A bunch of things I would appreciate some advice or tips on:

A. I need to buy a bottle jack. For an overloaded 110 what tonne rating do I need, and are there any brands to avoid? Is a cheap end Draper ok for instance?
[ 5 tonne seems a conservative choice - any recommendations for a brand? // I have a high lift jack, but the vehicle isn't exactly stable when it's jacked up for prolonged mechanical fixing, especially if requires some elbow grease...]


B. Likewise, I need to buy a Fire Ext. Are there any models that you can use more than once? I had a small wire fire on my last trip, used my fire ext. to put it out, but then the fire ext was useless and it was hard to buy another one.
[ I did take two small cheap ones with me, but after putting out a kitchen fire at a roadside stall with one, and using the 2nd for my small wire fire, I was left with two that had plenty of powder left inside them, but no pressure, so they were useless. So I was wondering if there was a model that allowed more than one use ]


C. I need some tyre levers and a repair kit for my XZY's. Any suggestions to for cheapest places to get these?
[Thanks Roman - have you bought or used any of these? I've looked at some of the cheaper ones in shops, but they don't seem suitable for chunky 4x4 tyres? ]


D. How reliable are Turbo's on 200 tdi's? Mine is of unknown age and milage, but a new one is £400. Is it perhaps worth getting recon'ed for only £140 odd?
[There is definatly oil in the large pipe poking out the front of it - I replaced it a few weeks ago - but the mechanic said that was normal and that they don't get many turbo's that go (loads of Freelanders though ;-) ]


E. Injectors for a 200 TDi are quite expensive, but mine are the original ones, now over 12 years old. Is it worth replacing them every so often like it is on Landcruisers?
[ OK, I may get them looked at. They seem to be something that you shouldn't buy a cheap set off ebay of - they are quite importent ]


F: I also need a MultiMeter. Any suggestions? I don't know what functions I need and which ones would be useful...
[ Thanks Roman - I was thinking of something that had a analogue/digital reading of voltage levels etc? What is the advantage of the one you linked too?]


G: Any suggestions for a large '12 volt rechargable' torch? LED would be best.
[ Have gone for a "Everlife Forever Shake Torch " - basically a rechargable LED torhc that you shake to recharge. Sounds too good to be true, but fin all teh same....http://www.led-torches.co.uk/product...ake-Torch.html


Many thanks!

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Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak

Hello Darren,

A: 5T is a good choice.

B: Why not using two cheap 1L disposable fire extingishers placed in different locations in the car? If one fails, there's still the other.

C: Checkt this: http://www.tooled-up.com/searchresul...SearchButt.y=0

D: If they the same as in the 300Tdi, they are as (un)reliable. Having it checked and reconditioned slightly improves your chance of success :-)

F: You can use Sealey Auto Probe: http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp...ley-Auto-Probe

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Roman (UK)

Hi Darrin,

TURBO: Is there oil in the pipes? A drop or two is normal for an oldie turbo. Any more and you may need a new one.

(Mine is also getting elderly, so if you find out any good stuff do share!)

INJECTORS - you can get them spray-tested cheaply. Mine were pretty coked up at 130k (300tdi) and a change was worthwhile. Cheap(er) sets on ebay.

EXTINGUISHERS - I use the same method as Roman, they're pretty cheap these days. Alternatively, maybe you could use a refillable CO2 extinguisher? With an adapter this would also do your tyres as well (I think).

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Pictures, Mauritania 2011

Richard,

I think CO2 is rather useless for automotive fires. In the absence of halon, well at least in the EU, the next best thing is foam. Powder is messy but cheap.

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Roman (UK)

I've got the cheapo powder ones, but I thought CO2 would be really suited to electrical/flammable liquid fires. Isn't foam a bad idea on anything electrical?

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Pictures, Mauritania 2011

Richard,

Not anything. 12V electrical installations are not an issue at all. What you need to be concerned with is burning liquids. In motorsports AFFF foam is currently a substitute for halon. Check this: http://www.lifeline-fire.co.uk/extin...egulations.htm

CO2 may starve a fire of oxygen but is pretty useless in open spaces and won't cool hotspots like water or foam.

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Roman (UK)