Maintenance – Is It Worth It?
A lot of people ask why we, like other overlanders, spend so much time and often money on maintenance to our vehicles and equipment. Here we are talking about maintenance only not fitting out your vehicle for an overland trip.
On our longer trips often in excess of 25k miles over extended periods and mostly over very poor roads or in many cases no roads at all servicing plays a vital role in keeping you moving and saving you money. A small cost early on can save a substantial and even trip stopping costs later on if missed or ignored.
The Silk Road / Mongolia Trip was particularly harsh, as was Morocco and the pictures here show much of the road conditions the Land Rover has had to cope with.
Often smooth looking gravel turns out to be bone shattering corrugations and soft sand leaves everything with a thick layer of dust inside and outside the vehicle and any containers cupboards and boxes you are carrying.
Sand, grit and vibration result in extra stress on all parts of the Land Rover, our roll cage had to be welded in Uzbekistan due to stress fractures caused by the poor roads. Our door hinges would squeak and grate due to dust. Wheel bearings and universal joints take a hammering especially when you take into consideration many overland vehicles are often running heavy thereby adding additional stress to the vehicle.
All in all, the vehicle has to sustain a constant onslaught like being continually under siege so daily and weekly inspections are paramount to keeping you moving, not getting any surprises and recognising an issue before it becomes a breakdown which is something none of us want especially when you are travelling so remote and your vehicle is to all intents and purposes your home.
In our case, we are not mechanics, but we made a conscious effort to know our vehicle. To recognise strange new noises to spot leaks and to rectify them as soon as possible. To help us achieve this our routine comprised visual daily inspections of the running gear and engine bay trying to spot small leaks or issues early. Topping up fluids as required.
We also ran with a Nanocom Engine Monitoring System permanently connected to the ECU so we could monitor in real time Turbo pressure, coolant temperature etc and set alerts for when for example the temperature gets too high. In a TD5 we were advised the temp gauge only registers high when the temperature exceeds around 115 degrees. In my opinion with an aluminium head this was too high so I set an alert on the Nanocom for 95 degrees. When the alert sounded, I could back off and allow the engine to temps to drop back down to near the usual of 87 degrees. This routine probably saved our engine when we noticed we were losing coolant. We were able to monitor engine temperatures and ultimately found it to be a head gasket failure. Due to temperature monitoring we were reasonably confident we had not also “cooked” the head and warped it so when it was repaired in Greece we did not need to get the head skimmed etc and we had the Land Rover back 36 hours later.
Weekly Dave would crawl underneath with spanners etc and start searching for loose nuts, bolts or fixings and the same followed in the engine bay.
This weekly inspection also involved a greasing routine making sure everything that should be greased was greased. You will be surprised how much works loose. Some examples, we head the starter motor with 1 cracked fixing,1 bolt missing and only 1 bolt holding it on. Rear Suspension arm bolts continually working loose.
We carried as a minimum, a full set of service items, filters, oils etc and a full set of wear and tear items such as wheel bearings and UJ’s. Basic servicing such as oil and fluid changes we would do ourselves and we made sure to complete them much earlier than the servicing guidelines. In hot countries the gearbox for example would get very hot to the point the hand brake would burn your leg. These excess temperatures meant we would be changing fluids at half way the recommended intervals. Our route took into consideration servicing needs and when we used our service items, we had plans in place, so they were replaced asap. Working out where Land Rover dealers were in advance, for example there is a Britpart Shop in Almaty Kazahkstan so we were able to get filters etc whilst there.
We did carry additional spares such as fuel pump, Fuel Pressure Regulator, Temp Sensor and made a list so we knew what we had and where we stored it. Vehicle specific tools were also carried. Our thought was that if we head the spares and the tools then a decent mechanic would be able to carry out the work for us that we couldn’t do ourselves.
Regular maintenance is not just a chore but a crucial aspect of ensuring the success and safety of any overland journey. The harsh conditions encountered on remote roads demand a proactive approach to vehicle upkeep. By investing time and resources into maintenance, overlanders can prevent costly breakdowns and keep their vehicles in optimal condition.
Through diligent inspections and early intervention, potential issues can be identified and resolved before they escalate into major problems. This proactive approach not only saves money in the long run but also ensures a smoother and more reliable travel experience.
Moreover, the knowledge and familiarity with one's vehicle are essential for overlanders. Being able to recognize unusual sounds, leaks, or malfunctions early on can make a significant difference in preventing serious mechanical failures.
Utilizing advanced monitoring systems, like the Nanocom Engine Monitoring System, adds an extra layer of protection by providing real-time data on crucial engine parameters. This proactive monitoring allowed for early detection of issues such as overheating, potentially saving the engine from extensive damage.
Regular greasing and inspections of components, along with carrying essential spare parts and tools, are vital practices for overlanders. By staying ahead of maintenance schedules and being prepared for unforeseen repairs, overland travellers can navigate challenging terrains with greater confidence and peace of mind.
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