Tools and spares for road trip Europe

[aseem]

Hi guys

I'm taking my son (15) on a roadtrip through Europe in my 1980 930 this summer. We are going from Oslo in Norway to Umbria in Italy.

The plan is to take a 5-7 days each way and we're spending three weeks in the Umbria region. We will stop at sites like the Porsche Museum, Oldtimer Grand Prix at Nurburgring, and plan to drive over Stelvio Pass and other. It will be a boys trip for fun and father/son bonding. We are leaving in 7-8 days, and I will update the board with pictures an stories as we go. The distance one way will be 12-1300 miles. The car has a fresh engine built from the bottom last summer, and new suspension built this winter.

I'm preparing the toolkit, and want to ask the forum for suggestions about what to bring for tools and spares. There are Porsche work shops throughout most of Europe, but I like to be able to do minor repairs and be prepared if something happens. Here are some initial thoughts:

Assorted spanners and sockets - what are the most important sizes for a 911?
Ratchet, 1/4" and 1/2"
Assorted screw drivers
One medium sized and one small crescent wrench
Spark plug socket
Two Wise grips
A box of bits
nose pliers
wire cutter
Small hammer + a plastic hammer
Small jack stand
small flash light
pocket knife
+
a selection of zip ties
duct tape
JB Weld
steel wire -
small spare fuel can
small back of nuts and bolts
spare light bulbs
spare spark plugs, 2
spare window wiper
tire foam

Anything missing?

[Hnichols]

Jumper cables? A few quarts of your favorite oil? (maybe too obvious)

Spare fan belts.

Wrench sizes: 10, 12, 15, 17, 19 mm

Something for the lug nuts, if you're missing the factory tool kit.

Otherwise sounds like you're well set.

Sounds like a fun trip. Turns out my wife and I will be in Umbria this summer -- but unfortunately sans Porsche.

[ganun]

How about Allen wrench for tightening axle bolts, 8mm?
Window lift switch

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by aseem

Anything missing?

Spare fuel pump?

[RDM]

Originally Posted by Hnichols

Jumper cables? A few quarts of your favorite oil? (maybe too obvious)

Spare fan belts.

Wrench sizes: 10, 13, 15, 17, 19 mm

Something for the lug nuts, if you're missing the factory tool kit.

Otherwise sounds like you're well set.

Sounds like a fun trip. Turns out my wife and I will be in Umbria this summer -- but unfortunately sans Porsche.

I think this is what you meant.

I will be at the Oldtimer GP with my boys and maybe some other dads. Once you buy your ticket, drive to parking area D for free Porsche parking. If you go on Friday (like we do), you may even be able to park on the infield next to the Porsche Classic display with all the other 911s. The infield parking (though not the free Porsche parking) requires reservations and/or a package purchase for Saturday / Sunday.

Interested in meeting up?

[aseem]

A spare fuel pump is too much, but spare fuses and maybe a fuel pump relay could be handy. In addition to a fan belt, and a quart of oil.

I'll put it all together, and see how much space it will all take. My smugglers box is all empty now after i dumped the air condition, so that's were I'll keep tools and spares.

I'll snap a few pics later this week, when I'm ready to pack.

RDM: I hope to be there by Friday, but not sure yet.... I'll get back to you

[Bill Douglas]

I wouldn't bring anything other than what's in the standard tool kit. But what I would do is put a freeze on changes or work to the car for at least two weeks before you go. Plus do lots of hard driving in that two weeks so if anything wants to fail it will fail then. Usually it's changes that cause problems.

And have fun - looking forward to the pic's.

[zelrik911]

Two good tested spare round relays - one RED for Fuel Pump & one Black for the rest.

Check before you start that the relays are not loose in their sockets.
I have 2 long zip ties holding my new Fuel pump relay in place. This is the only thing that has let me down on a long trip.

[twistoffat]

Fuses and a yellow safety vest.
The yellow safety vest is part of the standard kit that has to be in your car in many countries in Europe. Especially in Italy they like fining foreigners for not having it.

[Chuck.H]

When I took my cross US trip, I packed nearly all the spares I had; DME relay and spare DME computer, MAF, fuel pump, IAC. Rule of thumb of course is if you pack it you won't need it :-)

My idea was if I did break down, all I would need is a semi-compentant mechanic to let me work with him/her to change out the parts I had.

I would add a multi-meter to your list to diagnose electrical issues.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 378k miles - no euro trip... YET!

[otto_kretschmer]

I keep a tire plug kit and a bicycle pump in my car.

How to Repair a Punctured Tire - YouTube

I've used these rope plugs maybe a half dozen times and they work

one time I was on my Kawasaki coming home from work and I picked up a nail. I was able to find a gas station with an air hose and I pulled the nail out and plugged the tire and got home without having to call for a tow

[otto_kretschmer]

I would trim down your list

only 10, 12 and 13 mm wrenches

a couple screw drivers (small and medium flat and phillips, and a short phillips)

spare spark plugs and a spark plug socket with ratchet

I would delete the vise grips, large sockets and ratchet, mallet, fuel can and nuts and bolts

do the normal maintenance before the trip (air and fuel filters)

check cv joint boots

make sure you have good tires

check all wheel bearings for looseness (jack tire off ground and check wheel)

replace wipers before trip and don't bring spare wiper blades. Best to have good blades on the car

check for loose bolts and screws before you go

[Joe Bob]

The euro equivalent of the AAA card for towing services. I would also test the spare and the battery powered air pump. My pump just died......had to replace it.

My speedo gear took a dump during my current trip away from home, glad I have my GPS.

[aseem]

Originally Posted by twistoffat

Fuses and a yellow safety vest.
The yellow safety vest is part of the standard kit that has to be in your car in many countries in Europe. Especially in Italy they like fining foreigners for not having it.

We have the same laws in Norway, so the safety west (with Porsche logo) is always in the car

[Hnichols]

Originally Posted by aseem

A spare fuel pump is too much, but spare fuses and maybe a fuel pump relay could be handy. In addition to a fan belt, and a quart of oil.

Just a quart? That old motor must be in great shape!

[aseem]

Originally Posted by Hnichols

Just a quart? That old motor must be in great shape!

It sure is. The engine was rebuilt from bottom up last year by a very experienced Porsche engineer and is tight as a virgin. In any case, I just want to have a small emergency supply. I'll check and refill every time I refuel

[slodave]

Originally Posted by aseem

Hi guys
The plan is to take a 5-7 days each way and we're spending three weeks in the Umbria region. We will stop at sites like the Porsche Museum, Oldtimer Grand Prix at Nurburgring, DRIVE THE NÜRBURGRING, and plan to drive over Stelvio Pass and other. It will be a boys trip for fun and father/son bonding......

Fixed it for ya... Check the calender to make sure you arrive on a day it's drivable.

[nettles503]

Maybe throw in a shop manual?

(BTW: you're pretty much the best dad ever! That's a lucky 15 year old son you've got there. Have a great time!)

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by nettles503

Maybe throw in a shop manual?

(BTW: you're pretty much the best dad ever! That's a lucky 15 year old son you've got there. Have a great time!)

IPad with the Factory Shop Manual PDF! Make life simple and lighter! And you will have all the other iPad goodness too!

[wildthing]

Some cash... large bills and small bills and lose change.