[cyberwhizs]

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

A friend's Indica Xeta (Petrol) has this issue with the power steering assembly - the oil has leaked from the assembly and the steering makes a grinding noise when turned, we took it to a TASC and were told that the entire steering rack needs replacement as the oil leakage cannot be rectified by replacing the oil seal. The assembly costs some 14k Rupees (Rane make)and labour charges are extra.
I wanted to know if anyone has replaced just the steering rack oil seal and is happy with it.

1. Can be surely be repaired, unless there is something really really wrong with rack, please do take a look at one of my post in this thread.

2. Re-con aggregates for PS rack is available from TATA and to the best of my knowledge they were priced at around 7-8K. New one will cost around 18K. Take a look tata's website

3. TASC/TASP actually outsource the work to Rane TRW. When i got mine repaired it cost me around 5K at a TASP, TASC had quoted a much higher figure. All repairs from Rane come with 6 month standard warranty.

4. Do not drive without PS fluid, as an interim measure keep topping up as an when possible. Else you risk the failure of the PS pump.

In your case I suspect the TASC is just upto its usual games. try a different TASC if possible.

PS: oil seal kits for indica should also be available in the free market.

Hope this helps

[cyberwhizs]

Got the condensor fan replaced, as usual sequence of events - TASP - 2400, local shops 1600 rs. i was by chance going towards opera house picked up from the subros distributor at opera house, guess what at - 1000 Rs. it is branded as pasio 14 inch with bill and warranty. Just look at the margin our good friends keep for themselves.

As luck would have it my radiator fan started misbehaving, it wasn't running, check the fuse it was blown, replaced the fuse, it did turn but the electrician somehow was insistent the fan was not ok and that it was shorting. So replaced the radiator fan assembly for 2900/- . labour for came to 900 bucks. As the indica ages all electricals seem to go for a toss, this year have replaced the alternator, and two fan assemblies.

Hope this helps.

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by cyberwhizs

Got the condensor fan replaced, as usual sequence of events - TASP - 2400, local shops 1600 rs. i was by chance going towards opera house picked up from the subros distributor at opera house, guess what at - 1000 Rs. it is branded as pasio 14 inch with bill and warranty. Just look at the margin our good friends keep for themselves.

True, all are in business to make money, some make small & some make it large. It always makes sense to enquire at couple of different places, so that we can at least ensure that it is a good.

Originally Posted by cyberwhizs

As luck would have it my radiator fan started misbehaving, it wasn't running, check the fuse it was blown, replaced the fuse, it did turn but the electrician somehow was insistent the fan was not ok and that it was shorting. So replaced the radiator fan assembly for 2900/- . labour for came to 900 bucks. As the indica ages all electricals seem to go for a toss, this year have replaced the alternator, and two fan assemblies.

Thanks for sharing that. You are right. Age does show up on the car electricals & mechanicals. By the way how old is your car & how much has is run? I am planning to get the suspension, brake system & FIP overhauled at 120K kms service.

[anonymous]

The temp gauge seems to be playing nuts. It gradually increases initially like normal and when reaches 50%, then jumps right to 75% and moves back to 50% (It happens only in 30-40 seconds of span). I think its due to radiator fan because its not running normal either. Some times it runs fine and some time it just doesn't turn on.

Any idea what could be the reason?

[Parag_K]

I have an Indica (Xeta) GLX 2007 model (1400cc) with about 31K on the odometer. Lately I feel that the engine noise has increase a lot. Also my power steering is not as smooth as I would like it to be. I know it won't be as smooth as some of the other manufacturers but I want it to be a bit smoother that it is .

My car is due for a servicing. Can someone please suggest me if I need to use any particular oil for reducing the engine noise? Also I am not particularly happy with the TASS or Carnation Service Center in Pune. Can anybody suggest a good place to get my car serviced? Lastly, how can I reduce road noise as I am running on stock tires (Bridgestone) that are not tubeless.

Inputs appreciated.

[deetee]

Originally Posted by Parag_K

I have an Indica (Xeta) GLX 2007 model (1400cc) with about 31K on the odometer. Lately I feel that the engine noise has increase a lot. Also my power steering is not as smooth as I would like it to be. I know it won't be as smooth as some of the other manufacturers but I want it to be a bit smoother that it is .

My car is due for a servicing. Can someone please suggest me if I need to use any particular oil for reducing the engine noise? Also I am not particularly happy with the TASS or Carnation Service Center in Pune. Can anybody suggest a good place to get my car serviced? Lastly, how can I reduce road noise as I am running on stock tires (Bridgestone) that are not tubeless.

Inputs appreciated.

Same car, same model, same mileage, same noise However PS response has become better after I installed alloys with michelin XM2. Re engine smoothness, am going to use Castrol GTX this time (so far T.A.S.S used Mobile). Will report back after service. Btw, how much petrol mileage are you getting, I used to get 12Kmpl with a/c in city but it has gone lower these days.

[deetee]

[quote=malaymaniar;2938584If I fill a full tank, OR I am climbing a ghat or doing a curve at high speed, sometimes there is a sudden stench of petrol in the cabin. It stays for a few mins while I keep the windows open and then its ok![/QUOTE]

I get this issue with my 2007 1.4L xeta. Got sick of it and am eventually filling a little less than full tank. No stench then. I don't understand how petrol overflow stench gets into cabin, with current expertise of T.A.S.S folks I thought better not to break something that is not already broken.

[Parag_K]

Originally Posted by deetee

Same car, same model, same mileage, same noise

Good to know that I am not alone .

Originally Posted by deetee

However PS response has become better after I
installed alloys with michelin XM2.

How much did it cost you? I am not sure if I want to go for alloys and tubeless tires for my 5 year old car that I may sell off in another couple of years.

Originally Posted by deetee

Re engine smoothness, am going to use Castrol GTX this time (so far T.A.S.S used Mobile). Will report back after service.

I am not too sure which oil they (TASS or Carnation) have been using but will try to find out. Let me know if there is any improvement after using Castrol GTX.

Originally Posted by deetee

Btw, how much petrol mileage are you getting, I used to get 12Kmpl with a/c in city but it has gone lower these days.

I am also getting very less mileage. Around 10.5 w/o a/c in the city and ~10 w/ a/c. I am planning to get the car serviced this Saturday. Will update post that.

[malaymaniar]

Just an update. I tried doing full tank again and all hell broke loose; petrol pooling beneath my car. Took her to another TASS center. It seems the fuel filler hose and breather hose were both cracked. Got them changed and voila! Problem solved! No more stench even on full tank. Try it. Also get the seal of the fuel pump checked. Though problem solved, overall experience at this center too was horrible.

[deetee]

Originally Posted by malaymaniar

Just an update. I tried doing full tank again and all hell broke loose; petrol pooling beneath my car. Took her to another TASS center. It seems the fuel filler hose and breather hose were both cracked. Got them changed and voila! Problem solved! No more stench even on full tank. Try it. Also get the seal of the fuel pump checked. Though problem solved, overall experience at this center too was horrible.

What a coincidence!! Today I took the car for a regular service. The mechanics are friendly and didn't object me moving around (and under) the car. While inspecting the underbody, I chanced upon that fuel filler hose joining the tank and saw that it has become hard and showing signs of giving up. Asked the supervisor and was told that the part is not in stock. They would order and replace it on my next earliest visit. They say it costs abt Rs.900 as it comes as one single piece all the way from tank to fuel inlet lid (including inlet valve). Came home wondering if fuel hose is supposed to break in five years and 30,000km of running. Opened this thread to post the query and then it is your post that I saw.
I will get the part replaced as soon as they procure it.

That apart service went without any major issue, instructed them to use castrol GTX 20w50 which I supplied. I think thicker oil has made engine quieter. Too early to conclude, but just a feeling. And my air filter was clogged up which caused low FE, after replacement, fuel consumption seems to be back to normal.

@Parag_K, xeta 1.4 should be able to give 11.5-12 Kmpl in city with a/c. Please get your air filter and fuel filter checked.

[Parag_K]

Originally Posted by deetee

@Parag_K, xeta 1.4 should be able to give 11.5-12 Kmpl in city with a/c. Please get your air filter and fuel filter checked.

Thanks deetee. I am getting the car serviced tomorrow and will have both the air filter and fuel filter checked. Will update on the FE in few days post the servicing.

[rampaps]

Hi guys!
I have a Tata Indica Xeta GLE 2007-May model. 1.4 litre petrol engine. NO power steering. I bought this as a used car in June 2008 & it had run only 5,000 km then. Now the odo reading is 42,000 km.

I replaced the 4 spark plugs last month at my regular mechanic "Raam cool cars" in Bangalore, who is a specialist in tata cars & very honest & straightforward when compared to other dealers & TASS & mechanics in Bangalore. This is the first time that the spark plugs have been changed. It is a bit tricky & irritating to remove the spark plugs since they are not easily accessible. They are under something in the bonnet. I told the mechanic to do it nice & easy. I just did this as preventive maint & since the mileage has dropped from 13.5 kmpl to 11 in the city.

Question 1 - What are glow plugs? Are they different from spark plugs?

One year back I did an overhaul of the steering rack since the steering had become very hard (this is manual steering & not power steering). I always stay at the mechanic's pace next to my car. The steering rack's rubber boots were cut & hence lot of mud & water had entered it since the past 2 or 3 years. TASS wanted to replace the rack for 6k & said that if an overhaul is done, the alignment will be disturbed forever (what does he care? it's my money) But my experienced friend suggested that I do this overhaul. Raam cool cars cleaned the rack with diesel & put a special grease on it & then the steering became soft & easy to turn. 900/-
I also had to change the steering ball joints and lower arm ball joints since they were making a noise on rough roads & humps. The noise from the suspension has reduced by 75% & remains so since one year.
I also did wheel balancing & alignment after this in the suggested small shop nearby. Alignment is perfect for the first time in 4 years. Really happy with that small, old manual alignment shop. (The TASS & other computerised alignment shops like Iyengar & sons never aligned the wheels properly for the last two years & blamed something or the other).
Did wheel balancing twice over there.

Question 2 - Only when after I cross 95 kmph, my steering wheel wobbles. Not before that. The wobbling is more on curved roads & less on straight roads. Any ideas why?

Did wheel alignment twice, but did not solve this. I am afraid to remove the steering rack, lower arm etc again & check. It is very time consuming & irritating work. Of course, the mechanic does it.

My wheels are the original ones that I got from Tata; wheels with rims (not alloys). Is the quality of the rims poor? Have they lost their temper/strength? One can see a little bit of wheel bend. The alignment guy says that the rims have lost a bit of shape & strength.

My mechanic & wellwisher tells me not to drive beyond 90 & not to waste money on this problem. Mine is a GLE, a basic model with just a blower AC. No power steering.
Can the bends in the rim be removed by hitting with a wooden club? I got this done long back once.
Should I try used alloy wheels? I think my car has 13" wheels. I don't want to spend money on new alloys.

The tyres are the original ones which came with the car. Bridgestone <something>. I changed only one out of the five tyres 1.5 years back bcos it had a balloon/boil/swelling in it at Reliance autozone & bought the same bridgestone brand & model as the old tyres. The old tyres have lot of tread in them. Far from bald. I maintain my car (try to maintain) very well. The parts of my car rarely wear out when compared to others of the same age. I drive in a uniform manner without sudden acceleration or deceleration.

I had to change the silencer/muffler(the fat pice at the back & the pipe attached to it) last week since the old one had rusted & had big holes in it & was making a loud noise since 6 months. My mech got an original spare for 5,250/- Yes, quite expensive. It seems the same for Indica diesel costs 2,500/-
This improved or the pick up & pulling a lot or restored it to what it was earlier.

Question 3 - Is the catalytic converter inside the muffler? If not, where is the catalytic converter located?

My good mechanic never shows enthusiasm to clean the CC & says that it is not required. I ask this during every service.

[rampaps]

And I paid 600/- for the four spark plugs. Genuine NGV ones.

[deetee]

Replies are inline and highlighted in bold.

Originally Posted by rampaps

Hi guys!
I have a Tata Indica Xeta GLE 2007-May model. 1.4 litre petrol engine. NO power steering. I bought this as a used car in June 2008 & it had run only 5,000 km then. Now the odo reading is 42,000 km.

I replaced the 4 spark plugs last month at my regular mechanic "Raam cool cars" in Bangalore, who is a specialist in tata cars & very honest & straightforward when compared to other dealers & TASS & mechanics in Bangalore. This is the first time that the spark plugs have been changed. It is a bit tricky & irritating to remove the spark plugs since they are not easily accessible. They are under something in the bonnet. I told the mechanic to do it nice & easy. I just did this as preventive maint & since the mileage has dropped from 13.5 kmpl to 11 in the city.

As per service schedule, spark plugs are supposed to be changed at every 30000 km. Yes, it is pain to change them on our own as they are hidden under exhaust manifold. At T.A.S.S. they did the job in about an hour after some peeking and poking around the manifold. It costed me 380 for 4 plugs and about 200 in labour.

Question 1 - What are glow plugs? Are they different from spark plugs?

Glow plugs are used in diesel cars for detonation, spark plugs in petrol cars for combustion. Beyond that, I don't know much.


One year back I did an overhaul of the steering rack since the steering had become very hard (this is manual steering & not power steering). I always stay at the mechanic's pace next to my car. The steering rack's rubber boots were cut & hence lot of mud & water had entered it since the past 2 or 3 years. TASS wanted to replace the rack for 6k & said that if an overhaul is done, the alignment will be disturbed forever (what does he care? it's my money) But my experienced friend suggested that I do this overhaul. Raam cool cars cleaned the rack with diesel & put a special grease on it & then the steering became soft & easy to turn. 900/-
I also had to change the steering ball joints and lower arm ball joints since they were making a noise on rough roads & humps. The noise from the suspension has reduced by 75% & remains so since one year.
I also did wheel balancing & alignment after this in the suggested small shop nearby. Alignment is perfect for the first time in 4 years. Really happy with that small, old manual alignment shop. (The TASS & other computerised alignment shops like Iyengar & sons never aligned the wheels properly for the last two years & blamed something or the other).
Did wheel balancing twice over there.

Wheel alignment doesn't come out correct when there is uneven tyre tread wear or damaged suspension parts (ball joints etc,.)

Question 2 - Only when after I cross 95 kmph, my steering wheel wobbles. Not before that. The wobbling is more on curved roads & less on straight roads. Any ideas why?

Did wheel alignment twice, but did not solve this. I am afraid to remove the steering rack, lower arm etc again & check. It is very time consuming & irritating work. Of course, the mechanic does it.

My wheels are the original ones that I got from Tata; wheels with rims (not alloys). Is the quality of the rims poor? Have they lost their temper/strength? One can see a little bit of wheel bend. The alignment guy says that the rims have lost a bit of shape & strength.

My mechanic & wellwisher tells me not to drive beyond 90 & not to waste money on this problem. Mine is a GLE, a basic model with just a blower AC. No power steering.
Can the bends in the rim be removed by hitting with a wooden club? I got this done long back once.
Should I try used alloy wheels? I think my car has 13" wheels. I don't want to spend money on new alloys.

Wobbling beyond a certain speed mark may be characteristic of badly balanced wheels. Change the wheels to OE steel rims (abt 750 each) and get the wheels balanced.

The tyres are the original ones which came with the car. Bridgestone <something>. I changed only one out of the five tyres 1.5 years back bcos it had a balloon/boil/swelling in it at Reliance autozone & bought the same bridgestone brand & model as the old tyres. The old tyres have lot of tread in them. Far from bald. I maintain my car (try to maintain) very well. The parts of my car rarely wear out when compared to others of the same age. I drive in a uniform manner without sudden acceleration or deceleration.

Five years and 42000 km, your tyres, even with some tread left, might have become hard. For safety sake, don't wait untill they become bald, get them changed.To motivate you, say you are going to keep the car for only another 2-3 yrs, but still you may have to change tires in about an year and tire prices increase year by year. What is 3000 today may cost 3500 next year. So, beyond a certain age of rubber, it is wise to change the tires for both safety and peace of mind.

I had to change the silencer/muffler(the fat pice at the back & the pipe attached to it) last week since the old one had rusted & had big holes in it & was making a loud noise since 6 months. My mech got an original spare for 5,250/- Yes, quite expensive. It seems the same for Indica diesel costs 2,500/-
This improved or the pick up & pulling a lot or restored it to what it was earlier.

Thanks for sharing the cost. Diesel and petrol vehicle mufflers are different but didn't know they differ by this much.

Question 3 - Is the catalytic converter inside the muffler? If not, where is the catalytic converter located?

My good mechanic never shows enthusiasm to clean the CC & says that it is not required. I ask this during every service.

I think CC need not be cleaned, just my knowledge, i may be wrong.

EDIT:
Some spare part prices, as of Nov 2012:
Oil filter- INR 110
Fuel filter(petrol)- INR 625
Air filter element- INR 250
Windshield washer nozzles - INR 176 ( mine are clogged and not spraying properly)
Brake bulb (tail lamp cluster)- INR 15 ( I don't why brake bulb filament is frequently busted)

[rampaps]

Thank you deetee! What are oem steel rims? Are you suggesting that I buy new rims from Tata?