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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 2 Apr 2001
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petrol/diesel
Hi Chris
got the book, got the dream, got the car?.
Plan is to travel from South Africa up North and then going through Sudan, Chad, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, to Europe. My question is having bought a 110 1989 Landrover which has a 4 cylinder petrol engine. I have spoken to many people and got as many ideas as to change the engine to diesel or not. Availability of "good" petrol is my question to you. Getting the car like it is at the moment into Europe I know I have to change the valve seats since leaded petrol is not available any more. Taking about 300l petrol along should give me some reach as well, but the question still remains is there petrol available on the "main" routes? Or do you think converting to diesel is a must. Time permitting please tell me what you think.
P
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  #2  
Old 3 Apr 2001
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Hi Pete,
I donÕt know about Africa or every corner of the Sahara but if you stick to the main routes coming across the Sahel from Sudan petrol will be available right along your route. With an at-worst range of 1000km, youÕll make it and your engine will be familiar to locals right along your route.
Diesel only becomes preferable once you start venturing off the transit routes or off piste altogether - for the reasons listed on p.49 - and in my experience swapping engines can lead to all sorts of problems in the desert.
Have a good trip

Chris

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

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  #3  
Old 5 Apr 2001
Flo Flo is offline
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Hi Pete,
It`s not necessary to change the valve seats, because there exists an additive, which is available at any petrol station in Europe.
Simply mix the right amount with 95 or 98 octane leadfree petrol.
Hope you`ll find the way, Flo
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  #4  
Old 14 Apr 2001
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Hi

That age of Landrover (89?) runs on unleaded without any engine modifications, that is assuming that its the 2.5 petrol which it should be at that time (if its the 2.25 then sell it as its a lower power less economical and someones been messing with the vehicle)

Rich
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  #5  
Old 23 Apr 2001
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I have just spoken to some travellers in southern Ethiopia who came via Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan & into Ethiopia. Fuel availability was no problem, and although petrol is (sometimes MUCH) mre expensive, certainly not worth changing the engine for.

It's worth taking lots spares if you have the little in line filters (or get a better filter installed).

It's also worthwhile taking a bit of (genuine) chamois leather that you can tie over the mouth of a funnel. This way, if you buy fuel from 220l drums, decant into a jerry can and then pour into the tank via the chamois lined funnel. This filters out everything, including water.

Cheers,

Andy
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