How to check if a part has been replaced

Nimz · 16th July 2008, 16:15

Hi Bhpians,

Other day had given my Spark for the 10,000 km servicing. Bill came to 169 bucks for an air filter,labour charges being free. I did not think too much about it. Now when I see the Spark website it says air filter to be replaced at 40,000 kms!!!

Now am in a little fix.

How can I be sure that they have put in a new airfilter? Or is this kinda standard practice.. if the car has no major issues just replace one not very expensive part OR just give a bill for such a part without doing anything!!

How do we ensure that the dealer / service station has changed the part he has said he has changed? Is there a way of checking without getting too offensive?

Thanks
Nimz

jp1 · 16th July 2008, 16:18

Normally the replaced parts are returned by almost all service stations

MalluDude · 16th July 2008, 16:25

You can point it out that when the manual says replace at 40K, then why this early? Ask if there was any specific trouble with the vehicle that warranted an early replacement?

Quote:

Is there a way of checking without getting too offensive?

It's your car and your money. You are within your rights to ask. You can ask whether they have the policy of returning old parts to the customer.

GTO · 16th July 2008, 17:45

10K's is pretty early for an air-filter replacement. The lowest I have heard of is at 15,000 kms. But well, at 156 bucks, you might as well let your Spark breathe easier.

If you have been otherwise happy with your authorised service center, give them the benefit of doubt. They must have changed the air filter. However, as others have mentioned, most service stations give the older one back.

esteem_lover · 16th July 2008, 17:49

Air filter replacement intervals can vary depending on the conditions. If you have been driving in dusty conditions, AF gets clogged pretty soon. But of course they can be cleaned & refitted.

mobike008 · 16th July 2008, 18:19

Simplest thing to do is ask for the replaced part when you take delivery. This will put your doubts to rest

anandpadhye · 16th July 2008, 18:27

Air filter is replaced every 10,000 KM for my NHC.
And I get back my older filter.

Also, I can see how dirty the older filter is and feel happy that it's replaced.

At the price of @Rs. 150, I would get this replaced every 5000KM.
The improved FE will pay it back!

Nimz · 16th July 2008, 18:52

Thanks bhpians.

Maybe in Sundaram they never give back the old part.

I shall probably ask for the replaced part next time I go to Sundaram.. well they can always give me some other Spark's or say they have to search for it and fix me with a "dont u trust us look" and ask sir is it very important..

Thanks again
Nimz

trrk · 16th July 2008, 20:11

Hi anandpadhye,

> Air filter is replaced every 10,000 KM for my NHC.
> And I get back my older filter.

I have had my 15000kms recently. The air filter has not been changed until now.

Next time make a mark on your old air filter before going for service so that you are sure that it is your 'old filter' that you are getting back!

jkdas · 16th July 2008, 20:58

Maybe a mistake. Looks like its the price of the oil filter.

aaggoswami · 16th July 2008, 22:01

Generally all the replaced parts are given back to the owner of the car.

bblost · 16th July 2008, 22:10

Instead of the old part, ask why it was replaced.
Evaluate the answer.

If not happy then write a letter to GM asking why is the service center replacing parts without permission or need.

This way you only come across as a fussy guy and not a skeptic; if thats important.

Lukeskywalker · 16th July 2008, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimz

Thanks bhpians.

Maybe in Sundaram they never give back the old part.

Sundaram Motors do give back all parts replaced, maybe they missed it in your case. Talk to Ramesh, the service head, he's a fine gentleman.

RedMM340 · 16th July 2008, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimz

Hi Bhpians,

Other day had given my Spark for the 10,000 km servicing. Bill came to 169 bucks for an air filter,labour charges being free. I did not think too much about it. Now when I see the Spark website it says air filter to be replaced at 40,000 kms!!!

Now am in a little fix.

How can I be sure that they have put in a new airfilter? Or is this kinda standard practice.. if the car has no major issues just replace one not very expensive part OR just give a bill for such a part without doing anything!!

How do we ensure that the dealer / service station has changed the part he has said he has changed? Is there a way of checking without getting too offensive?

Thanks
Nimz

Owners manuals always print a recommended filter change interval for normal conditions. A filter can get clogged in 1,000 km if exposed to very dusty conditions.

If you are unsure if they changed the filter, why don't you just pull the filter out and take a look at it to see if it is new? If the filter was allegedly changed very recently, it should look a whole lot cleaner than a filter with 10,000 km.

I always ask for ALL old parts any time I get my vehicle serviced to avoid any possibility of this type of issue.

Rehaan · 17th July 2008, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMM340

...If you are unsure if they changed the filter, why don't you just pull the filter out and take a look at it to see if it is new? If the filter was allegedly changed very recently, it should look a whole lot cleaner than a filter with 10,000 km....

Exactly!!
Im suprised noone mentioned this earlier - as it will solve your current dilemma.

The good thing is that the part is an air filter - which generally is easy to access without even requiring a screw driver in most cars.

cya
R

16th July 2008, 16:15	#1
Nimz BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 594 Thanked: 198 Times View My Garage	How to check if a part has been replaced Hi Bhpians, Other day had given my Spark for the 10,000 km servicing. Bill came to 169 bucks for an air filter,labour charges being free. I did not think too much about it. Now when I see the Spark website it says air filter to be replaced at 40,000 kms!!! Now am in a little fix. How can I be sure that they have put in a new airfilter? Or is this kinda standard practice.. if the car has no major issues just replace one not very expensive part OR just give a bill for such a part without doing anything!! How do we ensure that the dealer / service station has changed the part he has said he has changed? Is there a way of checking without getting too offensive? Thanks Nimz
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 16:18	#2
jp1 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 286 Thanked: 47 Times	Normally the replaced parts are returned by almost all service stations
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 17:45	#4
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,546 Thanked: 300,788 Times View My Garage	10K's is pretty early for an air-filter replacement. The lowest I have heard of is at 15,000 kms. But well, at 156 bucks, you might as well let your Spark breathe easier. If you have been otherwise happy with your authorised service center, give them the benefit of doubt. They must have changed the air filter. However, as others have mentioned, most service stations give the older one back.
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 17:49	#5
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Air filter replacement intervals can vary depending on the conditions. If you have been driving in dusty conditions, AF gets clogged pretty soon. But of course they can be cleaned & refitted. Last edited by esteem_lover : 16th July 2008 at 17:52.
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 18:19	#6
mobike008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 11,703 Thanked: 14,861 Times View My Garage	Simplest thing to do is ask for the replaced part when you take delivery. This will put your doubts to rest
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 18:27	#7
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,054 Thanked: 3,313 Times	Air filter is replaced every 10,000 KM for my NHC. And I get back my older filter. Also, I can see how dirty the older filter is and feel happy that it's replaced. At the price of @Rs. 150, I would get this replaced every 5000KM. The improved FE will pay it back!
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 18:52	#8
Nimz BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 594 Thanked: 198 Times View My Garage	Thanks bhpians. Maybe in Sundaram they never give back the old part. I shall probably ask for the replaced part next time I go to Sundaram.. well they can always give me some other Spark's or say they have to search for it and fix me with a "dont u trust us look" and ask sir is it very important.. Thanks again Nimz
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 20:11	#9
trrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alleppey, Kerala Posts: 2,114 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Hi anandpadhye, > Air filter is replaced every 10,000 KM for my NHC. > And I get back my older filter. I have had my 15000kms recently. The air filter has not been changed until now. Next time make a mark on your old air filter before going for service so that you are sure that it is your 'old filter' that you are getting back!
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 20:58	#10
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	Maybe a mistake. Looks like its the price of the oil filter.
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 22:01	#11
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	Generally all the replaced parts are given back to the owner of the car.
	() Thanks

16th July 2008, 22:10	#12
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 15,365 Times View My Garage	Instead of the old part, ask why it was replaced. Evaluate the answer. If not happy then write a letter to GM asking why is the service center replacing parts without permission or need. This way you only come across as a fussy guy and not a skeptic; if thats important.
	() Thanks