[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by indivic

^^ Update time, after trying out with TASS and Mahindra First Choice garages, finally went to IgNite run by Raghav. Turns out that the rear wheel bearings were shot. Got them changed, wheels aligned and rotated. Now no more noise. Overall a big to Raghav and to you !

My pleasure. Good to know that your issue got sorted out, & that too by IgNite & not by TASS. Just one query. Did you ever get the rear wheel hub greasing done in any of your services? I got this done at least 3 times till now & this has helped prolong the bearing life. I am still on OEM bearings (touchwood), when I am nearing 95K kms.

Originally Posted by indivic

P.S I am now looking to see if you will go Fluidic or not, did you make up your mind? I missed a few days of reading on that thread.

Test drove the Fluidic Verna & liked it very much. However I am in no hurry to jump the bandwagon. Will take the TD of new Fiesta, once it is launched. I all also very keen on the Linea 1.6L Multijet, whenever it comes. Most importantly I will continue to drive my good old faithful Indica till such time that it gives me troublefree service

Originally Posted by indivic

It turns out that the AC condenser fan had been hit as well and was not running at all and even the condenser had a minor impact but it is serviceable. I was running it like this for the last 1.5 years

Got them worked on at IgNite and the AC refrigerant topped up, now its freezing even at speed 1.

Can you please give the break-up of the the charges?

[kcj3b]

Originally Posted by AutoIndian

Exactly at the stroke of 12 today, cranked the engine & relief at last, no hesitation, it came to life instantly. Now I am not sure whether this issue could have been sorted out simply by removing & refitting the filter elements or the new base plate has really made the difference. I have kept the old base plate with me. May be at the 100K service when I replace the primary filter element I would give the old plate a re-try.

Which Plate is this , can you post a snap please?
Since a few weeks now i am facing the same problem while starting the car after a gap of more than 10 hrs mostly in mornings.
The Indica starts in half crank, runs for a around 1 minute and then suddendly dies. The problem is sorted by using the Pump for a quick result or Cranking again and again for atleast 5 minutes. I usually try the first option.Other alternative is to hold the engine at a higher Rev for atleast few minutes where in the engine struggles like its missing, coughs a lot of smoke but every thing gets normal then and the car runs like a breeze without missing or anything
Although Line was checked for leaks and Diesel Filter Assembly was tightened but the problem persists.
Or is it my guess is wrong may be the injectors need cleaning or something?

Regards

KCJ3B

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by kcj3b

Which Plate is this , can you post a snap please?

Sure kcj3b, will take the snaps of the base plate over the week end & post it here. Just FYI it is the plate below the plunger of the priming pump (that you use for the quick result)

Originally Posted by kcj3b

Since a few weeks now i am facing the same problem while starting the car after a gap of more than 10 hrs mostly in mornings. The Indica starts in half crank, runs for a around 1 minute and then suddendly dies. The problem is sorted by using the Pump for a quick result or Cranking again and again for atleast 5 minutes. I usually try the first option.Other alternative is to hold the engine at a higher Rev for atleast few minutes where in the engine struggles like its missing, coughs a lot of smoke but every thing gets normal then and the car runs like a breeze without missing or anything

Please start the car only after enough priming & the plunger becomes hard so that you can't pump it any further. Making repeated starts could put unnecessary strain on your starter motor & could also damage your battery

Originally Posted by kcj3b

Although Line was checked for leaks and Diesel Filter Assembly was tightened but the problem persists.
Or is it my guess is wrong may be the injectors need cleaning or something?

Regards

KCJ3B

There is nothing wrong with the injectors if your car is running fine otherwise. It is a clear case of air leaking in the fuel line mostly through the fuel filter casing. I would suggest you take your car to the nearest Lucas TVS centre,get the fuel filter assembly removed & inspected, if the filter is making an air tight connection with the body through the "O" rings. If you are fortunate, just removing the filter assembly & refitting it could also solve your problem.

[cyberwhizs]

Just a small update on my wiper saga. Couple of months after having overhauled the the jammed wiper linkage and wiper motor at Lucas TVS, the right hand side wiper started slipping. Which basically translated that something was amiss with the wiper linkage.

TASC diagonsis and solution: replace the entire wiper assembly, motor, linkage et all. total expected damages - 3000 odd.
Local reseller diagnosis and solution: replace linkage - 850/- + labour.

Went back to lucas tvs, diagnosis - the welding of the pivot in the linkage may have come off. Total damanges - 300/- inclusive of welding and refitting.

Considering the fact that removing the wiper assembly is labourious and time consuming job since one needs to take off the battery, the air filter housing to slide out the wiper assembly Rs 300/- probably isnt a bad deal after all.

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by cyberwhizs

Went back to lucas tvs, diagnosis - the welding of the pivot in the linkage may have come off. Total damanges - 300/- inclusive of welding and refitting.

Considering the fact that removing the wiper assembly is labourious and time consuming job since one needs to take off the battery, the air filter housing to slide out the wiper assembly Rs 300/- probably isnt a bad deal after all.

Thanks for sharing the information & good to know that you could manage with just 10% of the costs quoted by TASC . I am fully convinced that Lucas TVS folks do far better jobs than the Tata Authorized Service Centres & that too at a fraction of a cost. You would be surprised to know that I did my 90K service from Lucas coupled with Starter motor overhauling from them again at a fraction of the TASC's cost.

[cyberwhizs]

@autoindian: The problem with TASC is that they don't think twice in their attempt to make a quick buck and find an easy way out. The SA showed me a number of wiper motors and linkage assemblies lying around. The normal customer who solely goes by the reccomendation of TASC gets taken for a ride, like in my previous experiences detailed in a long term review. Despite the issues, they are responsive and attend to complaints then and there unlike some of the other American ASC , where i need to take an appointment and still wait for couple of hours to be attended.

When dealing with TASC, a second opinion almost always helps.

[SMARTF]

Is there TVS Lucas workshop in Bangalore ?

Address ?

Phone Number ?

Thanks

[arup.misra]

Since a couple of days, I'm noticing a strange problem with my 6 year old Indica DLG. While driving in rains all of a sudden for some strange reason my viper motion slows down, stereo goes off, blinkers barely blink. I switched off the stereo and blinkers then the vipers moved normally. This has happened twice in two days nows. I'm worried as its a hazard in the rains (especially Mumbai rains in the past two days). I had just six months back got a new battery. Do you think the battery is going dead again? Have also noticed that in the morning it take some time for the engine to come to life after repeated cranking and when it does the rpm jumps toward 2 mark with white smoke coming out from the exhuast (just like someone is gunning the engine) and then returns to normal. Any ideas whats wrong.

Another problem. I know Indica has a bad history fan belt noise on cold start in the morning. But something strange is happening to my car. The belt does make noise in the morning after start but after a while dies down. But having driven about 5 odd km from home it starts making this noise again and the rpm needle goes down below 1 suddenly. The car though is moving fine around 60kph. The speedo is working because if I brake / slow down it points down and then resumes if I accelerate. After a minute or so the belt noise goes down automatically and the rpm needle return to the correct position and it works fine. This is happening too frequently for me to ignore

Guys please help.

[AutoIndian]

Apologies for the delayed response Arup.

Originally Posted by arup.misra

Since a couple of days, I'm noticing a strange problem with my 6 year old Indica DLG. While driving in rains all of a sudden for some strange reason my viper motion slows down, stereo goes off, blinkers barely blink. I switched off the stereo and blinkers then the vipers moved normally. This has happened twice in two days nows. I'm worried as its a hazard in the rains (especially Mumbai rains in the past two days). I had just six months back got a new battery. Do you think the battery is going dead again?

Sure the above instruments get their power from the battery. Please do get the battery checked asap. However there could be an underlying problem, that the battery is not getting charged by the alternator, as six months old battery should never create such problem. Probable cause could be alternator belt slipping (due to rain water getting between belt & pulley)

Originally Posted by arup.misra

Have also noticed that in the morning it take some time for the engine to come to life after repeated cranking and when it does the rpm jumps toward 2 mark with white smoke coming out from the exhuast (just like someone is gunning the engine) and then returns to normal. Any ideas whats wrong.

Again starting problem could be due to weak battery. However white smoke is an indication that the engine oil is getting burnt along with fuel. Have you been monitoring the engine oil level off late? If not then better have a look at it.

Originally Posted by arup.misra

Another problem. I know Indica has a bad history fan belt noise on cold start in the morning. But something strange is happening to my car. The belt does make noise in the morning after start but after a while dies down. But having driven about 5 odd km from home it starts making this noise again and the rpm needle goes down below 1 suddenly. The car though is moving fine around 60kph. The speedo is working because if I brake / slow down it points down and then resumes if I accelerate. After a minute or so the belt noise goes down automatically and the rpm needle return to the correct position and it works fine. This is happening too frequently for me to ignore

Guys please help.

What you are referring to "fan belt noise" is actually the alternator belt noise, which slips during cold starts in the morning as it becomes hard due to overnight parking. The Tachometer (rpm needle) is getting the signal from the alternator. Rpm needle going down below 1, could be an indication of the alternator not running (or running very slowly), due to belt slippage or some other reason (alternator bearing jammed). The speedo gets the signal from the gear box output shaft (if I am not wrong), hence it has no relation to Tacho reading. I would suggest please visit the nearest Lucas TVS centre asap. Get the battery voltage checked. Also get the alternator & its belt checked, whether it is running properly & charging the battery. You should be able to fix this problem at Lucas.

[arup.misra]

@AutoIndian - Thanks for your inputs.

I visited the Lucas TVS center today morning and asked them to check the alternator and battery voltage. Post this, they called me with the news that my alternator is at fault and not the battery. The alt is not charging the battery which requires some parts to be replaced (don't remember the names he mentioned) and new bearings. The total cost works out to be around 7k . He suggested I go in for a new alt costing 6k with 1 year warranty. Offered me some discounts on it. Will be going to the workshop today after work with a heavy heart and lighter wallet.

The belt is fine just that rain water is playing spoil sport

The engine oil levels are fine did check the dipstick. Don't know whats causing the white smoke. Any ideas?

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by arup.misra

@AutoIndian - Thanks for your inputs.

My pleasure

Originally Posted by arup.misra

I visited the Lucas TVS center today morning and asked them to check the alternator and battery voltage. Post this, they called me with the news that my alternator is at fault and not the battery. The alt is not charging the battery which requires some parts to be replaced (don't remember the names he mentioned) and new bearings. The total cost works out to be around 7k . He suggested I go in for a new alt costing 6k with 1 year warranty. Offered me some discounts on it. Will be going to the workshop today after work with a heavy heart and lighter wallet.

I guessed it right, problem with the alternator. However the total repair cost working out to be around 7k is simply ridiculous. Probably he wants to sell you a new alternator. I would suggest you to show it to some other Lucas TVS centre. It should not cost you more than 4K IMO. I got my alternator serviced in Dec 2007, that time it costed me just over 2K. The complete job was quoted for INR 2,057.00. The detailed break-up is as follows:

26215686 - Regulator -1 nos 549.00
26211637 - Oil Seal -1 nos 214.00
26211664 - SRE Bearing -1 nos 400.00
26211688 - O ring Small -1 nos 114.00
Labour 151.00
Sub-total 1,428.00
Add M-VAT - 12.50% 178.50
Alternator Removing & Refitting charges 150.00
Alternator Servicing charges 300.00
Round-off 0.50
Total 2,057.00

Originally Posted by arup.misra

The belt is fine just that rain water is playing spoil sport

The engine oil levels are fine did check the dipstick. Don't know whats causing the white smoke. Any ideas?

Are you sure it is white smoke & not black smoke. Black smoke is due to the unburnt fuel being exhausted during starting (may be due to one or more glow plugs not functioning & the unburnt fuel from that cylinder being exhausted.)

[arup.misra]

Originally Posted by AutoIndian

My pleasure

I guessed it right, problem with the alternator. However the total repair cost working out to be around 7k is simply ridiculous. Probably he wants to sell you a new alternator. I would suggest you to show it to some other Lucas TVS centre. It should not cost you more than 4K IMO.

Are you sure it is white smoke & not black smoke. Black smoke is due to the unburnt fuel being exhausted during starting (may be due to one or more glow plugs not functioning & the unburnt fuel from that cylinder being exhausted.)

Alternator - Enquired with Lucas (Chennai) directly the new alt is priced 6,667. Verified with a dealer locally and he too said 6,667. But may be you are right will try and get it to another Lucas center and see what they have to say. Will inquire and get back

White Smoke - is confirmed first thing on starting. Just stinks like a pest control gas spray. But after 10 sec of idling no smoke. You think diesel or oil filter maybe a culprit here?

I have always used Castrol Engine recommended by Tata so very curious about this smoke thing. My car doesnt even exhale black smoke ever.

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by arup.misra

Alternator - Enquired with Lucas (Chennai) directly the new alt is priced 6,667. Verified with a dealer locally and he too said 6,667. But may be you are right will try and get it to another Lucas center and see what they have to say. Will inquire and get back

That is the best thing. Get multiple quotes & pitch them against each other. Then see how each one falls

Originally Posted by arup.misra

White Smoke - is confirmed first thing on starting. Just stinks like a pest control gas spray. But after 10 sec of idling no smoke. You think diesel or oil filter maybe a culprit here?

I have always used Castrol Engine recommended by Tata so very curious about this smoke thing. My car doesnt even exhale black smoke ever.

Since the smoke problem is occurring only during starts, in all probability one or more glow plugs (GPs) might have failed. If any of the filters were choked (more so air filter), then your car would have emitted smoke continuously, which is not the case. I had a similar problem (after 79K kms, 6 years), when checked 3 out of the 4 GPs had gone kaput. Replaced the whole set of 4 (Beru make @ Rs 1400). Problem solved

[arup.misra]

Originally Posted by AutoIndian

That is the best thing. Get multiple quotes & pitch them against each other. Then see how each one falls

Since the smoke problem is occurring only during starts, in all probability one or more glow plugs (GPs) might have failed.

@ AutoIndian - Got multiple quotes from Lucas (2 service center as well as head off) and a couple of local auto part dealer. Showed the car to a couple of local indica specialists separately and both were of the opinion that servicing costs could be close of 5-5.5k while you can get a new alt in 6k. Don't think I have any options left now.

Is the GPs an immediate replacement item? I mean after spending 6k behind the alt can I not make do with the current GP. You think it would lead to any serious damage?

Thanks for your advice

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by arup.misra

@ AutoIndian - Got multiple quotes from Lucas (2 service center as well as head off) and a couple of local auto part dealer. Showed the car to a couple of local indica specialists separately and both were of the opinion that servicing costs could be close of 5-5.5k while you can get a new alt in 6k. Don't think I have any options left now.

If that is the case go ahead & replace your existing alternator with a new one. But make sure you get this done at Lucas only & get warranty for the new alternator (should be 6 to 12 months at least)

Originally Posted by arup.misra

Is the GPs an immediate replacement item? I mean after spending 6k behind the alt can I not make do with the current GP. You think it would lead to any serious damage?

Thanks for your advice

Yes it can lead to overloading your starter motor & could damage it. Also battery would be overloaded. How much has your car run & what is its age. The GPs failure is not unusual for a car run more than 50K kms or 4 years of age. I would advice first check all the GPs at lucas & if 2 or more are found faulty replace the whole set of 4.