Thread Starter
#1
Dear all,
ABOUT ME:
ABOUT ME:
This is the first ever time, that I am writing into a automotive website, so moderators and others please help me with any of the improper things.
This is my first vehicle to start with my driving life.
I own a second hand Maruti Esteem Vxi(2005) model, pearl silver, with almost 91 K(At present) odometer reading.
I bought it at 83 K (Around 20 months ago) and the previous owner didn't co-operate much about the previous servicing records.
It gives me 16-18 kmpl on highways and 13-15 kmpl in city driving.
Top speed tested is 130- 135 kmph without any unsteadiness.
I don't drive it much, but do regular washing at home and cranking.
MY JOBS ON CAR:
I have done under body antirust coating, internal cabin floor painting, rear trunk floor painting and there is almost no more leakage in the car.
Though there was not a major leakage before also, but I am very much particular about even these small leakages.
There was a very small amount of water leaking from the left wiper cowl area into the cabin( I think that is a common problem with almost most of the cars growing old), but I insisted to my family friend mechanic for repairing it and during that, when the dashboard was opened, I removed the seats, and did some DIY cleaning, rust removal and cleaning and then he painted the floor for me.
Washing the floor mat was a very dramatic task, as the fine sand was not at all ready to vanish, even after repeated soap wash, vacuuming and rubbing. Believe me, I must have removed almost a kg of fine sand from it (Wish there was a option to just buy a new one and replace)
There was another very small leakage under the rear hood, near the spoiler attachment, which could have been easily managed with a small M Seal, but I did some DIY stuff at home. I removed the dikky-rubber packing and I found that there were many areas of rust, which couldn't be left like that, after I have seen them.
So, cleaned it, went to a local shop, where he welded small sections and then applied some car-patch, putty and coloured and entire boot brand new.
I'm also a DIY guy and keep trying things at home...
I removed the entire wiper assembly, cleaned the cowl area (Almost 200 gms of dust and fine sand, which was stuck with immense power to the body) sanded the rusted areas and painted them brand new. Also changed the hinges of the bonnet at the same time.
I have also removed all the four door panels, changed the door stoppers myself, greased the PW(Which are now smoothest, compared to my previous servicing experiences at other PW service centers, who had finally suggested me to change the door channels, if I need a butter smooth PW).
I also did a major cleaning of the wiring arrangement in the driver side, where almost every technician from various places ( like Autocop, Mass, rear view camera n mirror fitting, LED fittings etc.) had left their extra wires hanging and the panel was not even fitting into the socket properly.
I trimmed and rearranged almost all of them and now the panel fits in properly and also, I got a fair knowledge about the electricals and hence, do not need to run to the electrician every now and then and pay them for small or even medium level jobs.![[clap]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Clap.gif "Clap [clap]")
Battery repair, H/L bulb changed to Philips extreme vision 130 +.
changed the colour of the instrument cluster to red, and many more such DIY stuffs.
I have plans to do a lot more DIY stuffs too, but firstly, I wish to take care of the big things, that I can't do at home myself and is totally garage dependent and most importantly, they are the basic things to keep the ride, safe, smooth and pleasing.
TECHNICAL STUFFS and QUESTIONS:
I have done around 2-3 paid servicing at MASS (More than 2 centers), WA and WB done twice outside (Recent was 2 months ago). Recently, also went to a MASS, where they did the tune up, throttle body cleaning and said that once I get a paid service done at their center, they can provide a better picture on further maintenance requirements and improvements.
So, now, I wish to get a paid servicing done and I think an Engine oil change should be must, as mostly everyone suggested me to get it changed in some time but not a very urgent one.
My basic question is whether it is good to get a detailed 80 KM servicing done at MASS or should I get it from a known mechanic outside, as I'm not sure if the previous owner did this and unlikely that he must have done this, coz, he was planning to buy a new car.( I don't know, what to be done in the 80 kms servicing, as I do not have a owners manual where I can read this. Also upon searching on net, I got old esteem manual and upon searching for 80 km servicing, most of them refer to look into the car's owners manual, as it vary for different cars).
The outside guy is very trustworthy, as he is a family friend, but most of the time, these people don't have interest![[cry]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Cry.gif "Cry [cry]")
for old vehicles, esp esteem, 800, type and they either turn a deaf ear for your small complaints and if you insist more, then they try to convince you that the job is not required or not worth for the old vehicle or else will ask your vehicle to be left into the garage, and you do not know what is being exactly done there.
On the other side, the MASS guys(As everyone is aware) are not always helpful in the right direction and tend to misguide, loot or discourage you.
Also, their labour charges, service charges and other stuffs tend to drain money (Of course, there is no harm in spending it at least once, if it is a guaranteed stuff and legitimate repairs, services being carried out) which is always a considerable point to think for alternate options.
So all the champions of automobiles, please help me with improvising my esteem love, experience and pleasure, as I just love this car![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
(Though, it underwent a accident repair last year, but still don't wanna sell it and rather try to improvise it and keep it in long run.) Also, don't plan to sell it and buy another good condition esteem, as I do
not wish to search, examine and repair/service another unknown car.
1) Which Oil is good for the petrol Vxi esteem? Cost?
2) The Mass guy last time told me that they can even do the wheel servicing next time when I come early in the morning along with a paid service. What is this wheel servicing? and how to confirm if I need this? One thing for sure that the rims are old, look rusty, but there has been no hassle in driving( like the top speed and mileage) except for some cluck-cluck type of noise coming on and off, sometime). Also, I changed the left front wheel bearing from my outside guy around a few months back, when there was some noise coming from the tyres, as if something is rubbing against the roads. The noise was settled for some time but started again, and finally settled after I got the WA done.
3) During the accident, the gear box had to be changed and with elapsing time it is getting better and better, but the 2nd gear is still a bit hard (Is it the same case with most cars, since this gear is the most frequent one in action, in city driving) and need tips for making it more smooth (I remember it to be almost close to butter smooth, before the accident, though not very sure, as I was a totally novice for driving business at that time) Gear oil was also topped up last year.
4) The exhaust system: How to make sure that it is in best working conditions?
From my E learning and small experience, I understand that, as long as there is good amount of water coming out of the exhaust tail end, your exhaust is fine and the same is the case with my car too. But, some times,(Mostly, after starting the car for the first time before a drive) some atypical smell comes, which leaves me in doubts, as if something is just not right.
5) The suspensions are ok as of now, but since a car gets bumped sometime or the other on some notorious speed breakers or potholes, I just want to make sure they are inspected properly and if required then get the servicing done, rather than the time comes where I need to replace them.
Many more queries to come, but that will come out, as the discussion progresses.
I am in no hurry and you all can take your time and pay kind attention towards my queries and help my flourish my knowledge in the automobile world.
Thank you all in advance
Damodar M
Mumbai
This is my first vehicle to start with my driving life.
I own a second hand Maruti Esteem Vxi(2005) model, pearl silver, with almost 91 K(At present) odometer reading.
I bought it at 83 K (Around 20 months ago) and the previous owner didn't co-operate much about the previous servicing records.
It gives me 16-18 kmpl on highways and 13-15 kmpl in city driving.
Top speed tested is 130- 135 kmph without any unsteadiness.
I don't drive it much, but do regular washing at home and cranking.
MY JOBS ON CAR:
I have done under body antirust coating, internal cabin floor painting, rear trunk floor painting and there is almost no more leakage in the car.
Though there was not a major leakage before also, but I am very much particular about even these small leakages.
There was a very small amount of water leaking from the left wiper cowl area into the cabin( I think that is a common problem with almost most of the cars growing old), but I insisted to my family friend mechanic for repairing it and during that, when the dashboard was opened, I removed the seats, and did some DIY cleaning, rust removal and cleaning and then he painted the floor for me.
Washing the floor mat was a very dramatic task, as the fine sand was not at all ready to vanish, even after repeated soap wash, vacuuming and rubbing. Believe me, I must have removed almost a kg of fine sand from it (Wish there was a option to just buy a new one and replace)
There was another very small leakage under the rear hood, near the spoiler attachment, which could have been easily managed with a small M Seal, but I did some DIY stuff at home. I removed the dikky-rubber packing and I found that there were many areas of rust, which couldn't be left like that, after I have seen them.
So, cleaned it, went to a local shop, where he welded small sections and then applied some car-patch, putty and coloured and entire boot brand new.
I'm also a DIY guy and keep trying things at home...
I removed the entire wiper assembly, cleaned the cowl area (Almost 200 gms of dust and fine sand, which was stuck with immense power to the body) sanded the rusted areas and painted them brand new. Also changed the hinges of the bonnet at the same time.
I have also removed all the four door panels, changed the door stoppers myself, greased the PW(Which are now smoothest, compared to my previous servicing experiences at other PW service centers, who had finally suggested me to change the door channels, if I need a butter smooth PW).
I also did a major cleaning of the wiring arrangement in the driver side, where almost every technician from various places ( like Autocop, Mass, rear view camera n mirror fitting, LED fittings etc.) had left their extra wires hanging and the panel was not even fitting into the socket properly.
I trimmed and rearranged almost all of them and now the panel fits in properly and also, I got a fair knowledge about the electricals and hence, do not need to run to the electrician every now and then and pay them for small or even medium level jobs.
Battery repair, H/L bulb changed to Philips extreme vision 130 +.
changed the colour of the instrument cluster to red, and many more such DIY stuffs.
I have plans to do a lot more DIY stuffs too, but firstly, I wish to take care of the big things, that I can't do at home myself and is totally garage dependent and most importantly, they are the basic things to keep the ride, safe, smooth and pleasing.
TECHNICAL STUFFS and QUESTIONS:
I have done around 2-3 paid servicing at MASS (More than 2 centers), WA and WB done twice outside (Recent was 2 months ago). Recently, also went to a MASS, where they did the tune up, throttle body cleaning and said that once I get a paid service done at their center, they can provide a better picture on further maintenance requirements and improvements.
So, now, I wish to get a paid servicing done and I think an Engine oil change should be must, as mostly everyone suggested me to get it changed in some time but not a very urgent one.
My basic question is whether it is good to get a detailed 80 KM servicing done at MASS or should I get it from a known mechanic outside, as I'm not sure if the previous owner did this and unlikely that he must have done this, coz, he was planning to buy a new car.( I don't know, what to be done in the 80 kms servicing, as I do not have a owners manual where I can read this. Also upon searching on net, I got old esteem manual and upon searching for 80 km servicing, most of them refer to look into the car's owners manual, as it vary for different cars).
The outside guy is very trustworthy, as he is a family friend, but most of the time, these people don't have interest
for old vehicles, esp esteem, 800, type and they either turn a deaf ear for your small complaints and if you insist more, then they try to convince you that the job is not required or not worth for the old vehicle or else will ask your vehicle to be left into the garage, and you do not know what is being exactly done there.On the other side, the MASS guys(As everyone is aware) are not always helpful in the right direction and tend to misguide, loot or discourage you.
Also, their labour charges, service charges and other stuffs tend to drain money (Of course, there is no harm in spending it at least once, if it is a guaranteed stuff and legitimate repairs, services being carried out) which is always a considerable point to think for alternate options.
So all the champions of automobiles, please help me with improvising my esteem love, experience and pleasure, as I just love this car
(Though, it underwent a accident repair last year, but still don't wanna sell it and rather try to improvise it and keep it in long run.) Also, don't plan to sell it and buy another good condition esteem, as I do not wish to search, examine and repair/service another unknown car.
1) Which Oil is good for the petrol Vxi esteem? Cost?
2) The Mass guy last time told me that they can even do the wheel servicing next time when I come early in the morning along with a paid service. What is this wheel servicing? and how to confirm if I need this? One thing for sure that the rims are old, look rusty, but there has been no hassle in driving( like the top speed and mileage) except for some cluck-cluck type of noise coming on and off, sometime). Also, I changed the left front wheel bearing from my outside guy around a few months back, when there was some noise coming from the tyres, as if something is rubbing against the roads. The noise was settled for some time but started again, and finally settled after I got the WA done.
3) During the accident, the gear box had to be changed and with elapsing time it is getting better and better, but the 2nd gear is still a bit hard (Is it the same case with most cars, since this gear is the most frequent one in action, in city driving) and need tips for making it more smooth (I remember it to be almost close to butter smooth, before the accident, though not very sure, as I was a totally novice for driving business at that time) Gear oil was also topped up last year.
4) The exhaust system: How to make sure that it is in best working conditions?
From my E learning and small experience, I understand that, as long as there is good amount of water coming out of the exhaust tail end, your exhaust is fine and the same is the case with my car too. But, some times,(Mostly, after starting the car for the first time before a drive) some atypical smell comes, which leaves me in doubts, as if something is just not right.
5) The suspensions are ok as of now, but since a car gets bumped sometime or the other on some notorious speed breakers or potholes, I just want to make sure they are inspected properly and if required then get the servicing done, rather than the time comes where I need to replace them.
Many more queries to come, but that will come out, as the discussion progresses.
I am in no hurry and you all can take your time and pay kind attention towards my queries and help my flourish my knowledge in the automobile world.
Thank you all in advance
Damodar M
Mumbai
Last edited by a moderator:
![[anger]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Anger.gif "Anger [anger]")
) and scrubbing of the brake shoes.
![[frustration]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Frustration.gif "Frustration [frustration]")
