Spares to take on holiday ?

[Sonic ZS]

As some of you might know, we're planning a trip to France later this year.

By the time we leave, my CDTi will have had a very thorough 'refresh' (full rear suspension & subframe, brakes, clutch, radiators - coolant & a/c, tyres, crank pulley, all brake pipes, EGR & manifold cleaned, stainless tank straps, starter contacts, oils & all filters replaced, etc.) but are there any spares that might be useful to take with us (just in case...) ?

I've just received new crank & camshaft sensors from DMGRS, and I have a spare under bonnet fuel pump & ignition key somewhere to carry with us.

Anything else I've missed...???

[Lee T]

Ive had fuel leaks from the pipe attached to the UBP and the pipe work clipped to the battery box going to the fuel filter. With the correct tools, joint inserts, clips and cutting tool, that is a roadside DIY job that would get you out of trouble. Spare fuses and relays if you have them and a packet of baby wipes as those things will clean anything. Looking at the preparations you have made I'm sure you will have no issues, but best to have and not need than need and not have.
Enjoy your trip.

Lee.

[trikey]

I took everything when we went on the Holland trip, springs, bottom pulley, fuel pumps, even a head gasket for a 1.8

And you guessed... didn't need any of them!

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[Mike Noc]

I always carry a spare serpentine belt along with a modified tensioner spanner, crank and cam sensors, good used UBP, fuel pipe connection O rings, an emergency clutch bleeding kit with spare fluid and all the required spare bulbs.

That covers the usual breakdown gremlins.

Oh and I also carry a surface drive filter socket, but not for using on the car - it's the only thing that can get in to tighten station chains on one of the machines I work on.




.

[bl52krz]

Paul. Don’t forget to check the fuel cooler under the back of the car by the offside rear wheel. I also carry a few rubber pipes that could fit various parts of the cooling and fuel systems. After many years of touring on the continent, I never had to use any of them, but I bet if I never had them,I would have needed them. I believe it’s called NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-’s law. Enjoy your trip abroad.

[Sonic ZS]

Thank you for the responses, everyone. I hadn't given any thought to relays or fuses, as I can't honestly ever remember having to replace any, but I'll add them to my list along with a selection of jubilee clips & bits of pipe.

Pretty certain the fuel cooler is ok as the plastic aerofoil that's attached to the O/S suspension arm had fallen off a while ago (due to corroded rivets) but I managed to buy and fit a complete new one recently. Secured with stainless bolts this time However, I'll give the cooler another proper check over in due course.

I carry clutch fluid all the time too, hopefully won't need it though

[Andy_with_a_screwdriver]

Originally Posted by Mike Noc

I always carry a spare serpentine belt along with a modified tensioner spanner, crank and cam sensors, good used UBP, fuel pipe connection O rings, an emergency clutch bleeding kit with spare fluid and all the required spare bulbs.

That covers the usual breakdown gremlins.

Oh and I also carry a surface drive filter socket, but not for using on the car - it's the only thing that can get in to tighten station chains on one of the machines I work on.




.

The bulb kit is a compulsory item in France, along with a "Gillet jaune" 1 per person, breathalyser (IN DATE ), headlight converters ( I've done 3 trips to France in mine and never fitted them yet because I've not driven at night), they can leave a horrible mess on the lenses when removed
Allegedly the Gendarmerie may take a dim view if you can't produce these items when asked, and could escort you to a bank to extract money if they desire.

Like Mike I've got drive belts in the spare wheel bay all the time after a couple failures in the past, this can be invaluable, and a spare abs sensor. I also have a couple spare pieces of fuel hose and jubilee clips, a well stocked tool box, and small bottles of oil, power steering, brake fluid, water & window wash that all live in boot.

Fuses and relays are pretty standard across European vehicles, and easily obtainable (before lunch). There are plenty of BMW diesels in France so it's not too hard to get some spares if the worst happens.

[daveo138]

Originally Posted by Andy_with_a_screwdriver

The bulb kit is a compulsory item in France, along with a "Gillet jaune" 1 per person, breathalyser (IN DATE ), headlight converters ( I've done 3 trips to France in mine and never fitted them yet because I've not driven at night)

Breathalysers no longer required since the law changed (2020).

I was actually breathalysed by a Gendarme in 2016 and he didn't even ask if I had a breathalyser although I did.

Fuses and relays are pretty standard across European vehicles, and easily obtainable (before lunch). There are plenty of BMW diesels in France so it's not too hard to get some spares if the worst happens.

Plenty of Rover 75s in France, too. The last time I looked on Leboncoin, there were about 40 for sale.

[Andy_with_a_screwdriver]

Originally Posted by daveo138

Breathalysers no longer required since the law changed (2020).

I was actually breathalysed by a Gendarme in 2016 and he didn't even ask if I had a breathalyser although I did.
.

I'm going again in August, I'll not bother getting new ones, apparently they can go out of date. Vive la France! Liberté!

Only time I got breathalysed was in Perth, Western Australia. Out there they shut the road and everyone coming through was breathalysed, no if's and buts.
Ironically, and for brief while worryingly, I was driving back from a wine tasting trip....
Sensibly I'd not had much and all was well, but I had a brief vision of my fiancée trying to find the embassy and getting legal aid!

[Mike Noc]

Originally Posted by Andy_with_a_screwdriver

The bulb kit is a compulsory item in France, along with a "Gillet jaune" 1 per person, breathalyser (IN DATE ), headlight converters ( I've done 3 trips to France in mine.

Forgot to mention the bulbs Andy. Still have the headlamp converters and a now out of date breathalyser from when I used to work in Hermes in France too. Oh and a fire extinguisher.