Just made it back home about 1 hour ago.
What a trip that was
It didn't get much better on the return leg unfortunately, but just for everyones amusement I will list the entire catalogue of disasters:
Got a late start on day 1 as had to wait for postie to bring some parts needed for the van, got going Ok though and made it to West Wyalong for first night, but.....
On the last fuel stop of day 1, I noticed an odd noise after I restarted the van, ignored it, drove to motel and got 5 hours sleep.
Day 2
Started van in morning, and realised the trailer lock was on, turned the van off as I needed the keys, and the starter engaged with ignition off and proceeded to crank for about 1 minute
Bugger!!!!
Restarted van, heard the odd whirring noise and it all made sense, whirred for about 10 seconds and disengaged, I decided to drive the next 1180Kms without turning it off.
Made a few fuel stops with engine running, sometimes asked people to keep an eye on the van while I paid, luckily I did because on my last stop when I got back, the guy looking after it pointed out a seriously shredded tyre on the trailer, OOOPS!
I hadn't even noticed, but I did think the van felt sluggish for the last 50KMs, the lack of tyre was the culprit I guess
Changed the trailer wheel for spare and noticed the brake line had also been severed by the flapping tyre cords.
Ah well the Mini don't weigh much so she'll be right
Got to the storage place and Mark helped me unload (Thanks mate it was really appreciated)
Drove to friends house and parked up, flicked the key and the starter caught fire right outside their garage/house
Some quick work with the fire extinguisher, and some quickly unbolted battery connections and it was safe,
starter was now officially dead, and there was a little burnt wiring at the fuel filter sensor, but nothing too bad.
I was choking now and covered in white extinguisher powder
Had a great time at the Norman and Mount Cotton
Fixed starter Monday arvo and set off about 4:30pm, hoping to get a fair way before stopping.
I decided to try the motorway out to Toowoomba, and all went well until I got stuck in a section that was closed because of a bushfire,
Got going again about 1 hour later and drove through all the smoke, just couldn't seem to get away from burning smells this trip.
Got as far as Goondiwindi and just as I slowed down for the town the alternator belt let out a huge squeel, followed by smoke and burning rubber smells from under the bonnet, the battery light came one and the brake booster went.
I aimed into the nearest servo and stopped.
Alternator bearing had let go big time
I called the RACQ out, and they arranged for an auto electrician to have a go at the alternator in the morning, they would tow the trailer there for me, while I drove the van (only about 1km so no overheating)
Spent a nasty night trying to sleep in the van on a very noisy servo forecourt.
Got to the auto sparky next morning, I removed the alternator and he did it fairly quickly for me, I refitted it using the spare fanbelt I was carrying (at last some better luck), and away I went.
Got to Gilgandra, stopped at a servo (had stopped a few times with no dramas) turned the van off, when I tried to restart nothing, AAARGH!!
Prodded around a bit, seemed to be a solenoid issue, called RAA, or whoever it is in NSW, guy came out, prodded around a bit, then as it cooled we managed to start it from a wire across the solenoid (wouldn't while hot though)
Grabbed a bit of cable from him and set off again.
Got to Parkes NSW, and the only motel with a room was the most expensive in town, but I really enjoyed the Spa Bath
Got up in morning and no start again, so flashed the solenoid to get going and away I went, decied to drive the next 1100 miles without turning it off again.
Made it back safely.
Don't like my van much now though
Anyway, despite the dramas the trip was a success, and I enjoyed my time there.
Big thanks to Nev, Mark and Danny for a good night out at the Norman, and for all the help and lifts while the van was dead.
See you all again soon.
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:13 pm
