Rudolph’s been getting slower and slower since we headed into the Turkish hills and last night he was getting unbearable, the engine just wouldn’t rev up at full throttle, but would rev a bit with the first few mm of pedal. We figured it was just because micras are crap, but it’s definitely been getting worse. So this morning Hugh and Georgio & Tree from team Rastamouse are having a look under the bonnet to see if they can fix the problem. All three of them did or are still doing Motorsport Engineering at Coventry uni, so should be able to sort it out if it’s something simple.
Just spent about 30 mins looking at spark plugs and coil packs and trying them out in various configurations, conclusion: They aren’t the problem, let’s try the fuel filter, maybe that’s full of gunk.
Well, it’s not the fuel filter either, they just spent well over an hour bypassing it with the tube from a pen and a bit of hose that was lying around in Reggie (their van) but the problem was still there, so it’s not that.
Hugh just randomly unplugged something electronic that sits under the airbox and bam! problem solved. Rudolph will now rev like an absolute maniac and scare old people at traffic lights! Now we’re off to see the sights of Bukhara.
Some lovely old Mosques with intricate blue mosaics all over them and carved wooden pillars and a big old fort known as ‘The Ark’ are the main sights here, there was also a couple of little market stalls where you can buy most things way below the original asking price, James bought himself an Uzbek T-shirt. Our trip to the Ark was interrupted by an irate policeman coming to find us and shouting at us in Uzbek that we can’t park where our cars are (even though about 5 policemen watched us park there and said nothing.) so we went and moved them and then went back in.
Back on the road again! Four teams are convoying up to Samarkand together, it’s great fun driving in a slightly bigger group, especially since Rudolph’s working properly now. Communication is slightly more difficult, only us and TYO have radios but it’s easy enough to pull alongside the others and shout.
We’ve had a lot of fun driving this afternoon, Hugh’s been hanging out of TB4’s hatch waving their team flag and there’s been lots of driving around each other, nobody’s managed to crash either! We’ve just stopped to take photos of a donkey pulling a cart with 2 sheep and a COW on it! It’s a hilarious sight.
Just arrived in Samarkand, found the hostel TYO had booked, but no sensor here, oh dear. It’s a nice little hostel, we’re all spending the night on their rooftop terrace with breakfast and showers included for only $11 each. I’m off for a shower!
Just back from dinner, we found a nice looking Italian place but they were just closing, so we got a taxi to a pub where we got some kebabs, rice, chips and a beer. It was great, and my first beer since Turkey. Now we’re off to bed, Rastamouse & Mammaquatia (Jeandre & Adina) are already asleep, they stayed here and cooked their own dinner.
Just spent about 30 mins looking at spark plugs and coil packs and trying them out in various configurations, conclusion: They aren’t the problem, let’s try the fuel filter, maybe that’s full of gunk.
Well, it’s not the fuel filter either, they just spent well over an hour bypassing it with the tube from a pen and a bit of hose that was lying around in Reggie (their van) but the problem was still there, so it’s not that.
Hugh just randomly unplugged something electronic that sits under the airbox and bam! problem solved. Rudolph will now rev like an absolute maniac and scare old people at traffic lights! Now we’re off to see the sights of Bukhara.
Some lovely old Mosques with intricate blue mosaics all over them and carved wooden pillars and a big old fort known as ‘The Ark’ are the main sights here, there was also a couple of little market stalls where you can buy most things way below the original asking price, James bought himself an Uzbek T-shirt. Our trip to the Ark was interrupted by an irate policeman coming to find us and shouting at us in Uzbek that we can’t park where our cars are (even though about 5 policemen watched us park there and said nothing.) so we went and moved them and then went back in.
Back on the road again! Four teams are convoying up to Samarkand together, it’s great fun driving in a slightly bigger group, especially since Rudolph’s working properly now. Communication is slightly more difficult, only us and TYO have radios but it’s easy enough to pull alongside the others and shout.
We’ve had a lot of fun driving this afternoon, Hugh’s been hanging out of TB4’s hatch waving their team flag and there’s been lots of driving around each other, nobody’s managed to crash either! We’ve just stopped to take photos of a donkey pulling a cart with 2 sheep and a COW on it! It’s a hilarious sight.
Just arrived in Samarkand, found the hostel TYO had booked, but no sensor here, oh dear. It’s a nice little hostel, we’re all spending the night on their rooftop terrace with breakfast and showers included for only $11 each. I’m off for a shower!
Just back from dinner, we found a nice looking Italian place but they were just closing, so we got a taxi to a pub where we got some kebabs, rice, chips and a beer. It was great, and my first beer since Turkey. Now we’re off to bed, Rastamouse & Mammaquatia (Jeandre & Adina) are already asleep, they stayed here and cooked their own dinner.
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