[svsantosh]

Here goes,

---Bangalore, Electronic City, some time in april-07, around 7PM---

After a long day at work, me and my office buddy hopped onto my Alto along with one friend of his who was in a hurry to run home. We turned on the NICE road and hoped to enter city from Bannerghata Road. To keep ourselves occupied we started old experiences on bikes (school/college days) and all of us somehow kept touching up and ending on break downs, punctures and accidents.

Towards the end of the 1st NICE strech, we felt a huge amount of HEAT inside the passenger cabin and the car sputtered to a stop. All of us kept staring at each other. We had another 4-5Kms of Kuccha roads Off NICE to reach main road.

Kept cursing ourselves, started the car, would go for a few kms, would stall again, make strange noise'es inside the engine, stop again and at last reached the main road. Decided to park it there, took a Rik and freshed up at home and got a mechanic team back to the place.

Turned out to be a broken coolant hose, and we were running on a AIR-COOLED !!! ALTO. Mech promised me at least a 10K job to work on the Engine Head. My Luck - There was no permanent damage, did no major repairs and till date rocking.

PS - It was a very funny and good learning experience.

Reason - LPG Solenoid Valve Plumbing was a cut-copy-paste from existing coolant lines, So one of the paste" jobs conked off - leaking all the coolant fluid out!!!

[prabuddhadg]

I am into preventive maintenance, so if I sense something going wrong, I take my car to the service centre. So, nothing major for me.

Once I was driving down the Western Highway in my 800 and it was pouring. Even the highest speed of the wiper was proving inadequate. The noise of the rain pounding on the roof was making it difficult to hear either the engine, or the other vehicles or even the music in the car. It was twilight and visibility was low.

And then, my wipers just stopped still splayed across my windshield. Only I know how I managed to reach home that day. Water flowed over the windshield like a thick layer and I had to peer with my head close to it, and driving on the third gear all through.

On my 800 and on my Petra, I have never been stranded with a breakdown. Once my father had quite an experience with his Morris 8. He was driving down Dhakuria bridge in Calcutta, with evening traffic quite dense. And his front left wheel simply broke off from the nuts and rolled off on its own. We still don't know how it had happened. All the nuts were still in place, but a small jagged circle from the wheel remained with each nut. Perhaps the metal of the rims had weakened, this being a 1948 car, but the same wheel was rebuilt and it performed fine from then on.

[sumeethaldankar]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Gypsy: 1994-2002: 55000 kms.
No breakdowns.
Maruti WagonR: 2002-2007: 35000 kms.
No breakdowns.
Scorpio CRDe 4WD: 2006-present: 13000 kms.
No breakdowns.
Maruti WagonR: 2007-present: 7000 kms.
No breakdowns.
...end of boring report....

Hmmm Anup you seem to have a trouble free run with your cars.Would you like to share how you keep your cars maintained.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

Hmmm Anup you seem to have a trouble free run with your cars.Would you like to share how you keep your cars maintained.

Past the first few 'necessary' services, to retain warranty, I do not ever take my cars to the Authorized stations.
Never leave your car with them. Get everything done in your presence and drive away.
And anyway, I'm an engineer myself. I listen to machinery. I believe machinery TALKS to you!
Listen, and it will never let you down.
Got by with this (corny?) philosophy so far! There not very much more to go; I'm 56.
Somewhere, in all of this, God also has a role! At least I thank him regularly, so He better be doing something!

[sumeethaldankar]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Past the first few 'necessary' services, to retain warranty, I do not ever take my cars to the Authorized stations.
Never leave your car with them. Get everything done in your presence and drive away.

Hey that's true man,I mean there have been a couple of occassions where
servicing my 800 from MASS did not yield expected results.One would expect a trouble free running atfter a full tune up and service from a ***
but on the contrary both times the car developed problems after reaching home from the service station and i had to run again to my local garage to fix the problem.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

both times the car developed problems after reaching home from the service station and i had to run again to my local garage to fix the problem.

That is exactly what I'm saying. The less you let anyone finger your car the more reliable it will remain. There are far too many 'experts' lurking everywhere and I mistrust them all. Keep your car stock, read the book and do (or get done) what is required.
I have never gone in for mods or after market accessories; no HIDs, no K&N filters, no FFEs, no tyres beyond maker's recommended size.
And I hate to have the wiring in my car touched.

Before setting out on a trip, I take my car to the friendly neighbourhood service station and put it up on a ramp (or hyd. lift) and get the undercarriage nuts/bolts checked. I tip them, say thank you and drive away.

All this is, of course, my personal perspective, because of my requirements - I am a mountain lover, a tourer/traveller, NOT a ripper!

[lancer_rit]

No breakdowns in my Lancer over 50k and 5 years.
Closest I came was a brake problem with vibration and scraping sound when driving back from Goa to BLR. It seems the brake pads needed to be replaced but the workshop guys did not do it since they thought it will last 1k-2k km more. Well, by the time I was back, I had driven 2.3k km, and exposed the car to salt winds/water (which may have accelerated the wear and tear over 10 days), I had to drive some 350km w/ brake vibration and scraping noise. It was Id, and no mechanics to be found on the way either. Glad the Lancer's build and quality parts held up and the brakes worked all through.

[LLL]

Santro (2003)

Around 50k kms and no breakdowns except 2 punctures and a drained battery before yesterday. Had my first major breakdown yesterday.

Was driving to jaipur, complete family in tow, AC at full speed and was doing 120 on the highway. Approx 140 kms from Delhi & bang in the middle of nowhere, the engine refuses to pick up load. Seems as if clutch had disengaged completely.
I somehow manouvered the car to the shoulder, checked all the coolants and everything was filled to the top. checked the engine temp and it was hot. Surprisingly, the engine meter inside was showing normal temp. Waited for 20 mins and the car started..drove slowly to the next mechanic and he checked everything..and said probably car overheated and nothing was wrong.

This morning, i drove back from jaipur to delhi without any issues. So i guess was that the car overheated. Any clues why it would happen when coolant was full?

[Jr Godzilla]

Originally Posted by LLL

Santro (2003)

Around 50k kms and no breakdowns except 2 punctures and a drained battery before yesterday. Had my first major breakdown yesterday.

Was driving to jaipur, complete family in tow, AC at full speed and was doing 120 on the highway. Approx 140 kms from Delhi & bang in the middle of nowhere, the engine refuses to pick up load. Seems as if clutch had disengaged completely.
I somehow manouvered the car to the shoulder, checked all the coolants and everything was filled to the top. checked the engine temp and it was hot. Surprisingly, the engine meter inside was showing normal temp. Waited for 20 mins and the car started..drove slowly to the next mechanic and he checked everything..and said probably car overheated and nothing was wrong.

This morning, i drove back from jaipur to delhi without any issues. So i guess was that the car overheated. Any clues why it would happen when coolant was full?

cant see much but next time if it happens turn off AC run down all windows and select the heater switch to max and check to see if temperature drops and speed is gained. Could mostly be a cooling issue, too bent a hose restricting flow, check your coolant levels normally you should not need to top up in 7 days just 1 or ½ glass is ok.

i guess the thermostat needs to be replaced to get proper reading on gauge.

[rkbharat]

Two breakdown in the 98000KM run of Indica, both of my mistake. First happened in 2nd week ownership while I was driving Delhi Noida freeway with full AC and Music and failed to realize that I am low on fuel. And worst happened. Went total draught. Luckily it happened near toll gates so bridge team gave 2 liter of diesel to reach to next pump.

Second happened few months back when I parked my car waiting for my wife to pickup, kept the fan and Music system on, and I was running on 4 year old battery. Battery drained and no crank. Had to call pathetic Crossroads service van for jump start.

Besides these two, no other breakdown.

On my 800, had a minor breakdown this sunday. To service the portable generator, mechanic asked for some fresh petrol and I asked him to take it from my 800. This fool took it from filter near the tank after removing the pipe. That developed an air lock inside.

Next hour I went out in my 800 to market and in the middle it stalled. I realized the reason immediately. Pulled it to side and sucked the air out from fuel pipe (with some petrol in my mouth ).
Car started in one crank.

[Jr Godzilla]

i have a nissan altima 1990 its done a million and now odo is at 216K kms.
none major problems but some problems in the last 6 yrs of use.

1) This engine has a temperature sender connected to gauge and the temperature is just at the first point of needle say 1% even after a full day run, with AC it gets to a little high say 20% of max heating. just a couple of weeks back as I was driving with AC On I heard a slight explosion which I thought could be due running over a Paper Juice Box (frooti kinda) after sometime i heard a lot of hissing sound from outside coming into cabin. Switched of AC, downed window hissing still there and more pronounced - I drove for about 500 mtrs and by chance i happened to see the Temperature gauge. Wooaaa the gauge is at 70%. Immediately parked to side. kept in idle for 10 seconds turned off. Opened Hood, lot of hissing still and noted its coming from intake manifold carb area, with precaution opened the air cleaner and the hiss was from carb. with care after 5 mins opened the radiator cap its EMPTY let it cool for 20 mins and (as usual i carry a 5ltr can of distilled water in the trunk) ""DONT USE COLD WATER"" topped up radiator. started engine to see for any leaks. NONE. but as this problem had surfaced before on a Heater hose new what to do. Just throttled it and then the leak could be seen it was the bypass hose connecting inlet manifold to block. it was at a tricky positing too. again lucky had waterproof Duct tape. taped it and on low throttle got to the agency and purchased hose, checked with him if my Head gasket could get fried. He mentioned that if it temp would hit 90% then maybe but to observe for next few days for any coolant loss. None. saved my engine rebuild.

2) Dieseling - I had this problem recently after switching off the engine would turn over for a couple of seconds making scary sounds before getting off. The problem was found to be a anti-dieseling solenoid which has got stuck. As the part is not available the easy option to shut off is to get it in 2nd and dump the clutch.

3) Engine mounting Left side - resulted in jerks, engine shudder on accelerating and downshifting. by the time I had got the problem diagnoised I had damaged the exhaust with a broken hangar at second muffler and a 60% break at the rear muffler all welded and its a dream now.

4) Excess oil filled at time of oil change resulting in black smoke on start, got it reduced and problem resolved.

5) this was a DIY The stalk switch for high low beam turn signal had a connectivity problem at the copper plates inside the stalk, the plate had lost its springiness and would make contact after turning off lights thereby switching them ON in off position. Took about 2hours to resolve. cleaning wd40, greasing and refix. Now its 2 yrs and working fine.

6) Power Steering Hose - DIY. the high pressure hose was showing a sign of leak at the pump side. Immediately got a HIGH pressure Hose clamp and clamped on the Hose fitting. Problem solved leak arrested.

7) had this strnage handling problem of finding the car swaying side to side like a boat at low speed 5to 10kmph above 10kmph no problem and above 90+ speeds the steering would vibrate and shake. Wheel alignment done and the problem still existed. a week later when the tyre dude was filling air i mentioned to him of problem he checked and found the rear right side tyre face had a slight bend (tyre lost shape). replaced tyre and solved.

8) Timing belt changed recently after fix when i checked to inspect found the mechanic installed belt in wrong direction of Travel Arrow marks , rectified.

I simply admire Japanese engineers who have made this and many other engines as they are near to maintaenence free. Just the oil / filter change. occassional bulb changes.

BTW i too have never fiddled with the electricals or adding some ICE as its a old machine and the electricals may give way and the main deterrent is the cost of LABOUR. Happy to see people appreciate the engine cleanliness and the well mainatined look when i visit the garage and when they know its 1990 ummmmm!!!!!

[anupmathur]

That's quite a report! Amazing.
They don't make 'em like that anymore!



You don't really mean this, do you?!!

Originally Posted by Jr Godzilla

i have a nissan altima 1990 its done a million and now odo is at 216K kms.

[Jr Godzilla]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

That's quite a report! Amazing.
They don't make 'em like that anymore!
You don't really mean this, do you?!!

YES +VE
1,216,4hundredish. the car is so road worthy it passes the annual registration first shot.
the only downside is the FE 7kmpl city (although it does not matter in Gulf).
And I have started to maintain a log of all replacements done.
At times I think of getting the Engine back to india someday and lay it in a Conti.(dream)

[sumeethaldankar]

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

M-800 97
1)The car refused to start-- Battery had died because of Autocop fitting.
2)Brake Failure in building compound as the girling had developed a leak and all
the brake oil had seeped out.
Looking for such posts from fellow readers.

Hi,
i can add another to my list of breakdown to my m800.The car's fuel filter was not installed properly after i had given the car for a tune up job at a local garage.As a result i was driving around with a leaking fuel filter.Had gone to a Mall at Goregaon, car ran fine till there.When we leaving home the car ran upto a 100 meters or so and just died.It wouln't start at all.
Luckily , a mechanic was neary by who helped us diagnose the problem.
The fuel filter was not installed properly and hence the car was not recieving fuel inspite of petrol being in the tank.
I was driving the car with a fuel leak and all the time the car was parked in the building compound for a week.I guess we couldn't figure it out as
the fuel was leaking only when the car was driven and not stationery.

Though i have yet to give it a thorough check with my local mechanic,i am hoping that is no more further leaks.
I think i lost around 400 bucks of fuel.
Funny i kept saying to myslef all the time last week that how come the fuel tank was not indicating the proper amount fuel after a fill up.

[anantnehru]

Siena 1.6
1. On the DND going to college one winter morning, car cuts out at 130kmph on one of the bends and doesnt start again. I take it to the side without braking for the fear of being rear ended. Turns out timing belt had broken and had to be replaced.
2. Had an accident which required the car to undergo extensive repairs and was driving back, had a feeling the AC was quitting on me but ignored it. Reaching home, car started smoking badly and temp guage was higher than the max limit. Turned out that the fan had stopped working and had to have that replaced.
3. Driving back home one night, car started overheating again really badly. Got out let it cool down, and had a Scorpio escort car all the way home - courtesy my brother. Turning into colony, started smoking from ALL over the place. Stopped and called CrossRoads they opened the coolant "thingie" and it came flying out like a fountain. Had run low on coolant without realising it.

Sx4
1. Had driven to Gwalior recently, and the engine started "missing"; and stalled everytime I clutched - a bit disconcerting on the highway. Went to Maruti, turned out there was some muck which was cleaned out - cost all of Rs.170.

Now for the icing on the cake:
My brothers Scorpio conked out once, but the way it happened was really funny. This was while he was entering the colony again.
His foot was off the accelerator but the engine kept revving to the max. He took out the keys and stood at the other side of the road, WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING ALL THE WAY. There was black smoke spewing out of the exhaust and due to excessive noise, the cops from a nearby check post came running, and when my brother showed them that he had the keys in his hand they went running back. Eventually it stopped.
What had happened was that (I'm too clear on the details) the "rocker arm" had bent and hit the oil pump. The oil pump took in air causing the engine to rev the way it was. This was determined by a Mahindra engineer who was flown in from Bombay.
The mechanic at the workshop's diagnosis was that : "Sir, yeh tho bahut ishtrange hai, lagta hai aapki gaadi possessh ho gayi hai"

Well, those are my stories for now!