Barringtons Weekend

Singh · May 27, 2009

Sorry Neil, i have been unsuccessful in getting the leak fixed. Tried Chatswood as well but they are booked out.
Hopefully Hornsby will sort it out on Tuesday & there will be another opportunity to do the Barringtons.

Moonan · May 27, 2009

That's a nuisance for you, not to mention missing this weekend!
You can come and be a passenger if you like, but of course there will be 3 out of 3 R5's and you'd be slumming it..

Scenic · Jun 1, 2009

Hi Singh,

After my recent leak, I would be interested in knowing details of where the leak is located and the required fix. Also, whether it was still leaking when the mechanics got to it.

Singh · Jun 1, 2009

Hi, Sorry that I couldnt join you guys. this is the first one I have missed!!
I found out the reason for the leak in the steering, shockingly and not surprising it was due to human error.
When i had put the car in last time (four weeks ago), the mechanic, in order to change the defective connector on the turbo, didnt put back all that had to be removed to access the turbo. The 'stuff' they had to remove inc the bits of the steering & the hoses that carry the fluid!!
I wouldnt have known but a glance on the last worksheet revealed, "..power steering fluid replaced.."
All well for now, just have to get new rubber t'row and pack for the big trip!

bobzed57 · Jun 2, 2009

OK Sportsfans, now for the bad news.

I know Neil and Lloyd will be champing at the bit to jump in. On the weekend I had a bit of a misadventure.

After a great day's driving, we were heading back to camp and I took the wrong turn (I really should pay more attention when I'm in a convoy). I crossed through a creek crossing and said to Gemma that it seemed a bit deeper than on the way out. About 2 seconds later Neil came over the radio telling me that I had gone astray. Anyway, I turned around, popped the Treg in low-range, locked the centre diff and made my way back through the crossing. I must have missed by a little bit and it got pretty damp under the bonnet. I just made it up the exit, and the car, she no go.

Not sure what happened, whether it took a gut-full of water through the air system or the water was so cold something cracked. Anyway, the upshot is that the car starts and idles, but can't be loaded up. And oily water comes out near the #1 cylinder exhaust manifold. I'm thinking buggered gasket here at best, cracked head at worst.

As I understand it, the Treg's on the back of a flatbed truck somewhere between Musswellbrook and Canberra. I will post details as I get them.

Yes, Neil, now you can post the photo.

Cheers

Bob

PS Thanks to Neil for another tow, and both Neil (and Annette) and Lloyd (and Lyndel and kids) for being patient and not giving me too hard a time.

Moonan · Jun 2, 2009

So far, Lloyd and I have observed the protocol of "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", but as Bob has opened the bidding, I must just say that I won't start with the ribbing yet, but express our sincere sympathies to Bob and Gemma for a rather nasty thing to have happened to their trusty steed. It certainly made me wince when I saw the big cloud of black smoke come out of the back, and hear the grating sound as he tried to give it its last revs up the hill.
Much respect to Bob for holding his cool (relatively) even when the VW Assist weenie promised to send the flatbed then cancelled it later while knowing we were in a remote place and and couldn't be contacted (as they hadn't remembered to confirm his insurance details...) Good thing we called next morning from the phone box in the next town to check on progress.
Also much respect to Bob for being towed for 5 km with my R5 being in 2nd low including severe corners, steep hills (up AND down), and 5 more water crossings - all without power steering or brakes.

Also, I'll post the photo soon...

cheers,

..Neil

barefoot · Jun 2, 2009

Bob, a bit sad to hear about your misadventure there...I hope the engine is still ok and that it's covered. Sounds like VGA should be developing a snorkel asap.

RE' VW assist, I concur, they seem to not assist when you most needed them. The last time I needed them, they had conviently lost my records during migration to a new system, so they told me to go away. I was shivering cold (in the middle of winter, by the end about 10 minutes from hypothermia), wearing just a springsuit, had a broken valet key, and no one can break into the car (including the RACQ man). I have since installed a back door (Neil knows about this one, but he will have to shoot you as soon as he reveals the secret) retrieveable using a hook.

Scenic · Jun 2, 2009

Neil's photos won't do justice (as is always the way with photos) to the situation. I was certainly gapejawed as Bob & Gemma bounced through the water.

Regarding apres-surfing access to the car, after having my pants scared off at the price of keys (even a dumb key), I spent a considerably smaller amount of money on a keysafe to dangle from the towbar.

Singh · Jun 2, 2009

Hi Bob, sorry to hear that mate! hope the engine is okay and the damage is minimum.How far up did the water go, was the bonnet covered?
With a petrol engine its not that bad as it tends to stall before something major occurs but diesels cant stand any water. too much compression has either blown the gasket, head,bent components, damaged turbo..could be anything. Sorry you probably dont want to hear this.
Hope you get back on road soon Bob.
I was actually wondering why no one had posted pics or really talked about this trip!

Frank S · Jun 2, 2009

Hi Bob,
Hope the damage is not too severe. Stuff happens!!! At least you got it out of the drink.

Frank

Moonan · Jun 2, 2009

Here are two photos,
Singh, the bonnet wasn't covered. I wouldn't have thought it was up to 500mm, but he definately bounced over a rocky surface under the water and dipped the nose a bit... Photo 1 shows water dripping from the grille. Photo 2 shows the "oh dear" moment when the cloud of black smoke told the sad story...

V10-downunder · Jun 2, 2009

So did she suck in water, and as a result a black plume of smoke?

Ouch.

:-({|=

Leason 1, internal combustion engines don't like water
Leason 2, Always use a cover if not sure and create a bow wave.

Potentially a very expensive exercise.

Regards

Gerald

Singh · Jun 3, 2009

water appears to be rolling off the front of the bonnet, must be just after you bounced up from the hole you went into Bob. thats what proabably killed the bow wave too.
Otherewise the creek doesnt appear to be deep.

bobzed57 · Jun 3, 2009

Hi Singh

Thanks for the call today. The creek would have been no more than 500-600mm deep at the crossing. I just think that I was about 500mm to the right of where I passed through safely on the way accross. It sure was bouncy and I certainly hit something because at least a third of the plastic trim under the door sills is missing.

I should hear more in the next couple of days.

In the meantime, enjoy the Lake Eyre trip. I'd certainly have liked to go.\

Cheers

Moonan · Jun 3, 2009

A mate and I were discussing this today at work (great conversation starter... "I was in the Barringtons last weekend and you'll never guess what happened to poor old Bob..."), and he pointed me to a thread in explore oz forum where a bloke had had a spinifex fire in his air cleaner - it cooked up the air filter element, and sent bits into the turbo, breaking off bits of the blades. Intercooler held all the bits and prevented actual motor damage. Got me thinking, or at least speculating, that water has a bit of a way to go before it gets into engine, maybe the damage is at the turbo and didn't get as far as the engine itself - black smoke usually means unburned fuel, ie running rich, ie not enough air getting in..... Anyway, only speculation - Let us know Bob when you have some sort of diagnosis -

Same mate is very wisely and with hindsight reckoning you should have worn a condom or at least a water-bra for the crossing, but I told him that even if such a thing was in your boot, it wouldn't have come out for that little crossing anyway...

sumar · Jun 3, 2009

Hi Bob,
Sorry to hear about your misadventure, what a bummer. I had to delay my trip to the top end as I tore my medial miniscus and have a arthroscopoy next thuesday. Good luck with fixing your treg.
M

Singh · Jun 14, 2009

G'day Bob, whats the latest on your egg?

bobzed57 · Jun 15, 2009

Hi Singh

I spoke with the insurer this morning and the problem is still being investigated. All the electrics check OK, but they had to wait for a special tool to make sure the engine timing was right before removing the cylinder head. Some water was found in the inter-cooler, so maybe more got in that I thought. There's also some thought that a rod might be bent, but they'll work that out after they have the head. If something's bent, it looks like a new short motor.

So, it looks like I won't have it back this month and maybe part of next, so my trip to Innamincka etc is probably off, so I'll be looking something else to do.

Cheers and I'll keep you posted.

Singh · Jun 15, 2009

all the best Bob, keep us posted.

bobzed57 · Jun 25, 2009

Update

Hi fellow Treggers

Here's an update on my Treg. Sorry, a bit long.

After the Treg was towed back to Canberra, the insurer quickly had it at a local diesel shop for assessment where it sat for two weeks. It went to this shop because the insurer couldn't get it into the dealer for 3-4 weeks. The reason it sat in the diesel shop for two weeks was because they couldn't get a tool from VW to remove the cylinder head. Apparently, what happens is that when VW introduces a model, the dealers get one set of the special tools to work on it and VW won't sell them to anyone else. The reason you need this special tool is so that engine can be set at TDC before the head comes off. If you don't, it's impossible to get the engine timed again. So, after two weeks, it got into the dealer's shop (it pays to have been nice to the techos in the past).

As an aside, Gemma rang VW customer service in Sydney (yes she got through) and had a whinge about the tool issue. The VW man coldn't understand why the tools weren't available to non-VW dealers. Upshot was that after Gemma put the insurer and VW in contact with each other, the diesel shop got the tools. As I understand it, this diesel shop is part of a larger NSW group of repairers and they had been in legal dispute with VW over access to tools, IP and software, so this decision might see more choice for dubbers at where they can service on their VWs.

After the best part of two weeks at the dealer, they worked out that some conrods were bent and a few others damaged. They found water in the intercooler, so they figure more may have got in than I thought.

Today the insurer called me and indicated that likely outcome would be that the Treg would be written off based on an agreed value of 55k. The repair recommendation by the dealers was a new long motor at 20k + fitting etc. The assessor wasn't really comfortable about repairing it because he believed that he could never guarantee that it'd be as good again and I'd keep coming back every time something went wrong. This is the same guy I dealt with when I had the tailgate repaired, so he knows I would.

So that's it team, awaiting confirmation that the Treg's totalled. It's Gemma's turn to pick the new vehicle, so it's only 50% it'll be another Treg. If it's gone, I'll likely be selling some bits like the light bar, canyon wheel and new rubber, phatbox (depending whether I can get it of the car before it goes to auction) ..

I'll let you know how I go, and before you ask Singh, no V10, matthew, no shorty Paj, Neil, no Q5. Likely contenders are V6TDI, LR D3 or 4, Prado and then maybe a Paj. 200 cruiser too big and not value for money, Patrol too rough and old school.

Cheers

Bob

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