Essential checks before big trip

[simpin68]

Hi and merry xmas fellow aulro'ers

Crossing the continent over the xmas break from the north to the south straight down the centre. Pretty easy drive just a long hot straight road, plan to do it in 4 days (Darwin to Adelaide)

The temps at this time of year get up to 50 through the centre so I am conscious of hoses, radiators etc.

Car is 2004 d2a diesel, 156,000km, last service 151,000km no known problems. (just fixed leaking sls)


What would you be checking/doing

[weeds]

front prop shaft........plenty have been done, i'm not up to speed but if it hasn''t been upgraded to greasable uni's than you might like to check it condition

[Ean Austral]

Gday Simpin68,

We are headed out of town ourselves on the 27th.Do you have a low coolant level alarm or are you relying on the temp guage.

would carry a spare fuel filter as last time we couldn't get 1 between Darwin-Adelaide as the L/Rover place in Alice was closed.

If you are taking 4 days then you wont be pushing it, so just the general stuff, without going into things like oil pump bolt etc.

Safe travels.

Cheers Ean

[simpin68]

Hi Ean

I'll be a couple of days behind you. Out of interest what speed do you like to sit on?

If I start thinking about all the potential things that could go wrong I think I will end up putting it on the train.

Just have the standard temp gauge which never seems to move from half way. Will have to do as I don't get back into town unitl xmas eve so no way of any mods.

[Skellz]

I am doing the same trip Darwin to Adelaide on the 1 JAN expect to be in Adelide on the 4th with the wife and three kids. It is a nice long drive have to replace my rear air bags before I go just wait for them to get here from the U.K. What date are every one eles traveling down

:):):):):):):)

[Redback]

front prop shaft........plenty have been done, i'm not up to speed but if it hasn''t been upgraded to greasable uni's than you might like to check it condition


Gday Simpin68,

We are headed out of town ourselves on the 27th.Do you have a low coolant level alarm or are you relying on the temp guage.

would carry a spare fuel filter as last time we couldn't get 1 between Darwin-Adelaide as the L/Rover place in Alice was closed.

If you are taking 4 days then you wont be pushing it, so just the general stuff, without going into things like oil pump bolt etc.

Safe travels.

Cheers Ean

This is what I'd do/check, if you can't do the low water alarm then I would check your water level every time you stop, take some spare coolant too, but have your front double carden joint on the front tailshaft checked before you go.

Baz.

[alien]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/115235-td5-auto-service-time-items-watch.html :D

[Ean Austral]

Hi Ean

I'll be a couple of days behind you. Out of interest what speed do you like to sit on?

If I start thinking about all the potential things that could go wrong I think I will end up putting it on the train.

Just have the standard temp gauge which never seems to move from half way. Will have to do as I don't get back into town unitl xmas eve so no way of any mods.

I am Mr plod, about 100 is about it for me, we will be towing the camper trailer so 90 will most likely be it.

Just be aware that the standard temp guage will give you no warning if you blow a hose. Just check that the hoses are in good nic and havent expanded or bulged.Then check them every day before you go and you should be OK..Think you should invest in a low level alarm IMHO at your next chance.

Cheers Ean.

[LandyAndy]

When checking hoses,pay particular attention to the little one behind the turbo,it joins a metal pipe to the engine oil cooler.This hose is subjected to the radiant heat from the turbo and exhaust.It cant be fixed on the side of the road as its about 4" long and different diameters both ends.Buy a spare if you havent got time to replace it.
Andrew

[clubagreenie]

As an example my tempgauge hiyts half at 55 and is still there at at least 100. Thats comparing with at scangauge attached.

[Grumndriva]

As an example my tempgauge hiyts half at 55 and is still there at at least 100. Thats comparing with at scangauge attached.

I don't think the Scan Gauge works with the TD5, but I can confirm that the standard temp gauge stays at exactly the same horizontal position from 70 degrees to 113 degrees on my V8. At 114 degrees it is half a needle width above the normal position. It is actually worse than useless and as others have said it will not warn you when things start going wrong.

[ozscott]

I don't think the Scan Gauge works with the TD5, but I can confirm that the standard temp gauge stays at exactly the same horizontal position from 70 degrees to 113 degrees on my V8. At 114 degrees it is half a needle width above the normal position. It is actually worse than useless and as others have said it will not warn you when things start going wrong.

Grum - I was panicking and attacking the cooling system with a flush, new fan hub, new thermostat and hoses at 157,000k (ie a few months ago I started that) when my temp hit 105...when are you seeing 114?

Cheers

[simpin68]

I am Mr plod, about 100 is about it for me, we will be towing the camper trailer so 90 will most likely be it.

Just be aware that the standard temp guage will give you no warning if you blow a hose. Just check that the hoses are in good nic and havent expanded or bulged.Then check them every day before you go and you should be OK..Think you should invest in a low level alarm IMHO at your next chance.

Cheers Ean.

Ean

I'm with you on the the plod but I'm not towing anything, I think 110 is comfortable. While everyone else will be sitting up your backside doing 140 I just don't feel like the disco likes going over 110, I was doing a stint on 130 recently coming back from Katherine and it bounces around a fair bit and it seemed to use a lot more fuel, I think at the end of the day it's still more a truck than a car. Happy to get there in one piece.

[simpin68]

I am doing the same trip Darwin to Adelaide on the 1 JAN expect to be in Adelide on the 4th with the wife and three kids. It is a nice long drive have to replace my rear air bags before I go just wait for them to get here from the U.K. What date are every one eles traveling down

:):):):):):):)

Skellz
I'm leaving around the 27th, really hope I don't see you.:D

Coincidentely I just replaced the rear SLS bags on my girl, bought them from the UK, arrived in 5 working days (quicker than coming up from south!!). Pretty simple job except it is really easy to over tighten the hose fitting as it's a brass screw on the hose and a plastic thread on the bag.

Don't envy you with the 3 kids, mine are flying but they're bubs. Hope you have a dvd!

[simpin68]

front prop shaft........plenty have been done, i'm not up to speed but if it hasn''t been upgraded to greasable uni's than you might like to check it condition

What am I looking for?

Would it be loose?

I'm pretty sure it hasn't been modded.

[Basil135]

We are headed out of town ourselves on the 27th.


I am doing the same trip Darwin to Adelaide on the 1 JAN


I'm leaving around the 27th

Sounds a lot like an invasion from the north :eek:

Safe travels all.

Coffee is always hot at our place...;)

[strangy]

Not putting bad vibes out, but, if you need help in Alice just holler.

Happy Travels cheers.

[Ean Austral]

Ean

I'm with you on the the plod but I'm not towing anything, I think 110 is comfortable. While everyone else will be sitting up your backside doing 140 I just don't feel like the disco likes going over 110, I was doing a stint on 130 recently coming back from Katherine and it bounces around a fair bit and it seemed to use a lot more fuel, I think at the end of the day it's still more a truck than a car. Happy to get there in one piece.

We are leaving sometime on the 27th and have a dark blue d2 towing a pioneer camper trailer, if you see us and want to tag along till we get to 3 ways turn off feel free.

will have the UHF on scan.

Safe travels,

Cheers Ean

[simpin68]

We are leaving sometime on the 27th and have a dark blue d2 towing a pioneer camper trailer, if you see us and want to tag along till we get to 3 ways turn off feel free.

will have the UHF on scan.

Safe travels,

Cheers Ean

Ean

Thanks for the offer but I'm only going as far Katherine on the 27th and wont be leaving till the arvo.

Have a good trip, if your heading east I hope you have a snorkel.

Cheers

Simon