Hi guys,

Many thanks to all of you who have helped me previously discussing getting a bit of ground clearance...It was very helpful!

Me and two others are taking a Felly estate from Goodwood to Outer Mongolia for charity, and we will then donate it to charity there, where it will either be auctioned or put into emergency relief use.

Apart from getting bigger tyres, do you guys have any recommendations as what I should do to the old girl before the trip. She's done 53k, a 2000 estate (classic) and i'm thinking of changing the rear struts and also the thermometer (have a hunch it's not working as it should) other than that not sure...

We'll be in desert heat as well as rough terrain...what do you guys reckon? What kind of 'classic' faults should I look out for?

Many thanks,

Archie (team timmy!)

http://mongolrally.co.uk/teamtimmy

Enjoy your adventure, the Mongol Rally is something I've wanted to do for the past 4 years now but can't really get the time off.

I think in 2 or 3 years I'll do it over 6 months not in the rally just in my own time probably in something a little more suited to the drive than a Felicia, maybe a Land Cruiser.

I think you might be better taking a plane, should get there quicker

Looks an impressive trip, lack of roads, break downs, getting lost, a touch out of my comfort zone I think but its for a good cause. I think you are very brave taking a low power skoda Felica, good choice on the estate though, lots of room for tools although not very easy to get them home.

Good luck with the trip and if you find an updated just giving link I'll make a donation as the current link is not working.

Think you should invest a little money in an oil change, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs and HT leads. Also if it's the 1.3 check the valve clearances on the engine as this can improve the performance/reliability of the engine to no end!

I would also be inclind to check all radiator hoses etc for ANY leaks and check the thermostat and coolant sensor and the that the radiator fan kicks in alright.

A simple way to check the coolant sensor or 'thermometer' as you called it is to unplug it while the engine is running and up to temperature and if the engine revs drop slightly and roughen up a bit then it is probably fine if the engine doesn't change at all then it is most likely faulty!

Good luck and have a safe journey!

Phil

I think you might be better taking a plane, should get there quicker

Looks an impressive trip, lack of roads, break downs, getting lost, a touch out of my comfort zone I think but its for a good cause. I think you are very brave taking a low power skoda Felica, good choice on the estate though, lots of room for tools although not very easy to get them home.

Good luck with the trip and if you find an updated just giving link I'll make a donation as the current link is not working.

Hey! Thanks for the help!

I know it's gonna be a bummer taking the tools back, I think i'll leave them in the car and the charity can have them!

I've just about worked out how to change a tyre, and got a haynes book, so sorted! :eek:

Here's a link to our justgiving,

Archie ,Dave and JP's is fundraising for Christina Noble Childrens Foundation Limited - JustGiving,

it appears they have changed the lay out so it's all gone wrong!

Our team would like to say a massive thank you to Simon Sheil for donating to our charity for the rally. It really is much appreciated and thank you for being so generous.

Team Timmy.

hi there. when are you off.

i leave for bajing on the 15th of july then i'm on to UB on the 18th. and i'm gunna be there till about the 2nd of aug.

i'm going out there on a scout assosiation experdition, doing some aid projects with the street children.

as for the car,

new thermostat is a must

a strip of steel afixed to keep the oil filler cap on when going over rough ground is a must to.

other than that, some new timing chains and doing the valve clearence will help.

all the best with your trip, be sure to port us some pics.

Hi,

I am also doing the rally in a felicia. any suggestions of things we have to do? feeling quite unprepared. we have had a full service, and done a mechanics course. we'll be taking spare parts but wondered if you have any further advice?

We are ALSO driving a Felicia in the Mongol Rally this year. However, our Felicia is currently broken down in France (where we bought it). It seems to have blown through two alternators within 15 minutes of being picked up. Any thoughts as to why it might do this? Could there be something else going on that is blowing up the alternators?

Many Thanks!

Team Creeping Blandness Prevention Group

(more details about the nature of the breakdowns here: Creeping Blandness Prevention Group)

TDT - search for threads by the OP from this thread/

CBPG - Did the control box get changed or just the alternator?

Ken: If this car has a separate control box for the alternator, then it probably did not get replaced. I assume we're talking about the thing that regulates the voltage output from the alternator.

The problem this time was actually the starter motor. The garage here is trying to find me a new one now-- based on how much they wanted for the alternator, I'm anticipating a 300-400 euro price tag.

Ah well, it might be 2 different problems, or it might be a duff control box, which is quite capable of blowing pretty much all the electrics on the car. Once the garage have replaced the starter motor, ask them to make sure that the alternator is putting out no more than normal voltage for a nominal 12v system.

Good luck guys