Breakdowns you have had with your car.

sumeethaldankar · 7th May 2008, 12:52

Hi guys,
i was thinking of starting a thread wherein you could list/describe any breakdowns and the reason for the breakdown you have had with your car.This might help us in preventive maintenance of your car,identify key areas of problems and help in taking precautions while owning and maintaining a car.
Below are my set of breakdowns that i have experienced with my cars.
Mods please feel free to modify/close thread if needed.
P Padmini (1984)
1)Broken Water Pump Hose due to fitting of a oversized cooling fan.The fan specs was that for a A/C PP and it tore up the water hose.
2)Radiator Overheating(Was not cleaned for ages)
3) Gear Box failure-All except the 3 rd gear was functioning.The Clutch got burned out trying to start the car in 3 rd gear uphill.The culprit-- no oil
in the transmission case.
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.

7th May 2008, 15:50

broken clutch cable M800
snapped fan belt MM540(fixed in 5 mins by substituting with scavenged piece of nylon from roadside

)
Dead battery at 3yrs after purchase(Exide)-Accent CRDI

love this thread!

kpzen · 7th May 2008, 15:56

My zen just shuts off in 4th gear @ 50kmph and refuses to start..

Tried everything and later came to know Autocop Central locking was the culprit..!!!

nkapoor777 · 7th May 2008, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpzen

My zen just shuts off in 4th gear @ 50kmph and refuses to start..

Tried everything and later came to know Autocop Central locking was the culprit..!!!

What was that all about? I am curious to know more.

Dead battery after 3 years of purchase (Wagon R).

AkMar · 7th May 2008, 16:03

M-800: No major breakdown in seven years except two punctures!!

A rat once ate a portion of the fuel pipe going to the engine from the tank. That was the only problem encountered. But you cannot call it a breakdown.

spadival · 7th May 2008, 16:04

One interesting breakdown with our family's old Maruti Omni. This happened several years ago. We had gone to a function and while starting back, the engine just wouldnt start. A mechanic who was summoned wisely proclaimed that the battery must have gone dead. Off he went, lifted up the back seat and peering inside the battery compartment.. all he could see was a nice hole on the floor where the battery was supposed to be.. LOL.. The battery compartment had rusted thru and the battery had fallen off on the way without any of us noticing !!

asr245 · 7th May 2008, 16:08

2006 WagonR: it was not a real break down. While manouvring the various pot-holes on the D'dun highway (before they re-laid the surface) a pebble entered the gap between the disc brakes. And it made noise like hell. People at a petrol pump where I stopped were suspecting, from the noise it was making, that one of the ball-bearings might have broken up inside.

amtak · 7th May 2008, 16:12

Only 2. Had to push start my MPFi Zen as the battery had dried (3 years and 35,000 KMS) and once when the clutch cable broke at about 38,000 KMs.

anupmathur · 7th May 2008, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by spadival

One interesting breakdown with our family's old Maruti Omni.
The battery compartment had rusted thru and the battery had fallen off on the way without any of us noticing !!

That's not a breakdown, that's a breakthrough!

smack_himanshu · 7th May 2008, 16:28

My Corsa suddenly stopped near by Metropolitan Mall, Gurgaon.
Called the cross road helpline and waited for around 2 hours.
Finally the cross road person came,checked and said "Timing belt gayi iski."
Had to tow my car from gurgaon to my place and that crane wala took Rs.1700.
Had to agree for that amount as one police wala was after life that if i dont move my car he'd fine me as his so called sahab was coming on that route.

Firebird · 7th May 2008, 16:37

Matiz SG - Fuel Pump gave up at 43K, replaced by used car dealer free of cost

Palio 1.6 - Accelerator cable broke at 13K

asr245 · 7th May 2008, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by spadival

One interesting breakdown with our family's old Maruti Omni. This happened several years ago. We had gone to a function and while starting back, the engine just wouldnt start. A mechanic who was summoned wisely proclaimed that the battery must have gone dead. Off he went, lifted up the back seat and peering inside the battery compartment.. all he could see was a nice hole on the floor where the battery was supposed to be.. LOL.. The battery compartment had rusted thru and the battery had fallen off on the way without any of us noticing !!

LOL... That has got to be the most original & interesting breakdown ever!

GTO · 7th May 2008, 18:22

Great idea for a thread! Here is my list:

The best reliability:

1. Esteem : Next to none in 1.5+ lakh kms.

2. OHC Vtec : None in near 60,000 kms. It conked off once in my building, but that was due to a failed fuel pump, caused by my brother running the tank dry.

3. Mitsubishi Lancer : None in 1.0 lakh kms, after which she was sold.

4. Jeep (Diesel Engine) : Only 2 - 3 breakdowns in 1.4x lac kms, due to clutch cable failure, fan belt failure and radiator burst. There was one more when the alternator dropped off because the nut was tightened properly after service

.

5. MBenz C220 CDI : None till date. Covered 45,000 kms.

6. Premier 137D : Surprised? So was I. That engine was basic and crude, but unbelievably reliable. Ran for over 1.5 kms with hardly any breakdowns, after which she was sold. Simplicity rocks!

The Worst Reliability:

1. MBenz C180 : Too many to list (breakdowns and problems). Electronics, engine, suspension, air-con...you name it. Car given back to MBenz India after about 35,000 kms.

2. Jeep Petrol : Too many to list. I abandoned my hopes on the petrol engine after 6 months of use. It is currently being transplanted with a brand new original Mahindra 2.5 XD3P diesel.

3. Premier 118NE : Too many to list. Worst car ever owned in my family.

tsk1979 · 7th May 2008, 18:27

Tata Indica 2002 : 1 Breakdown as alternator fried. Got stranded on NH1 in a lonely area at night. Pushed the car over 200mts to a dhaba and then had to get it towed to Noida.
Got a new alternator next day.
Have a thread titled breakdown in this section.
People who do highway driving should never watch the movie breakdown

7th May 2008, 18:31

I'd like to say
Best Reliability
M800- we owned 12 of them over the years since I was in school, all the way upto when I was in professional college.

all of the ran close to/ over 1 lakh km before being sold.

the only breakdown was the clutch cable breaking in my last one in college.

or was my family just plain lucky going through 12 M800s and suffering only 1 breakdown?

7th May 2008, 12:52	#1
sumeethaldankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,936 Thanked: 3,312 Times View My Garage	Breakdowns you have had with your car. Hi guys, i was thinking of starting a thread wherein you could list/describe any breakdowns and the reason for the breakdown you have had with your car.This might help us in preventive maintenance of your car,identify key areas of problems and help in taking precautions while owning and maintaining a car. Below are my set of breakdowns that i have experienced with my cars. Mods please feel free to modify/close thread if needed. P Padmini (1984) 1)Broken Water Pump Hose due to fitting of a oversized cooling fan.The fan specs was that for a A/C PP and it tore up the water hose. 2)Radiator Overheating(Was not cleaned for ages) 3) Gear Box failure-All except the 3 rd gear was functioning.The Clutch got burned out trying to start the car in 3 rd gear uphill.The culprit-- no oil in the transmission case. 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.
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 15:50	#2
rippergeo Posts: n/a	broken clutch cable M800 snapped fan belt MM540(fixed in 5 mins by substituting with scavenged piece of nylon from roadside) Dead battery at 3yrs after purchase(Exide)-Accent CRDI love this thread!
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 15:56	#3
kpzen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Faridabad Posts: 5,610 Thanked: 1,876 Times View My Garage	My zen just shuts off in 4th gear @ 50kmph and refuses to start.. Tried everything and later came to know Autocop Central locking was the culprit..!!!
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 16:03	#5
AkMar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,183 Thanked: 2,604 Times	M-800: No major breakdown in seven years except two punctures!! A rat once ate a portion of the fuel pipe going to the engine from the tank. That was the only problem encountered. But you cannot call it a breakdown.
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 16:04	#6
spadival Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne, AU Posts: 1,773 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	One interesting breakdown with our family's old Maruti Omni. This happened several years ago. We had gone to a function and while starting back, the engine just wouldnt start. A mechanic who was summoned wisely proclaimed that the battery must have gone dead. Off he went, lifted up the back seat and peering inside the battery compartment.. all he could see was a nice hole on the floor where the battery was supposed to be.. LOL.. The battery compartment had rusted thru and the battery had fallen off on the way without any of us noticing !!
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 16:08	#7
asr245 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,162 Thanked: 389 Times	2006 WagonR: it was not a real break down. While manouvring the various pot-holes on the D'dun highway (before they re-laid the surface) a pebble entered the gap between the disc brakes. And it made noise like hell. People at a petrol pump where I stopped were suspecting, from the noise it was making, that one of the ball-bearings might have broken up inside.
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 16:12	#8
amtak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai - The city of Sea Link!!! Posts: 2,915 Thanked: 899 Times View My Garage	Only 2. Had to push start my MPFi Zen as the battery had dried (3 years and 35,000 KMS) and once when the clutch cable broke at about 38,000 KMs.
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 16:28	#10
smack_himanshu BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 91 Thanked: 9 Times	My Corsa suddenly stopped near by Metropolitan Mall, Gurgaon. Called the cross road helpline and waited for around 2 hours. Finally the cross road person came,checked and said "Timing belt gayi iski." Had to tow my car from gurgaon to my place and that crane wala took Rs.1700. Had to agree for that amount as one police wala was after life that if i dont move my car he'd fine me as his so called sahab was coming on that route.
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 16:37	#11
Firebird BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai / EC1M 3NH Posts: 470 Thanked: 65 Times View My Garage	Matiz SG - Fuel Pump gave up at 43K, replaced by used car dealer free of cost Palio 1.6 - Accelerator cable broke at 13K
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 18:22	#13
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,673 Times View My Garage	Great idea for a thread! Here is my list: The best reliability: 1. Esteem : Next to none in 1.5+ lakh kms. 2. OHC Vtec : None in near 60,000 kms. It conked off once in my building, but that was due to a failed fuel pump, caused by my brother running the tank dry. 3. Mitsubishi Lancer : None in 1.0 lakh kms, after which she was sold. 4. Jeep (Diesel Engine) : Only 2 - 3 breakdowns in 1.4x lac kms, due to clutch cable failure, fan belt failure and radiator burst. There was one more when the alternator dropped off because the nut was tightened properly after service . 5. MBenz C220 CDI : None till date. Covered 45,000 kms. 6. Premier 137D : Surprised? So was I. That engine was basic and crude, but unbelievably reliable. Ran for over 1.5 kms with hardly any breakdowns, after which she was sold. Simplicity rocks! The Worst Reliability: 1. MBenz C180 : Too many to list (breakdowns and problems). Electronics, engine, suspension, air-con...you name it. Car given back to MBenz India after about 35,000 kms. 2. Jeep Petrol : Too many to list. I abandoned my hopes on the petrol engine after 6 months of use. It is currently being transplanted with a brand new original Mahindra 2.5 XD3P diesel. 3. Premier 118NE : Too many to list. Worst car ever owned in my family.
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 18:27	#14
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Tata Indica 2002 : 1 Breakdown as alternator fried. Got stranded on NH1 in a lonely area at night. Pushed the car over 200mts to a dhaba and then had to get it towed to Noida. Got a new alternator next day. Have a thread titled breakdown in this section. People who do highway driving should never watch the movie breakdown
	() Thanks

7th May 2008, 18:31	#15
rippergeo Posts: n/a	I'd like to say Best Reliability M800- we owned 12 of them over the years since I was in school, all the way upto when I was in professional college. all of the ran close to/ over 1 lakh km before being sold. the only breakdown was the clutch cable breaking in my last one in college. or was my family just plain lucky going through 12 M800s and suffering only 1 breakdown?
	() Thanks