Driving cross country in diesel MK1, what should I bring?

[SLK]

Hey Guys,

After over a year and a half hiatus, I am back in another VW. I just purchased a 1981 MK1 Caddy with a 1.6L Turbo Diesel from a MK2. The engine is a fresh rebuild with 6000 miles on it. The previous owner completed the swap in November of 2011 and has been driving it daily ever since with no problems. The transmission is the original transmission (170K) and the clutch has 40K miles on it.

The PO says he thinks it will make the trip no problem, but I still have my worries since my last cross country trip ended in a catastrophic engine failure.

This is my first diesel and my first time taking a car this old cross country so I am trying to get a list of things I should bring with me. But there is a catch, I am flying out there to pick it up so anything I bring with me with either have to be purchased in Utah or packed in my bags.

Some threads I searched on the Tex pretty much all kept saying:
-spare belts
-spare fluids (in case of leaks)
-spare clutch cable
-spare throttle cable
-a couple gallons of distilled water
-Extra fuses
-scissor jack
-variety of metric wrenches and tools

Anything else I should add to this list?

I am checking a bag on the plane since I will be out there for 2 weeks visiting family so I have a 50lbs limit on my bag including my clothes.

I do also have AAA in case I need a tow somewhere.

My trip will be from Salt Lake City,UT. And I plan on taking the flattest route possible (IE: I80 across Nebraska).

Obligatory photo of said Caddy:

[shawn o]

Tools, lots of tools.

[urgti]

The more stuff you bring the less likely something will break. So far its been working well driving 3000 miles out East every September with what many say is the least reliable VW engine

[Bryce]

Well if you weren't going out to spend time with family, I'd go with.

[JTapper]

If you're worried about the weight, it's probably cheaper to buy some tools from Harbor Freight while you're there.

People knock them, but I have yet to break one of their sockets. I use all Craftsman ratchets, but have switched almost exclusively to Harbor Freight sockets. The metric color coded sets are AWESOME for quick visual identification of sizes. Their box wrenches are just okay. I have a set, but mostly just use them for junkyard stuff.

I'd add JB-Weld to the list as well as duct tape. I had my brake booster check valve split while heading up the mountains, and came down the passes with manual brakes. NOT FUN. A little JB-Weld and duct tape, coupled with a 2-hr break had me on my way and I'm still running the roadside repaired part to this day, nearly 30k miles later.

[Digital K]

I would take tools and no parts. no reason to pile up with parts. odds are you'll be fine. if not, get towed to a town, and order the parts and continue onwards.

[SLK]

Well if you weren't going out to spend time with family, I'd go with.

If you are willing to buy a plane ticket and fly out the night before I am driving back, then that's fine with me.

My wife still thinks she will be ok with riding back in the caddy with me. No AC, No Radio, No reclinable seats... All those reasons and she still wants to come with me. I honestly want to do it alone more because she is just gonna complain about shit I can't fix for her. Plus she is going to want to stop all the damn time.

[9jetta6]

a camera.

[JUSTION337]

My trip will be from Salt Lake City,UT. And I plan on taking the flattest route possible (IE: I80 across Nebraska).

a camera.

I don't think there'll be much to take pictures of.

[sprstu]

Honestly it's the simplest machine on the planet. Aside from a radiator hose blow out or a dead water pump there shouldn't be anything to worry about. Clutch will be fine. Engine won't develope a mysterious problem the owner didn't already know about. The injection system and pump are idiot proof assuming they were serviced with the swap (ask about the pump main seal age). You'll make it home on dead suspension and bad wheel bearings.
As long as the thermostat is good and the water pump is good you'll be a-ok.

[16vguy]

From utah? I have found the altitude change f&*^s with stuff, more than anything, especially on turbo cars. But, heres my short list.

I know its a newish motor, but do a T-belt, or make damn, damn, 100% sure it was done recently, and correctly. Also, make sure that crank pulley is tight, and not wobbling.

Bring a fuel filter or 2, and make sure the connections and /or lines arent crusty and ready to break on the side of I-80, if you have to change it. the modern fuels have way more detergents, and clean out old deposits, especially on a wide open highway trip- which this will be, with that original gearbox. It will go slower, and slower, and slower until it stops, usually somewhere you dont want to be stopped.
Make sure the gearbox has oil in it (pull the level plug)
Bleed brakes.
Make sure you have a working jack, lug wrench, and okay spare
Bring an alternator, and belt (used working ok)
Bring a starter (used working ok)
Bring a bentley, some wire (both mechanics, and electrical) and a side cutter
Bring a set of metric wrenches (8-19), deep and shallow sockets (same) and extensions
various tapes (duct, electrical, etc)
zip ties and yes, JB weld, and also some sealant of some sort (RTV black)
some fuel line, and smaller vacuum line
drive it around at speed, listen to rear wheel bearings especially. Old grease does not work well. Ask me how I know this.
If possible, a jumper box- it can sometimes get you where you need to go, or at least a turnoff. Jumper cables at the very least

Also, dont take the sellers word for anything, CHECK IT OUT. Trust me, you dont want to be stranded in that thing. It has happend to the best of us ;-) But, i would buy the stuff out there, or order ahead , or just have used stuff shipped there, and then just keep it for the future. If you have it, it wont go wrong. I have driven alot of stuff back from denver. being prepared is the best policy. A clean/rust free car/truck, does not mean a mint one....

That being said, not trying to scare you, I have had really, super fun experiences, and also had some terrifying ones driving neat/ clean cars back, that usually I justified somehow. You have to be prepared, otherwise it will suck, unless you get lucky.

Good luck

[mrkrinkle]

^that

[SLK]

Also, dont take the sellers word for anything, CHECK IT OUT. Trust me, you dont want to be stranded in that thing. It has happend to the best of us ;-)

Well I will be flying out there, picking it up and then driving it to Idaho to visit family so I will have a couple hundred miles of driving it on the interstate to get a feel for everything. Most of my cousins are mechanics or enthusiasts so if I find problems on my way out to Idaho, I am sure we can take care of them before I leave for MN.

[sprstu]

The IDI engine uses virtually 0 electricity to run. Even with no alternator and a good battery I bet you could make the trip home if it was all done during the day. The only thing that is needed that uses any juice from the battery once it's running is the injector pump on/off selonoid, all that does is makes sure the fuel turns off when the key is turned otherwise the engine would run forever. The selonoid requires like 4v minimum and in a pinch you can use a 9v battery.

[Die Frau]

Get some Tire Slime.

And some Hustlers.