Indica V2 DLS 37000Kms report(100000kms update)

[CaAT]

Yes, I don't remember having changed the alternator till now. The only OEs changed are battery and tyre sets.

How much does a new alternator cost?

[tsk1979]

8500 Rs.
you can get the alternator opened and see the repair costs, if they cross 3000rs, go for a new one.
Please go to your regular mechanic and not the TASC.

[nitrous]

Good reporting, tanveer.

Originally Posted by tsk

If tomorrow I open an automobile industry and make a car, I will try to have as few Lucas TVS parts as possible. I hear that Tata is replacing many of these Lucas TVS parts with made in china parts. Well good for them. They should replace all the Lucas TVS parts with made in china ones

Its embarassing for me since I live 3kms from the main plant and they're popular in the local circle for their good "quality".

1 lakh mark means timing belt change, but thats a story in the future.

Id suggest U dont wait for the 1 lakh mark and do it ASAP. It'd cost just a few hundred and is total VFM for the peace of mind it gives for the next 40K kms. Trust me.

This time I put in Shell super diesel 15W50, instead of 15W40. Its API-CG grade.

Why did U shift from the API-CI4 grade GTX diesel?
And what brand of filter do u use?

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by nitrous

Good reporting, tanveer.

Its embarassing for me since I live 3kms from the main plant and they're popular in the local circle for their good "quality".
Id suggest U dont wait for the 1 lakh mark and do it ASAP. It'd cost just a few hundred and is total VFM for the peace of mind it gives for the next 40K kms. Trust me.
Why did U shift from the API-CI4 grade GTX diesel?
And what brand of filter do u use?

Yup, next service at 93K, new timing belt will come in. Infact maybe much before. Around 90K only before end of dec
As for the change of grade, I thought I will put in 15W50 instead of 15W40. This means better high temp protection. I know its winters and all, but the minimum temparature never goes below5 degrees, and I always idle before starting out in morning.
However on long drives the temp needle is mostly at middle mark and 15W50 gives better protection to a hot engine.
Moreover this car requires APi-CD. So CI or CG is not going to make that much of a difference for this one!

[nitrous]

OT:

Originally Posted by CAAT

The problem is with alternator overcharging. The battery gets charged upto 16 Volts sometimes

Most probably, your alternator regulator needs replacement.

[CaAT]

You are right Nitrous, and I did replace the regulator yesterday evening.

Went to Lucas distributor - Abhisudan Agencies - on Karve Road, Pune. Upon opening the alternator they gave me an estimate of Rs 5,850.00 and informed that bearings (two Nos.), rectifier, coil, regulator and oil seals need replacement. I put my foot down and asked them to replace the regulator only. Having been a transformer manufacturer, early in my career, helped, as I told him that coil looks in perfect condition. The rectifier normally does not go wrong unless the alternator really 'blows off'. So it finally trickled down to regulator seal and bearings. With some generous greasing(I paid him 50 bucks extra), bearings were fine too and so only oils seals and regulator were changed. Ofcourse they cleaned the coils and other parts of alternators throroughly and right before me too.

A word of caution for Indica and Indigo owners:

As soon as you see a sudden increase in the blower speed or in the intensity of head lights or if the temperature needle crosses the mid mark, please get your regulator replaced. For, any delay will lead to alternator coil damage and eventually, alternator and battery malfunction. Another way of detecting alternator 'over-charge' is that the battery starts bulging from its sides.

Also, fyi, the charges for alternator spares (in Pune) are:

1) Bearing (Small) : 250.00
2) Bearing (Large) : 1450.00
3) Alternator Coil : 1700.00
4) Rectifier : 1200.00
5) Regulator : 650.00
6) Oil seals : 250.00
7) Labour Charges : 300.00 to 350.00

If you leave your car for alternator repairs with TASS, chances are that you won't get to have a look at the alternator coil or bearings. (They send it to TVS Lucas distributor anyways). Try to get the job done from Lucas distributor. Insist on being present when the job is being done. Have alook at the coil. If it is pitch red, there is no need to change it. If the insulation from the copper wire has come off, then look for black marks (which indicate burning/insulation failure). Another way is to smell the coil for carbon. As for bearings, rotate them and look for any untoward noise. Ask the service guy to grease it and rotate again. More often than not, bearings, coil and rectifiers are in good shape.

As an aside, I checked with the owner, during a casual talk and he informed me that alternator works fine for 5/6 years (with a average running of 1k/year) for Indica. For Maruti vehicles (read petrol) he said they don't have to service/replace it for 8/9 years with mileage same as above. Maruti owners please confrm.

Sorry for a long post.

[rkbharat]

even in my 90K KM Indica, its still original alternator. Voltage is perfectly fine.

12.6 with engine off.
14.1 at idle, no electrical.
12.9 at idle with AC
12.6 at idle with AC and headlights.
13.1 at idle with AC and headlights and little rev.

I am planning to get the timing belt replaced.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

your car still has the original alternator? I think the regulator has gone.

[gary4gar]

super report!
Good job Tsk.

Read whole thread after spending 25minutes
Now i knew what should i expect from indica

Good work.

Does current model of Indica( DLG0 also suffer from this alternator & voltage problems?

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by gary4gar

super report!
Good job Tsk.

Read whole thread after spending 25minutes
Now i knew what should i expect from indica

Good work.

Does current model of Indica( DLG0 also suffer from this alternator & voltage problems?

Not so much as the older ones, but still electrical troubles can crop up sometimes.

[tsk1979]

On the 15th of April, the car completed 100000kms near karnal.
The past 12000kms have been very very hectic, with trips to shoja and Rohru/chansal Pass. These 12000kms were covered in less than 4 months. 3 months and 20 days to be more specific.
The car has behaved great, with just one problem which can be blamed on Tata.

There have been other problems, related to the great highways which are more of obstacle courses than roads.

89000kms
Got the timing belt changed. Tata recommends 100000kms, but I thought why take chances, it cost 1375rs inclusive of labor.
91400kms.
As small mishap with road caving in cause a bent tie rod and busted ball joints. Got them replaced, and also changed the power steering fluid and hose as a related change
Total cost 1690
93550kms
Did regular service and also changed the crossmember which had gotten bent due to hitting rocks on the road at night.
Total cost 1315, inclusive if 4L oil, Oil filter, Diesel filter set(Delphi)
94100kms
The electrical ghost strikes again. The glow plug timer has gone bust. Local part costs 250 and Tata original costs 1700(approx). Got it with great difficulty from Sec 16 noida market because most shopkeepers stock "local"
Total Cost 1850
98700kms
The most recent service. Total cost of Oil and Oil filter and labor = 870

The Odo reads 10200kms now.
I have been tracking all the expenses on this car inclusive of Repairs and Fuel since 81868kms on 1/07/2007
Total Kms : 17955
Total Fuel Liters/Cost : 1268/39288
Repair cost/km : 1.37 (Inclusive of service, wheel alignment etc.,)
Fuel cost/km : 2.19
Total cost/km : 3.55

Thankfully this period has been relatively free of electrical problems, with most issues being related to tie rods and cross members hitting rocks on roads etc.,

The car is still doing fine on Original clutch plate, and the G.box has never been opened. While on the very steep incline to chansal pass full of melting snow there was mild clutch judder. While going to shimla got struck in an uphill traffic jam where the car overheated a little bit(got to know due to AC cutting out). Will have to get radiator flushed, or maybe its a thermostat issue, since there was no power loss, and the engine oil is fine and the temp marker goes just slightly above the middle mark.

As of now vibrations have increased due to a speed breaker hit near Narkanda, and it appears either the crossmember is touching the exhaust or the engine mounts need replacement. Past 3-4 days has seen multiple underbody hits(esp while going to Chasal Pass). Nothing is leaking or broken, but alignment/balancing are definitely out of place. One rim is also slightly bent.

Thats all folks, Many miles to go, and many miles gone

[vasudeva]

Great to see that your car has completed 100000 kms with very little problems. My wife's sister is also looking for an upgrade, and I did suggest Indigo or Logan. However, she has not purchased anything yet.

[phamilyman]

hmm, congrats. and the apollos still look like they have a decent grip!

[svsantosh]

Tanveer, I think the 5th Pic sums it up... You have been through hell and high water and many a storm in a tea cup, Your ride still Lives to See another Day. Superb writing and even more superb reason to still trust that Ratan's Dream is after all not so 'UN'reliable.

(PS - are these old pics, I remember reading somewhere in 07' you changing the plates from my bengalooroo to delhi?)

[tsk1979]

Nope, these pics are very very recent.
I am not planning to change the plates to DL or UP.

[adityamunshi]

tanveer, any preventive maintenance on the radiator/cooling system ? Most Indicas have overheating probs around 100K.