Cross country trip precautions

inaminit · 02-24-2013, 08:08 AM

Hello- I am planning a cross country trip to bring my new to me 1999 C2 home to Maine from Ca this spring. My wife has agreed to come on this jaunt (probably more due to the comfortable seats than my company). The engine was replaced by Porsche about 50K ago. The rear of the engine was dry when I had the PPI done. So the question that I have been debating with myself is how far to go in preparing the car for the trip. I could have a telltale installed, or an IMS job plus a telltale, or even a telltale, IMS and a water pump. P-car shops are plentiful in Ca, but not in this part of Maine. On the other hand, does it make sense to have major work done and then leave on a long trip-there won't be much chance for shakedown mileage prior to starting the trip. Lately I have been leaning toward just the telltale. Your comments and thoughts will be much appreciated!

tonythetarga · 02-24-2013, 09:30 AM

Was an oil analysis done when you did the PPI?

At the very least I would change the oil, inspect the filter and check all other fluids, especially coolant (for oil). If the car needs a clutch and you're going to do the IMS anyway, then do it before you go. If the shop is reputable, you should have no worries taking it on a x-country run. I'm sure if you mentioned the area the car is in you will get rx's for a good shop to do the IMS.

If you decide to drive as is, then I think if you have to drive the car and get the rev's up above 3k through the course of driving it across the country you should be OK. I would reinspect the oil filter when you get home.

inaminit · 02-24-2013, 09:57 AM

Tony- The seller had just changed the oil and filter, so there was no information to be had from the oil or the filter. The PPI came up good on the coolant.
To me-the telltale makes a lot of sense-you get an early warning of metal particles in the oil, and you can stop driving in enough time to replace the IMS rather than being faced with the total loss of the engine.

tonythetarga · 02-24-2013, 10:13 AM

That is reasonable and prudent. Sounds like a fun trip ahead for you.

wtbzanzibar911 · 02-24-2013, 05:31 PM

Ship it home
Out in the middle of No Were
Is no place to deal with failures and quirks

ShawnM · ShawnM's Garage

Get the tell-tale and drive it. America is very populated and the OMG worst case is you put it onto a transporter and catch a partial flight home.

The best case (which I did this past summer) is you and your wife get some great times driving across the country in an amazing car, create some very cool memories and 'unplug' from your life for a few days. Don't check your email more than once every other day (if at all) and you'll cherish the memory for the rest of your life.

FPB111 · 02-27-2013, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShawnM

Get the tell-tale and drive it. America is very populated and the OMG worst case is you put it onto a transporter and catch a partial flight home.

The best case (which I did this past summer) is you and your wife get some great times driving across the country in an amazing car, create some very cool memories and 'unplug' from your life for a few days. Don't check your email more than once every other day (if at all) and you'll cherish the memory for the rest of your life.

+1

Many long Years ago I was driving my 1956 Jaguar XK140 across country, from NJ to CA, to visit my uncle. I stopped in a gas station in Texas to fill up and check under the hood, an older fella that worked there came out to chat.

"What kind of car is that? He asked

"It's a 1956 Jaguar XK140" (I replied with much 19 yr old pride)

"Well you better not have no trouble with that while you are round here" he said "'Cause I worked here 22 yrs and I ain't never seen one of these."

The rest of the trip was just as delightful as the first part had been.

Don't over think things. Just do it!! These cars are much tougher than that old Jaguar was, and I still have great memories of that first long trip in a sports car.

motolz · motolz's Garage

Not quite as far, but I have done the drive twice from Atlanta to Pittsburgh in my 99 c2. On the way back one time, we were in a 4 hr traffic jam in ... no kidding... 100+ degree heat in Tennessee.. (bridge repair). My girl was cool as a red cucumber. Wouldn't hesitate to do that trip any time. Good luck and have fun with it...even better if you have the upgraded sound system!