bush mechanic

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wolfmother

Joined
Jan 16, 2006
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"What a lovely day for a bit of surf-fishing" I thought as I put my rods and tackle in the tray of my truck. So I drove through the bush, singingg all the way, to a great fishing spot I know, and just as I arrive my truck makes some very ugly noises and shudders. Oh dear...The clutch has just gone on me, and that is a big job to fix. So with a couple of hours of daylight left I decide to start walking back to the farm- regretting that I will not be eating fish for dinner. Of course I had my PSK with me, and felt fine about stretching my legs a bit - until I realised I was only wearing flip-flops on my feet!
There is a lesson in this for me! It wouldn't have been so bad but I have a some hardware in my right foot and have never really trusted it since I injured it, and always wear good boots when hiking. Anyway, I just got in, it's dark. My foot held up fine, but the whole event has reminded me that although I can fix most petrol engines, I've been meaning to learn a lot more about diesel mechanics. Does anyone know of any good books on the subject of diesel bush mechanics?
 
A-a-a-rgh... been there:o . Not sure there's much you can do about a busted engine/clutch, gas or diesel, unless you happen to be toting a mechanic's workshop. I try to make it a rule never to go anywhere I'm not prepared to walk out of.
 
Flip-Flops...

I run a constant battle with flip-flips here in Brazil. Every time I take a group of kids out on a day hike I have to specify and re-emphasize that nobody gets to go if they show up in only flip-flops. They can take then in their packs for running around in the waterfalls and streams but they have to hike in at least sneakers.

Your story serves to underscore how easy it is to get yourself stranded with a vehicle. Therefore vehicles need to have supplies in them that get left in the vehicle. Whenever I have to head out of the city I toss my pack in the trunk.

30 km in flip flops... that'll learn 'ya. Mac
 
It's a good idea to keep a pair of comfortable shoes in the car. You never know when you may break down and need to walk. This is particulary helpful if you wear dress shoes for work or if you're a woman who wears heels.
 
Those damn flip flops. I don't know how many times I've told the wife "you need a pair of boots" but no, she wears those stupid flip flops everywere (unless it's cold). Thank god I had my old pair in the truck this past weekend camping, as it was all mud. She looked like a little kid playing dress up in my size 14's.
 
How easy is it to disable the clutch safety in that truck?

One time I had an old Saab with a hydrolic clutch that lost fluid. I was something like 50 miles from home. On a built up section of highway too. For about the first 20 miles it was stoplights every mile or so.

I would turn off the car at the stoplights, put the car into first and then start the car when the light turned green. The car would lurch and then start going. I would guage shifts by engine speed and didn't have too many grinds.

It took awhile but I made it home. With no major damage either!

Of course cars made since the '80s won't let you start the car with out pressing the clutch. And maybe deisels are different as well.

Chad
 
Hydraulic clutch OR brake system in "EMERGENCY ONLY" if you have lost all brake fluid in either system add water or piss to slave cylinder(s) this will get you home unless you have to use your brakes at high speed it will boil the water or fluid out.When you get home flush clutch or brake system with brake fluid or it will RUST. Brake fluid shoul be flushed when it turns black or dark brown, this is an indication of water in the system from osmosis.
 
I once took my car to a shadetree mechanic.
I asked him for a rough estimate.
He kicked me in the groin and said, "'bout a hunerd bucks!"

;)
 
I retrieved the vehicle the next day- I'd read through the manual and didn't think I'd do too much damage driving it if I could get it going. I did, I did a lot of double de-clutching on the drive home to prevent the dreaded grinding sound. Local mechanic has fixed it today; it was the pressure plate..
Found a good set of bush repair tips here by a south african guy;
http://4xforum.co.za/tguide/maintenance.html
 
Just got back from a 4wd trip into the mountains... Breakage included ; a torn off shock mount some broken brake lines andsome fuel injection pump problems. No clutch issues, this time around. In the past I have driven home without being able to use the clutch (you don't need the clutch to shift if you can relate to the engine and gear speed (switch off at stops and shift on the fly).
All ended well on our trip thanks to preparation;
We welded up the shock mount using 2 batteries a #10 welding lense, some jumpercables, a welding rod and my portable stinger.
One brake line was pinched off for the return trip (always carry spare brake fluid) one flexible line was replaced in camp with a worn spare that one of the guys neglected to throw out. (old parts, fan belts etc make no cost emergency spares)
The fuel pressure issue was solved with the use of a spare pump.
A good time was had by all.
Enjoy!
 
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