| DEPARTURE |  |
| | Tony Overstone, David Whitney, Phil Hargrave and Kim Epton each had Thursday free to concentrate on last minute preparations. Phil was shopping, Tony and David were making a mount for the trailer spare wheel and Kim was busy worrying about organisational matters.
As others arrived during the late afternoon the packing was completed ahead of schedule. There were a few brand new swags.
After failed attempts to get away on time on three previous expeditions it looked as if this one would be different. A good number of friends and relatives were on hand to wish the expedition bon voyage.
The Bus was running well and pulled up Greenmount Hill with comparative ease. After grabbing a bite to eat at Chicken Treat at Northam it was a steady run through to Merredin. |
Problems
After passing Merredin the drivers of The Bus reported problems with lack of power and surging. It finally cut out near Southern Cross at 12.25am.
It was difficult to determine what was wrong. Scott and Kim bled the motor and the expedition got underway again. Soon after the engine cut out again.
A more detailed assessment indicated that it was a more serious problem than was at first believed and one that would not be solved by just bleeding the fuel system.
Adrian Bock, Cliff Hills and Greg Barndon in the Landcruiser had pulled ahead and were nearly at Southern Cross - out of radio range. They eventually realised that The Bus was not following and they returned. Cliff joined the crew working on the problem.
The Landcruiser was used to tow The Bus farther off the road and on to a level section of verge.
Between them, Cliff, Scott, Tony, Greg and Kim, made the diagnosis that the fuel pump was not working correctly.
Phil Hargrave and Kim Thorson brewed coffee. The dancing light of David's fire silhouetted their coffee-sipping customers, spectating on the action around the front of The Bus, the steam wafting from their cups. Brrrr, it was cold!
White-overalled men moving in and out of the cold light cast by the fluoros imparted a surreal aspect to the roadside scene.
Harsh vehicle lights forced their beam through the blanketing envelope of fog. The trucks to which they were attached roared past, buffeting The Bus and the crew. None slowed.
Under the bonnet things were getting serious. The fuel pump was removed. The aisle table was moved out from inside The Bus for use as a work bench on which to strip and repair the pump. After the pump was repaired and replaced a blocked fuel line prevented the engine from starting. That was also fixed.
