I am taking my TD5 to Marocco next year for 20 days (Sahara - Atlantic road), and I was wondering what MUST HAVE spare parts that should i carry?
In the forum i read of a spare ECU (preprogramed) / fuel pump for example but i would like to get your insight guys, i will need to buy soon and it would be good to have your input:

Thx

Che

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Unless you can make a deal with your supplier that he would take the parts back after the trip, I don't think you should bother with the ECU or fuel pump. The ECU won't go up in smoke, and if the fuel pump happens to pack up, you can always bodge something with a jerrycan on the roof and some tube to funnel the fuel to the fuel filter.

I'd take general nuts and bolts, wire, tube and tape. If something breaks, it's not gonna be the part you're carrying, and if you're carrying everything that possibly will break, you're overloading the car and will break a lot. Morocco isn't the end of the world after all....

Got your point, my DEF 90 is a 2005 model and so far no problems, i do usually do green laning here in portugal but since morrocco was something a bite far from portugal i was thinking about taking a couple of important spares for my TD5 . well i appreciate your opinion.


che

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Take plenty of EP90 oil
a couple of sets of wheel bearings
grease
a hub spanner
some propshaft UJ's

Other than that, just take a good tool kit, a big hammer, gaffer tape and a decent stable jack (ie not a hi-lift)

don't forget the big hammer.

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my final doubt, for the filters and belts....that as well should be looked over during car maintaince only and can do without it during the trip...

Thx

Che

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ww.thegippo.wordpress.com

It's all down to how much space you have free really - you're unlikely to have to change an oil filter so I wouldn't bother with that. A spare air filter can be useful, and I guess there's no harm in taking a spare alternator belt as they don't really take up any space.

As Robbert says though, Morocco isn't the end of the earth and as long as you've got bits of tape, tube and string you'll be able to cope with most problems till you can get to a workshop, and there are plenty in Morocco.

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If you can get them cheap enough, i'd take a MAF (Mass airflow meter) not very big, although if the one is dead on your engine, it'll still run.

The only thing that will stop your engine (sensor wise) is the crank position sensor, about £30 UKP. without this...no go, so definately worth taking one as they can and do go wrong.

All the other sensors (MAF included) have a "safe reading" programmed into the ECU, so if one of them does go wrong, it'll use an average setting for them. you may lose some performance, but at least you'll still be moving.

Like I say, the crank position one is the thing i'd carry. and if you can get a spare fuel pump, go for one of those too., i don't think a jerrycan on the roof will work (like it will with a Tdi) as the in-tank pump supplies the fuel rail at about 4bar, so gravity feed probably won't cut it.

another useful mod, is to cut a hole in the rear tub, then screw back on a cover plate. cut it over the position of the fuel pump, so when (not if) it goes wrong, it's a 20 minute job instead of several hours removing the tank/towbar/tank guard etc etc.

PM me your email and i'll send over the dimensions of the hole that needs cutting for 90 and 110

You won't necessary need one, but a nanocom unit might be handy. if problems occur you can easily fault-find the engine.

Very good advice Jim. Is the crank sensor you mentioned located on the bell housing just above and to one side of the flywheel?

I have a D2 and I have made a section of carpet just above the fuel pump access plate in the boot floor removable, should I have a problem I won't need to remove my whole drawer system just to lift the carpet to gain access.

Yup, that's the one, held in with an M6 bolt... some have a small shim to space the end of the sensor away from the crank itself.