[JustCause]

Thanks for clarifying. I meant something like this as a quickfix to drive the car to the service station

[SDP]

Originally Posted by SDP

MASS estimation -> The SA did basic investigation and told that the heating coil (part of the AC assembly) seems to have been shot/cracked. The estimate given was as follows;
1. AC Servicing (dash removal, AC removal, gas refill, Nitrogen, labour etc) - Rs3800
2. Possibly replacing the heating coil - Rs 2200
3. Carpet removal and refixing - Rs 650
4. Internal shampoo to remove coolant and its odour - Rs 1000

Overall ~8500 Rs including taxes etc.

Got the work done yesterday at a local mechanic. His AC guy did the exact same thing as suggested by most of you i.e. isolate the heater coil and the pipe taking the coolant to the heating coil. The heater no longer works, but I can live with that. Total cost -> just 1200 Rs. as compared to the 8500 quoted by M.A.S.S. !

To be fair to the M.A.S.S. -> Here's a line-item level comparison.
1. AC Servicing (dash removal, AC removal, gas refill, Nitrogen, labour etc) - Rs3800 -> The mechanic did not remove the AC, release & refilled the gas etc. He just isolated the heater coil. Charge -> Rs 1200
2. Possibly replacing the heating coil - Rs 2200 -> The heater coil was not replaced. No charge.
3. Carpet removal and refixing - Rs 650 -> The local mechanic did not remove the carpet. He managed to drain out all the accumulated water and coolant. The carpet is still damp, but there is no coolant odour. No charge.
4. Internal shampoo to remove coolant and its odour - Rs 1000 -> Not required. Not done. No charge.

Summary -> The M.A.S.S. tries to restore your car to its original shape and would not necessarily offer alternate-not-so-perfect solutions that are practical.

Lessons learnt ->
1. Always take opinions (from local mechanics as well as the tbhp community) rather than relying solely on the M.A.S.S. recommendations. (if the cost would not have been prohibitive, generally I would have given a go-ahead to the M.A.S.S.).
2. I checked with the local mechanic and he said he can do AC jobs. He actually got it done from a external AC specialist. So the 1200 Rs include his margins also. I should have gone to a AC specialist myself, the cost could have been lower.

Thank you all for all your suggestions and help. Really appreciate.

[SirAlec]

Originally Posted by JustCause

Thanks for clarifying. I meant something like this as a quickfix to drive the car to the service station

even if you leave it open, it will do no harm to your car. You will have to block the main pipe (radiator) that goes into this.

I think the OP's mechanic did the same thing.

But 1200 is still expensive. You just need to open the radiator elbows and wield it shut. Even if aluminium wielding with job with a MIG weilder is considered 1200 is too high. Its a Rs. 400/- job considering the fact you have to remove the coolant and refill it again, a messy job.

[SDP]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

But 1200 is still expensive. You just need to open the radiator elbows and wield it shut. Even if aluminium wielding with job with a MIG weilder is considered 1200 is too high. Its a Rs. 400/- job considering the fact you have to remove the coolant and refill it again, a messy job.

In hindsight, when I consider the actual work done, the knowhow needed and its complexity, I do agree that 1200 is still pretty high.
I guess, I was just too happy to hear the no. 1200 as against the 8500 and missed evaluting the estimate against the solution and work needed.
That in fact is another learning

Thanks SirAlec.

[kkg]

I am having same problem with my Spark for last few months. Took it to service station many times but the problem was never solved. I bumped into this thread and found the case similar to mine. I checked the coolant yesterday and to my shock there was nothing like that in the reservoir.

This got me mad, and i called my SA booked my car for today. I have left my car today and gave my piece of mind to the manager and SA. I forgot to mention that my warranty expired in october. I don't know how they will handle the issue now.

Is the system similar in Spark?? and what if i have to Bypass the heating ??

[shineshine]

Originally Posted by kkg

I am having same problem with my Spark for last few months. Took it to service station many times but the problem was never solved. I bumped into this thread and found the case similar to mine. I checked the coolant yesterday and to my shock there was nothing like that in the reservoir.

This got me mad, and i called my SA booked my car for today. I have left my car today and gave my piece of mind to the manager and SA. I forgot to mention that my warranty expired in october. I don't know how they will handle the issue now.

Is the system similar in Spark?? and what if i have to Bypass the heating ??

Coolant getting low in reservoir is NOT always related to AC coil. The first thing what you need to check is where all the coolant is going.

SDP as said, his coolant was found at least under his carpet.

But for you, find out where your coolant goes from the reservoir.

[blrboy]

Hi Team,
I had given my car, palio 1.2 NV for a regular service at Fast Cars, Bangalore.

They detected a mild coolant leakage, which they said is not from outside. They said it will take at least 2 days to detect and fix the problem, since the workshop boys are off for pooja holidays.

I am planning for a long drive during this upcoming holiday week end. But now I am afraid of taking it for a long drive. Please advise if this can be taken to some shops where the leakage reason could be diagonised quickly.

I am planning to take it to car-tech in Ramamurthy nagar. Can anyone from Bangalore advise on these:
1. Is it okay to drive around 340 kms with a mild leakage issue
2. If so, what precautions should be taken like a spare coolant , mineral water etc..
3. I have never seen the meter crossing half-mark though I could see some drips in the parkign lot below the hood, not sure if the drops that I see is because of after effect of service or a real coolant leakage.

Any advise would be helpful!

Thanks

[sgiitk]

I think a dose of radiator sealant like Bars Leak, Holts, etc. may fix the problem.

[joybhowmik]

Originally Posted by blrboy

1. Is it okay to drive around 340 kms with a mild leakage issue

If you don' manage to get it fixed by the time you leave, drop about 3 tablespoons of haldi (turmeric) powder down the radiator cap. That should hold it until you get back.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by joybhowmik

...3 tablespoons of haldi (turmeric)...

Have mercy on the radiator, and the entire cooling system, Joy! Too much of a good thing is NOT great. The recommended dose is...

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Leaking radiator: Half a teaspoon of turmeric ('haldi') powder poured into the radiator stops minor leaks. Top up with water if coolant is not available.

[joybhowmik]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Have mercy on the radiator, and the entire cooling system, Joy! Too much of a good thing is NOT great. The recommended dose is...

Well SST, not too long ago, our Alto at Chinsurah , had sprung a leak in the radiator. Little bit of overheating was there as expected. I had stopped the car immediately and called for help from a local mechanic. He did pour in 3 tblspoons of the stuff, and sent me on my way. And quite a way it was, as we were returning from Durgapur.

3 or was it 4 hours later (?) I rolled into the MASS (Car Hospital on GT Road, Bandel). The car was running fine - no overheating. Anyhow, they took it off, and after a minor surgery and transfusion , it was back in action.

[arnabchak]

I am having a similar problem with my Wagon R (CNG).

The heating coil is kaput and I have bypassed the system as shown in post #16 by Just cause.

Yet, I am having some coolant seeping into the carpets.
Went to the person who did the work and he said that it will not be possible as there is a bypass and coolant should not seep in.

He further said that it may be due to my recent car servicing at MASS which could result in slightly wet carpets and the earlier mixed coolant is showing up.

He tried to suck in whatever remaining coolant was there in the pipeline(nothing came out though) and used Nitrogen gas to clean up.

He suggested I use newspaper to soak up the residual moisture.

Yet, yesterday, I could see some fresh coolant seeping in.

What is happening and why?
Any simple fix to this that would not require me to run to the garage?

I fail to understand if the pipe has been bypassed, then why is the seeping still there?

Pls. help.
My car has run 86,500 kms till now.