Team-BHP - Maintaining an Ambassador in South Goa

Maintaining an Ambassador in South Goa-img_20250208_145134.jpg

Maintaining an Ambassador in South Goa-img_20250202_154907.jpg

It's been now more than a month that I use it on an everyday basis only around Canacona, on local roads.
The car isn't 100% fixed but it runs really well. The main issue is that the oil temperature gauge isn't working properly. It shows either 0 (cold) or 100 (max hot). We changed the gauge sensor but still, the same is happening. Of course, I'm afraid to run with an overheating engine. Now, we cleaned the radiator, the fan is working properly and that gauge doesn't make sense (even if the engine stopped for 1 hour or so, when we start again, it will still show maximum hotness).
Any idea what it could be?

Also, most importantly, any leads for parts to order online? or where to go in Bangalore for Ambassador parts (I'm visiting the city next week)? JC road? which shop(s)?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by scalino (Post 5925881)

Hi all,

I'm the proud owner of an Ambassador (from 2002 - a 2000 DSZ Classic) that I acquired second hand in Bangalore in 2012.
After relocating in Goa, we faced a big challenge to keep our Amby alived.
Afraid of the heavy monsoon here, we lended it to a friend for that period (we go back to France during the monsoon, we're from there) and, unfortunately, our engine oil was leaking and she drove without oil.
The engine seized.
As we're in deep South Goa (Canacona), the mechanics options are limited... It took us 2 years to finally get it running again. But our Amby is now back on the road!
Attachment 2725692
Attachment 2725693

It's been now more than a month that I use it on an everyday basis only around Canacona, on local roads.
The car isn't 100% fixed but it runs really well. The main issue is that the oil temperature gauge isn't working properly. It shows either 0 (cold) or 100 (max hot). We changed the gauge sensor but still, the same is happening. Of course, I'm afraid to run with an overheating engine. Now, we cleaned the radiator, the fan is working properly and that gauge doesn't make sense (even if the engine stopped for 1 hour or so, when we start again, it will still show maximum hotness).
Any idea what it could be?

Also, most importantly, any leads for parts to order online? or where to go in Bangalore for Ambassador parts (I'm visiting the city next week)? JC road? which shop(s)?

Thanks

Hey. Congratulations on the buy, Ambassadors are rare to see in Goa. I might be able to help you source parts if you give me the list of parts you need.

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I was thinking of Kolkata because of the ubiquitous Amby there (even if even there, they are sadly slowly disappearing). Now, I don't know anybody in Kolkata! If you have a Whatsapp contact of those dealers? Nobody is selling online?

Also, it's not a new car for me, I've been having it for 10 years now, it's just that it was dead for the past 2 years but now it's back on the road!

One more question. What about the 20 years limit? is there a way to register the car later as a "collection" one or something like that?

Thanks for your help!

Quote:

Originally Posted by scalino (Post 5928689)

I am from Kolkata, although I spend the Christmas and new year in Goa every year and I can help you get stuff as earlier stated. You can opt to get it re-registered in Goa and the age limit for cars only applies to NCR region and not elsewhere for private cars, but you would need to get registration renewed after 15 years from the date of original registration. Hope this helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelspinner (Post 5926967)

You can find very cheap spares around Mullick bazar area in Kolkata because all the yellow ambassadors in Kolkata source spares from there. If you have a friend up there, he can help.

Unfortunately Ambassador spares are not cheap now, with the yellow cabs completing 15 years and going for scrap there is unfortunately not much demand and most manufacturers have stopped producing, so we have to rely on mostly old stock.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyhindusthan (Post 5928734)

That's true. Everything in Mullick bazaar is overpriced. But I think Amby parts should now be less in demand due to the 15 yr scrappage rule.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelspinner (Post 5928791)

That's true. Everything in Mullick bazaar is overpriced. But I think Amby parts should now be less in demand due to the 15 yr scrappage rule.

There are still Ambassadors plying around, both private and commercial and with productions stopping demand is bound to rise for the remaining cars.

My issue that for now, I need to find a good mechanic who can tell me which parts we should actually replace. And I can't find one in South Goa, Canacona. I'm going to try my luck in Margao or Karwar which are the two biggest towns nearby but I would prefer to go there with a contact. If anybody knows a mechanic who can deal with Ambassador there?
Also, yesterday, I had some water flushing out of my radiator while driving. What can be the reason for that? overheating? radiator is blocked?
Thanks.