Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France
Austria, Germany
Inside Raab workshop loading up.
3 - 7 March 2015
Guy spent 3 nights at Baubok Gasthof in Andorf, Austria while final service work was completed on the truck and new software was loaded into the ECU, by Patchworks Engine Tuning. This will enable the DPD filter to be removed. In laymans language, if we can remove the exhaust filter and reprogram the electronics that go with it, we can go to altitude (the Andes) without the engine computer restricting the engine power because it can't burn the exhaust materials (a regeneration) due to altitude.
Initial short test drives with Rudi look promising with increased engine power but longer drives reveal a periodic engine miss. Erich thinks the issue is related to the ECU changes so I drive the truck to Patchworks workshop 55km away in Pasching. Halfway to Pasching and the 'regen' light illuminates on the dash and the throttle body closes indicating that a regeneration is taking place however much of the system is disabled so there is no diesel being injected into the exhaust and happily, no clouds of white exhaust smoke following me down the highway.
Jurgen at Patchworks takes only 15min to make some minor software adjustments and late afternoon I leave to clock up some test kms and find a campsite at Aschach on the Danube.
Guy spent 3 nights at Baubok Gasthof in Andorf, Austria while final service work was completed on the truck and new software was loaded into the ECU, by Patchworks Engine Tuning. This will enable the DPD filter to be removed. In laymans language, if we can remove the exhaust filter and reprogram the electronics that go with it, we can go to altitude (the Andes) without the engine computer restricting the engine power because it can't burn the exhaust materials (a regeneration) due to altitude.
Initial short test drives with Rudi look promising with increased engine power but longer drives reveal a periodic engine miss. Erich thinks the issue is related to the ECU changes so I drive the truck to Patchworks workshop 55km away in Pasching. Halfway to Pasching and the 'regen' light illuminates on the dash and the throttle body closes indicating that a regeneration is taking place however much of the system is disabled so there is no diesel being injected into the exhaust and happily, no clouds of white exhaust smoke following me down the highway.
Jurgen at Patchworks takes only 15min to make some minor software adjustments and late afternoon I leave to clock up some test kms and find a campsite at Aschach on the Danube.
In Patchworks workshop for engine tuning with the other thoroughbreds.
Being yellow attracts friends.
Camp at Hauenstein
8, 9 March
Next day I travel 350+ kms with the engine running smoothly and no signs of regeneration. I decide to head towards Karlsuhe.
After another 300km I pull into a truck stop, Autohof, in Sinsheim, Germany, the engine has been running smoothly but the 'manual regeneration' amber warning light comes up on the dash just as I arrive. This is ominous as usually failure to do the manual regeneration will mean the truck will go into 'limp home' mode and reduce engine power by 50%. With most of the system disabled a manual regeneration can't be done so a long and slow 500km drive back to Raab looks likely. At least the weather is about 10 degrees warmer than Austria.
A few hours and emails later and Jurgen advises the truck will keep running normally but with the warning light flashing. Lets hope so. I decide to head towards Hauenstein and the Ormocar workshop where I have booked the truck for some minor work on the camper but first need to buy a German sim card and have one of the rear wheels balanced. I leave again in the late afternoon in the rain to drive the 90km to Hauenstein. If the truck gives problems on the way Jurgen has a contact at Villingen about 180km south. However the engine continues to run smoothly with the only apparent issue being the flashing warning light in the dash - easily covered.
Next day I travel 350+ kms with the engine running smoothly and no signs of regeneration. I decide to head towards Karlsuhe.
After another 300km I pull into a truck stop, Autohof, in Sinsheim, Germany, the engine has been running smoothly but the 'manual regeneration' amber warning light comes up on the dash just as I arrive. This is ominous as usually failure to do the manual regeneration will mean the truck will go into 'limp home' mode and reduce engine power by 50%. With most of the system disabled a manual regeneration can't be done so a long and slow 500km drive back to Raab looks likely. At least the weather is about 10 degrees warmer than Austria.
A few hours and emails later and Jurgen advises the truck will keep running normally but with the warning light flashing. Lets hope so. I decide to head towards Hauenstein and the Ormocar workshop where I have booked the truck for some minor work on the camper but first need to buy a German sim card and have one of the rear wheels balanced. I leave again in the late afternoon in the rain to drive the 90km to Hauenstein. If the truck gives problems on the way Jurgen has a contact at Villingen about 180km south. However the engine continues to run smoothly with the only apparent issue being the flashing warning light in the dash - easily covered.
Ormocar workshop
10 - 17 March
Now for internal improvements to our living quarters.
We had the exhaust for the stove moved so as not to get as much dust inside, a lighter table put in, a cupboard door removed and latches put on the drawers behind where the door was, noisy fan removed from the fridge and the passenger seat in the cab lowered which was quite a big job. Cheryl's feet will easily be flat on the floor now.
Now for internal improvements to our living quarters.
We had the exhaust for the stove moved so as not to get as much dust inside, a lighter table put in, a cupboard door removed and latches put on the drawers behind where the door was, noisy fan removed from the fridge and the passenger seat in the cab lowered which was quite a big job. Cheryl's feet will easily be flat on the floor now.
'Kamaz' with air cooled diesel.
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Andre working on the front passenger street.
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Switzerland, France
18 - 21 March
Drove down to Kaufdorf, just beyond Bern in Switzerland to meet with our friends Jana, Jerry, Georgina and Eleanor and meet Cheryl tomorrow. Time to relax and catch up as well as do a bit of washing.
We visited the historical village of Gruyere and then went to Cialler to see through the chocolate factory. A very popular idea in this weather as it turned out.
Drove down to Kaufdorf, just beyond Bern in Switzerland to meet with our friends Jana, Jerry, Georgina and Eleanor and meet Cheryl tomorrow. Time to relax and catch up as well as do a bit of washing.
We visited the historical village of Gruyere and then went to Cialler to see through the chocolate factory. A very popular idea in this weather as it turned out.
22 - 24 March
We drive south in cold, wet weather staying at large roadside servos with restaurants and wifi. It is also convenient for Guy to change to a spare wheel to see why there is a vibration in the back right wheel.
We drive south in cold, wet weather staying at large roadside servos with restaurants and wifi. It is also convenient for Guy to change to a spare wheel to see why there is a vibration in the back right wheel.
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We passed some interesting hilltop villages and ruins in strategic positions. Finally arriving at Carcassonne with its medieval citadel.
Inside Carcassonne citadel
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Overlooking church of St Gimer from the citadel.
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Carcassonne citadel