[h14]

The odo now stands at 99,371. One more home run completed last weekend. Being festive weekend, getting out of Bangalore was tedious. Took Bagalur route and skipped Attibelle, but Krishnagiri and Thoppur took revenge. It was as bad as the Deepawali return drive.

It was 17 odd minutes in Krishnagiri and almost 30 mins in Thoppur. This was on the evening of Dec 23. Really got fed up and diverted off into the Mettur route.

I was skeptical of this route as it has a tradition of carrying bad patches always. But it was a welcome change. Road seemed newly laid with fresh lane markings and reflectors. There wasn't much traffic and it was a nice relaxed drive on the state highways.

Took Mettur-Ammapet-Sathy-Coimbatore. Road continued to be excellent all through except for some negligible bits which weren't relaid.

Stopped for dinner at "Eden Garden" on the out skirts of Sathy. The place was kept neat and the food was decent. The pricing was vfm.

Eden Garden

The journey time was on the higher side, but a worthy alternative during such festive weekends.

Trip Stats: BLR-Bagalur-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Thoppur-Mettur-Sathy-Annur-CBE

Return was on 26th morning. Started from CBE home at 3:45 am and reached BLR home at 8:15 am. A non-stop drive spanning 4 hours and 33 minutes. I did try the Sankkagiri Omalur route to skip the 2 tolls and was successful at that. These roads were also fantasic and hence the drive time sort of remained same as the one via Salem. I also skipped the Arasur/Karumathampatty toll by taking the Sulur-Somanur-Karumathampatty road.

Trip Stats: CBE-Sulur-Karanampettai-Karumathampatti-Sankkagiri-Omalur-Hosur-Bagalur-BLR

Update on issues:

Oil consumption: Little over 3000kms clocked now (since service) and there is no signs of oil reduction. I believe that the PCV value replacement has fixed it for good. Anyways I'm planning to take a final call on this after another 2000 kms.

Oil mixing in coolant: Close to 1000 kms since the tank cleaning and there are no traces. The incident mentioned in the last post remains to be a false alarm

[h14]

Crossed the 100,000 kms mark en-route the new year drive to Goa! Was able to achieve the same in 5yrs, 10 months & 16 days.

The last 53,000 kms came up in 21 months (day since I took over the car from dad) which roughly translates to 2500 kms per month.

Some stats and pics from the Goa drive:

5 digits for one last time on the Odo


And the first sign of 6 digits!


Bangalore to Goa


Stats for the complete Trip

[h14]

Little over 5100kms done since the pcv valve change and I can now safely say that the oil consumption/reduction issue is resolved completely! The level now stands few hairlines below the max mark. I suppose around 50-100ml has reduced over these 5k kms and that too I believe was more to do with the aggressive driving that we did during the Goa trip and I suppose that is normal. Even the manual says 100ml/1000kms is normal. Earlier it was about 1000ml/4000kms for me which was abnormal and has now been resolved.

So the pcv valve has been the culprit and happy now that it is resolved

[h14]

Got some mild decals done





Trip stats for BLR-CBE via mettur - Bhavani

[sriramr9]

Originally Posted by h14

Little over 5100kms done since the pcv valve change and I can now safely say that the oil consumption/reduction issue is resolved completely!

I am also experiencing oil reduction issues. I have switched back to OE spec Selenia 5W40 Semi Synth from Shell helix Ultra. I will monitor for next 5k km and will post here.

External visual inspection Oil leak checks done
1. All turbo Hoses inspected, looking ok
2. Engine guard opened looked for any seepage/dried oil stains. Looks dry - no stains

Inter cooler and Turbo fins were not checked. For now decided to check the reduction for the first 5000km. Will post the pics of the stick level after 5k.

[h14]

Originally Posted by sriramr9

I am also experiencing oil reduction issues. I have switched back to OE spec Selenia 5W40 Semi Synth from Shell helix Ultra. I will monitor for next 5k km and will post here.

External visual inspection Oil leak checks done
1. All turbo Hoses inspected, looking ok
2. Engine guard opened looked for any seepage/dried oil stains. Looks dry - no stains

Inter cooler and Turbo fins were not checked. For now decided to check the reduction for the first 5000km. Will post the pics of the stick level after 5k.

Before going into other details, see how much is reducing. 100ml per 1000kms is termed normal by FIAT. So if its more then plan other actions.

How much does your car have on the Odo?

[sriramr9]

Originally Posted by h14

How much does your car have on the Odo?

i am doing the same now.. The Odo reading is at 44750Km..

[harryms]

wow thank you for sharing all your experiences. I am also facing the oil consumption issue from 80k and now Linea has crossed 105000. I have asked many mechanics but no one had any clue except they all say that the issue is due to piston rings or due to faulty turbo. both cases are ruled out by me since there is nothing concrete evidence. So the PCV valve (oil separator) is the one i may go and replace. Thanks for sharing your experience.
If possible can you share some pictures where the PCV valve is situated in Linea. This will be an added advantage for me.

[h14]

Originally Posted by harryms

wow thank you for sharing all your experiences. I am also facing the oil consumption issue from 80k and now Linea has crossed 105000. I have asked many mechanics but no one had any clue except they all say that the issue is due to piston rings or due to faulty turbo. both cases are ruled out by me since there is nothing concrete evidence. So the PCV valve (oil separator) is the one i may go and replace. Thanks for sharing your experience.
If possible can you share some pictures where the PCV valve is situated in Linea. This will be an added advantage for me.

Glad these posts are of use for other Linea/Punto owners. The PCV is located down behind the engine. Cannot locate it easily. You will have to put on a ramp to reach it. And you cannot find whether the pcv is working fine or has issue. Do ensure the FASS you visit has stock and get in replaced. Else ask them to order the part and go once it arrives.

Also the hoses from and to the pcv needs to be checked for cracks. They too can cause the oil fume out.

[harryms]

A-Ha it was located on back side of engine, i tried to find it on the sides of the engine. I am ordering the part from 99 rpm and changing it in a trusted garage in tvm. Where you able to use the collar (the ring clamp) once removed. Or you installed new collar. The collar is very expensive, for the two collar for the U shaped sleeve is 870. I think its over priced. Let me know your experience. I am waiting for your reply to order the items.

[h14]

Originally Posted by harryms

A-Ha it was located on back side of engine, i tried to find it on the sides of the engine. I am ordering the part from 99 rpm and changing it in a trusted garage in tvm. Where you able to use the collar (the ring clamp) once removed. Or you installed new collar. The collar is very expensive, for the two collar for the U shaped sleeve is 870. I think its over priced. Let me know your experience. I am waiting for your reply to order the items.

I did not change the collar. Only the PCV and the small hose (sleeve) was changed as it had a crack. More than over priced I suspect that as an error on the site.

[h14]

Car completes 6 years as of today! The ownership has been wonderful. The Odo now stands at 1,03,576.

Last saturday (Feb 11) got the much needed suspension works done. Pradeep and DRIV3R helped once again to source the struts from Dhanam (Coimbatore) and bring it so True Sai Salem while I drove down directly to Salem from Bangalore. I got the Sona Koyo struts.

Decided to change all 4 mounts as well. But was also forced to getonto high gc due to the goofup by the Dhanam folks. Inspite of repeated confirmations they gave us the high gc struts. So decided to take the plunge into high gc as anyways I know I can be happy with the increased gc in Bangalore.

Moreover I was not too keen on changing the parts by getting back to Coimbatore from Salem due to want of time and the uncertainity of the part availability.

So the additional expense was on the change the rear coil springs had to be incurred for the taller shock absorbers.

Work was done neat and fast in the usual true sai manner and post a TD got the alignment done.

The rear left already had uneven wear which appraently was not fixed from the last alignment done here, so had then re-check that as well and just rotated the RL to RR and so need to keep tab on the tyre wear.

Post change, the ride is nice and comfy and at the same time stiff too. Do not feel any negatives as yet and things to watch out now are the life these after market struts offer.

Front Struts



Rear shocks old & new with height difference


Front struts mounted to the spring


Wick


Wick mounted on the rear shocks


Rear Coil Spring


Rear elastic pads


Rear elactic pads/mounts


Front elastic pads


Load testing. 3 people on board the rear seat


The stance un-laden


The Bill







Current pictures of the interiors. Sorry for the average quality as I had clicked from the basement.

The seats and the factory upholstry remains as good as new. And no I have never been able to break the height adjustment level like many


These floor mats too are 6yrs old now and here too unlike many, I have not been able to tear it!


The steering leather stands firm and no traces of any fading or the stitches coming apart


The dashboard plastic can last forever and absolutely zero rattles.

[harryms]

Originally Posted by h14

I did not change the collar. Only the PCV and the small hose (sleeve) was changed as it had a crack. More than over priced I suspect that as an error on the site.

Some questions in my mind. The issue of oil consumption started only after i changed to delvac 1. Is this the same case with you. After changing the oil separator which oil are you using now. I am still waiting for the parts to arrive.

[h14]

Originally Posted by harryms

Some questions in my mind. The issue of oil consumption started only after i changed to delvac 1. Is this the same case with you. After changing the oil separator which oil are you using now. I am still waiting for the parts to arrive.

I had the issue with Selena only. Delvac1 could reduce by 100ml per 1000kms which is normal. So don't worry unless its more.

[Ryuu]

That's great running car you have there!

Just a couple of questions from a fellow FIAT owner:

1. I'm facing the oil consumption problem in my relatively new Punto Evo (23k). The oil had dipped to 1/4 level in 9k kms of run from full since the last service. I had to get it topped up. Like another gentleman here, there were no signs of leakage/loss in power/mileage drop/smoke etc. Sounds dumb, what is relative measurement of 100 ml on the oil stick? after the topup, I did another 8k and the oil has reduced by say a centimeter. The stick measures oil just above the half mark. Have to get it checked.

2. I noticed that you have a floor covered with black sheet (The same which I have). How do you make the mats stick to the sheet?