Going 2 California with a ...
 

... '83 300 TD wagon - from Georgia - nearly 3000 miles - the car has at least 175k on it now and i have already driven it 2 new mex. and back 2 georgia - but i was just wondering what sort of prep. i should do be4 setting out ? should i carry any spare parts ? i had all the belts and pads changed about 7000 miles ago - and i stay on top of the fluids - treat her like a queen ... however this is a big trip and i just wanted some advice from some of u hardcore benzheads - i am not Joe Mechanic but can do the basic routine maint.
-- thanx and ciao4now ... max

I carry spare part to go to the grocery store. No not really, but everytime my wife and I go on a trip she says I take more time to pack things for the car than I do for myself. Here is a list of most of the stuff I take along and / or do before I leave.

check pressure in spare tire.
look at air filter.

stuff I carry
fuel filters just incase of dirty diesel
oil filter & enough oil to do a complete change
gallon of water
qaurt of trans fluid
qaurt of steering fluid
fuel additive
leather gloves
something to lay on OR a jump suit
a few rags

That's all I can think of off the top o'my head. Half this stuff stays in the car most of the time. It may seam a little much, but I've never been left sitting on the side of the road.

Cooling system hoses
 

Before heading out, you should think seriously about doing PM on the cooling system. If ALL the hoses haven't been replaced in the last 2-3 years, I'd be replacing every one of them before making a +3k mile trip. Do a cooling system flush at the same time and treat her to a new surge tank cap and thermostat also.

It's cheap reliability insurance.

Like cmichalik, I carry a lot of extraneous items also but I'll be damned if I'm going to be stuck on the side of the road with my hands in my pockets if the repair is minor and something that I might be able to take care of on my own.

I also carry several sets of nitrile gloves, a pair of cotton garden gloves (for the hot parts) and old coveralls...I'm also considered to be a hand-wringing alarmist by my more conservative friends. On the other hand, the night my Blazer chucked a serpentine belt in a particularly rough part of Houston, I was only out of commission (and a target for the homies) for about 5 minutes.

Regards,
R Leo

Be sure to do the maintenance described above ( and any other maintenace) a few days before you leave on your trip. That way if anything is not quite right you will know it and may be able to correct before you leave. If you consult this forum regularly you already have seen several people describe problems they have had after doing routine (and not so routine) maintenance.

Good luck on your trip and drive safely.

... banjo on my knee.

..aching in your heart?

....la la la laaaaa

mxnz,

My '80 300SD has made a trip across the USA (PA to NV/CA and back) every year for the last 12 years. Only repair parts I needed were fuel filters so I always take extra filters. I carry an extra glow plug and I used to carry fan spare belts until I used them to replace the worn ones. Hoses have been on since I bought the car but I run a pressureless cooling system so there is little strain on them and less chance to leak.

P E H