Ok guys, I finally took delivery of the Tata Sierra Turbo on Thursday, and it's like a dream come true!
Wasted all of Thursday putting the paperwork in order, could only bring the car to Pune on Friday.
The car seemed to be having starting troubles right from the beginning (delayed start owing to weak cranking), and it finally went kaput on Friday evening. All the while we were thinking it was a battery/alternator problem, but it turned out that the starter motor (Lucas TVS) had failed. We took it to a guy in a place called "Transport Nagar" (as the name suggests, it is a transit area for truckers) who opened it up, only to find that it was half burnt. He offered to repair it, saying a new motor would cost about 10K. So we accepted his offer. He did a good job of it; the repairs cost Rs.4400/-. Now the car starts at a single twist of the key. He also mentioned that 1 cell of the battery is a bit weak, but it can pull on for a few months. He also tested the alternator and it works fine. Now my Sierra maintenance account is officially open, and I have just performed my first transaction!
The tyres are a very serious problem; I can hear one of the front tyres squealing whenever I do even gentle braking at 60 kmph or above, or whenever there is a slight depression in the road. The car steers wildly when that happens. Hence, I restrict my speeds to 60 and below, in fourth gear.
Here is a list of tasks on my plate that I have identified so far, sorted by descending order of priority:
1. Overhaul the engine and transmission. Includes changing all fluids, belts, bushes, tuning the engine, servicing the FIP and turbo, oiling/greasing all moving parts etc. etc.
2. Overhaul the suspension and braking system. This includes changing the the tyres (with upsize perhaps?) and rims, replacing any worn out parts, WA/WB etc. etc.
3. Overhaul the electricals. This includes replacing/fixing all broken switches, lamps, motors, wires etc. etc.
4. Upgrade the AC. Includes replacing the blower and compressor, checking for leaks, refilling gas etc.
5. A good paint job, which includes rust removal/rust treatment, tinwork, door setting and full body painting (preferably using a paint booth).
6. Refurbish the interiors, including fixing the seats, putting in new upholstery, door panels, beadings etc. Also, replacing the cracked windshield. Then, if budget permits, installing sunfilm.
Do let me know if I have missed something.
@ sierrakamat:
Any idea what the AC upgrade will cost (superking blower + 508 compressor), both new and/or used? Will I be able to use R134 gas after this change? I agree that just filming wont help the car, but it will just make the job of the AC easier. I am also thinking of putting a layer of heatlon wherever possible, The current tyres are Yokohama Geolandar (tubeless) 215/75 R15, which is the stock size. So I guess you are referring to "15 inch" safari rims. In 25K, do I get new tires or used ones? I am assuming the rims will be used ones, which is fine.
@condor:
Thanks for the part numbers, I will store them for my reference. The current FIP is a MICO unit, I will get it checked/serviced. Hopefully it wont need replacement.
@Randhawa:
I bought it from Sewree, Mumbai. But I stay near Hinjewadi, in Thergaon. So you will be seeing it in and around Hinjewadi henceforth, if you are around, that is.
@ kaustubh:
Any updates on the AC upgrade? What will it cost? Do give details on all the components you are changing/replacing. The AC in my car is stock, and it is just average. In the October afternoon sun, it is only able to bring down the temperature to approx. room temperature, at full blast. I intend to do what sierrakamat suggested, just want to know whether your AC mechanic is doing the same thing.
Also, do let me know which garage(s) you service your car at, if geographically convenient I will try the same.
@ Everyone:
Here is a list of doubts that I wish to clarify:
1. What is the best RPM range for this engine? I found it to be the smoothest in the 2200-2500 range.
2. The accelerator pedal is very hard, and makes a creaking/groaning noise when depressed/released. Also, it seems to have some play. The revs begin to increase only after depressing the pedal a bit deeply. Is this a cable problem?
3. There are 4 switches on the dashboard just below the speedometer, 2 on each side of the steering. The ones on the left are original, but dont seem to work. The first one is a spring-loaded dual switch, and looks like the controls for the rear washer-wiper from the icons on it. The second one has the icon of a meter, dont know what that is. The inner one on the right has been replaced with a cheap duplicate ( has "anurag" embossed on it), it controls the CD player. The last one is broken (it has an LED inside it).
I would like to know what functions these switches originally performed, and restore them back to what they originally were. A picture of the same would be great.
4. Sometimes, when the car is in third or fourth gear at ~1700-2000 RPM, it begins to shudder. The shuddering is felt prominently in the steering wheel and in the seats. It goes away if I just accelerate a bit till I cross 2000 RPM, or shift down and accelerate a bit, then again shift up to the same gear, back to the same RPM range. What is causing this behavior?
5. I found a knob like thingy at the rear of the back seat, embedded right in the centre of the bottom cushion. I tried pulling/pushing it, but it doesnt budge and nothing happened. What is it for?
Do let me know which are the best places in Pune to get these jobs done. I would prefer if the entire job can be done in one place, since the car can be completely stripped down and worked upon, then put back together piece by piece.
However, if there are separate specialists for each task who can do the jobs piecemeal, then I am willing to consider that option also.
Keep posting.
- Bullitt.