[zaks]

The issues in my MJD (19K run) so far:
1. Replaced the key switch in first 2 months.
2. Replaced the starter motor after 13 months under warranty.
3. Loosened the stiff clutch.

The rear rattle is there which as I discovered later and ICE says here is due to that rear LED cover on hatch door which is loose. And some squeaking of the seats and some rattling due to loose objects in glove and trunk.

Interestingly I have also observed the acceleration going soft once, like its floating with no grunt even when you keep pushing the pedal but have ignored it since I have not seen it after.

Are any of you checking out the new Fiat branded autocop for Puntos if it will fit our MJDs?

[sanjaymugur]

turbo gone kaput is because of petes tuning box & not due to FIAT's turbo quality...

in few international fiat forums people are against petes box as it has been frying turbos consistently.... even in india it has know to fail turbos.....

[Alton]

Originally Posted by zaks

Are any of you checking out the new Fiat branded autocop for Puntos if it will fit our MJDs?

I too want to know about Fiat branded Autocop.
TBHP mates any advise on that.
Also, kindly comment on the use of 'SELENIA WR 5W40' Synthetic engine oil for MJD.TASS had been using it on Punto and Linea MJDs.They say its approved by Fiat.Has anyone used in MJD?
regards

[architect]

Originally Posted by Ice

Took the car for a test drive last night with the new turbo in place. It's FLYING! Things seem normal now. I guess I owe Prerana an apology for doubting their suspicions regarding the turbo.

Congratulations. So it was the turbo after all. Any idea why the old one got damaged? Was there oil in the turbo or did you get some foreign particles in it? Or was there a leak? I hope its settled in warranty (I heard turbos are quite expensive)!

Originally Posted by Ice

Now that I think about it, there was a whistling sound emanating from the engine between 3000 and 4000 rpm. This sound - according to HRag, is a sure indication of a work turbo bearing, or a leak. With the new turbo, there is no whistling sound.

So a WHOOOSH sound shows a healthy turbo and a whistling sound shows a leaking one? Almost all construction trucks and CNG Buses have whistling turbos here in Delhi... so is that a sure-shot indication of a leak?

Originally Posted by sanjaymugur

turbo gone kaput is because of petes tuning box & not due to FIAT's turbo quality...

in few international fiat forums people are against petes box as it has been frying turbos consistently.... even in india it has know to fail turbos.....

What exactly is "frying" a turbo? I have heard that MSIL uses Chinese made turbos in the DDIS which have a higher failure rate. Or is it that the average DDIS owner is absolutely unaware of turbo idling and they are the ones with faulty turbos?

Originally Posted by Alton

Also, kindly comment on the use of 'SELENIA WR 5W40' Synthetic engine oil for MJD

It seems it is OK to use the Selenia because the Punto's engine is identical to the Palio MJD (that's why ICE got his turbo so quickly!). However, why would I use a Rs 900/- per litre oil when I have to follow a 7500 km service schedule? The regular Rs 350/- per litre mineral oil seems to be good enough. But if you are running under particular dusty environment or heavy traffic it could be different.

I would rather use the Rs 350/- per litre oil at shorter intervals (say 5000 km) than use the Rs 900/- per litre oil.

Interesting fact is that the cost of the synthetic oil itself seems to offset most of the cost benefits of the 15,000 km service interval.

[Alton]

Originally Posted by architect

...However, why would I use a Rs 900/- per litre oil when I have to follow a 7500 km service schedule?.....

I would rather use the Rs 350/- per litre oil at shorter intervals (say 5000 km) than use the Rs 900/- per litre oil.

Interesting fact is that the cost of the synthetic oil itself seems to offset most of the cost benefits of the 15,000 km service interval.

Well Said Architect saab! Your view is right in a way.The cost benefit ratio is right as you said.
But at the same time lets not undermine the benefits of a Synthetic oil.
It finally comes down to choice of What you want for your car - Mineral or Synthetic.Each has done its own good.
regards

[vikasb]

It seems everyone has had fair share of problems with the car. But this car turned out to be much better for me compared to my Santro where the alternator, fuel pump, shockers, silencer had to be replaced within 30K kms.
Till now the parts i required were readily available but i am more worried on this aspect in the long run. But i take heart from the people who are still maintaining their GTX, S10.

I don't find the ride quality to be good at low speeds. Is this the case with everyone? I even asked the service person to check the shockers but he said they are fine.

[Ice]

Originally Posted by architect

Congratulations. So it was the turbo after all. Any idea why the old one got damaged? Was there oil in the turbo or did you get some foreign particles in it? Or was there a leak? I hope its settled in warranty (I heard turbos are quite expensive)!

It should be settled under warranty. Prerana says that the older one was a defective piece to start with.

Originally Posted by architect

So a WHOOOSH sound shows a healthy turbo and a whistling sound shows a leaking one? Almost all construction trucks and CNG Buses have whistling turbos here in Delhi... so is that a sure-shot indication of a leak?

I've always heard of the turbo whistle. And heard it too...my dad's Octy makes a slight whistling sound in the lower section of the turbo'd rev band. But this was like a kettle - quite loud. I remember mentioning it to a couple of guys at Prerana who said then that it was just the turbo 'breathing'. Hmmm...

Originally Posted by architect

What exactly is "frying" a turbo? I have heard that MSIL uses Chinese made turbos in the DDIS which have a higher failure rate. Or is it that the average DDIS owner is absolutely unaware of turbo idling and they are the ones with faulty turbos?

First time I'm hearing of the turbo failing in the DDiS...or a turbo failing in the normal life of a car. Our Octy's are both closing in on 100,000 clicks, and our Montego station wagon did a clear 130,000 km before we sold it. Neither has faced and turbo-related issues thus far.

Originally Posted by architect

It seems it is OK to use the Selenia because the Punto's engine is identical to the Palio MJD (that's why ICE got his turbo so quickly!).

Hurrah for Punto parts!!! I wouldn't have minded the Linea's VGT either

Originally Posted by vikasb

It seems everyone has had fair share of problems with the car. But this car turned out to be much better for me compared to my Santro where the alternator, fuel pump, shockers, silencer had to be replaced within 30K kms.
Till now the parts i required were readily available but i am more worried on this aspect in the long run. But i take heart from the people who are still maintaining their GTX, S10.

I don't find the ride quality to be good at low speeds. Is this the case with everyone? I even asked the service person to check the shockers but he said they are fine.

The ride quality at really slow city speeds is quite harsh for me too. This improved drastically when I shifted to Michelins. But I think that a tight, bouncy, and slightly skittish low speed ride is a small price to pay for rock-solid high-speed behavior.

[architect]

Originally Posted by Ice

First time I'm hearing of the turbo failing in the DDiS...or a turbo failing in the normal life of a car. Our Octy's are both closing in on 100,000 clicks, and our Montego station wagon did a clear 130,000 km before we sold it. Neither has faced and turbo-related issues thus far.

Sir, turbo failure in Swift DDIS is an issue many MASS are familiar with. Search this forum itself and you'll know. Turbo failure in Tata Dicor is also known to this forum.

Regarding Octavias, I think the Octavia TDI is the best and most reliable Skoda we have ever seen. No clue about the Montego, except that I loved looking at the car when it was launched (I was still in School).

Lastly, does Prerana know that you have used Pete's on your car and is he trying to complicate warranty replacement for you is knows?

[Alton]

Dear All,
Please help me find a solution to my problem with Fiat Palio MJD suspension issue.
Vehicle History: Done 30kkms,mostly on outer ring roads of city.Daily run of 80-90km.
Road surface - small potholed,moderate smooth to ultra smooth newly laid roads.Minimal traffic crawls faced.average speeds not more than 60KMPH.
WA/WB and tyre rotation done regularly at 5kkm interval at reputed tyre dealer(GoodYear tyre).
Suspension checked up everytime during WA/WB and also during service.
GoodYear Stock tires used with 31psi air all tires.No uneven tire wear observed.No pulling to side either on braking or acceleration.
Till date the reply from ASC on suspension has been - "its OK with minor ball joint - play.Needs tightening up with every service."

Problem :
* I hear a deep rumbling noise when the car hits/goes over a road patch at 30-40kmph.The sound is even more deep at speeds of 60kmph.
*Over small potholes ,I sometimes hear a clunk when the 4 tires hit them.
* With 5 people on board the rear side seems to just sink into the rear tires
*The car when unladen and only with driver bobs around on the undulations.
*On rough roads with pebbles,the car just vibrates like hell,with the steering shaking up my wrists.

I also tried a method suggested by an old mechanic - With car on level surface,press down on right corner bonnet just above the headlamp.Press and release immediately.If the car just dips and comes back with the same urgency as it went down - No issue.
But if the car comes back with a slightly rocking motion or bobbing very slightly or stops midway - The Shocks are gone!Test on all four sides.
The result on my car - Car returns to normal without bobbing.!

Seems a loooong list of problems! Please bear as I simply tried to explain in detail for a good assessment.
Please advise.
Regards

[lejhoom]

Originally Posted by architect

Or is it that the average DDIS owner is absolutely unaware of turbo idling and they are the ones with faulty turbos?

Hi,
Isn't turbo idling the practice of leaving the engine running for a while before you start driving or switching off?

If you happen to read the Owner's Manual that came with Palio MJD, it says you can drive the car off as soon as you start the engine. It explicitly states that you don't have to wait like you do with other cars. There is no mention of idling before switching off the engine though.

[architect]

Originally Posted by Alton

Problem :
* I hear a deep rumbling noise when the car hits/goes over a road patch at 30-40kmph.The sound is even more deep at speeds of 60kmph.

Can't decide until we hear it, but one does expect rumbling noises from the suspension over bad patches!

*Over small potholes ,I sometimes hear a clunk when the 4 tires hit them.

Suspension issue or something else loose in the car?

* With 5 people on board the rear side seems to just sink into the rear tires

Some amount of sinking is expected, but in my experience it does make the rear end of the car more stable on highways.

*The car when unladen and only with driver bobs around on the undulations.

Not possible to determine but it shouldn't bob around scarily atleast.

*On rough roads with pebbles,the car just vibrates like hell,with the steering shaking up my wrists.

Occasionally it does, on really bad roads. Some of the disadvantages of bad steering?

The best way in my opinion is to test all this on another car!

[jyobeb]

My car has done 18K kms. I have replaced the clutch master cylinder under warranty and the ac condenser under warranty thrice!

[Alton]

Originally Posted by architect

The best way in my opinion is to test all this on another car!

Thanks Architect saab.I had done a comparo on other Palio MJD with 36K and 23 months old at the ASC.Below are my observations in bold .

Originally Posted by Alton

* I hear a deep rumbling noise when the car hits/goes over a road patch at 30-40kmph.The sound is even more deep at speeds of 60kmph.
The test car was driven with 2 on board and yes it also rumbled over bad patches.The mech who came with me says it is normal for any car
*Over small potholes ,I sometimes hear a clunk when the 4 tires hit them.
The clunk has been identified as a loose spanner in the tool kit.After fixing it,there was no clunking except for a slight thud as the tires dropped into the potholes.
* With 5 people on board the rear side seems to just sink into the rear tires
As you said it is the same in this car too.Infact the ASC guys were a bit hesitant when I called in 3 men to jump into the back seat.
*The car when unladen and only with driver bobs around on the undulations.
The bobbing is the same on my car too.The mech says it is OK,but should be mindful not to drive fast on the undulations as it may strain the shockabsorbers to an extent.
*On rough roads with pebbles,the car just vibrates like hell,with the steering shaking up my wrists.
The test car also has the same issue.But the mech says the Steering ball joints and the Suspension ball joints to the wheels have to be checked.

At the end,it seems that some minor tweeks need to be done and somethings need to be left alone .It is a part of the ownership experience.
Thanks again Architect Sir! Now I understand my car a little better than before.
Regards

[tortoiseNhare]

Alton, some of your issues may also result from higher tyre pressure. I used to keep 30 psi, checked manually by a roadside tyrewallah near home and faced similar type of issues as yours. Then one day at a more reliable tyre shop the pressure was shown to be 35 psi! Getting it down to 30 psi on all tyres immediately resulted in some improvement of my ride. I have now made a point to check pressure once in about ten days on that shop and nowhere else.

[architect]

@Alton: Thank You, glad to be of help.

One thing I have noticed and even practised: with 170 mm Ground Clearance and the ride quality being what it is, I find it better to take certain bad patches at, say, 40 kph then 20 kph. Of course, I have a shocker mounting (Left Front) with some play in it which will need attention soon. I don't know if it's my driving or my venture into an open manhole that has messed up the Left Front camber for good.

@Tortoise n Hare: I had this tyre pressure circus for too long (wrong calibration, fill up when cold, long lines at pumps etc etc). Finally solved it by carrying my own pump (Chinese made) in the car and hand-held T P gauge. Of course, with nitrogen I am filling up once in 2 months, fixing it at 33PSI and losing only 2 PSI in 60 days!