Team-BHP > Team-BHP Reviews > Long-Term Ownership Reviews


Reply
  Search this Thread
450,320 views
Old 29th June 2014, 12:41   #616
BHPian
 
Ahmed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Aurangabad
Posts: 163
Thanked: 307 Times
re: Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 80000 km update

Looks like a blunt cut. Probably a sharp stone. I don't think it should bother you much. My two cents - drive with it. If you feel slight shudder at speeds above 80 km/h, get the balancing checked. Again, a minor issue this.
Ahmed is online now   (1) Thanks
Old 29th June 2014, 13:07   #617
Senior - BHPian
 
Guderian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Thane
Posts: 1,616
Thanked: 1,455 Times
re: Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 80000 km update

Nilanjan,
Looks like a stone rip. I trust they fixed the largest patch inside. Also would have been safer if they would have placed one small patch to cover the tear inside (which normally is smaller to the external one due to the pattern of entry) and then a large patch over it. If not get it done sometime like that.

Observe for a few days and if there is an air loss then try the above method. If even that fails you have no option but to run it with a tube inside. If you are placing a tube inside it would need to be a size smaller than the tyre.

Do write to Pirelli and have them to examine it.
Guderian is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 29th June 2014, 13:22   #618
Senior - BHPian
 
nilanjanray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,887
Thanked: 2,925 Times
re: Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 80000 km update

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ahmed View Post
Looks like a blunt cut. Probably a sharp stone. I don't think it should bother you much. My two cents - drive with it. If you feel slight shudder at speeds above 80 km/h, get the balancing checked. Again, a minor issue this.
Is that ok for an A/T tyre? They are supposed to be tougher lol.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Guderian View Post
Nilanjan,
Looks like a stone rip. I trust they fixed the largest patch inside. Also would have been safer if they would have placed one small patch to cover the tear inside (which normally is smaller to the external one due to the pattern of entry) and then a large patch over it. If not get it done sometime like that.

Observe for a few days and if there is an air loss then try the above method. If even that fails you have no option but to run it with a tube inside. If you are placing a tube inside it would need to be a size smaller than the tyre.

Do write to Pirelli and have them to examine it.
Not sure I understand this large patch/small patch stuff .

I am more worried about the (lack of) toughness of the Pirellis. Hope that this is a freak incident. Will write to Pirelli.
nilanjanray is offline  
Old 29th June 2014, 13:29   #619
Team-BHP Support
 
Sheel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Purnea (Bihar)
Posts: 9,551
Thanked: 14,349 Times
re: Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 80000 km update

One observation - I find OE tires of whatever make on any vehicle to be superior in terms of fragility wrt to Michelin, Pirelli, Yokohama etc.

I am supposed to buy a new car in the next 3-4 months and was shortlisting Pirelli AT's. Will sure give it another shot.

I am anyways not going over 120, so should be happy with OE.

Last edited by Sheel : 29th June 2014 at 13:31.
Sheel is offline  
Old 29th June 2014, 16:26   #620
Distinguished - BHPian
 
SS-Traveller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 8,161
Thanked: 27,103 Times
Re: First puncture :-(

Quote:
Originally Posted by nilanjanray View Post
Is this from a stone impact - a sharp stone ripped into the tyre? Or from something else? Is this normal for an A/T tyre i.e. a freak case, or did this happen because the sidewall is relatively softer? Or can I complain to Pirelli?

Makes me worried.

I got the standard repair done e.g. one piece of rubber put inside. I do hope that is sufficient.

Is it ok to keep driving as if nothing happened? [/b]
Hi Nilanjan, it's a shoulder cut, and though it doesn't seem as if the carcass is damaged as per your photo, it would be advisable to get this checked by Pirelli or an independent tyre specialist - perhaps Nikhil will do the honours.

What kind of repair was done? A mushroom patch from the inside after dismounting the tyre from the rim? Or a plug inserted from the outside? Given the size and location of damage on the tread, it would be better to remove the tyre from the rim and carry out repairs from the inside (unless this has been done already).
SS-Traveller is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 29th June 2014, 16:49   #621
Senior - BHPian
 
nilanjanray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,887
Thanked: 2,925 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by SS-Traveller View Post
Hi Nilanjan, it's a shoulder cut, and though it doesn't seem as if the carcass is damaged as per your photo, it would be advisable to get this checked by Pirelli or an independent tyre specialist - perhaps Nikhil will do the honours.

What kind of repair was done? A mushroom patch from the inside after dismounting the tyre from the rim? Or a plug inserted from the outside? Given the size and location of damage on the tread, it would be better to remove the tyre from the rim and carry out repairs from the inside (unless this has been done already).
Just a single plug inserted from outside. The tyre was flat when I first saw it, and air was hissing out when I temporarily filled up air to take it to the repair shop.

Have written to Pirelli customer care.

Will wait for them to respond/ will call them too. Else will take it to Nikhil's place for a proper repair.

No air loss as of now.
nilanjanray is offline  
Old 30th June 2014, 06:50   #622
BHPian
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Noida
Posts: 72
Thanked: 8 Times

Nilanjan, would suggest you to go for mushroom patch from inside as suggested by SS-Traveller.

I too had a similar kind of puncture in my Safari. Struggled with all kind of outside repairs and slime solutions for 6 months and was about to go for tube. Finally somebody suggested me to try mushroom thing once. Tyre has been holding up quite well since then.
naman07 is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 1st July 2014, 01:08   #623
Senior - BHPian
 
nilanjanray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,887
Thanked: 2,925 Times
re: Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 80000 km update

A photo of the truck taken in June. Dirt track, after sunset.
Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 150,000 kms up!-dsc_5343_small.jpeg

Update: there is no air leakage as of now. Last night I was driving in the rain, was impressed with the grip and handling of the tyres. Pity about the damage.
nilanjanray is offline  
Old 27th July 2014, 01:04   #624
Senior - BHPian
 
nilanjanray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,887
Thanked: 2,925 Times
re: Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 80000 km update

The tyres are doing ok. The beast is purring along (or snorting along, I should say) nicely. 75K km servicing coming up soon.

A couple of photos I posted in the Auto Images section:

Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 150,000 kms up!-parked.jpg


Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 150,000 kms up!-hues.jpg
nilanjanray is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 4th September 2014, 12:02   #625
Senior - BHPian
 
nilanjanray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,887
Thanked: 2,925 Times
75K update

1. Going for servicing soon

2. The Pirelli tyres have help up well after the puncture. I will probably buy a 5th one and replace the current, old stepney
  • Have done about 7000 kms with them. Including a 3000 km roadtrip, a few weekend trips, low range trail driving, rough and fast driving over broken roads.
  • Slightly more comfortable than the Dunlops - rolling and pitching are less
  • No compromise in handling and braking
  • Come with a fuel efficiency penalty. Perhaps 0.5 - 1kmpl
  • Did rather well when I did some low range work on a tea estate trail. No slipping. Good grip. I was impressed with how the Fortuner handled the steep and rough trails on the estate.
  • I try not to cross 120 kmph nowadays. Stable till that speed
  • I did a lot of driving in the rain. The grip is good on wet tarmac
3. The plastic/rubber strip between the windshield and bonnet has become loose, leading to a gap after the windshield. Need to get it fixed.

4. The sound system conks off once in a while - becomes dim, or refuses to switch off. However, the steering mounted controls continue to work. So perhaps some loose connection in the head unit

5. The kaat noise (while reversing + braking) continues. Have given up hope of getting it fixed. But the service advisers assure me that it won't lead to any braking issue.

Otherwise, all fine - the vehicle is purring along.

Last edited by nilanjanray : 4th September 2014 at 12:04.
nilanjanray is offline  
Old 6th September 2014, 21:03   #626
Senior - BHPian
 
nilanjanray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,887
Thanked: 2,925 Times
Update after 75K service

The service cost Rs. 1100. I was in a hurry, and knew that the head unit and kaat noise won't be fixed in a hurry, so had opted for the 1 hour service.

The windscreen beading has been re-fixed.

I have noticed that after driving in low RPM for a long time - e.g. in city traffic - the engine sounds somewhat coarse. The vehicle now needs some sustained high RPM driving to clear its throat.

I am still undecided between keeping the tyre pressures at 32 and keeping them at 30. Had read somewhere that 30 is too low for the Pirellis and that edge wear will happen due to under-inflation. Right now the tyres are at 32 psi.

In the service centre, I noticed a slighly blinged up Fortuner wearing upsized (well they looked upsized) Geolander A/T shoes. The tyres looked nice. The Pirellis don't look all that impressive

Btw, Nandi Toyota is quoting 25K for the stock Dunlop. Bloody robbery. The same tyre is available outside for 18-19K.

I am yet to upgrade the brake booster. Will do it soon.
------------
LADAKH
So I had done a quick trip to Ladakh last month. Flew up and down. I went to Nubra Valley (and crossed Khardung La) in a Fortuner - I had hitched a ride (thanks to HVK). That Fortuner took everything in its stride without breaking a sweat.

The roads I went through, seemed pretty tame. Doable in any vehicle - sedan, Maruti 800, a BMW (lol). The roads leading to Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri and Marsimik La (spelling?) should be a lot more interesting. When I drive down next year, I will go via Lahaul/Spiti, and do some of the less frequented circuits.

Last edited by nilanjanray : 6th September 2014 at 21:12.
nilanjanray is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 24th September 2014, 16:54   #627
Senior - BHPian
 
nilanjanray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,887
Thanked: 2,925 Times

I did some sustained rough road driving during a recent trip. Say 60- 65 kms of rocky tracks and dirt trails. The tyres held up fine.

The route: cross-country from Bandipur to Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Via Mangala village.
nilanjanray is offline  
Old 24th September 2014, 17:34   #628
Team-BHP Support
 
Sheel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Purnea (Bihar)
Posts: 9,551
Thanked: 14,349 Times
re: Soldier of Fortune: Wanderings with a Trusty Toyota Fortuner - 80000 km update

No pictures? I am sure there would be few eye candies of the car as well as the nature & both. Please do share
Sheel is offline  
Old 7th December 2014, 20:29   #629
Senior - BHPian
 
nilanjanray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,887
Thanked: 2,925 Times
80000km update

The vehicle had gone for 80K servicing on Saturday.

80K is a major service. As usual, had a frustrating experience when going for the extras that a 4X4 needs - propeller shaft greasing, and front differential oil change.

I had to wait for 4 hours more than the promised time, to get things done. Toyota ASC folks are so busy servicing 2D vehicles, that they have forgotten what needs to be done for a 4WD.

Prop shaft greasing: the grease gun wasn't filled. The guys didn't even know where all the nipples are. I helped find 4 of them, not sure where the remaining two were. Then they tried to charge me a lot for the grease (about 4X of what I had been paying every 10k for the greasing). That led to another argument.

Front differential oil change: The service advisor had little clue about what needed to be done for differential oil change. Finally when I got hold of a 'senior' technician, he confidently said that the oil had been changed. I asked which one? He said the rear diff oil. What about the front diff? Not needed, they never do it!

Called the team leader, the customer relations lead, and finally the shop floor manager. None of them had a clue. I put my foot down, and said that if they don't do a proper job I want a written statement from them saying that front differential oil is not required to be changed for a 4X4 Fortuner. And that I will discuss that with Toyota. That made them perk up. They said that they will lift the vehicle again, and drain the front diff oil. Guderian's thread and images were of great help! (I had also texted Guderian and Manuuj to get their inputs in the middle of all this). The two protector sheets were removed from the front right, to access the draining and filling point. The oil that came out was blackish. Anyway, it all ended up well. 4 extra hours and the usual stress (arguments, escalation etc).

They tried to push alternator and starting motor overhaul, as well as the usual 3M stuff. I asked them whether anything was amiss with the alternator and starting motor. They ave a vague reply ("Saaar if you are not facing starting problems, then no need, but it is better to" etc.). I might still get them overhauled (preventive precaution) later. Any inputs, Fortuner and Innova long-term owners?

The broken floor mat clips got fixed this time. I had called 4 days before and told the ASC to get them without fail (and that since last two times they told me at the last moment that the part was out of stock, this time, if they don't get it and fix it in spite of me giving advance notice, I will take it up with Toyota).

I still have the old stepney. No dealer in Bangalore has Pirelli Scorpion ATR in stock. I have been trying to procure the 5th tyre for a while now.

Took the vehicle out for a night spin, to see if there was wobbling or steering pull after tyre rotation. I would have done 5 way rotation if I had 5 Pirellis, but was forced to do 4-way. Things seem to be ok.

The Bison is raring for another long drive. Let's see if I can get leave in Dec.
nilanjanray is offline   (3) Thanks
Old 7th December 2014, 21:50   #630
BHPian
 
dean5545's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: mumbai
Posts: 812
Thanked: 1,555 Times

Donot touch the alternator if you aren't facing any problem given the expertise your service centre seems to have. The only thing I changed in my Innova till date is the alternator bearing. Got the alternator current checked this time and it was normal. I have an Innova which is at 1,44,000km the bearing was changed at 1,22,000 km.

The scene is very much different in my ASC had taken a friends fortuner for service and they themselves told me propellor shaft greasing will be done. They never ever try to sell me any unwanted products. I suggest you try another service centre or befriend a service advisor. Don't get me wrong but having the service advisor on your side will help you a lot in maintaining your car.
dean5545 is online now  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks