240 General: I'm taking a 240GLT...

For a lengthy pan-European Jaunt....on the Czechwrecks rally www.czechwrecks.com...at the end of next month (big thanks to arcticoceans for selling us his car!). 2000 miles across 6 countries... including a trip over the infamous Stelvio Pass..


Now I've driven a few 240's in my time, but my questions are:-

What's most likely to go wrong?
What prep would you recommend? (It's got good tyres, recent oil change service, recent cambelt)
Which spare parts would you recommend I take (over and above radweld/exhaust putty/wd40/tools/jubilee clips/wire/gaffer tape)

Thanks!

It's a 1989 GLT Auto, 115k

Cheers
Tim

[barrie013]

Some type of spare fanbelt ?
Good luck...I wish I was going...

[chris m]

Probably check the spark plugs, dizzy cap and rotor, air filter and maybe change the fuel filter at that milage. And being an automatic have an eye on your brakepads/discs.

But that trip shouldn't be a problem for a well maintained 240 at all. I did several high speed miles on the german Autobahn with my 240 and even crossed the Alps to Italy without any trouble (and any spare part).

Best of luck and enjoy your trip, Chris

Thanks Chris.

A couple of other posts have mentioned the auto inhibitor switch and a 'flame trap' (I think it was) - do I need to do anything about/worry about those?

Thanks
Tim

[Mike_Brace]

Auto inhibitor switches only rarely give problems - they are easily bypassed if the fail. There is a connector on the lhs of the centre console which can be unplugged and a loop wire used to bypass it. Indeed if you find a scrap manual it will have a loop fitted in a connector at this point which you could carry with you. I would recommend changing the oil and tranny filter in the auto box before going.
Regards flame trap - just check it is clear - they only seem to cause problems on neglected or ired engines.
The other thing I would do is check condition of hoses especially the heater hoses especially where theyare hidden under the manifold. Also check the radiator looks in good condition with all the fins present- if they are starting to corrode I'd be looking at replacing it.
My experience is that cooling susytem is the one area most likely to bring you to a halt if not in good condition. Most other parts seem to go on quite a while before they will strand you.

Mike