Around Oz in my GT forester
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:35 am
Hey crew,
Thought it was about time I told you all about the trip my wife and I (and 2 small dogs) have embarked on in our 01 GT forester. We are curently half way through a trip around Australia.
Beginning in Perth we have approx 120 days to tour around the Australian coast (and a nip down to Alice Springs) on a rather tight travel budget. We have so far done around 60 days of travel and about 60 to go and as of today we are located about 600km north of Brisbane having traveled clockwise around the north coast.
Before we left the Forester undertook a series of repairs to help minamise brackages on the trip. However towing our atleast 1000kg camper trailer has taken it's toll.
We got as far as north Queensland before a continuing wheel noise became increasingly worse. Upon expection I realize it was a collapsed front wheel bearing. Luckily with this forums help.. Several board members donated time and parts to help me out. Special thanks to Matt and Shannon who live in Townsville for their help. Especially without Shannons (Point) help we would still be stranded and most definately not have enough money to complete our trip.
After the big repair and a quick service, several smaller still existing problems have come to light which I have not yet been able to sort out and may not be able to till we return home.
A nagging engine oil smoke has become belowing at times from the exhaust... Mainly at idle and when driving in the morning after idle. Turbo oil seal maybe? Also an increasingly worsening exhaust leake or maybe the mufler has completely caved in on me. And a blown rear shock that did appear to have blown all it's oil everywhere some few thousand km back.
All in all the forester has done great considering it's 2l engine compacity but probably not really suitable for such an epic voyage. Fuel consumption has ranged drastically depending on wind direction from between 5-8 km per liter of fuel and maintaining the use of premium fuels around the top end of WA was a challenge.
Currently north of Brisbane a little behind scedule but we have plenty of time to catch up. I will try and keep you guys up to date with my progress and catch up with a few board members on the way.
Dave
Thought it was about time I told you all about the trip my wife and I (and 2 small dogs) have embarked on in our 01 GT forester. We are curently half way through a trip around Australia.
Beginning in Perth we have approx 120 days to tour around the Australian coast (and a nip down to Alice Springs) on a rather tight travel budget. We have so far done around 60 days of travel and about 60 to go and as of today we are located about 600km north of Brisbane having traveled clockwise around the north coast.
Before we left the Forester undertook a series of repairs to help minamise brackages on the trip. However towing our atleast 1000kg camper trailer has taken it's toll.
We got as far as north Queensland before a continuing wheel noise became increasingly worse. Upon expection I realize it was a collapsed front wheel bearing. Luckily with this forums help.. Several board members donated time and parts to help me out. Special thanks to Matt and Shannon who live in Townsville for their help. Especially without Shannons (Point) help we would still be stranded and most definately not have enough money to complete our trip.
After the big repair and a quick service, several smaller still existing problems have come to light which I have not yet been able to sort out and may not be able to till we return home.
A nagging engine oil smoke has become belowing at times from the exhaust... Mainly at idle and when driving in the morning after idle. Turbo oil seal maybe? Also an increasingly worsening exhaust leake or maybe the mufler has completely caved in on me. And a blown rear shock that did appear to have blown all it's oil everywhere some few thousand km back.
All in all the forester has done great considering it's 2l engine compacity but probably not really suitable for such an epic voyage. Fuel consumption has ranged drastically depending on wind direction from between 5-8 km per liter of fuel and maintaining the use of premium fuels around the top end of WA was a challenge.
Currently north of Brisbane a little behind scedule but we have plenty of time to catch up. I will try and keep you guys up to date with my progress and catch up with a few board members on the way.
Dave
