[satanic_dude]

Originally Posted by varadha_r

After 65 days of repair, my linea -tjet is almost back into shape..

..So, I am sharing the PDI I did myself and am hoping for inputs from others

Hi Varadha,

Thanks a tonne for sharing this exhaustive checklist with us. It would indeed help many people, as it is easy to overlook many aspects after an extensive repair. You may add these points:

13. Check for all key and lock mechanisms. These intricate parts may have got clogged. Maruti has marked this under 'check and replace' for my Alto.

14. Check seat belt mechanisms, to see if the spring and return action are working fine. However, would be advisable to replace these for safety reasons. Maruti has marked this for replacement.

Will share more if I can recall.


Was roaming around in ABT Guindy MASS on Saturday while waiting for my F8 Alto's delivery after periodic service. It was great to see many 'A' category cars fitted with brand new headlight assemblies and meter consoles! I'm guessing Maruti has probably got the most number of fully submerged 'A'cars getting repaired, as opposed to totaled. Many such cars parked there were either nearing completion or awaiting a couple of parts. A printout detailing the status was pasted on each car's windshield.


I visited Maruti MSM late last evening, after driving for nearly an hour in the busy peak hour traffic. The SA, manager, and other staff were still there at 8.30 PM. The friendly SA patiently calculated the cost breakup of plastic / metal parts, insurance depreciation, Maruti's discounts, etc., to arrive at an approximate figure. My share of the expenses may not exceed ₹45000. I am hoping this reduces further, as this is only a rough estimate. I paid ₹10000 advance. The SA and the manager reassured me about the repairs and estimated time. I may get the car within a month. I felt really good about the extent to which Maruti / MSM is willing to go, to retain customer loyalty. Kudos to them. In a very difficult and stressful time, they are holding themselves together pretty well. I hope it stays this way throughout.

I am just hoping that my K10 is back on the road soon, with renewed vigour!

Peace.

Regards,
Abhishek.

[prithm]

Just my thoughts, if possible,

1. underbody should be checked for any advanced corrosion due to prolonged sewage and marine water contact. This has huge potential to eat away floor panels without any warning.
2. Rear seat and backrests should be checked for fungal growth.
3. Tail lights mounts / boots and exhaust pipes should be checked for corrosion.
4. Steering column mechanism should be checked and rechecked if possible replaced with brand new to avoid potential life and limb risk.

Feeling so sorry for fellow TeamBHPians who are fighting until this day to get their cars back to life. I also equally appreciate all manufacturer's contribution to help owners the best that they could.

[varadha_r]

Finally got my back my t-jet in good shape at a cost of Rs. 3.66 lakhs. Was a win win as otherwise it would have been a total loss for about Rs. 6.2 lakhs. mechanically, its in a fabulous shape - engine feels terrific, injectors have been cleaned.

However, electrical niggles and interiors are issues that one has to be prepared for - was surprised to find fungal inspection even on the room. So leather seats and roof line look an eye sore. plus the lingering smell of a godown equivalent inside the car - which should go away in a few days of driving.

one more point I wanted everyone to remember is that all the electrical connections would be reset and please get those re-set numbers for a smoother repair in the future - for eg., blue tooth, music system pin, ECU re-set code etc.
'
I now have to claim this amount from the insurance company and hopefully they give what's due.

as always drive safe - I dont honk at all and don't break any rules. It could be someone'se life at risk and that someone could be your own family member.

I see lots of team bhp cars driven rashly - honking, flashing lights incessantly. That's sad and in my books irresponsible and immature. request everyone to avoid it.

[RGK]

Originally Posted by prithm

Just my thoughts, if possible,
Steering column mechanism should be checked and rechecked if possible replaced with brand new to avoid potential life and limb risk.

Feeling so sorry for fellow TeamBHPians who are fighting until this day to get their cars back to life. I also equally appreciate all manufacturer's contribution to help owners the best that they could.

It is better to spray "WD40" or "Rust Off" on the vulnerable parts to prevent corrosion. One of the best method is to park the car in the ramp (or at a service station lift) and spray kerosene on the under chassis to avoid rusting.

Originally Posted by varadha_r

Finally got my back my t-jet in good shape at a cost of Rs. 3.66 lakhs. Was a win win as otherwise it would have been a total loss for about Rs. 6.2 lakhs. mechanically, its in a fabulous shape - engine feels terrific, injectors have been cleaned.

However, electrical niggles and interiors are issues that one has to be prepared for - was surprised to find fungal inspection even on the room. So leather seats and roof line look an eye sore. plus the lingering smell of a godown equivalent inside the car - which should go away in a few days of driving.

I see lots of team bhp cars driven rashly - honking, flashing lights incessantly. That's sad and in my books irresponsible and immature. request everyone to avoid it.

Congrats Varadha for getting back your car in good shape. It is a great feeling. Do drive 500 - 1000 kms within the city and see if there are any issues. I think if you cross 1000km without a niggle, then it is just normal.

Do an interior cleaning. One 3M guy is doing privately after the work hours and I got his contact number two days back. He seems to be good. If needed, pm me.

In Chennai, rash driving is the order of the day. The horrible part is 2 & 4 wheelers are seen plenty in the wrong direction now a days.

[prithm]

Originally Posted by RGK

It is better to spray "WD40" or "Rust Off" on the vulnerable parts to prevent corrosion. One of the best method is to park the car in the ramp (or at a service station lift) and spray kerosene on the under chassis to avoid rusting.

Post flooding I don't think these will be useful anymore. My thoughts were for post flood affected car.

Some one mentioned here in this thread that sewage water literally ate away the exposed metal parts and rust is everywhere.

In such cases kerosene and WD40 especially in underbody will be too less, too late. What is better in these cases is to use rust dissolvers and then a coat of underbody protection after scrapping off old coating.

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by RGK

One 3M guy is doing privately after the work hours and I got his contact number two days back. He seems to be good. If needed, pm me.

Please share his contact number in the thread if you can - it would greatly benefit those who aren't registered members here but are looking for information such as this.

Thanks!

[RGK]

Originally Posted by prithm

Post flooding I don't think these will be useful anymore. My thoughts were for post flood affected car.

Let me correct here. Immediately after the floods (just after 1 or 2 days), if the car was cleaned with kerosene or treated with wd40 kind of chemicals it would not have been affected. The delay in cleaning the car is the reason for corrosion.

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Please share his contact number in the thread if you can - it would greatly benefit those who aren't registered members here but are looking for information such as this.
Thanks!

Gannu, I had a talk with him just now and he is bit scared to share on a leading auto forum, but ready to do the work through personal references. I can PM to our members whenever required.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by RGK

he is bit scared to share on a leading auto forum ...

Yep. Keep off-the-record work off the record! I'm sure he needs to keep the day job too.

[varadha_r]

hi,

I have already done a 3M detailing - the issue is that the leather has been cleaned but fungus has left behind dark spots. I would like to get a beige polish for the same 0- any idea where one can get a beige polish for leather in chennai

Remember, its a polish 0 not a cleaner. I searched a few shops but could not find - found one in amazon US - birch beige leather cleaner but have a struggle in getting it back

anyone knows how to get such a product

[RGK]

For servicing of OEM audio of Ford, Volkswagen etc, please visit Mount electronics located at Big street, Triplicane. All ASC's send the audio there. One can directly approach and give for service even after the warranty period. The triplicane roads are narrow, so better plan between 11.30 and 4, if car has to be taken there for HU removal.

Coordinates:
Ph: 28410966 - Mr.Suresh.

[Visaster]

Finally, I am almost done.

My less than year Maruti CIAZ ZDI was flooded when parked in basement 3 about 35ft below ground level for a period of 21 days.

22th day: surveyor1 : Comes for inspection and photo.

23rd day: get a oral confirmation stating total loss and says no need to tow the vehicle but need repair estimate

25th day: ABT maruti forces me to pay Rs6000 to register the car

Everyone escapes for Christmas

27th day: I get a formatted excel from Maruti for an amount of 8.2 lakh

28th day: Surveyor1 not returned from leave

29th day: Allotted new surveyor

30th day: Hear my vehicle has be put for auction online

Everyone escapes for New years

33rd day: Surveyor2 not returned surveyor3 informs the present value is only 2.5Lakhs and they are waiting for better offer.

36th day: Still waiting for a call

Meanwhile removed the upgraded alloy and tyre replacing with used one.

41st day: Surveyor3 tells me they got a buyer for 4.1 lakh so They will pay the remaining and close the case and I have to consent.

42nd day: No news from buyer but surveyor forcing to close the deal. Something held me back from accepting without seeing the buyer

Everyone escapes for Pongal holidays

46th day: Get a call from Cartrade stating the car is sold and the buyer will contact, the try to do a conference call with the guy who
bought it through auction, but he refuses to speak. I knew it was a gone deal.

47th-49th day: No news from surveyor or Cartrade

50th day: Surveyor3 not returned allotted surveyor4

51th day: Surveyor4 clueless of the past quoting that I am delaying settlement and they are not able to go ahead. I put my foot down and said there is no chance I am going to settle for 50% unless I see a buyer for 4 lakhs. (confirmed I could not sell the car for that money to even a lunatic).
Every outside buyer I tried to take, by the time they reached basement2 they were in no mood to go till basement3, forget seeing the car. Words cant explain the ravaged area of the basement. (ex. dead dog stuck on the roof light suspender, fungus smell, Pitch darkness...)

52nd day: I somehow manage to call back cartrade on the old number they contacted, from that got the number of multiple people in a chain
and finally the guy incharge for my car. Who said he will get back to me in fifteen mins.

54th day: I get a final confirmation that the buyer is no where to be found.

55th day: I decided to head to the insurance company and bring the house down, by then got a personally connected with the manager there thankfully through a colleague.After 2 hours of waiting+negotiation I walk after signing the consent for a sale after getting it written stating I will get the total IDV. By the time I drive back home a new buyer was found and I had the direct contact number. He confirms that he will buy the scrapped car for the amount. I was shocked and happy.

56th day: Buyer states delay due to other car settlements.

57th day: Banks closed so DD cant be made, so buyer accept to come the day after (Guess republic day)

58th day: I rest

59th day: The buyer comes with the DD and realizes what he has got into walking down the ramp reaching the basement. Thankfully I had
got the car washed and it was shinning. He was convinced, paper signed and we part ways. (20K pending post NOC)

61st day: Car was finally towed out.

63rd day: Bank clears both the DD and Cheque. Loan closed.

64th day: Book a new car

67th day: Loan processing

69th day: Full payment after inspection.

73rd day: As I type I am waiting for the car to be registered and hopefully delivered this evening.


In this whole episode the surveyor3 was the crook and the first buyer was the culprit for delay in the process.

Being a doctor, I have not had to make so many calls in my whole life that I have made in the past 2 months.

I can safely say I can be an expert adviser for anyone flood affected after managing 5 of my damaged vehicles in different ways each.

[RGK]

Heard that Ford has started shipping some of the flooded vehicles to Kerala. I gave a suggestion to Ford during the 2nd week of December to transport to other ASC's as quickly as possible (Post No #286 in this thread). This is a good move, but this is bit late now. Logistics issues would have delayed them.

NB: Ford has appointed Manasarovar as another dealer in Chennai and the opening is scheduled shortly. Manasarovar is presently servicing Honda two wheelers now at Velachery.

[DWind]

Originally Posted by RGK

NB: Ford has appointed Manasarovar as another dealer in Chennai and the opening is scheduled shortly. Manasarovar is presently servicing Honda two wheelers now at Velachery.

Manasarovar is also a dealer for Honda cars. They have a huge showroom in Porur

[RGK]

Originally Posted by DWind

Manasarovar is also a dealer for Honda cars. They have a huge showroom in Porur

More than 100 flood affected ford cars were already moved to Manasarovar for servicing.

[Maxwell Arthur]

Hi All.

I had refurbished a Fiat Punto for a friend who was returning from the UK. I had it repainted , got it serviced and also changed the tyres. We spared no expense on getting the car to pristine condition. It was barely used and so we had lots of work on it. The car is a Emotion 1.4 Petrol, 2010 model vehicle.

In November during the rains, the car was submerged in water up to the tyres. The car was driven(DRIVEN) to the service center by the SA who had come to tow it on the 21st of November. The car was repaired with all the essential fluids changed and the carpet removed and dried.The surveyor had approved the claim and wanted to start the repair process. The bill was INR 18000. This was not told to us on that day which is the 29th of November, 2015

The service center delayed the delivery and inspected the car again, as they claim, and on the 10th of December the surveyor has decided that the car was a total loss. The repair estimate was 300000 They were behind us wanting us to settle the amount for the initial repair and labour and get the insurance company tow the vehicle.

The sad part was that the friend did not drive it at all since the rains started the day he arrived from the UK and was immersed in water.

We were running to the insurance company and the service center denying to pay the 18000 for a car that has been declared a total loss. Now when we decided to pay, since no one was listening to us, the service advisor stated that he has a buyer who is willing to take the car. We spoke to the buyer on Monday this week who quoted 70000 for the car. When we spoke at length we found out that we would be getting a meagre 110k for the car from the insurance company and the 70k from the buyer. I was skeptical and went to see the car. The car was in a private parking space behind a house which was locked and some one from the Fiat center had to accompany us. The car started in the very first crank and all the electricals worked. That was enough to conclude that the surveyor, the Service Advisor and the mechanic who came forward to buy the car were all connected and they were trying to fleece us. I drove the car back home and it drives beautifully. We are going in for a Cash loss, trying to repair the vehicle, though there is nothing to be repaired except for a interior cleaning and an exterior polish.


The estimate that the SA had given us had the seatbelts priced at INR 5900 each. The t seats which were dry and looked fine were priced at 6500 each.

Sorry for the long post but wanted to share my experience. Thanks for reading.


My questions are,

Is it worth keeping the car after claiming cash loss? The car has run 40000 kms
What other issues would arise in the future or likely to arise in the future?