It was time for Hariya to go for another change of oil since he had traveled 10k kms in less than a couple of months.
Bangalore-Delhi-Bangalore.
Bangalore-Dholavira-Bangalore.
So, it was back to Anant Cars at Bannerghatta road today and since my favorite service advisor Puneet was at their Hulimavu outlet, I drove there at 10:30hrs IST without a prior appointment.
There were not many cars.
The plan was to get the following done:
1. Engine oil and filter replaced.
2. A slight squeak from the steering wheel upon turning left.
3. Cleaning and adjustment of all the brakes.
4. Greasing of both the front wheel bearings.
5. Replace two wheel nuts since their edges were rounded due to bad spanner usage.
6. Propellor shaft greasing.
What was added/suggested were the following:
1. Replace the diesel filter.
2. Lubricate the clutch.
3. Replace the RH rear brake cylinder since it was slightly leaking.
I had okayed all the work to be done and was ambling around on the shop floor near Hariya when a new staff member told me to wait in the customer lounge.
I flatly refused to do so upon which he called the Service Manager for the outlet.
The Service Manager knew me and hence after his usual bit of
"Its a policy Saar, if you are here, a lot other customers too will come in" stuff, he let me stay where I wanted to,
with Hariya.
In the meantime, work began at 11:00hrs and I observed that the clamp for the coolant bypass hose which was replaced during the last service was not fitted properly and was dangerously close to the radiator fan.
I pointed it out and asked them to turn the clamp so that the distance between the fan and the clamp increases. Upon doing this, the hose developed a leak again and a new hose, two new clips of the screw type instead of the older ones were fitted.
I could have created an issue out of it but let it be.
Now for the interesting part:
I had seen Xado, a Ukranian lubricant Co set up their stall at some auto show at Whitefield and their products looked impressive.
Since Hariya is now a "lakhpati", I decided to give his engine some protection, and accordingly called the Xado phone number that I could pull of the internet.
I was suggested an Engine Flush and and Engine Conditioner.
While I had initially planned to go to their office near Kamakhya Theatre and pick them up, after a few phone calls, they agreed to come over and deliver the goods to me.
It was time for lunch at 1300hrs and I had lunch at the staff canteen and I must say that the food was good.
The work resumed post lunch and I hoped it would get over by 1500hrs after which I wanted to give Hariya a bath at the 3M, HSR layout but I was free only by 1630hrs and Sidhu told me that he was slightly busy and would be able to cater to me only on the 2nd.
Hariya had traveled on the Rann which was extremely salty and hence I decided to get a good under body wash at Anant Cars.
I was finally out at 1830hrs and home by 1915 hrs after enduring some crazy traffic for the New Year.
Oh, that reminds me, "Happy New Year" to all of you...!!!
Now for the
$$$ damages:
1. Xado Engine Flush: 700.00.
2. Xado Engine Vitalizer/Additive: 2850.00
3. M&M Spares, Oils & Consumables: 5359.91.
4. M&M Labor Charges: 3376.39.
While M&M labor continues to be expensive, my being with the vehicle today ensured that Hariya actually feels newer, smoother and a lot better than before.