Spare Fluids

[Seanz0rz]

So what spare fluids do you carry in your vehicle?

My plan was to use a spare ammo can to contain them, plus seal each bottle with a food saver, to prevent messy leaks.

I have space for 4 or so bottles, and was going to do 2 quarts of 5W30 oil and 2 quarts ATF, but I am not sure that such a little amount would really help me.

So how do you store your spare fluids, and what do you take along and what do you ditch?

[Good Times]

In the 4runner I used to carry 8qts of 5w30 (+ 2 oil filters), 6 qts of Toyota ATF, 2 qts of DOT4, 1 gal of Toyota Coolant and a bunch of water. Probably excessive but considering how badly I wrecked my truck in the past I learned it's better to have too much of everything than being stuck none at all. Though I'd say some is better than none.

Storing is going to be a chore but some good design ideas are to find available space in the engine bay or even in the front bumper area to squeeze bottles here and there. I've seen some guys cut out sheet metal to make room for an oil rack on the passenger wheel well for all of their oil. Thought that was brilliant design.

[4x4mike]

I used to carry 4 quarts of oil and 4 quarts of ATF in my old truck. I also had plenty of water. Storage space wasn't an issue and carried them around everyday because I had a place for it all. I never used it nor found anyone who needed it. Just the other day I was going through my fire cabinet and found all of those fluids just like they were when I pulled them out of the truck.

I blew a transmission on the road and the fluid was toast. We were thinking about draining the fluid and adding new just to get back to town but there was no saving it. You have to go through scenarios of why you'd need the fluids. If you crack a case or blow an oil pan you have to have a way of fixing that problem before you can ever refill it. I've seen JB weld fixes and welding but you need to also consider those supplies, some thin metal and catch basins for collection and possible reuse of fluids.

[Seanz0rz]

Basically, I am considering the event of a blown hose. I have plenty of JB weld, tape, wire, etc.

Part of the reason I have used ammo cans for storage is the ability to use them as a catch basin for fluids.

I figure if there is a moderate oil leak, I can keep refilling to get closer to a real road. The ATF is for the power steering or transmission. I could see one of the soft lines rupturing and requiring a moderate amount of refill. Any major damage would just require a strap and a tow, no matter what I had I couldn't repair a cracked transmission pan. I might be able to slow a leak, but it's not going to be a good fix.

Really, this is just to get me closer. I have 100 mile tow, Lexi has 200, So that is an option once back to pavement.

For the radiator, I usually have a few gallons worth of extra water on trips. Not ideal, but would do in a pinch.

Lance, that sounds excessive!

Mike, 4 of each sounds good. I do have a spot under the truck that would be perfect, guess it's time to build a box there!

[Good Times]

Indeed it sounds excessive but I have gone thru half of what I brought once with me on an extended NV trip. I personally didn't need it but other vehicles did need it so it was good that we had ample fluids. When you're so far from pavement it's kinda nice to have plenty of supplies. :)

Good call on JB. that's a MUST have! Don't forget empty aluminum soda cans can do wonders to help seal busted hoses and also double as catch cans too! Though it's small but it's better than nothing.

Sean, just bring your trailer and pack an extra truck! hehe you'll definitely be able to go home then!

[DHC6twinotter]

Back when I was driving around a bunch, I had a couple quarts of oil and a gallon of water specifically for the radiator, plus usually another gallon or two of drinking water. I also had a bottle of brake fluid.

Normally though, I just carry one or two quarts of oil. My 2nd gen had a perfect spot to carry oil under the hood. I could put a quart of oil between the brake booster and fender, and something else (don't remember what--fuse box maybe?) would keep it from moving forward. Perfect fit. I had an egg crate in the back with bunch of other random fluids too.

[CJM]

-2 qts oil
-qt atf
-pint unopened brake fluid
-jb weld
-welding putty
-gal unmixed coolant
-however many bottles of water I dont finish and just combined into 2-3 bottles

Im sure i got other stuff too.

[4x4mike]

I've got a kit of unopened JB weld, a kit of quick steel epoxy and gorilla tape for fixing such matters. They ride along with a travel roll of duct tape and full roll of electrical tape in my cargo area. In my tool roll I have another JB kit as well as some 2 part epoxy, hose clamps, wire, zip ties, etc.

[slomatt]

In my old ZJ I used to carry engine oil, diff fluid, transmission fluid, and brake fluid because that truck liked to break down. In the 4runner I usually don't carry any spare fluids, except for perhaps a quart of 5w30 oil.

The Jeep had a habit of having the differential covers peel off on rocks, so the diff fluid was useful. It also had at least one sensor on the transmission that broke and drained the all the fluid out, luckily that was in my garage and not on the trail. One of the power steering pumps (it went through 3 while I had it) leaked a lot and required refilling.

On the other hand I can't think of a lot of cases where I would need fluids in the 4runner. If there is any major loss of engine oil then I probably don't have the parts to fix it on the trail and will need to be towed. Same thing with the manual transmission and transfer case. If the truck was an auto then it would be possible to damage a line to the transmission cooler, but patching that on the trail would be questionable. Since the differentials use 3rd members it would be difficult to get a leak there, unless you crack the housing in which case you are getting towed home. I guess you could break some teeth off the gears and need to drain the diff to get them out, but in that case you could just filter and re-use the original oil to get off the trail. Another possibility would be a case where an axle shaft broke and fluid drained out, but our rear axles are captured at the outer bearing so that would be pretty difficult. Most likely possibilities seem to be having a radiator hose leak or tearing a brake line. You can use tape on a radiator hose, and you can try to cap off a failed brake line, so having spare fluids for those two items might be good.

What do you guys think? Having spare fluids is only really useful if you are able to repair the leak in the first place. Did I miss any other repairable fluid leaks?

- Matt

[4x4mike]

What do you guys think? Having spare fluids is only really useful if you are able to repair the leak in the first place. Did I miss any other repairable fluid leaks?

- Matt

I tend to think like you Matt. My past vehicle was more prone to needing things like fluids.

On a trip to Mono/Bridgeport I lost a fuel filter and had a hardline brake line vibrate loose. We were traveling far on dirt roads and the parts basically vibrated loose. We found the fuel filter and used gas to clean it and then reinstalled it. The brake line was just reinstalled and the brakes were only about 50% but was fine enough to get back to a Bridgeport.

[paddlenbike]

I think the most likely failure on a Toyota is a blown radiator hose, meaning one should carry a hose repair kit and some extra water. An old set of belts does not take up much space and neither does a small bottle of brake fluid. I always carry MAF cleaner because it likes to get dirty and throw CELs when following other trucks through the desert. JB Weld isn't a bad idea either for making small repairs.

[Seanz0rz]

I agree, the 4Runner just never gives me problems to warrant carrying fluid. I have never, in the last 8 years, carried any. The only time I needed anything was up in Big Bear, my axle seal gave up and dumped quite a bit of fluid. I could have gone the rest of the weekend with a low diff, but someone happened to have an extra quart, and it took the entire quart of fluid.

That's the only time I've ever had a need for extra fluid, other than failing to check my oil level before Pismo and after an oil change.

So I think I will pack up a small bottle of DOT4. I wish I could get distilled water in .5L bottles, but using drinking water would not be the end of the world for an emergency trail repair. I usually carry around 5 gallons in water in the truck on a trip, a gallon or two otherwise.

For hose repair, I've never found a kit I thought would work. I pack JB weld, JB kwik, Steelstick, Gorilla Tape, bailing wire, rubber cement, and probably the most helpful thing, self fusing silicone tape.

Again, it just has to get you to a paved road or civilization.

[4x4mike]

That reminds me. I need another roll of silicone tape. It's another super useful tool to have and doesn't take up much room. I forgot where online I saw it but there is another product similar to the silicone tape but fuses and forms a hard, cast like surface, and is somewhat fiberous. Need to get looking.

[Seanz0rz]

Please do look, that sounds like a sure addition to my kit!

I love the silicone tape. I used it to make a rubber handle for my swingout latch, and it has been on there for 4 years or so now. Good stuff. I have also used it for electrical connections and to seal up a leaky pipe in the house until we could fix it.

[CJM]

This is the stuff Mikes talking about I think, isnt cheap but it works well I hear. Goes on like the silicone tape but hardens like epoxy

http://www.amazon.com/FIBER-FIX-Adhesive-Automotive-Emergency/dp/B009WSDWUG

[Seanz0rz]

Interesting... I can't see a need for it other than maybe exhaust components, as the silicone tape is good to 500F

[CJM]

Interesting... I can't see a need for it other than maybe exhaust components, as the silicone tape is good to 500F

Id say since it hardens like epoxy it will be SUPER handy if some metal component broke and you had nothing else. I saw it in dirt riders (atv) magazine and they showed it being used to repair a broken frame on the trail.

[Seanz0rz]

Well that's what I was thinking, could I repair a upper link or something with it. I'm not sure if it would work, but maybe in conjunction with a ratchet strap or two, it might. I think the price is a little high.

[4x4mike]

That's the stuff. I had seen it in a store and a single roll. I think silicone tape is 1" and it's the same if not more than a 1" roll of the fiber fix stuff if you saw it on a shelf.

[Seanz0rz]

Seems I pay about $10-15/roll for the silicone tape, name brand (though I've forgotten which). I guess 25 isn't terrible. Problem is, I'd want to try it before I pack it up, and $25 is an expensive experiment.

[Seanz0rz]

I was looking into it more and the cost isn't bad at all. I was looking at the 3 pack being 25 dollars, but the 1"x40" is around 5 or 6, which is very worth a spot in my tool box. I'll try it at some point, and let you guys know.

[DHC6twinotter]

Sean, some of the reviews on Amazon mentioned the product is basically one-time use. Once the package is opened and moisture gets in, the roll hardens. If you plan on using all 40" at once, that isn't a big deal, but it doesn't sound like you can use some now and some later. Still, 5 or 6 dollars for a one-time emergency fix isn't bad.

[Seanz0rz]

I was reading that. I think for an emergency fix, that property would be acceptable.

[troyboy162]

I saw a few of you have talked about the putty epoxys. I can attest to the permatex stuff attaching a vent to my tank for the last three years.
139

and I now have JB water weld in my tank. I have a couple samples sitting in gas on my counter right now. two weeks and no visible degradation
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Both are working fine so far so they'd both make good emergency repairs.

[4x4mike]

I saw the water weld the other day at the hardware store and was temped to buy it. Do you know if it's a new product or something similar to something that's already out there? I already have Quick Steel and it states it will set up under water and is resistant to gas and oil.

[troyboy162]

I think its a new product since its white, but I would guess the quick steel would be the same thing. I think on the web page the water weld is the offically recommended one for fuel tanks now. Could be all marketing haha. The only thing I found in research was that traditional JB weld(the two tubes) can no longer hold up long term to fuel. some chemist on a forum said its most likley the additives in fuel these days, but thats all I know.

[Seanz0rz]

I think the Water weld has been around for a while. I think I've seen it on the shelf for at least a few years.

[CJM]

Water weld has been around for a long time. I havent had good luck with the steel laced epoxy putty. Where JB weld would work great and hold up this stuff just likes to dry up and fall off after some time. IE I broke the grill of my 18 year old truck when I had to remove it this past summer. Figured id use the epoxy putty to glue it in spots. Damn stuff kept breaking! Broke out the JB weld and no more issues. I will say the epoxy putty did seal a crack in my radiator tank (plastic) well. Im sure the tank woulda been fine if I left it alone but I replaced it anyways.

As for water weld, if its gas resistant it might be worth it, JB weld is for awhile then stops working. IE punctured a hole in my ryobi weedwacker gas tank, sealed with JB and after about 2 weeks just came right off.

Does anyone carry tubes of RTV on them? Ive used it for several things before and been SUPER happy. IE: I hit my bed toolbox with my ATV hard once and it snapped the welds. Was leaking, so gray RTV to the rescue. Also have used RTV to seal all sorts of other things. O2 sensor BLEW out of the hole b/c whomever replaced it tack welded it to the exhaust tube (what was wrong with using perfectly good nuts on the studs IDK!). Used copper RTV and put it on with nuts no issues.

[Seanz0rz]

I carry Ultra Copper with me. I think I also have some black. I should post up my revised tool list, but I carry JB weld, JB kwik, JB steelstik, locktite, thread seal, super glue, a general all purpose adhesive in a tube, black rtv, ultra copper, Teflon tape, silicone tape, electrical tape, and gorilla tape.

[CJM]

Yep love me the copper one. I also like the gray one for areas that need high vibration resistance-use it on my trans pan :) The black is very good for sealing stuff up.

[Seanz0rz]

I never have been able to get my 3rd member to seal. I'll have to pull the axle this spring and try again.

[4x4mike]

My 3rd doesn't seal worth a darn. It doesn't drip but every so often, maybe around oil change time, it's a little damp.

I saw a trip report recently where a guy used RTV to seal up a gashed sidewall. I think it was a larger tire than what I run but he said he drove back home at freeway speeds after a couple of days on the trail. I had a giant chocolate chip cookie sized flap on one of my BFG's once and I JB welded it back. Held for a couple of years before I had to replace them due to tread wear.

[Seanz0rz]

Mine is up to a couple drops per day. It was half a quart low, but its been a while since I filled it last.

I've used rtv to replace the IAC oring gasket before, when I found the old one torn. I've since replaced with the OEM part. In fact, there is about an entire tube of rtv sealing up my air intake for the snorkel. Also makes a great adhesive for emblems.

[CJM]

You guys should try some hondabonda. Its not exactly cheap, but it never truly drys-therefore no leaks. We use it all the time to seal case halves together for bikes, quads and such as they actually dont use gaskets on yamabombs.

[Seanz0rz]

Meant to post this up sooner, but since I am using it right now, seemed like as good a time as any.

My vehicle checklist (basically what I carry in my vehicle for a trip, and generally all day, every day):
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/12999524824_c769b084e3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/98550067@N07/12999524824/)

Green highlighted items are items that were not in the box. This is either because they got put in another place, or they are missing entirely. They get checked off as they are put back in the correct box. Stuff crossed out is deemed not necessary at this time.

You can see the extensive set of "fix it stuffs" and spare parts.

On the back side, is my preflight:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3322/12999522454_510dbc860f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/98550067@N07/12999522454/)