The Joys of Travel in a Series III

C00P · 19th September 2012, 07:03 PM

Loaded up the Series III LWB (aka "Sandy") and hooked the camper trailer on behind. The plan was to take the camper to Arkaroola, spend a few days there, then join the LRR mob coming up from Adelaide for the Simpson crossing- leaving the trailer at Arkaroola to be collected on the way back. The amount of stuff we (apparently) needed to carry across the Simpson meant we also had the cast-iron roof rack installed, so Sandy had a real load to pull. We went via Orroroo, Bunyeroo Gorge, Brachina Gorge, Parachilna Gorge and Blinman. Overnights at Orroroo and Bunyeroo.
All went well until the last 60kms before Arkaroola, when Sandy began showing signs of fuel starvation under load. He was fine when we backed off a bit and used the gears more, so we carried on slowly to Arkaroola and investigated the problem. Fuel dripping out of the bottom of the fuel pump indicated a deranged diaphragm and the overhaul kit I had in the parts locker wasn't right for the type of pump I had (damn!). However, all not lost, as a new pump was available in Adelaide and was passed to the gang heading north a few days later- should just be a quick changeover at Balcanoona (the designated meeting point) and we'd be on our way. But that wasn't all fate had in store for us. Mulling over a cup of coffee by the tent next evening, happened to cast my eyes over the bottom edge of Sandy's main fuel tank- and saw a dark dusty smudge. Wiped a finger over it and sniffed- petrol. Cleaned the smudge then threw a handful of dust at it- two little weep marks appeared, and ever so slowly expanded. The tank had rusted out from the inside, and I guess the vibration of the trip north had eventually allowed the pinholes to develop. I could bog it, but who goes knowingly into the Simpson with a suspect fuel tank knowing that if it ruptures and dumps the majority of your fuel into the sand, that almost all of the others going past would be running diesel and unable to help?
So, we met the mob at Balcanoona as planned, fitted the new pump, and headed back to Adelaide. New main tank already on order, should get it later this week and fit it on the weekend. Then we head north again with the intention of doing the trip solo, in the reverse direction so we can at least spend one night with our LRR friends.
Learned a lot on this trip tho' so not all was lost. Even with the trailer and the air brak...er, sorry, roof rack, on top, Sandy was able to average a creditable 70kph (moving average on the GPS). Bunyeroo Gorge was spectacular, and the Rock Wallabies spent almost as much time watching us as we spent watching them. The trailer brakes worked as advertised, and the new tailgate seals kept most of the dust out. The new (Defender) mirrors are great! The tacho I installed at the last minute showed I wasn't over-revving Sandy's little donk, and helped select more efficient gear-change points. Fuel consumption was heavy (as expected) but got less when we slowed down from highway speeds to cruising through the gorges- so most of the fuel used was overcoming drag.
To overcome the noise problem, we had installed an aircraft intercom system, wired the UHF into it, and wore our spare aviation headsets. The result was that we could talk to each other en route without having to shout, and didn't have to wear ear plugs to save our hearing.
We also found out how much we really needed to carry, which is much less than we originally took with us. The result is that with a little judicious packing, we can get it all into the cabin and today we pulled the roof rack off again. The second effort should be substantially quicker, and more fuel efficient. Watch this space.
Thanks folks, for all your help, we'll get it right yet!!

Coop

PS: The Navigator just LOVED all the wildflowers!!

C00P · 6th October 2012, 10:19 PM

Not having much luck of late. Every time we get close to our goal (crossing the Simpson in our SIII) something else goes wrong. This always seems to happen when we are as far from sources of parts as it is possible to get, makin g the exercise of putting things right time consuming and expensive.
All went well on the first day- got to Woomera after encountering a very nasty accident about 70k out. Road blocked for about 1.5 hours while three ambulances cleared away the carnage. A number of 4WD diverted around the accident using the ttrack by the rail line- as did we. Came across two commodores bogged to the belly and pulled them out while all the other 4WD's drove around them. Not impressed.
Second day 40 degrees got to William Creek via Borefield Rd. Last 60k restricted to about 60kph by fuel vapourisation. Solved this at W Ck by slipping a length of garden hose over the fuel line for extra insulation and installing a fan shroud made from the outer casing of an old microwave scrounged from the W Ck Dump. Algebuckina and Eringa waterholes (our next two overnights) were delightful, but the steering damper disconnected and the temp gauge died on the run to Mt Dare (aftermarket unit with mercury capilliary fitted by a previous owner). Fixed the damper with a couple of rubbers scrounged from Mt Dare Hotel and a couple spare nuts I had which fitted. Removed said gauge, located original wiring, verified the original gauge worked, and ordered a new electric sender unit from Adelaide. This involved a 2-day wait and a 500km round trip drive from Mt Dare to Kulgera and back to collect it, but at least we now had a working temp gauge. Tried agin, this time got to Dalhousie and a flat tyre. Changed tyre and removed tube (with help from a chap who used to be a tyre fitter) to discover a 3" radial pinch in the tube with hole at centre, caused by crack in the casing- they are too old to run at the low pressures needed for these roads, and a bit of an impact with a rock probably did the damage. So, resolved to drive to the Alice and fit new rubber. 700k later (feeling stuffed today) got to Alice, but noted some slop developing in the rear wheel bearings and running a bit warm. So need to service those (should have done it before I left). Got the new tyres fitted today but have to wait until Tuesday to get the bearings serviced- would tackle it myself but don't fancy working on the beast with the wheel off while only supported by the little bottle jack, and have to wait for new seals anyway. Now the little sod won't idle properly making driving it in the city a nightmare, and on the way in to Alice the indicators started playing up (both flashing irrespective of which direction selected) but this seems to have cured itself overnight- probably because I threatened to drive it to the dump and leave it there...

Coop

C00P · 15th October 2012, 05:28 PM

With bearings serviced and new rubber, re-examined our schedule and realised that if we tackled the Simpson we'd be getting home on the day my medication supply (kidney transplant) ran out. This would be too big a risk, with any delays of more than a day or two being potentially life-changing (or extinguishing...). So, decided the Simpson will have to wait until April next year. Visited Standley Chasm, Henbury meteorite craters, Owen Springs (beautiful drive- highly recommended) and then headed for home. Encountered another accident and from the lack of urgency shown by the ambo crew refueling at Erldunda, surmised their patient may have been deceased. Salutary warning...
Overnighted with a mate at Coober Pedy and then ran for Adelaide with The Navigator sharing the highway driving. With the head winds abating, we could hold a steady 90-95kph on any flat ground without being flat out, and with regular driver changes we weren't too stuffed by the time we got home.
Noted during the run through town that the little donk is now idling too fast... so maybe whatever caused the original problem has righted itself and I need to put the idle screw back to where it was.

Coop