Road Trip things to check religiously

freddiebooysen · Post by **freddiebooysen** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 3:50 am

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?

Post by **Bugger** » 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

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Post by **Cyndi Kritzinger** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 7:58 am

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?

V6 Capri · Post by **V6 Capri** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 8:27 am

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

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Could also be a way to tell if you have a binding brake on one of the wheels.

Post by **fig** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 9:17 am

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

Post by **Tony Z** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 12:03 pm

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?

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.

Post by **Tony Z** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 12:05 pm

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

Post by **retrovan** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 12:16 pm

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

sean · Post by **sean** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 12:21 pm

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.

freddiebooysen · Post by **freddiebooysen** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 5:05 pm

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

freddiebooysen · Post by **freddiebooysen** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 5:15 pm

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.

freddiebooysen · Post by **freddiebooysen** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 5:17 pm

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

Post by **Tony Z** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 5:21 pm

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.

freddiebooysen · Post by **freddiebooysen** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:11 pm

Thanks Sean much appreciated let me know

Ricoffy · Post by **Ricoffy** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 1:32 pm

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

Wait for it....

Wait for it.......

Aircooled VW South Africa