Long distance drive 1500 miles (2500KM)

[1990FiestaSilver]

I plan on driving from Madrid, Spain to Budapest, Hungary, around 2500 km or 1500 miles. My car is a 1990 Fiesta Ghia 1.4 with 85,000 km, it has been well maintained, has a full service history and seems to run just fine.

I regularly drive about 550km between Madrid and Galicia and the car seems fine but this is obviously a longer journey... Any advice on wether the car will make the 1500 miles over a few days and what I can do before leaving to ensure the car has the best chances?

Thanks!

 

[econoboxrocks]

If it's been regularly serviced, just drive it. Keep an eye on fluid levels and tire pressures.

 

[scotman]

Very good question. In my experience, a long distance trip can reveal problems and weaknesses that would normally not appear. Especially in the cooling system and electrical systems.
The wheel bearings are another component that might not want to play along with completing the entire trip.
Accessory drive belts are the final area of concern. I lose faith in their integrity at the three year point.
My maintenance routines are formulated from a combination of experience and a cost-value calculation. Infrequently replaced items like heater hoses or drive belts are given a much higher value versus cost before a long trip because the expense of servicing any of them on the side of the road will be multiple times greater than the cost of replacement in your driveway at your convenience. But that is just me. I'm sure that some people might enjoy the time spent changing a serpentine belt in a rainstorm along the edge of a busy highway.

 

[scotman]

I will add an extra warning note to all modern Fiesta owners. Be extremely aware of the coolant level and condition of the coolant reservoir! These may begin to fail in a subtle way by losing a small amount of coolant or you might notice orange coolant droplets under the reservoir.
These damn things are a time bomb! They do not age like fine wine. They are subjected to high temperature and a brutal life of hot-cold low pressure- high pressure conditions. If they fail at highway speeds or in urban situations where you cannot pull over and stop the engine immediately, your engine will be destroyed.
I don't trust any of these reservoirs beyond three years. So everyone who has a 2011 to 2017 Fiesta would be wise to be very observant of this component.
If the engine is cold it takes about 15 minutes to install a new one and top up the coolant level.
It's also the only critical maintenance item on the modern Fiesta that can be done with just a pair of slip joint pliers.
Dorman offers a replacement ,#603-381 that will cost under 50 bucks. Which is less than half of the cost of a tow truck hookup charge before they add on the mileage charges to the repair shop!

 

[LionsTooth]

I will add an extra warning note to all modern Fiesta owners. Be extremely aware of the coolant level and condition of the coolant reservoir! These may begin to fail in a subtle way by losing a small amount of coolant or you might notice orange coolant droplets under the reservoir.
These damn things are a time bomb! They do not age like fine wine. They are subjected to high temperature and a brutal life of hot-cold low pressure- high pressure conditions. If they fail at highway speeds or in urban situations where you cannot pull over and stop the engine immediately, your engine will be destroyed.
I don't trust any of these reservoirs beyond three years. So everyone who has a 2011 to 2017 Fiesta would be wise to be very observant of this component.
If the engine is cold it takes about 15 minutes to install a new one and top up the coolant level.
It's also the only critical maintenance item on the modern Fiesta that can be done with just a pair of slip joint pliers.
Dorman offers a replacement ,#603-381 that will cost under 50 bucks. Which is less than half of the cost of a tow truck hookup charge before they add on the mileage charges to the repair shop! View attachment 5382

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-603-381-Coolant-Reservoir/dp/B00NF1PWPE
$27!

 

[scotman]

That's an incredible price!. I bought the reservoir in the picture at a retail parts store. I am going to install this one on the project hatchback.
Anyone who is road tripping their Fiesta should know what nightmare awaits if they don't get rid of their 3 year old, or more, reservoir. These damn things are the weak link in our cooling system.

 

[Handy Andy]

I'm sure that some people might enjoy the time spent changing a serpentine belt in a rainstorm along the edge of a busy highway.

These damn things are a time bomb! They do not age like fine wine. They are subjected to high temperature and a brutal life of hot-cold low pressure- high pressure conditions. If they fail at highway speeds or in urban situations where you cannot pull over and stop the engine immediately, your engine will be destroyed.
I don't trust any of these reservoirs beyond three years.

Can I Quote you on that?

Get one while you can.​

Because knowing how I got stranded in a Nissan with a similar condition - a plugged radiator can also occur from the loss of coolant baking whatever's left - bone dry in the core - meaning a major flush including thermostat removal to obtain maximum removal of debris inside the engine too...

Even if I don't need it, I know I can get my investment back. This is just cheaper insurance.

Remember too, that the coolant tank can still hold fluid, but at no pressure even with a minor leak. Hot coolant that leaks out is replaced by air once it cools down leaving less to cool the motor with - until eventually its baked bone dry leaving sediment, varnish and who know what - behind in the nooks, crooks, and cavities

These things sit in the engine compartment, right next to a belt and a fan known to throw things and ricochet them around the compartment like shrapnel

A simple nick or cut from a rock smashing into the side of container - it's given it's life, you're on borrowed time.

 

[scotman]

Andy. Now you are scaring me! All this discussion about flying shrapnel. Between that and bursting reservoirs, i might start having nightmares that result in me waking up on wet sheets! Some of us are rather suggestible. Let's not frighten the children.

 

[LionsTooth]

Andy. Now you are scaring me! All this discussion about flying shrapnel. Between that and bursting reservoirs, i might start having nightmares that result in me waking up on wet sheets! Some of us are rather suggestible. Let's not frighten the children.

 

[Handy Andy]

Let's not frighten the children.

Understood...
It wa$ the long walk$ back to a phone to get help that
$till make my feet hurt thinking about that...

...well, you brought it up! ​

 

[scotman]

I got lucky last week. I was only three miles from home when the replaced in 2017 reservoir on my mom's 2013 chevy Cruze decided to become like "old faithful" i quickly pulled into a gas station and let it cool before the quick sprint home. No harm done. But the day before i had done a spirited blast down the highway to get some parts in Elkhart Indiana. There are many miles of roadside to die along on the way there and back to "Grass Lake tucky". So, im not complaining.
In the pic below, the plume of coolant steam can just barely be seen venting towards the engine it was intent on killing.
So, when i say i have a concern, i am livin' it not just givin' it.