Travel Kit

[DougC]

I am preparing to take the Spider on our first long drive out of town this weekend. I am thinking that it would be a good idea to bring along a supply of spare parts or repair items to avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere if the old girl decides to quit on me.

Can anyone recommend a minimal set of tools and supplies to cover the most likely problems that I can put in a bag and bring along?

Thanks!

[mbouse]

just tools, or tools and essential spare parts?
.fuses
.electrical tape
.baling wire
.slip joint pliers
.10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm combination wrenches
.phillips screwdriver
.fully inflated spare tire
.jack & lug wrench
.one spark plug
.one plug wire long enough to work on any plug or the coil
.distributor cap and rotor (used works great)

if you need more than these, you are trying to do more than limp off the road to the nearest safe place to park. of course, you know your car better than anyone else...what issues have you not completely resolved?

[DougC]

Thanks Mike,

I've only owned the car a week, so I don't really know her that well yet. That's why I want to be prepared. Your list looks great, it seems that ignition related items would be the most likely to cause problems.

[kilrwail]

If you're taking all that electrical stuff, I'd suggest throwing in your multi-meter, if you have one, as well as a 2-3 ft piece of general purpose insulated wire. And I agree - electrical gremlins are most likely to sneak up on you. Anything else is likely to show itself over a longer period of time, hopefully before you leave.

[htchevyii]

I carry a good used ign pickup and module.

[baltobernie]

Flashlight (those compact LED versions are great!)
small Vise-Grip pliers, about six inches long overall
Mechanix pit crew gloves
nitrile gloves
couple of clean rags
I also carry my 1/4" drive socket set, which is no larger than a thick paperback book. My whole kit, including the front license plate , fits in a nylon top-opening tool bag the size of your battery.
If you haven't already done so, check each wheel bolt. The torque spec, depending on wheel type, is around 50-60 ft. lbs. Most garage air wrenches are nearly twice that, and if your PO used one of these, that little lug wrench in your tool kit won't budge them.
After you've had the car for a while and begin replacing things, keep the used fan belts and timing belt (if a 2-litre) in the spare tire well.

[pope]

a credit card with plenty to spare on it!

[DougC]

a credit card with plenty to spare on it!

Hahaha! Thanks.

[narfire]

If you've had the car a week,have you changed the timing belt or know the history,they have a life span and can/is an expensive repair if they let go at 60mph. The rubberflex disk just behind the trans. on the drive shaft... history??? There was a post not long ago showing what happens when they grenade on you. If all OK then the above recomendations pretty much cover it. I travel with a spare dist. and some wire,connectors,1/4, 3/8, and some 1/2 drive tools spanners/wrenches,flashlight with good batteries. Basically, if you have it you won't need it.
Have fun, and hope the car works just fine for you.

[mbouse]

wow, you guys! you really carry all that stuff? cheese..... that's an awful lot.

anything more than a cell phone and car charger is overkill.

[Zippy]

Don't forget the fire extinguisher!

[launieg]

I've even carried a spare (charged) battery and a can of gas! Of course that was when I was having a starting problem and a bad fuel tank sender But I do still carry a small foam pad that I can kneel on. (I picked up three designed for such purpose years ago.) Terrible on the knees or head if you have to get down on the ground (especially gravel) to check/fix something. A piece of cardboard would do of course, or you could use that nice jacket you happen to have with you at the time.

[perthling]

I'd add a spare clutch cable unless you know the history of the current one.

[mdrburchette]

I think it would just about cover it if you'd tow another Fiat behind yours.

[mbouse]

it is possible to build enough reliability into these cars as to not need ANY of this stuff...all ya gotta do is spend some quality time in the garage!

i drive mine 5 days/week nearly 6 months/year commuting. that's over over 6,000 miles/season with zero breakdowns...not including my weekend adventures with friends.