Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

It has to happen sometime, the last time was back in 1995 in Savuti when the Landy's fan tried to destroy the radiator and a wait of 5 days for parts to be flown
in. This time fortunately we were in the metropolis of Dukwi 400 kms from Maun, late on a friday afternoon. We were on a short 10 day trip to Xkanaki in Khwai and CKR with my brother in law and his wife in their rented Toyota, mother in law was flying in on the Saturday. Dukwi has a Puma filling station and a shebeen, Savuti being thirsty as usual necessitated a stop and we told the others to carry on to Nata and we would catch them up As we were ready to leave there was a great pool of green water under the vehicle not good. Managed to get the local mechanic Sam Somehow to help but to no avail as the waterpump was shot.The only person to phone was Graham who tried to find a second hand one or a new one in the morning so that mother in law could fly up with it , but to no avail. Got a lift to Maun with brother in law and Sam towed the Patrol 400kms to Maun.Our vet friends collected mother inlaw and arranged the hire of a cruiser for the week not cheap $250 pday. Graham arranged to get the waterpump from Nissan and DHL it to Maun where it would be fitted. A VERY BIG thank you to Graham what a star when you are in need We had a wonderful trip and the Patrol never got dirty!!! Please remember a waterpump in your spares as a R 4000 part cost us R 40K. Also we were insured through Cross Country who were absolutely useless so be carefull

Sorry to heart this bud.... but at least it wasn't a major disaster, and Savuti still runs

Glad all turned out ok (but expensive )...

What does the Cross country policy state regarding mechanical breakdown??

Glad you guys are fine.

Worried about Cross Country as both our 4x4's are through them and mostly for issues like this.

We never needed them before so this is quite a concern.

Ouch. Were there no spares available locally? I have found Nissan in Maun have better stock than Nissan SA.

Glad you got it sorted in the end.
I would also like to know why Cross country was a waste of time?
I have both my cars insured with them so will be good to hear where they are falling short.

Hi All

I have been in CPT all day will answer all the questions tomorrow, thanks for all the concerns

Hi Guys
With regards the questions about cross country insurance. The fact of the matter is that we could not contact them when we needed to. Our broker finally got through after numerous attempts. The gentleman did then phone us but had no idea where we where even when we tried to explain. We indicated that we were trying to make a plan and we never heard from them again! My advice to you is to read the small print very carefully. We have discovered we were only covered for R5000 towing charges and a class B vehicle hire which does not bode well for bush driving! Maybe also do a trial run and make sure you have the right numbers to phone and the cover you think you have. If this had been a medical emergency we would have been in trouble.
Travel safe.
Regards
Paul