Thread: Few newbie questions..

Hey Dan! I guess preparation is different depending on the person. You've got the right idea in being prepared, but some of those things are not necessary. Having a spare CPS is a good idea - especially if you're unsure if yours has ever been done. Cam sensor is not so vital (and correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe it won't stop the engine from running, it'll just run rough).

The engine watchdog is a good thing, but again, not a necessity for a long trip.

I'll give you an example:
In 2013 I drove Cape York, including the Frenchmans Track and the OTL. I had an '87 Classic Rangie with me. My P38 was completely stock standard in the suspension department (that includes shocks that were easily 5+ years old), I had a rear locker, snorkel and BFG muddies in 30". The spares I took were limited to what I could fit into a milk crate (the usual filters, a few litres of engine oil, a spare drive belt and a 36mm spanner).

The classic Rangie was very equipped - more so than my P38. He had no spare oil filter, but otherwise was extremely stocked with spare bits.

I ended up towing him back to Cairns on a car trailer (after he had used my engine oil and filter as he punctured his on the Frenchmans Track), I also didn't use any of my spares other than maybe 100ml of engine oil. I used my air locker only once, and even then I could have done without it. And if you know the type of 4wding I do - you'll know I love my locker!

By getting used to your P38 on short trips and doing the maintenance yourself, you get to know its quirks, and as the love affair grows you'll discover more. Don't let those 3 digits (P38) put you off remote trips! If you know your vehicle well enough and take what you need rather than going overboard, you'll have more room in the back for beer! And I know I'd rather a box of beer in the back than unnecessary items! Over the course of my camping and rovering I've narrowed my camping kit down to things that I'll use on a trip. Anything else doesn't go in. And that keeps my weight down, it keeps the load below the parcel shelf, and it makes packing and unpacking much quicker and easier.

Hope I've been of help!
Cheers
Keithy

In the end, you have to accept what can and cannot do and then deal with what breaks when you didn't expect that. Access for this forum and asking for help where you are broken down/towed is invaluable. I haven't yet but one day I may need to, so these relationships are important if they are strong. I'm good at stating the obvious.

I've been working regularly on my 02' P38 HSE during my 6-month ownership. I've replaced all the fluids and filters at least once, serviced some of the worn parts already (viscous fan, oxygen sensors) and bought several others that will need more time/work, such as ball/steering joints, and I've a couple of major parts like an alternator, water pump/thermostat and radiator before the $AUS currency plumpeted. I recently bought the parts to build my own coolant level sensor.

Yes I did buy the crankshaft sensor and I'm replacing it now as the used one (150,000km, $80) can be used as a spare but the camshaft sensor seems to me to be more reliable. Others may differ. I may do the same with the ignition coils given their history price, time and location.

I have one of the EAS seal kits including the pump, although I bought synthetic but it may not work as well as the rubber ones via other opinions. I have a couple of minor air leaks in my system but it's still working and reliable. I'm still working on a few small oil leaks but washers, thread tapes and o-rings are improving each time.

You're asking the right questions and improving your P38 all the time. At the moment it is the time and money as others well tell you that, but when you're in the 'bush', which thinks stops you, can't be fixed or you don't sleep about when they're not yet sorted. For me, it's a matter of how far can I reasonably walk out to assistance. On the day that I bought the P38 (Melbourne to Canberra), the heater matrix split and I had enough tools and water to repair it and drove it home. When I travel further I do have a basic bucket of parts, tools and enough fluids to replace at least half of the water and oil or repair whatever is broken. In town I don't, but I suppose I'll relax more about this car until I've stripped down most of the systems down once over the next year.

If you're interested I'll be in Albury/Hume Weir on 14/15 March with the P38 and you're welcome to call me and expand on what I have and haven't. Oh, and I write and talk too much. Over to you.

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