Emergency Travel Kit

[Stan]

I was driving home from the gas station on Sunday and the coupe just died. Appeared starved for fuel. As suspected, fuel pump.

That got me thinking: What parts do you recommend keeping in the trunk (or boot) of the car? It would have been nicer to spend a half hour replacing the fuel pump than to wait an hour for a tow truck...

What parts frequently die in our lovely cars?

fuel pump ( have had 2 die in 3 years)
headlight?
water pump????

 

[jhjacobs]

I'm sure that there are plenty of us who'll say simply tow a spare coupe along just in case. In my youth I drove the wheels off an E3 (3.0bavaria). The things which left me stranded from time to time that I would recommend:

1. Points, rotor, cap, and an old set of plugs (keep the ones you replace)
2. Fuel pump. They are quite reliable but they are also small and inexpensive to keep handy
3. Water pump (pain to change on the road but possible).
4. Upper and lower radiator hoses
5. Fan belt
6. Oil and water always a good idea
7. Fuel filter (unlikely to strand you but <$10)
8. Some extra hose clamps of different sizes
9. A complete set of fuses (all values) and some 18 gauge wire
10. I also like to have some bailing wire to fix exhaust hangers
11. 100mph Duct tape
12. I also like to have a cheap multi-meter handy

In addition to the trunk tool kit I like to carry a full compliment of screw drivers, a better set of channel lock pliers, a high quality 10mm box end wrench, and a 1/4 inch ratchet set which must have a 10mm socket and extension; 13mm is also handy.