The final solution to the hiccup problem(hopefully) As most Safari Owners are aware that I was coordinating with TM over the hiccup issue and was communicating with them using PM's.
The results of those followup are a newly designed part, the 90mm EGR Valve assembly. 
Old vs New EGR valve on the engine
For people not aware and non-Safari owners this are the events: - rb2399 reported this problem in August and aburagohain, smsrini and many other owers also reported it slowly, I was already facing it from earlier but kept it under observation for it to become prominent. - I started collecting all the symptoms and investigating into this, took feedback from all owners through PM, consolidated the data. - Compiled a mail and sent it to TM marking to some "key" people, reporting all symptoms, temporary solution and probable solution. Provided information to TM on some similar issues reported by other Auto manufacturers around the globe. - The Program Manager(PM) for 2.2l engine from TATA ERC, pune, spoke to me over phone and understood the issue in detail. They were not able to replicate this problem in their test vehicles, regional customer support also (CS) worked with me on this, I had all the right contacts now. - PM suggested we provide them with Safari's facing this problem so that they can diagnose and correct it. - I again coordinated with the members for volunteers for demonstrating this problem, unfortunately most moved over to SystemD as that was a suggested short term solution. - Kingshukt in pune, Abu(most effected) and me in bangalore gave our contacts for the demo, TM ERC decided to check directly with us in Bangalore and send one person each from their Quality and Engine teams. - Dates were decided and the TM ERC team flew over to bangalore with their diagnostic equipment along with one person locally from CS and the T.A.S.S Manager. - The team was quite cooperative and they checked the engine, plugged the diagnostic tool and took a trial with me and then with Abu. Asked if we had any other problems, I also reported the "Krrrr" noise problem which was also reported here. Also Kingshuk was more keen on the Krrr problem. - TM dispatched this new part with Job card description "Vehicle Jerk and Hesitation problem" specifically for my Safari. The T.A.S.S were clueless on how and why this is getting replaced, this part costs whooping 18k. This new part has resolved the "Krrr" noise problem which cannot be heard now, for the hiccup a few days of running would tell (I guess I am a test mule till then  )
For people who have confirmed me on the PM's for this problem, please have patience as your vehicle registration details are provided and available with TM and therefore I would expect the replacement to happen within a few weeks after this.
I am optimistically considering these issues as closed( Getting some good vibes). Thank you everyone for your efforts, especially Abu and kingshuk for being available for Demo.
Apart from this I also got my clutch pressure measured, you can check out details in my ownership thread on this. Quote:
Originally Posted by dadu  I am no wizard, but studying the people reporting it and not reporting it and matching it with my own usage made me deduce the environment under which these symptoms occur.
Dont worry its not a show stopper, carry on with your journey. I'll reiterate the symptoms and break-fix actions as per my knowledge.
Symptoms:
- Hiccups, flat power delivery, gasps at around 1300-1400 rpm and speeds around 20-25kmph.
- Mostly in 2nd gear(for me) and primarily during upshift from 1st to 2nd at turns/ pickup.
- Engine has not reached its optimum operating temperature (cold engine)
- Small puffs of black smoke are accompanied with the above.
Current Diagnosis:
- Soot formation over the EGR Valve
- Could be also related to ECU mapping for Cold engine which will make the engine run rich till warm. (dont have OBD tools, can't diagnose further on this aspect)
Current remedy(IMO):
- Highway runs will clear the carbon deposits/ soot
- In the city run the engine in 2nd gear between 3.0-3.5k RPM for apprx 500mtrs or more (symptoms will not reoccur for few days atleast).
I am still on it and will appreciate if anyone going on a T.A.S.S visit asks them to plugin the OBD tool and check for these error codes P0400, P0401 P0402 P0403 P0404 P0405 P0406 P0407 P0408.
Infact any error code feedback will be appreciated. EGR is tricky to troubleshoot. |
Last edited by dadu : 6th February 2009 at 16:25.
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