LEJOG in a 28 year old car

[MJK 24]

I'm stuck at home bored after an op last month. Decided to do LEJOG this week to get me out and about for a couple of days.

Plan is to drive up to John O'Groats on Wednesday. Leave at sunrise and head for Lands End using main roads and motorways and see what time I arrive. I'm limiting myself to 75-80 max and will stop when tired.

I'll be doing it in a 28 year old Scirocco. It's in good health having had a full overhaul of the steering, suspension and brakes 12 months ago. Passed its MOT a few weeks ago without comment.

Would you advise any particular tools and spares as a precaution? I'll bring oil and a spare fan belt as it threw the belt last year for no obvious reason. I'll also bring a full size spare wheel (only a space saver as standard). Anything else?

Cheers

[V8 FOU]

Large service, change the brake fluid and coolant. New cam belt? Take bulbs, gaffa tape, hose repair tape, gunge to repair punctures in a hurry, cable ties etc.
No doubt the likes of Benjj will be along to advise....

[MJK 24]

V8 FOU said:

Large service, change the brake fluid and coolant. New cam belt? Take bulbs, gaffa tape, hose repair tape, gunge to repair punctures in a hurry, cable ties etc.
No doubt the likes of Benjj will be along to advise....

Was serviced in April. Coolant done a few weeks ago (radiator change). Brake fluid 12 months ago. Timing belt last September (head gasket changed).

The rest all sounds like a good idea! Will sort tomorrow!

Thanks for replying

[V8 FOU]

Check wheel bearings and cv joints/gaiters - these are a bit prone to troubles on these.

[benjj]

It shouldn't be a big deal for the car if its in good shape. Just like driving down to the south of France etc.

I'd be taking general stuff - spare wheel and maybe an inner tube as backup for when you're in the wilds. 4/5l of oil, premixed coolant in a big bottle etc. A few spare fuses, a 5l jerry can of fuel and that's about it. A magnetic torch is a good idea for if you need to do some night time repairs.

Remember to have cash money on you. Some of the remote filling stations don't take cards/cheques.

Have fun

[Pistom]

Plenty of older cars have done it and more so no issues expected.

[Riley Blue]

FWIW I recently did over 1000 miles in a 50 year old car with no on board spares at all. I checked the oil and water after 300 miles; they were fine so the bonnet stayed shut the rest of the trip.

[MJK 24]

V8 FOU said:

Check wheel bearings and cv joints/gaiters - these are a bit prone to troubles on these.

All wheel bearings and gaitors were replaced 12 months ago. The CV joints were still serviceable and just regreased. The whole car had a very thorough going over this time last year which should stand it in good stead hopefully!

[RichB]

Riley Blue said:

FWIW I recently did over 1000 miles in a 50 year old car with no on board spares at all. I checked the oil and water after 300 miles; they were fine so the bonnet stayed shut the rest of the trip.

Likewise, I just did 2,000+ in my 55 year old car on a tour of France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy with no problems. Yes it used some oil but other than that no issues. Your Scirocco should easily drove from the north of Scotland to Lands End. Just take some CDs and some sweets, anything else you need you can buy

[Hooli]

Bottle of water to drink & sweets.

Oh & a camera, bits of the trip are stunning.


Apart from that, enjoy.

[lowdrag]

When I did over 1,000 in a day in a 50 yr old car I got it out of the garage, checked tyres, coolant and oil, and drove it. I can buy anti-freeze and oil if I need it anywhere, but yes there are always a few specifics in the boot which could be necessary and which can't be found in a hurry if needed. As the old song went "paranoia strikes deep, into your heart it will creep". If the car is regularly serviced I see no reason to have any qualms at all. Your car seems well maintained and all I hope is that you really enjoy the trip. Bonne route.

[nta16]

MJK 24 said:

gaitors were replaced 12 months ago.

I hope they're better than the ones we get for some classics as the rubbish rubber only lasts 6 months before cracking

(almost) too late now but test drive the car each day a month before going (test drive it for a good distance today)

don't push your luck on how much petrol you have left in the tank especially at the top of Scotland

I'd take a good manual footpump and reliable gauge and (although I don't normally like to use it) a small can of WD40 or similar, something to wipe your hands on and to clean areas you’re working on and your tools

don't under estimate the effects of fatigue especially during the night

oh, take all your fuel reward cards, good luck

ETA: I'm sure on a public forum you meant 70 mph

[benjj]

lowdrag said:

When I did over 1,000 in a day in a 50 yr old car I got it out of the garage, checked tyres, coolant and oil, and drove it. I can buy anti-freeze and oil if I need it anywhere, but yes there are always a few specifics in the boot which could be necessary and which can't be found in a hurry if needed. As the old song went "paranoia strikes deep, into your heart it will creep". If the car is regularly serviced I see no reason to have any qualms at all. Your car seems well maintained and all I hope is that you really enjoy the trip. Bonne route.

Agree with this outlook Tony.

My navigator and I will do regularly do 1000km just to get to the start of a rally, and then proceed to hammer the car for 3/5 days in competition and then drive it 1000km home

It just comes down to a well prepared car. Classics are a mixed blessing. On one hand they are very simple and the effort in keeping them ship shape isn't too bad. On the other hand they're generally old tech and often kept running on sub standard modern manufactured parts.

All in all I know which car I'd rather be working on by the side of the road if I have to be.

[MJK 24]

nta16 said:

MJK 24 said:

gaitors were replaced 12 months ago.

I hope they're better than the ones we get for some classics as the rubbish rubber only lasts 6 months before cracking

(almost) too late now but test drive the car each day a month before going (test drive it for a good distance today)

don't push your luck on how much petrol you have left in the tank especially at the top of Scotland

I'd take a good manual footpump and reliable gauge and (although I don't normally like to use it) a small can of WD40 or similar, something to wipe your hands on and to clean areas you’re working on and your tools

don't under estimate the effects of fatigue especially during the night

oh, take all your fuel reward cards, good luck

ETA: I'm sure on a public forum you meant 70 mph

The Gaitors are genuine GKN and very thick rubber. Also, if you turn them inside out, they're reinforced at all the corners. I agree it's getting harder to find good quality parts year days. Plenty of complete rubbish about!

[nta16]

the worse of the rubber is the braided covered hoses where you can't see the rubber splinting until it's too late

I've not heard of rubber brake hoses (on classics) causing problems (yet?) but from personal experience I've had four lots of different 1/4" rubber fuel hose, from four different suppliers, split - I now use modern 6mm hose (fits the carbs better too) and steering rack gaiters and TRE boots that lasted 6 months then there's seals, wiper blades, mounts, etc.

new fitted parts can cause problems that why I suggest a months driving of the car before going away so that you can pick up problems before you go - providing you've driven the car regularly since your service in April you should be fine

an MoT is well and good but it doesn't tell you how well the car will go compared to its full potential

as you're going such a distance I'd fill the first few tanks full of cleaning fuels like Tesco 99 or Shell V-Power Nitro+ and/or a bottle of something like STP 'Complete Fuel System Cleaner' to give the car a good blow/clean out at legal speeds

[Riley Blue]

I was thinking that maybe I'd do LeJog in my Riley so plotted Lands End to John O'Groats in Google maps using the 'avoid highways' option. Three routes are suggested - have a look at the third.

[e600]

An RAC membership card.

[jith]

MJK 24 said:

I'm stuck at home bored after an op last month. Decided to do LEJOG this week to get me out and about for a couple of days.

Plan is to drive up to John O'Groats on Wednesday. Leave at sunrise and head for Lands End using main roads and motorways and see what time I arrive. I'm limiting myself to 75-80 max and will stop when tired.

I'll be doing it in a 28 year old Scirocco. It's in good health having had a full overhaul of the steering, suspension and brakes 12 months ago. Passed its MOT a few weeks ago without comment.

Would you advise any particular tools and spares as a precaution? I'll bring oil and a spare fan belt as it threw the belt last year for no obvious reason. I'll also bring a full size spare wheel (only a space saver as standard). Anything else?

Cheers

Well MJK, the wife and I were having yet another talk about whether or not to sell the 500SEC; it's now 27 years old. We took it down to the show in Moffat on Sunday and, as usual, it ran faultlessly. So we're keeping it!

After over 40 years in the trade I can honestly say it is the most reliable car I have ever owned beyond all shadow of a doubt. We bought it years ago and it has never once broken down, failed to start, misfired or given any trouble whatever.

The Scirocco is based on the Mark 1 Golf, arguably the most reliable VW ever made. Certainly the most fun to drive. I wouldn't hesitate, just take some obvious spares with you like a cap and rotor, and maybe a coil.

The belt problem can be caused by the alternator overcharging and overloading the belt: easy to check. Some of these cars had the alternators mounted on rubber isolating bushes which perished with the result that the alternator would pull over at an angle when you tighten the belt causing the pulley to run out of true. This will seriously shorten the life of the belt and it will fail. Again an easy check. Just look at it!

Despite what the media may imply, 80s and 90s cars are far more reliable than new ones.

Great run by the way. I did it about 15 years ago and it was fantastic fun.

J

[rtg0616]

If I'm travelling a long distance I take a trunk in the boot with all the things I may need, if I were to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. Don't forget there isn't always GSM coverage in the far reaches of Scotland.
It has the usual things already mentioned, including a stove/cooker, bottles of water, tinned food, big torch, tow rope, lightweight tent (carry mat and sleeping bag)spare clothing and waterproofs.A pair of trainers incase you have to walk any distance for assistance. It sounds a bit overkill but as they say, "Any idiot can be uncomfortable".
I can't imagine you'll have too much drama in a car that age.

[Hooli]

jith said:

Despite what the media may imply, 80s and 90s cars are far more reliable than new ones.

By the mid 90s they added too many wires & cars have got worse since then.