[vcash]

Originally Posted by Ravveendrra

If the odo reading is genuine - there is little to worry about. Front suspension noise will probably take much more than just replacing a bush. You might need to change the lower arms as well as struts and springs.

Odo reading looks to be genuine. How much will it cost me to take care of the suspension noise - the lower arms, springs and the struts?

Originally Posted by Ravveendrra

When you say it has rattles inside - do you mean inside the cabin? In which case - not much to worry, just look for loose change or loose bits in the cabin, also the rear parcel tray and rear high-stop light - easily rectified. If the rattle is from inside the engine bay - then it would be time to start worrying. .

Rattle is from the dash, not the engine bay. even I think it is loose knick knacks. I am accustomed to this in most of our old cars at home.

Originally Posted by Ravveendrra

When you say that the car is sluggish - what exactly do you mean. Is it lacking in pulling power throughout the rev range, or is there a flat spot in the acceleration. Or is it something that the engine kind of misses a beat, does the engine sound laboured, or does the engine revv without matching movement from the wheels. Also, you mentioned that the tyres are uprated, what size are the tyres - tyres of a larger dia. will make the car feel sluggish at low speeds.

Pulling power is fine and no flat spots. It just feels a little weighed down. But once I hit 3000rpm, it seemed fine. Also at a couple of spots when we slowed down and I changed gears I thought the car had stalled when infact it did not, just became very quiet - but there was no jerk as well. Just felt like it was inching.

As far as I remember, the tyres are 185/60/R14s.

[Ravveendrra]

The stock tyre size is 175/65 R 14 so 185/60 R 14 is 0.94% smaller which means the car should be rocketing from standstill. If everything else is ok - a thorough de-carb should do the trick. You can read my experience with a dead-spot and sluggish engine in: Fiat Palio GTX 1.6 acquired 2nd hand.

For the rattling in the dashboard: It could be a disconnected cable (speedo?) or an air-conditioning part that has worked itself loose, might just be a cable or fixing screw that worked itself loose and is vibrating.

The suspension cost me:

Front Strut mounting Rs.814/-
Rear strut mount Rs.814/-
Strut plate (2 nos) Rs.344/-
Strut rubbers (4 nos) Rs.132/-
Elastic pads (2 nos) Rs.434/-
Bushing (4 nos) Rs.416/-
Thrust ring (2 nos) Rs.188/-
Thrust rings (4 nos) Rs.220/-
Rear Lh strut assly Rs.2183/-
Rear Rt Strut assly Rs.2183/-
Bushing (2 nos) Rs.154/-
Front Lh strut assly Rs.2183/-
Front Rt strut assly Rs.2183/-
Front bump stoppers (2 nos) Rs.900/-
Suspension Springs (2 nos) Rs.296/-
Rubber pad Rs.342/-
Rear bumper assly Rs.1817/-
Bumper protector (2 nos) Rs578/-
Pipe (2 nos) Rs.10/-
Rust spray Rs.60/-
Front suspension labour Rs.1200/-
Rear suspension labour Rs.900/-
Wheel alignment Rs.150/-

All costs incurred by me can be found in my thread that I have mentioned above.

A lot of information on Palios can be found in the Palio Users Group (PalioUsersIndia : PalioUsersIndia)

One word of caution though - buying a 2nd hand GTX and getting it done up is not for the faint-hearted or the impatient. Diagnosis of faults is not easy and is often a process of elimination based on keen observation. The cars are well put together and dismantling anything and putting it back together is not for the uninitiated, an inexperienced mechanic with no patience can ruin the car. Parts have to be sourced carefully as only a handful of dealers stock them and some parts can be spurious. The question that begs to be asked is - Is it worth it? My answer is an unequivocal YES!

Cheers,

[Ramsagar]

Ravveendrra:That was indeed a very detailed report.
VC:what is the quoting price?

[JVH]

Originally Posted by vcash

Rattle is from the dash, not the engine bay. even I think it is loose knick knacks. I am accustomed to this in most of our old cars at home.

Is it dominant when you take off in the first gear? Nothing to worry about. It could also be because of the bus graze.

Originally Posted by vcash

Pulling power is fine and no flat spots. It just feels a little weighed down. But once I hit 3000rpm, it seemed fine. Also at a couple of spots when we slowed down and I changed gears I thought the car had stalled when infact it did not, just became very quiet - but there was no jerk as well. Just felt like it was inching.

You may want to check how clean the injectors are. The next stop would be manifold. No big issue here, a competent mechanic/A.S.S will do the job. Forgot to mention that the lambda sensor could also be the culprit here.


@Ravveendrra - I always find something to look forward to in your posts. It is suspension info now and it was ICE in your other thread both of which I was planning keenly on Thanks!

[planet_rocker]

i have transfered Ravendra's post/expenses on suspension overhaul to excel - hope that helps. i worked on it when i got the front suspension of my GTX overhauled.

Suspension Work Estimate.xls

take care and drive safe.

[Ravveendrra]

Thanks Planet Rocker that is a wonderful file - great reference point.

Thanks Ramsagar & JVH. @ JVH - my suspension work was done ages ago alongwith other mech. work and details are in my thread mentioned above.

Best of luck @ Vcash for your purchase.

Cheers,

[karizma_devil]

Congrats VC !! Do post some pics of your Silver-slayer !

Drive Safe !

[vcash]

Thanks KD!

Okay gang, so I went to inspect the car at Fortune and after a diagnostic, general check up and a test drive by a senior mechanic, the advisors and the staff gave me the A-okay! The only things to be addressed are:

1) General Service - Rs. 2,300
2) Engine Tune up and cleaning (I think decarb is a part of this process.) - Rs. 3,000
3) Speed Sensor needs to be replaced - Rs.800

Total Estimate: ~6K.

Other than that some cosmetic work is needed like a detailing session and maybe a little touch up job.

I really liked dealing with the seller and have invited him to T-Bhp. He was direct, honest, cared for his car and had a massive folder off all records, so I knew he was a car nut!

Anyone down to brass tacks - we agreed on a price without too much haggling as his price was fair with - just agreed to split the service and tune up costs so that is what we reduced.

After an amiable brunch at CCD, we signed all the paperwork, transferred the money and then took delivery of the car.

Somethings are still pending from my side:
1) Registering the car at the local RTO after getting NOC from Pune RTO
2) PUC
3) Insurance Renewal

Hope to get these things done asap. I understand that down the future, the car will need more attention with work needed on the suspension and brakes and god knows what else, but like Ravvendrra put it "It's totally worth it"

I have already got the wheels aligned and a general wash and greasing done.

And without further adiue, here are the pictures:



















Thanks for all the advice and I will continue this saga in the ownership thread!

V

[Ravveendrra]

Congratulations!!

Great looking car. Neat seats, door pads etc. maybe a set of floor mats should do it.

A GTX in that colour is like a wolf in sheeps clothing, it looks totally unassuming and like any other Palio giving no hint of the beauty under the bonnet.

Wish you many happy miles and years of driving it.

Cheers,

[karizma_devil]

Wow man rarely would you see a Palio without faded head lamps !!
First time i have seen those plates on the door sill.


Congrats , drive safe .. and please get the insurance first.

[MileCruncher]

Congrats VCASH on the car!


THe Silver Streak does look amazing!

[vcash]

Originally Posted by Ravveendrra

Congratulations!!

Great looking car. Neat seats, door pads etc. maybe a set of floor mats should do it.

Wish you many happy miles and years of driving it.

Cheers,

Thanks! floormats will be bought soon.

Originally Posted by karizma_devil

Wow man rarely would you see a Palio without faded head lamps !!
First time i have seen those plates on the door sill.


Congrats , drive safe .. and please get the insurance first.

Yes, the garnish on the doors sills are good as they also protect from rust and damage as it reduces wear and tear.

Insurance is on the cards for tomorrow. Your RTO agent reference gave me two pieces of information that I need to validate:
a) Insurance will not have to wait till papers are officialy transferred in my name. He says he can get that done asap.
b) I will have to pay mumbai octroi as the car is registered in Pune currently.

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Congrats VCASH on the car!


THe Silver Streak does look amazing!

Thanks!! I am enjoying it.

[JVH]

Congrats vash! The car looks well maintained and the initial tune up and servicing costs are peanuts compared to what the car has to offer.

Enjoy the beast and control the 100 horses!

[beejay]

Originally Posted by vcash

2) The front bonnet had some stains - but it looks like a good wax job is all that is needed.

At the outset congratulations on your purchase.
As far as I know, most of the Palios had an issue with the clear coat peeling off on the bonnet and roof.

Originally Posted by Ravveendrra

From your account - the main thing to worry about is the speedo. Several owners have reported that repairing a faulty speedo is extremely problematic in the Palio. In most cases replacing the entire instrument console is the only way out.

You are absolutely correct. The Speedo is different from the one on the 1.2.
The speedo is very complicated and I was lucky to find a good specialist who handles meters and he got the job done for me for 1500. Balaji meter service, Coimbatore.

Originally Posted by karizma_devil

Wow man rarely would you see a Palio without faded head lamps !!

The galaxy black GTX in my town has clear lamps too. However you are right its hard to come by palios with clear lamps.

[vcash]

Originally Posted by beejay

At the outset congratulations on your purchase.
As far as I know, most of the Palios had an issue with the clear coat peeling off on the bonnet and roof.

Thanks!

You are correct. It seems that the clear coat is the culprit. Should I refrain from a wax job? How do I fix this? Thanks.