Mega trip - Will I make it?

[FlyingVolvo]

Basically I just want a little input as far as what might be necessary to do for pre-trip maintenance, and things that possible could fail during the trip. Car's got 161,000 miles on it and has been running flawlessly for the last 12,000 miles.

Here is my "I'm worried about this..." list, the big three:

-Fuel pump
-PNP Switch
-Ignition Cylinder

All of these things are original and working fine right now. I'm sort of just thinking about what the chances are that one or more of those listed items would fail over 7,000 miles of highway driving.

Otherwise, everything else I think would be in order. I'm going to do a full brake job soon. Suspension is OK, but would be replaced after trip (not gonna put on a new suspension just to be ruined in the Yukon). ETM is XeMODeX. MAF is new. Oxygen sensors are new-ish. Coils are new (IPD HD). Spark plugs are new (OEM Volvo). Battery is less than a year old. Cooling system is new-ish with the exception of the water pump. Not due for T-Belt replacement until about 200,000 miles. Fuel pump relay is new. Tires (Michelin Primacy) are in excellent shape. Engine runs very well, although just out of curiosity, I'm interested in doing a compression test sometime in the near future. Transmission shifts very well.

As for other long-trip mods, I'll be rigging a 30 gallon gas tank to the crossbars as well as maybe a Rocket Box (debating on that due to fuel efficiency). My friend that I would be going with has done this trip over 20 times.

Am I an idiot for wanting to take this car?

[precopster]

There's list of afew things I would carry if I were to embark on such a journey:

Enough heater hose length to do a heater core block off (just in case) & spare clamps
Spare top & lower radiator hoses & spare clamps
A spare accessory belt and tensioner tool
Lots of water 10L would be ideal in case there's a leak this may get you to the next stop.
Jumper cables
Pressurised puncture repair can
An OBD scan tool
Spare oil/filter/filter tool/sump plug/wrench
Assorted fuses of different ratings
At least one coil
Test lamp or multimemter
Electrical wire/tape to repair with/butane soldering iron and/or crimp connectors and crimp tool


Given the likelihood of most of the journey undertaken in Drive and the key in pos II there would be less likelihood of your PNP switch & ignition switch playing up. Most of the wear occurs driving around the suburbs in stop-start & parking/restarting

Enjoy the trip and be sure to post some photos!!

[Glencoeteen]

you pretty much have it covered, and you are not crazy at all this is what that car was built for, you should know that there is not much out there that is more comfortable safe and pretty fuel efficient, how old are the plugs? and like precopster said an extra coil just to be safe. also since yours is an EX when was the last time you had the Bevel gear and rear diff fluid changed? and the Drive line checked out?

[FlyingVolvo]

Thanks for the input! I've got most of the items on that list, but there are some good ones there that I didn't consider. And of course, I'll be bringing my full set of tools and a bottle jack. I also have a spare MAF (my old one that was still working fine) and a couple other randoms.

I forgot to mention my spark plugs have about 12,000 miles on them and they are OEM Volvo. I'll still pull them out to at least just check and correct the gap if needed. The coils were replaced at the same time as the plugs. They are the IPD HD coils and have been working flawlessly.

As for the AWD, my bevel gear is toast and the drive-shaft has been pulled. It's nice to not worry about it, and the extra couple MPG is nice. On volvoxc.com there are a couple of good write ups on how to actually remove the bevel gear from the transmission (surprisingly easy!) and I'll probably be doing that too just to remove the extra 40-50 pounds.

[Glencoeteen]

well then you have nothing more to really worry about then, just enjoy the drive! when are you leaving, just a reminder IPD's Garage sale is MAY 21st! it is on your way up to AK not even a min off the hwy just in-case, I know I plan on leaving with a truck load of stuff, sway bar's, springs, wheel everything i can get my hands on haha but enjoy your trip!

[FlyingVolvo]

Time permitting, I'll definitely swing by and say hi to the IPD guys. My car isn't one to be tricked out with a ton of performance items, but I've still got some great products from them and would love to check out their place.

This trip will likely be in mid July if it happens. Primary concern is gas prices, but we plan on near constant driving at probably around 65 MPH, meaning I should be able to stay right around 30 MPG.

[matthew1]

As for other long-trip mods, I'll be rigging a 30 gallon gas tank to the crossbars as well as maybe a Rocket Box (debating on that due to fuel efficiency).

Interesting. Tell us more about this fuel tank. Sounds... different. Wide and flat? Vent for expansion?

Sounds like a BLAST, btw.

[Fish stick88]

XC - putting it to the test! Sounds like you have it all, if your gas tank looks too much like a cargo container, you might be required to put something that says combustible on it, do you plan on having it hooked to the tank or were you planning on just filling up off of that as nessisary?
Have FUN!

[Ozark Lee]

The only thing I can remember about the Alcan Highway was the pickup trucks I saw at Tok Junction with chain link fences stretched across the front of the truck and piles of tires on top of the camper shell (most of them shredded). That was back in the early 80s so I'm sure things are much better now.

...Lee

[FlyingVolvo]

The extra gas tank would be rigged to the cross bars. It's a longer cylinder style, with the long part parallel to the length of the car. It would stick up a bit, so no ideal for aerodynamics, but the added range is great. My friend says to fill up in the States as much as possible before Canada since gas there is way higher.

The tank has a hose on it with a standard nozzle, like at a gas station. It has a lockable shutoff valve too, so nobody sees my car with a sign that says "Free gas!". It is painted red and does have "Gasoline/Petrol" marked on it.

Thanks for all the comments. I am really hoping this trip gets to happen!

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