Time to update the thread, as its been quite a while. Though, not much has taken place on the adventure front, Marengo has added KM's on its Odo, good enough to add few expense items. Its seen a FOC 65K service (which is no longer recommended by Mahindra), and the 70k one.
On the last service update this is what I had mentioned
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1100D The maintenance expenses at start was Rs 43351, it has been upped by Rs 10283 to Rs 53635. The maintenance cost per km inched up substantially to 89 paise per km. However, till the next major milestone at 80k, this figure is likely to level out to former levels. |
A little removed from the truth. The 70k service added Rs 5960, taking the total maintenance expenses to Rs 59595, at 70,000 kms bringing the cost per km just 4.5% down to 85 paise per Km. To correct the former statement, this will probably start going higher now, based on the experience thus far.
As was noted in the last few posts, another Power-window motor had given up, replaced under warranty. As I type now, the Door lock has started going back to hunting mode. Probably, the more than average rainfall this year has had its effect on the electronics.
But beyond all these niggles were few major Items that cropped up.
1> Sudden development (within 1 day) of excessive steering play - Tie rod assemblies replaced under warranty
2> Irratic Speedo
3> Oil seepage from Gearbox front end - again
4> Most importantly : 4WD malfunction - The vehicle would shift to 4wd-High alright, but from 4WD-high to 4WD-Low there used to be issues.
Usually, the routine is, 2wd-"4wd-high" can be done on the fly, but when one needs to shift from 4wd-high to 4wd-low, one needs to be absolutely static (no roll), clutch depressed, then the shifter is shifted, takes about 6 seconds after which the 4wd-high indicator goes out, and the 4WD-Low indicator comes on.
For Marengo what would happen on the very last phase, would be, that both the 4WD-High and 4WD-LOW indicators would remain lit and from the behaviour of the vehicle one can surely feel that the shift has not taken place. But, in this condition, if one shifted the knob back and forth, the same indicators would continue to glow, unless the engine was completely shutdown. In many cases, after the erratic condition, restarting the engine would bring the vehicle finally to 4WD-Low. I had this condition on Marengo in our last OTR as well, thankfully, Marengo had cooperated each time after a few attempts. So this problem was there for sometime.
Had contacted Gajanan Chitale from B&W, he gave me a blink code routine, but before that, we did a customary clutch switch check during the 65k service. My service advisor and the Co-tek person was aware that this was coming in for repairs, sooner or later. Had one Blink code session prior to the 70k service, which indicated on faulty switch connectors. So the 70k service was chosen as the placeholder to get this fixed. The Gearbox anyway would have to be brought down for the oil seepage.
Mohan Motors already had a few parts in stock, which was unusual, as this region hardly has many Electric B&W vehicles, although I was told that they had brought in anticipation of Marengo coming in! Which, although I wouldn't really give it a very serious thinking, but still, felt good!
First up, the Switch connector was replaced and the vehicle initially complied. But out on a drive, the problem was soon back, but, not as certainly as before. So next up would be the actuator motor, which they seemingly had in stock. The GB would anyway have to be opened on the oil seepage issue. Still, the attempt was to find an easy and quick resolution by changing the connector, which did work a bit!
The worst thing about these sessions is that, you know, the vehicle would get back in, the process will take quite a bit of time. Then once done, one would again need to make time out from work to come and test/evaluate the results, with no certainty of a solution (or an indication of how many attempts it would take). But I guess, that is the pitfall of owning an indigenious product. Factored it in, at the time of vehicle purchase itself, but what was not factored in, was the increased difficulty in getting a few hours off from work every now and then. Anyway, coming back to topic. The next day, after the actuator motor was changed, the 4wdlow shift was fine. Continues to be so.
The attached pic indicates the concerned parts, circled!
A very big thanks to Mohan Motors for keeping the spares handy, I was certain that this resolution would take many days, given that spares would be ordered and we would have to wait for them. But then Marengo was in and out in 2 days flat.
Now coming to the customary breakup of charges for the 70k service beyond the warranty stuff above.
The prices indicated after taxes, however the calculations are a little convoluted. But it all adds up right!
Here goes!
Clip Worm type No-2 (42-55) - Rs 24.64
I/P Shaft Oil Seal - Rs 134.49
Oil Seal Rear Cover - Rs 448.65
Kit O ring Clutch Tube - Rs 14.37
14 no Bolt 2 nos - Rs 16.43
14 No Nut 4 Nos - Rs 19.23
Nyloc Nut 69.52mm (3/8-24) - Rs 8.21
Nitrogen inflatear - Rs 102.67
consumables - Rs 211.84
cleaning chem - Rs 91.33
Rust remove - Rs 178.88
brake oil dot 4 - Rs 87.56
maximile syntec - Rs 691.04
Parts Total - Rs 2029.35
wheel alignment - Rs 336.45
70,000 service - Rs 1660.61
crankshaft front oil seal - Rs 1640.18
transmission rear end oil seal (R & R) - Rs 294.39
Labour Total Rs 3931.64
Total expenses Rs 5961
Lets see if Marengo can put in some action between now and the next maintenance milestone, otherwise the next update will be another mundane one. Oh wait, the central locking issue is coming up next!