My Linea visited some temples, churches, water falls, memorials and beaches during 18-22 August 2011.

I drove in my Linea on this route accompanied by my wife: Bangalore>Chennai>Pondy>Velankanni>Sikkal>Pillayar patti>Madurai>SriVilliputtur>Kuttralam>Kanniyakuma ri>Suchindram>Bangalore

The following places were visited:

1. Manakkula Vinayakar temple, Pondicherry

2. Velankanni churches, Velankanni

3. Sikkal Singaravelan temple, Sikkal

4. Karpaga Vinayakar temple, Pillayarpatti

5. Meenakshi Amman temple, Madurai

6. Andal [Nachchiyar] temple, Sri Villiputtur

7. Main Falls & Five Falls, Kuttralam

8. Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanniyakumari

9. Thiruvalluvar statue, Kanniyakumari

10. Kanniyakumari Amman temple, Kanniyakumari

11. Gandhi Bhavan, Kanniyakumari

12. The Wandering Monk photographic exhibition, Kanniyakumari

13. Thanumalayan [Shiva-Vishnu-Brahma] temple, Suchindram

There was a heavy downpour in Chennai on 18 August 2011 night. I successfully drove my Linea in knee-deep water at the junction of Anna Salai and General Patters Road, which was a thrilling experience both for me and my Linea. I saw some stranded auto-rickshaws and motorcycles in knee-deep water. But, after that thrill, my Linea started displaying this message:

But, I continued with my trip notwithstanding the repeated warnings as I found my Linea perfectly alright. My Linea will be going to Concorde Motors tomorrow for check up.

Here are some photographs clicked in Velankanni:



More photographs to follow.

[drdeepudev]

Dear Ravi, the same thing happened to me during last monsoon season. I was on my way to Trivandrum from Alleppey, and had to drive through knee deep water. Once that area was covered, I started getting the same warning. Got nervous seeing the warning, but the engine was doing just fine. It was cranking and there was no observable defects while driving.
I called my friend who owns a punto and he too faced the same issue some 2 days back. He told me nothing to worry and I continued on my journey. The warning disappeared after around 70 km of driving. He had called up the service centre regarding the same and the problem was pointed to a sensor near radiator becoming wet. So, the next time, when I took my car for service in concorde motors, cochin, they too confirmed the sensor issue and said that it was a common issue seen in Linea and Punto.
But, give your car a thorough check up.

Originally Posted by drdeepudev

I continued on my journey. The warning disappeared after around 70 km of driving.

Thanks, drdeepudev. Even I was hoping for the disappearance of warning after a day or two. After coming home, I tried in vain disconnecting and reconnecting the negative terminal of the battery. But, it persists even after 2000+km and five days! My Linea goes to Concorde Motors today for check up.

[gopikb]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

Thanks, drdeepudev. Even I was hoping for the disappearance of warning after a day or two. After coming home, I tried in vain disconnecting and reconnecting the negative terminal of the battery. But, it persists even after 2000+km and five days! My Linea goes to Concorde Motors today for check up.

Ravi, you got some guts there man. Embarking on a 2000km journey with the "Check engine" warning ON. I am glad that you came back without any breakdowns. I would have got scared given a similar situation. Congrats on your great trip and I am sure you must have enjoyed it. My mom's native is a small village near coutralam and the climate at this time of the year would be fabulous. Did you experience the continuous drizzle when you went there?

Originally Posted by J Ravi

My Linea will be going to Concorde Motors tomorrow for check up.

Just a few minutes back, I returned from Concorde Motors, Mysore Road, after getting the fault rectified FOC. The SA informed me that my Linea was connected to FIAT Examiner and analysed. It seemed that water entered the Lambda sensor coupler near the catalytic converter, and hence, showing the warning 'Check Engine'. He further stated that warning sign would continue to show until the moisture was cleaned. So, the coupler was removed, cleaned and refitted. Now, the warning sign has gone! I was not charged for this work, thanks to Concorde Motors.

Originally Posted by gopikb

Did you experience the continuous drizzle when you went there?

Thanks, gopikb. I found my Linea perfectly alright except for the warning sign. So, I took the plunge.

There were some minor drizzles every now and then. But, water flow was just medium. I enjoyed bathing in these two falls. All my fatigue vanished into thin air!

[gopikb]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

Just a few minutes back, I returned from Concorde Motors, Mysore Road, after getting the fault rectified FOC. The SA informed me that my Linea was connected to FIAT Examiner and analysed. It seemed that water entered the Lambda sensor coupler near the catalytic converter, and hence, showing the warning 'Check Engine'. He further stated that warning sign would continue to show until the moisture was cleaned. So, the coupler was removed, cleaned and refitted. Now, the warning sign has gone! I was not charged for this work, thanks to Concorde Motors.

Ravi, great to hear that the issue is resolved and thanks for sharing the details. Atleast it shows that we dont need to panic in situations like this.

I also always service my vehicle in Concorde motors, Mysore road and never had any issues with them. The previous SA Ranjith I heard had moved to Hosur road branch and Chetan is handling the SA in Mysore road branch now. Both of them are equally good and have attended promptly always. During my last visit I gave them a full 10/10 in the ratings.

Originally Posted by gopikb

The previous SA Ranjith I heard had moved to Hosur road branch and Chetan is handling the SA in Mysore road branch now. Both of them are equally good and have attended promptly always.

That explains why I don't see Ranjith there nowadays. Today, my Linea was attended by Somu as Chethan was busy with another Punto.

From Velankanni, we went to Sikkal. Sikkal Singaravelan temple opened just in time in the evening at 4:30 pm. After darshan, we proceeded to Pillayarpatti. NH 67 was good. Thanjavur bypass was excellent 4-lane road. However, NH 226 from Thanjavur to Pudukottai had many bad stretches with full of pot holes and craters.

From Pillayarpatti, we reached Madurai and halted at Neww [no typo, official spelling!] College House Hotel at 10:00 pm. We had our night dinner at Sabari, a nearby eatery, located diagonally opposite to our lodge. The food was excellent at very affordable price. But, it was crowded always. We breakfasted and lunched there only until we left Madurai after darshan at Meenakshi Amman temple.

From Madurai, we came to SriVilliputtur, worshiped at Andal [Naachiar] temple and continued our journey to Kuttralam on butter-smooth NH 208. We checked into Saaral Resorts [very bad decision-not recommended] by 7 pm. We walked to the Main Falls and bathed. All my driving fatigue vanished immediately. It was a total bliss while bathing in Kuttralam falls! We returned after having our dinner at an Udupi eatery and called it a day. Next day early morning, we drove to Five Falls, bathed, breakfasted at Narayanan mess located near the entrance of Kuttraleeswarar temple, checked out and proceeded to Kanniyakumari.

We checked in to Vivekanandapuram of Vivekananda Kendra at 12:30 pm in a non-AC double room costing Rs 262.50 [inclusive of all taxes]. The room [sans TV, telephone, newspaper, room service] was clean and adequate for us. We lunched at in-house eatery called Gowri Shankar. The meal comprising 4 chappatis, side dishes, unlimited rice, rasam, papad and butter milk cost just Rs 37 each. After a siesta, we drove and parked my Linea at TTDC car parking and completed the ferry trip to Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar statue, Kanniyakumari Amman temple, Gandhi Bhavan, stroll in the beach, Wandering Monk photographic exhibition, returned to our place of stay, dined and had a well-earned sleep. Next day early morning, we walked to the sun rise point in Vivekanandapuram, but could not watch the sun rise thanks to clouds. While walking back, we saw peacocks roaming around. After breakfast, we drove to Suchindram temple, then continued our home-bound journey. We reached home, sweet home by 8:00 pm.

Here are some photographs clicked in Kanniyakumari.





More to follow.

The following are the vital statistics achieved by my Linea in this trip.

The birds at Vivekanandapuram contributed their mite in disfiguring my Linea.

Yesterday, I gave my Linea a grand bath [rinse+shampoo+rinse+scrubbing/drying]. After that, she regained her past glory!

Travelogue concluded.

[Sunney]

Hello Raviji,
Didi you ever noticed your seat-height adjustment mechanism failing and seat hitting to the 'floor' every now and then?

I got this problem. Every 50 kms, I have to pump, after 50 again....

[Tassem]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

Attachment 443964

Nice report It's good to read long term ownership reviews.

Hey could you tell me where you got the custom boot mats please? Looks great!

Originally Posted by Sunney

Didi you ever noticed your seat-height adjustment mechanism failing and seat hitting to the 'floor' every now and then?

No, Sunney, my Linea doesn't have this problem. Touchwood. You can complain to FIAT India on this issue. Many Linea owners got their faulty seat-height adjustment mechanism replaced under warranty.

Originally Posted by Tassem

could you tell me where you got the custom boot mats please? Looks great!

Thanks, Tassem. I imported my Linea's boot mat from Germany. Details are here.

[ndinesh]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

No, Sunney, my Linea doesn't have this problem. Touchwood. You can complain to FIAT India on this issue. Many Linea owners got their faulty seat-height adjustment mechanism replaced under warranty.

Thanks, Tassem. I imported my Linea's boot mat from Germany. Details are here.

@J.Ravi:
You did online purchase?

Originally Posted by ndinesh

You did online purchase?

Yes, I bought the boot mat online paying through PayPal.

[Chevy_lover]

Great trip and great pics, Ravi. I enjoyed reading your thread. It is nice to see such detailed reports.
You take care of your car so well. Congrats.
5 stars!