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Essential spares for a European trip?


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Toying with the idea of driving to a friends villa in Spain this summer.

What would members recommend carrying as a 'must have' spares emergency kit, given the physical restraints of a TR6?

Car has got a new bosch fuel pump, and has electronic ignition.

I will be totally out of my depth with 99.999999% of mechanical/ electrical faults in any event, but think it may be prudent to carry the spares,and just hope to find a mechanic to fit them.

Also, what do you guys think about not carrying a spare wheel?

The new bosch pump has encroached into the wheel well, which means I'll have to take my chances with one of those aerosol thingymahbobs.

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Rotor arm, spare injector, distributor cap and leads

Tim

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The fact that you are contemplating such a trip suggests that you believe the car to be inherently reliable. It has been suggested to me that whatever spares you decide to take, it will be something else that needs attention - that's Murphy's Law!

 

On that basis, by all means takesome basic stuff as suggested by Tim but I'd suggest a good European breakdown insurance scheme would be a good investment. I always use the AA's scheme and on the one occasion I needed them (not for a TR), they were absolutely brilliant. Make sure it is one that includes recovery of the car to your nominated garage/home in the UK should that be your preference.

 

Spare wheel - I'd suggest it is an esential item. I know punctures don't happen too often these days but the inconvenience and hassle of not having a spare is in my opinion, not worth it.

 

The other thing to have is an accurate idea of where you are at all times. It would be quite embarrassing to not know should you be unfortunate enough to need assistance. I assume that you've got a mobile phone . . . . (sorry, that's a bit cheeky, really).

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I've also spent lots of time thinking about what spares and tools to carry, not just for long trips, but on all runs out. As I'm not that knowledgeable when it comes to repairs, I've stuck with those items that I can at least change myself. Breakdown cover (with details on a card) and charged phone are the essentials. After that, spares are (pretty much as Tim and Niall have said): Rotor arm, Dizzy cap, HT leads, Plugs, and I also carry spare Coil, plus wire, connectors, jubilee clips, plastic ties, and duck tape. If I knew how to change a fan belt and an injector, then I'd carry those too.

 

I also carry one of those Micro Battery Boosters.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Darren

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Hi I have a Honda space saver its great loads more space in the boot, and a set of hoses and water good luck

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One of my main thoughts is to bring things that a garage on the continent could not get hold of. E.g. The injector. Then even if I couldn't fix it a local garage could.

Cheers

Tim

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Thanks Guys.

Tim we're on the same wavelength!

Alfrom, at this moment in time,I don't have the inherent faith I would need to contemplate such a trip, but hopefully nearer to the time I will!

I've only owned the car for a short time, and a few little gremlins may well be still in hiding after a fairly comprehensive restoration.

The alternator was the first Achilles heel. The guy I bought it from had never driven it at night post restoring it, and of course, what happened as soon as I did?

Then after a couple of hundred miles of regular use, the old Lucas fuel unit decided it'd had enough!

Anyway, my confidence to embark on a 3000 mile around trip, will need some instilling between now and then!

Edited by pjc615ukuk
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There are a number of things that you MUST carry with you on the Continent, by Law, not only to deal with breakdowns.

For instance, many countries including the France you will (?) drive through to Spain, insist on fluorescent HiViz waistcoats for all the car's inhabitants, in the car not in the boot. Some demand a First-Aid Kit.

 

Club Triumph organises the bi-annual Ten Countries Run and knows a thing or two from experience, See their "Handy Hints" for entrants: http://club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/comps/mxcontent.cgi?pid=47

That list doesn't include Spain, as the TCR never goes there, but do a bit of research under the headings listed.

Halfords publish a list of legal requirements: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ACArticleDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&articleId=701017&categoryId=245222&printable=true

(I thought that the French breathalyser requirement had been withdrawn. Anyone know for sure|?)

 

What is missing from that Handy Hints is a vocabulary of useful words, that often just are not present in a phrase book, or in the modern age, a translation 'app'. Again, some research may provide you with a list, so that at least you can attempt to say the word in another language, rather than resort to pointing. And if you don't already, please make an attempt to learn the basic civilities in the language of the natives. The French are said to be terminally snooty about their tongue, but my experience has been the opposite. Trying to use my schoolboy French has always been received politely, even if they offer English when my vocabulary runs out!

 

Back to the car - if you are not familiar with driving on the Right, be calm! It's not that difficult, except when overtaking. If your passenger can act as your forward vision it is a great help, or else be even more patient than you would at home. And the moment of greatest hazard is when you pull onto the road after a stop - it is so easy to forget and use the Left side!

 

JOhn

Edited by john.r.davies
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One of my main thoughts is to bring things that a garage on the continent could not get hold of. E.g. The injector. Then even if I couldn't fix it a local garage could.

Cheers

Tim

 

I see the logic Tim, but without limiting myself to spares that I could fit myself, I'd have difficulty knowing where to draw the line. I could see myself carrying water pump, alternator, fuel pump, etc. I sort of figure that a serious breakdown would probably mean that the garage won't be able to fit the car in straight away, and so it would give enough time for the parts to be shipped over from the UK on next day delivery. I'm sure that all of the main UK parts suppliers would be quick to respond in such an emergency.

 

But if you do want to carry more PJC, then take a look at what Toronto Tim carries - post #2 in this thread - http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/48884-what-to-carry/?hl=%2Bwhat+%2Bcarry.

 

Cheers, Darren

 

P.S. Fuses is another must, I'd say.

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Last September a pal of mine in his TR6 that was still running Lucas PI came to visit me at my house near Angouleme for The Circuit Des Remparts. well he didn't, but planned to.

 

His chosen route was from Plymouth to Santander on Brittany and them motor through Northern Spain to Poa and then up to me in good time for Les Circuits............... He allowed a week for the journey from Santander to Charente.

 

All I can say is that even with what you think is the best breakdown recovery it still leaves a lot to be desired. CAUTION is what I proffer as once you make that call you are in the contracted hands of your service supplier and have very little input as to what they decide is the best action for you or your car.

 

1st problem is that there is NO commercial organisation in Spain or probably France also that has the capability of understanding a Lucas PI system let alone working on it or identifying any problems. The RAC Euro cover seriously sent the TR with failed fuel system on day 1 to a Skoda dealer who didn't know what the cars was let alone what may be wrong with it. From there are after 3 days of diagnosis it was sent to a Ferrari specialist who equally was clueless.

 

Ok so a rental car is provided. not ideal as they cannot leave the country of rental and as this planned trip did not commence and terminate in the same country the car hire/loan facility was virtually useless.

 

I will not bore you with any further details but the outcome was startlingly awful and the car arrived back in UK 2 months later than the owner

 

Be warned break down in a non current car in Europe and no matter how fully covered you think you are the outcome will be a torture if the vehicle is anything other than a 2CV or similar.

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Two things I forgot to mention in my earlier suggestion;

 

- gather information from the TRR European Breakdown Directory - yes, our very own guide that can be accessed from the TRR website. Lots of useful information there.

 

- make note of the TR clubs that exist in France and Spain and keep a note of how to contact them. They have lots of technical information and - like all TR enthusiasts - only too keen to help.

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Last September a pal of mine in his TR6 that was still running Lucas PI came to visit me at my house near Angouleme for The Circuit Des Remparts. well he didn't, but planned to.

 

His chosen route was from Plymouth to Santander on Brittany and them motor through Northern Spain to Poa and then up to me in good time for Les Circuits............... He allowed a week for the journey from Santander to Charente.

 

All I can say is that even with what you think is the best breakdown recovery it still leaves a lot to be desired. CAUTION is what I proffer as once you make that call you are in the contracted hands of your service supplier and have very little input as to what they decide is the best action for you or your car.

 

1st problem is that there is NO commercial organisation in Spain or probably France also that has the capability of understanding a Lucas PI system let alone working on it or identifying any problems. The RAC Euro cover seriously sent the TR with failed fuel system on day 1 to a Skoda dealer who didn't know what the cars was let alone what may be wrong with it. From there are after 3 days of diagnosis it was sent to a Ferrari specialist who equally was clueless.

 

Ok so a rental car is provided. not ideal as they cannot leave the country of rental and as this planned trip did not commence and terminate in the same country the car hire/loan facility was virtually useless.

 

I will not bore you with any further details but the outcome was startlingly awful and the car arrived back in UK 2 months later than the owner

 

Be warned break down in a non current car in Europe and no matter how fully covered you think you are the outcome will be a torture if the vehicle is anything other than a 2CV or similar.

Hi KOB.

You’re starting to worry me now as I have planned a similar trip from Portsmouth to Santander on Brittany Ferries and then motor through Northern Spain/France staying at Bilbao, Biarritz, the Dordogne area, Angouleme for le Circuit des Remparts and then on to our house in the Mayenne region of the Pays de La Loire and then home to Poole.

I have had the entire PI refurbished and I am confident on working on the car but well worth looking into the breakdown cover of various providers.

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Hi KOB.

You’re starting to worry me now as I have planned a similar trip from Portsmouth to Santander on Brittany Ferries and then motor through Northern Spain/France staying at Bilbao, Biarritz, the Dordogne area, Angouleme for le Circuit des Remparts and then on to our house in the Mayenne region of the Pays de La Loire and then home to Poole.

I have had the entire PI refurbished and I am confident on working on the car but well worth looking into the breakdown cover of various providers.

Kevo

 

I think there are TR6 owners/forum members all the way along your planned route. Just make sure you have internet access to post if you need any assistance. :)

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Kevo

 

I think there are TR6 owners/forum members all the way along your planned route. Just make sure you have internet access to post if you need any assistance. :)

Will do. Thanks Phil.

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Small parts can be taken along in a TR6 easily. Many are mentioned above. Take along what can be repaired or fitted eventually by a garage .Much depends on the condition and maintenance of your car.

Do not put to much trust in new aftermarket items, sometimes they fail in no time.

 

I remember a person with a brake master cylinder failure during a meeting in Italy. I told him to check around with other members about a repair kit. This made his day as he found one at the last moment that could be fitted in by local garage. If you can lay your hand on a repair kit for all hydraulic cylinders, do it, they take no room, but make sure they have the correct size.

 

The same goes for a front wheel bearing kit, is small, will hardly be available, but can be replaced. Up to now most parts that I took along have been used by other people... and I'm quite happy about that

 

On both our recent daily drivers I insisted to have a spare wheel supplied, even a space saver is better than a sealing fluid or nothing.

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Toying with the idea of driving to a friends villa in Spain this summer.
What would members recommend carrying as a 'must have' spares emergency kit, given the physical restraints of a TR6?
Car has got a new bosch fuel pump, and has electronic ignition.
I will be totally out of my depth with 99.999999% of mechanical/ electrical faults in any event, but think it may be prudent to carry the spares,and just hope to find a mechanic to fit them.
Also, what do you guys think about not carrying a spare wheel?
The new bosch pump has encroached into the wheel well, which means I'll have to take my chances with one of those aerosol thingymahbobs.

 

Hi,

 

This is what I used to carry in the spare wheel in the boot, all the time. Never seemed to have to use it, both in the UK or Europe. Made of foam just cut out the spaces for whatever you think you should carry..

 

Kind Regards,

 

Dave

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Don't let the scare stories worry you. Many TRs have been taken on long European journeys in the past. The injection is perhaps the most unusual part of the car and it sounds as though you have had that sorted. Fuel pump is an idea, as is a PRV is suppose. I changed all my hydraulics as a matter of course apart from my clutch master which has lived in the boot for the last year or so..

Cheers

Tim

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Hi again got my space saver from E bay early Honda Accord 4stud cost about £20.00 don't worry about breaking down I have 4 times in France each time Tr back before me,ie head gasket,gerbox,re diff,and disy etc,just make sure you have get the car back home policy need any more help just let me know.

 

Regards

 

Rod

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The French have abandoned carrying the breatherlisers, a Warning triangle is necessary as are high vis jackets, and I think in Spain you will need a fire extinguisher and perhaps a medical kit, I don't know what should be in it though.

Perhaps the address of the TR Club of France may be useful, there may be one of their members in the area.

John

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One thing to bear in mind is that you will easily get to hear of trips when things have gone wrong but you rarely get to hear of all the other trips when everything went just fine and no problems were experienced. I'd hazard a guess that the uneventful trips outnumber the problematic trips by a huge margin, but we will never hear about them.

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