kit
Tow rope booster cables
Torch
Mobile Phone
2TVR Warranty Booklet
10p for when the mobile packs up
Green Flag Number
Steel epoxy?
Few Tools
Few sharp blades & hacksaw blades

[jeffsy]

Sundance - thanks for that - I'll get some from Halfwits

John

You sound uncannily like myself - no mechanic. I am going on Eurohoon and the BIG advantage is the mechanic attending. I have asked my garage to pull together some spares - they will advise me what I need based on their experience. I just didnt want to be embarrassed thats all by not having anything on board. I certainly wont be doing much changing of anything...unless its currency at the bar in exchange for beer!!

I also very much subscribe to the view that if I take everything, I'll need nothing!!

Cheers all - its all good info so far

[BIG GRF]

Took the Griff to France recently and covered well over 1000 miles in 4 days, no problems, absolutely fantastic.

I did take 1 litre of oil with me and glad I did so - not that my car has an oil consumption problem, just Griffs are well known to be oil thirsty and I wanted to make sure I topped up with the same stuff as I use here in the UK. Doesn't take up much room either.

[barreti]

You could try having a read or search through the LEMANS forum. We were all discussing this before the trip.

[DustyC]

I did a similar trip last year and am about to do an even bigger one this September.

In france you'll not have problems fidning 98 octane but in Italy its a little bit harder. However at the end of my trip lat year I found that Shell sell something called V-max (or similar) which is 99 octane, and there was me carefully measuring out the booster for 2 weeks!

I'm still taking Octane booster for when I cant find Shell plus never been to Austria before.
I buy the octance booster that comes in the smallest bottle but treats the most liquid. My advice is to go to Halfords and read the back of the bottles or get yourself a Demon Tweaks catalogue.

ie in the motorsport catalogue they list Millers Octane Plus which boosts octance by 2 and 250ml treats 50 litres of fuel. Plus its only £3.05 a bottle.

As for tools I pack a small kit containing metric sockets, spanners, pliers, screwdrivers etc (plus the all essential hammer and super glue!).
Also pack duct tape (will hold fibre glass together incase of the worst), self amalgamating tape which bonds splits in coolant pipes, spare bulb kit, 2 tyre welds, warning triangle, illuminous vests (compulsory in Spain and possible others).

Other things to take are light weight cool long sleeved shirt and cap. Essential if going further south if you dont want to fry!

We have also fitted an MP3 player save packing lots of CDs.

Other things already mentioned on here.

the essentail thing is good european breakdown cover. i use brittania and they have provided excellent service to my 4 cars for me and girlfriend for a year at £130 for deluxe cover across europe.
(email me for details as if you mention me I'll get £5 off!). I have been a member withthem for 3 years now, very good.

[jeffsy]

Thanks guys

Where can I get self amalgamating tape from (I have Gaffa and insulating tape)?

[ruaricoles]

Halfords do a small roll of it which works OK (from bitter experience!)

Dry the hose off and stretch this stuff to ~twice its normal length while you wrap it round - easypeasy and providing it's not too big a split it'll get you home.

Ruari

[jeffsy]

Sorted ! - thanks