what spares to carry

[mickl]

Hi

another question!, I am planning a short trip to france in august (my first)and was wondering what spares it is advisable to take with me, perhaps some of the seasoned european stagtravellers can give me some advice.



Thanks



Mick

[Chris810]

imported post

Hello Mick

I carry both set of belts various bulbs and a fuel pump and coil, I also used to carry a spare luminition module although I have just sold it to a local member so presumably mine will now fail and leave me high and dry



Another point check the fuel pump every year, in chasing the luminition problem I ended up with 3 "spare" pumps and every one would not work they had all been in the boots of various cars for years. An evening got them all going again and they were then handed back to the donors, to go straight back to the boot!

[Kevin Garrod]

imported post

Don't forget the obvious, its 'compulsory' in france to carry a warning triangle and hi-viz vest for everyone in the car.

[chrisn]

imported post

Hello Mick

I would go for belts, contact breakers sets if applicable, carb diaphragm, set of bulbs, fuel pump, top hose, pocket multimeter if you have one

If this is your first ever motoring trip abroad, make sure have:

Warning triangle, bulb set, GB sticker or euro number plate, car registration document, driving licence. If you are stopped by French police they are likely to check all these. If you still have a paper driving licence, I would switch it for a photo type, as the paper ones are difficult for the gendarmes to understand-I know!

If you use a speed camera warning device be warned. If it has laser detection, and you are caught with it, not only is there a fine, but it will be confiscated, even if the laser facility is switched off. There are fewer speed cameras, but more use of radar guns

[redstag]

imported post

In addition I also carry spare hoses, carb diaphragms, carb link rod connectors,rotor arm and dizzy cap, radiator cap, jubilee clips, a few electrical connectors, some spare cable, some cable ties and a tube of instant gasket.

An essential item is some 'plastic metal' which has many uses such as repairing radiators and I have used it to refix a spark plug that had blown out of a head and stripped the threads on a friend's engine.

As already said, carry spares if you have electronic ignition or parts to convert back to points. If you are running with points take a spare condenser and set of points.

Sounds like a lot ofitems but they don't take up much space and will all fit in or around the spare wheel. They are the spares that are always in my car, not just for trips to Europe.

Having just returned from a week inFrance with ten stagsthe only problem was a collapsed rear wheel bearing on one of the cars. You can imagine the relief when someone produced a spare half shaft from their boot! These are a surprisingly common failure. You only need to carry the outer half and you can change them in half an hour. If you have a spare andenough roomthen consider taking it with you.

Have a good trip.

Pete

[Greenstag]

imported post

Don't forget some teabags .. if there's one thing the French can't do it's make a decent brew.

[chopperman]

imported post

After my last trip (almost) to Germany, I wish I had taken a spare engine!

[Oldromola]

imported post

Is there no need to take an alternator then?

[seaside bill]

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You couldenduptaking the entire contents of the Rimmer catalogue, but what's the point unless you can do a quick roadside repair? Anything that needs workshop facilities gives you time to obtain the part from any of the usual suspects. Save the boot space forwine and beer!