Road Trip things to check religiously

Ask and give advice here
User avatar
freddiebooysen
Crankshaft
Posts: 765
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 7:56 am
What model do you have?: 1972
Location: Pretoria
Been thanked: 47 times

Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by freddiebooysen »

Ok Guys so I have done a very short trip in Blue and because I am a newby and possibly planning a longer trip soon I have been thinking about things to check religiously while on a road trip

This might seem like an obvious thing to most of us but my thinking is the same as the topic on which tools to take with how about starting a thread on things to check periodically

Before I do any sort of long trip my thinking is the following
Do a proper service prior to going on the road
Check Oil
Check tyre pressure etc

However what about things to check while you are on the road and maybe having a Lekker braai or picnic next to the road

I religiously check the temp of the engine when I stop by feeling the dipstick and whether I can hold it for more than a second. I also then check Oil level and the temp on the fan shroud

Tyre pressure and actually checking the tyres is the next thing on my list.

My next road trip I am playing it safe and not going to try and push the bus for more than 200km-300 at a time making an effort to stop let the engine cool let the wife and passengers take a break look at some farm stall or having a picnic or braai.

What do you guys think on things to check religiously when stopping and I know some of you just would bolt for 600-1000 km at a time but I am no Cowboy

Even if you are one of those what do you check before going?






Bugger
Advertiser
Advertiser
Posts: 7947
Joined: Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:25 pm
What model do you have?: a Few Models
Facebook: Pierre Bugger Eksteen
Location: Johannesbirg
Has thanked: 18 times
Been thanked: 58 times

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by Bugger »

When you stop you can touch the rims and feel the temp of the rims if 1 rim feels much hotter than others then a bearing could be on it's way out or low tyre pressure

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Adapterplates Available for Rotary in Beetle and others aswell
And Special Boxes built for Rotary Conversions and Scubies
Pierre
082 600 8663

CLick on Banner Below to be routed to the Web site

Image
User avatar
Cyndi Kritzinger
Donor
Donor
Posts: 1290
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:49 pm
What model do you have?: '76 BRAZILIA '78 BAY
Facebook: yes
Location: DURBAN
Been thanked: 64 times

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by Cyndi Kritzinger »

I WOULD ALSO SMELL THE DIPSTICK EACH TIME I CHECK THE OIL LEVEL.
I HAVE BEEN CAUGHT OUT BY CHECKING THE LEVEL WHICH SEEMED FINE, ONLY TO FIND THAT FUEL HAD BEEN GETTING INTO THE OIL AND THINNING IT OUT. THAT ENDED UP BEING ONE COOKED ENGINE!
ALWAYS CHECK THE OIL WHEN THE BUS IS LEVEL AND COLD.
LISTEN TO THE ENGINE AS YOU DRIVE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS PINGING/PINKING (TIMING OUT)
CHECK YOUR BRAKE FLUID. OBVIOUS BUT OFTEN NEGLECTED AND ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL!

SO WHERE IS THE NEXT TRIP PLANNED FOR AND WHEN DO YOU LEAVE ON THE EPIC TRANS COUNTRY TRIP?
User avatar
V6 Capri
Oil Stain
Posts: 195
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2018 9:06 pm
What model do you have?: 1972
Location: East Rand
Has thanked: 7 times
Been thanked: 29 times
South Africa

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by V6 Capri »

Bugger wrote: Wed Dec 04, 2019 5:54 am When you stop you can touch the rims and feel the temp of the rims if 1 rim feels much hotter than others then a bearing could be on it's way out or low tyre pressure

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
Could also be a way to tell if you have a binding brake on one of the wheels.
1964 Ford Anglia 997cc
1972 Ford Capri 3L GT
1994 Escort Cosworth (replica)
1996 Escort 2L Zetec

2016 VW Touran 1.6TDi
1971 Baywindow project
User avatar
fig
Bus Driver
Posts: 12214
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:08 pm
What model do you have?: Type 2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/258896479219/
Location: Where life is cheap and death is free
Has thanked: 287 times
Been thanked: 321 times
Contact:
South Africa

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by fig »

You've already listed the 2 checks I do at every stop: engine temp and oil level.
fig
Kaapse Kombi Kult

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by Tony Z »

freddiebooysen wrote: Wed Dec 04, 2019 3:50 am
What do you guys think on things to check religiously when stopping and I know some of you just would bolt for 600-1000 km at a time but I am no Cowboy

Even if you are one of those what do you check before going?
Image
It cools while driving thanks to the fan. If you can do 20km without problems then you should be able to run thru a full tank of fuel without problems.
Check the dipstick after a big uphill to check if overheating and don’t be afraid to gear down to reduce load and keep up revs for better cooling.

Make sure you have the right oil and not the thick sludge that most people recommend. This alone keeps the engine cooler.

I regularly check my hubcap temps but that’s only because I have one brake that binds up and I haven’t been able to figure out why.

If the bus is running well, my spares list would be
Oil
Spare ignition parts (points, condenser, cap and rotor or full good dizzy, as well as a spare coil)
Tool kit with feeler blades
Rags and gloves
Tow rope

Check oil level regularly or get a deep sump and worry less.
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by Tony Z »

If you suspect overheating then drop a gear and keep revs around 3500 with your foot less than half way on the throttle. Do not use a high gear with high throttle and low revs - this is a sure way to overheat the engine/heads
User avatar
retrovan
Donor
Donor
Posts: 8709
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:51 pm
What model do you have?: 52T1,68FB,72Bay,75FL
Location: Eich! no, in Jefferys Bay
Has thanked: 421 times
Been thanked: 539 times
Contact:
Netherlands

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by retrovan »

The most important tool in the tool box for me is an emery board, as the ladys use.

This has got me going more then I wish to remember.

This will clean the points of any buildup by opening the points without disturbing the setting, slip the emery board between them, let the points close up against the board , give it a few jiggils, and you running again.

You can use the same board to clean up the contact points in the distributor cap and rotor tip.

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
User avatar
sean
Transmission
Posts: 2400
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:51 pm
What model do you have?: Bays & Splits
Location: Somerset West
Has thanked: 63 times
Been thanked: 227 times
South Africa

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by sean »

Hi Freddie

If your engine is setup right, you will have no issues. An engine does not need to stop and rest. An air-cooled motor uses about 1 pint of oil every 2000km. That's about it.
User avatar
freddiebooysen
Crankshaft
Posts: 765
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 7:56 am
What model do you have?: 1972
Location: Pretoria
Been thanked: 47 times

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by freddiebooysen »

Guys believe I probably have half a bus and 2 toolboxes packed under that back seat already.

Excellent advise coming through there is plenty space underneath the back seat can pack some more in there. Hehe





User avatar
freddiebooysen
Crankshaft
Posts: 765
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 7:56 am
What model do you have?: 1972
Location: Pretoria
Been thanked: 47 times

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by freddiebooysen »

Cyndi Kritzinger wrote: SO WHERE IS THE NEXT TRIP PLANNED FOR AND WHEN DO YOU LEAVE ON THE EPIC TRANS COUNTRY TRIP?

Mmmm Mark I wanted to push up to Dullstroom this weekend but wife made a social commitment. If she is not complaining about me spending money on parts and tools she complains if I want to do a trip.

Kidding guys the trip was actually her plan. Plan yes to get the bloody bus done I think.

My thinking is to get Dirk to do a proper service and maybe assist with that back part that is blocked off sure he can assist with a plan there. He is a man with a plan.

Epic trans country trip hehe. Nah It is just down to the coast. Somewhere between Springbok and Moz. Planning is in the works and at this stage almost done with planning the trip down but have not started with one back up yet. Will share on another thread and warn all aircooled members that I will be coming past.

But Splashy so far is on the maps for next year anyway.



Image
User avatar
freddiebooysen
Crankshaft
Posts: 765
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 7:56 am
What model do you have?: 1972
Location: Pretoria
Been thanked: 47 times

Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by freddiebooysen »

Tony Z wrote:If you suspect overheating then drop a gear and keep revs around 3500 with your foot less than half way on the throttle. Do not use a high gear with high throttle and low revs - this is a sure way to overheat the engine/heads
Tony thanks.
So lower gear like 3 Rd or even 2nd with mid throttle and mid refs is the way to go ?

You also mention a deep sump seems like an excellent plan wonder where I can get hold of one of those

Image
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by Tony Z »

low engine load with high fan speed = more cooling

I'm pretty sure I still have a thin sump that carries 1.4L additional oil on the shelf somewhere.
If you are interested, I"ll check when I get home on Friday.
User avatar
freddiebooysen
Crankshaft
Posts: 765
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 7:56 am
What model do you have?: 1972
Location: Pretoria
Been thanked: 47 times

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by freddiebooysen »

Thanks Sean much appreciated let me know



Ricoffy
Oil Stain
Posts: 113
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2019 11:06 am
What model do you have?: 1600 off-road thing
Location: Ovambo Land
Has thanked: 34 times
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: Road Trip things to check religiously

Post by Ricoffy »

Funny that no one would mention to check the radiator fluid...





Wait for it....







Wait for it.......


:lol:
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad...
Post Reply