Fast Marina Magazine

Hi all, I was wondering how many of you have done a long journey in your Marina? Im looking into going to Wales in the summer, the distance there is 129 miles, so about 2 and a half hours. My Marina is a regular runner and I am confident it would make it, but what things should I check before I attempt this? I need to do the sump pan gasket on the auto box as there is a fluid leak and I have recently replaced the propshaft centre bearing which has improved a lot of vibration at high speed. I havent attempted a long haul straight run for 2 hours in it before so Im quite worried even though it may be fine.

I'd just check all fluids (coolant, engine oil, gearbox oil, rear axle oil, screenwash, brake fluid etc). Similarly give the trunnions another shot or two of grease.
Maybe give all hoses etc a quick visual look over and check they are tight.

I'd have no worries about going to the other end of the country in a Marina (not mine, it burns too much oil and would sieze up halfway ) but not sure if I could stand the noise sitting on a motorway at 70mph in one all day, mine gives me a headache after about half an hour But then again mine has no carpets and a blowing exhaust which is particularly bad above 65mph!

Mine went all the way to Yorkshire almost no stop at 65 to 75 MPH.
No problems if the basic checks are done and all the rubber components are in good nick like petrol hoses and tyres and your brakes in good condition.
Like any car it will break down if the basics like cooling pipes and levels are ignored.

JubileeNut wrote:Mine went all the way to Yorkshire almost no stop at 65 to 75 MPH.

I'm guessing you went on some private roads on the way

I've done 350 ish in one day in mine-1000 spread over 4 days-Devon to Yorkshire and back! All rubber components ( don't forget the pipe out of the fuel tank! ) and basic checks. I'd take a spare set of points/ condenser and basic tools. Otherwise just enjoy!

Well James, i covered 2000 miles in the first two weeks after i got my 1.3 coupe back on the road including a weeks holiday in North Wales. Then Sheffield to Taunton, Weston Super Mare, and Martock. The only problem i had was a failed alternator, which i suppose i should have replaced seeing as i didn't know how old it was.
Since then, for the last eight years, i've driven nothing else but Marinas and find its worth taking a few spares along with you, after all they don't weigh much and could save your holiday.
If i were you i'd take:
spare fuel hose+clips; a float chamber gasket; fan belt; repair kits for both master cylinders and a clutch slave repair kit; a full set of ignition components (points, rotor arm, condensor, dizzy cap, a spare HT lead long enough to reach any plug, a spark plug, already gapped); throttle cable; spare rad hoses+clips. You could also take a spare flasher unit along as well (i've had one of those fail on me). I also take a front and rear brake hose with me too.
I take the above in a small tool bag along with an assortment of basic tools.
Even if you don't fancy getting your hands dirty at the roadside and call the AA out, at least you'll stand more chance of being fixed and on your way than being towed to a garage if you have a few spares with you.
Good luck

JubileeNut wrote:
Mine went all the way to Yorkshire almost no stop at 65 to 75 MPH.


I'm guessing you went on some private roads on the way

Nope All on the motorway, just could not decide if the speedo was working properly so had to check it over different speeds and wanted to make sure it still worked at 90MPH

The speedo had a fit when I got to Yorkshire and went from 40 to 70 and would not stay steady but that went after wobbling the speedo drive around a bit

No one believes you when you say you did those speeds in a Marina anyway, unless you come past them that is :shock:

JubileeNut wrote: No one believes you when you say you did those speeds in a Marina anyway, unless you come past them that is :shock:

Yes I rather enjoy overtaking people on dual carriageways, especially if they are in rather new and expensive BMWs or sports cars :twisted:

All I will say is I know mine is still capable of 80-85, but I usually stick to 65 which still makes my ears bleed. Really need to get some carpets and soundproofing in, and a new exhaust!

Wow, that's one hell of a spares list your Lordship! when I bought my green pickup in Leeds 200+ miles away I went on the train so travelled fairly lightly. Basic kit included :- Gaffer tape, indispensible and will get you out of all sorts of problems, GunGum or similar exhaust paste and hole repair kit, Radweld, will stop all but split hose leaks (see Gaffer Tape), wire coathanger,to support any broken exhaust mounts, a couple of yards of wire (cable) with small croc clips, with this you can fix most electrical problems good enough to get you home, various cable ties, what a wonderfull invention! and lastly a very basic tool kit. I'm glad to say that I needed none of the above, I checked all of the fluids and topped up at the nearest garage before setting off in earnest. Started off cautiously but within perhaps the first 50 miles it was clear the van was as sound as it looked so speed went up to an inicated 70 for the rest of the way home with no problem.
So the moral of the story is these cars are more than capable of travelling great distances with no problem, after all the roads haven't really got any longer over the years have they
Hope this helps, I'll be interested to read other views on this.
Cheers
Steve

I dont want to jinx myself but the last time mine broke down was when the fuel pump gave up on me, now having replaced that with a brand new one, also has a new brake master cylinder, propshaft centre bearing, and soon to be the sump pan gasket on the auto box. Also will overhaul the brakes and get a new oil filter and I need to fit a new alternator as the one on it keeps causing electricity surges and making a screetching sound on the fanbelt, the voltage regulator is knackered I think, but I have about 3 alternators lying around, one has never been fitted to a car so hopefully that should be ok.

When I was still at uni I drove it between Plymouth and Gloucestershire several times with nothing more than topping up the (leaking) clutch fluid and making sure it hadn't converted all the oil to blue haze again.

It went to Norwich with much the same preparation when I sold it, and back home to Gloucestershire with even less 'cos they'd replaced the clutch master cylinder while it was away!

I agree with Steve our cars could do the distances when they were new so aslong as they are maintained they will go anywhere now. I trust my van and coupe to do very long journeys all the time, in fact they are both more reliable than my modern hack with all its electrical gremlins and sensors that you can't predict might let you down.

Should have put on that last post just done 221 miles round trip in the coupe most at 70ish no probs at all.

my first trip in black tulip was about 180 miles and dis peterbourgh bl show a few weeks later, provided you check your levels and maintain the car i wouldn't see a problem and hey join the RAC or AA as a back up, that and a few spare parts in the boot.. go on you know you want to and they covered high miles years ago why not now.. i love my marinas at least i know how to fix em ..unlike my peugeot which is a great car but when it goes wrong it's always a dealer fix read ££££££

Marinas are wonderful cars to use everyday.

Saying that though I am getting tempted to get a Volvo Estate for daily use in a couple of years' time. I definitely want an estate car as I often end up hauling junk around and I want a 5 speed gearbox. Saying that though the idea of a Morris Marina MK3 or an Ital estate (top spec with all the extras) and one of Chris' 5 speed conversions is incredibly tempting, although it would cost a fair bit to do, and more to buy, and more to insure than an Ovlov