Thread: My International Oil Expedition

Mate don't want to be rude but your recent effort to travel to the Simpson Desert didn't end particularly well.
I understand your gearbox failed due to a lack of lubrication this to me indicates that maybe you need to pick up some skills regarding mechanical things on top of that mechanical sympathy.
I do wish you well and hope that it all works out for you, but please do some studying research and rebuild your vehicle yourself before you leave.
I mean no offense but please have a think about what I have said.

Originally Posted by djam1

Mate don't want to be rude but your recent effort to travel to the Simpson Desert didn't end particularly well.
I understand your gearbox failed due to a lack of lubrication this to me indicates that maybe you need to pick up some skills regarding mechanical things on top of that mechanical sympathy.
I do wish you well and hope that it all works out for you, but please do some studying research and rebuild your vehicle yourself before you leave.
I mean no offense but please have a think about what I have said.

This trip has been planned for four years time. Everything I do with my car is a learning experience and if I've acquired anything from my recent trip it's experience. I will not be adventuring into the world with an under-prepared car and I will not be going away if I feel uncomfortable with my skills.

My vehicle failed due to a miscommunication with the mechanic who reconditioned the gearbox 4 months prior to its demise, consequently the repair was covered entirely by the mechanics warranty. I appreciate your concern and the time you've taken to read my post - but it's good to have a goal, right?

Originally Posted by alexturner

This trip has been planned for four years time. Everything I do with my car is a learning experience and if I've acquired anything from my recent trip it's experience. I will not be adventuring into the world with an under-prepared car and I will not be going away if I feel uncomfortable with my skills.

My vehicle failed due to a miscommunication with the mechanic who reconditioned the gearbox 4 months prior to its demise, consequently the repair was covered entirely by the mechanics warranty. I appreciate your concern and the time you've taken to read my post - but it's good to have a goal, right?

I wish you all the best, and I will be watching with interest, however I must say I agree with djam1.

When I did a big trip recently (canning, gibb, etc) I checked oil levels (including gearbox, t-case and diffs) every 2nd day at minimum. I also checked all bolts I could think of. I found a number of bolts that were trying to work their way loose (and some that I missed after the canning).

When DaveS drove through central america (and we joined him halfway) we had to do a service on his 110 ourselves in the middle of nowhere in guatemala, which included retiming the injector pump and doing a wheel alignment.

Personally, unless I was comfortable dismantling the vehicle myself and reassembling it (on the roadside), then I wouldn't do the trip.

I am not trying to dissuade you, I am just trying to make sure you are prepared. Even in northern WA it was almost impossible to find anyone willing to work on a landie...

I concur, with the above, especially after my failed attempt at crossing Australia, and where I was stuck was not even 'remote'. I would also draw your attention to a recent article in LRO magazine (UK) where they hit a horse in Russia and had to rebuild the wing/fan/shroud/radiator, without the aid of a workshop. Interesting read.

Im not saying don't do it, but you have to be prepared for the worst....and if things really go tits up, how to get yourself back...

The 7 Ps,
Prior Preperation and Planning Prevents **** Poor Performance.

Good luck and hope to read more about your adventures.

I have grave concerns over not only the number of people but also the types of people who attempt major trips though environments that could be called "diffident"

although i haven't done that much in Australia. i have trans-versed Russia twice, may not have done the Simpson but have done the Gobi, sailed around the would twice, flown around many many times. i have been shot at, seen killings, robbery's. i have also worked with Australian, New Zealand and English consular services to, assist and secure the release of there citizens from incarceration, hostage situations and even trumped up murder charges. this has involved every thing from a few US notes changing hands to pushing 50KG bricks of dollar bills out the back of I76s or going noisy.

in just about all situations the naivety of the persons involved has always astounded me. to travel in a place where you have little understanding of the politics being that governmental or tribal, the logic posses of the locals or even basic language skills.
the falsehood that the Australian government will help them ( WRONG) and that buy some fact that being Australian is enough ( WRONG AGAIN), in fact being Australian is a disadvantage in many places.

may do these trips with out a problem. but those who have problems, Have problems.

Alex,

Go for it. It's good to have a dream. Follow it and then you'll, hopefully, live to regret the things you did rather than the things you didn't. Your young and enthusiastic with plenty of time to learn what you'll need. It's a 200tdi not rocket science.

FWIW London is far more dangerous than most remote places your likely to pass through, although probably much easier to get second hand vegetable oil in London. BTW what is your plan for obtaining fuel on the trip? High fat fried diet?

ian.