Tata Indica V2: Technical Problems & Solutions


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Hi Friends

This is regarding the problems we face with Tata Indica DLS model. Its a 2009 model, which was running as a Taxi. We bought it for own use as well as for tourist purpose. It has clocked 1,25,000 kms. We are pleased with its mileage. It gives 18 to 22 kmpl constantly during mixed drives. Following are the problems we are facing with this car.

1. The Car's wheel alignment is off almost everytime. It pulls to left or right as it wishes. I know well that Indica needs frequent alignment when compared to other cars in its segment. But i heard that it has to be done once in 5000 kms strictly. But we found that if we take it to Terrains or bumpy roads, its alignment is gone. Please suggest what can be done for this issue.?

2. Another big head ache with this car is its pick up. Usually Indica is under powered with A/C. But this car has very low pick up even without A/C with five persons. It moves like a snail in the highways and i need to stand up in the accelerator during sudden pick ups.[frustration] Its Air filter was changed four times as its recommended to change every 40,000 kms. We found that engine's smoke was normal. Suggestions are most welcome for this issue..

3. Another issue is water leakage inside the doors. During a rainy day, we found that rain water was leaking through the door beeding at driver's door. Hope TATA is teaching to harvest rain water. [roll] We felt ashamed with this issue, as five of them was there in the car and after a big struggle, those water was drained. During rainy days, also Horn does not function properly. Door beedings was changed only few months back.

4. Finally its regarding the formation of Rust at front doors. Its rusted below the window's beeding. Can we give a touch up for this one.?

Your suggestions would me more helpful for us.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS-List of problems. Help required!

@shrikanth

Sad to know this, but it is not unusual with Indica V2[:)] one of my friend has a same problem like sl.no.2 of your post and after visiting number of service centers finally he sold it out and bought a Figo last year. I find that is the best solution !!
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

Shrikanth, I dont see this as a specific problem but a general one for any aging car.

i hope you have a sound technician at your side. Apparently it doesn't look like as issues you mentioned are frugal.

Wheel alignment and engine issues can be sorted with a thorough checkup by an expert.

Rubber beadings of doors might have whethered need to be replaced.

Rusted areas should be treated at paint shop.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS-List of problems. Help required!

shrikanth,

Like Jayadev mentioned, wheel alignment and wheel balancing can be done at a good tyre shop/specialist.

Engine may require a flushing and decarbonising after this much running.

@shrikanth
Sad to know this, but it is not unusual with Indica V2. one of my friend has a same problem like sl.no.2 of your post and after visiting number of service centers finally he sold it out and bought a Figo last year. I find that is the best solution !!
Dear Gurrala74,

It seems you missed the full post of Shrikanth.

That car has done 1,25,000 km and used a taxi in bumpy roads and difficult terrrains.

Try a Figo in similar conditions and similar maintanance levels as a taxi and then watch how much kilometer it will go.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

Thank you all for your valuable comments.[:)] Since we are new to TATA family, we were only aware of what should be done periodically. Inspite of that, we faced above issues. Can anyone say what it will cost for engine de carbonising..? Regarding tyre issue, there is also little wobbling.. Tyre balancing and alignment was done frequently. But this issue still exists.

Also i can able to hear some strange screeching noise from engine when it is accelerated in first gear..
 
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Thank you all for your valuable comments.[:)] Since we are new to TATA family, we were only aware of what should be done periodically. Inspite of that, we faced above issues. Can anyone say what it will cost for engine de carbonising..? Regarding tyre issue, there is also little wobbling.. Tyre balancing and alignment was done frequently. But this issue still exists.

Also i can able to hear some strange screeching noise from engine when it is accelerated in first gear..
It shshould be the fan belt worn.need to be replaced.

see a quality mechanic, ask him to look for all the possible issues and provide an estimate for repair work. If you find it right get it repaired and It would all be sorted and your ride will be as good as new.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

Hello Shrikanth,

Your problem with water leakage and rusting is very strange in Indica.


I think for slow pickup, you need to service Diesel pump. So that pickup as well as mileage will increase.


I used Indica DLS 2004 model from 2006 to last year. I had a wonderful experience with it. You can visit my ownership review of my Black Indica. I think that will give you some idea.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS-List of problems. Help required!

shrikanth,

Dear Gurrala74,

It seems you missed the full post of Shrikanth.

That car has done 1,25,000 km and used a taxi in bumpy roads and difficult terrrains.

Try a Figo in similar conditions and similar maintanance levels as a taxi and then watch how much kilometer it will go.
@Safari, My post was just our own experience that what we did last year and nothing to do with Figo at all. I am not saying Indica is bad here and Figo is good.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

@Shrikanth: I have read your post and the suggestions profferd to you by our forum members. As a person who has travelled a lot in diesel Indicas as also someone who understands car mechanicals, I would suggest you not to put in more money on this car. Sell it and buy something else. Everything can be set right at a cost but in your case, it just doesn't seem worth it. An Indica that was used as a taxi and that has wobbly wheels, rust all over the body and a wheezy engine will not be a reliable companion for a long time without some serious investment of money. Sell it.

If I sound too biased, please get an engine compression test done. Costs Rs. 200. I am 200% sure that the compression is weak, which is a sign of major engine work.

Personally, I would not recommend spending a penny more on this car. Rest is upto you. If you still want to splurge money, let me know. I will guide you in totality.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

Shrikhant,

I was about to write that you should consult Sam Dinakar or Elango for a specific and practical solution.

Now Sam has posted already, I would suggest to discuss with him and finalise a fix to the problem to avoid further confusion.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

Once again Thank you all for your suggestions..

@Jayadev:

Will check the parts as you said..

@Appu

Yes i saw your Black Indica's review.. It was awesome..[:)] But the issues with water leakage and rust is really annoying. Because rusting issues was common only with Fiats and Ambys.. We too wonder that how come a three years old car can develop rust below beeding.. [anger] It was used extensively at Nilgiris by its previous owner.. So there are also chances of rusting since it rains heavily most of the year.. Regarding pick up i will check with diesel pump also..

@ Sam & Autosafari

To say the truth, we just bought this car few months back.. We preferred this car mainly because it was previously driven only by single person. (Owner cum driver) Infact we saw many T board Indicas.. Most of them were having many owners and maintanence was also poor. Since our max budget was upto 2,50,000 we can get only models about 2009 or before.. In total we found this car was a better option..

We know that TATA cars will always have niggling issues here and there, eventhough we maintain it well. For ex: Indicator switch gone, few days back.. i.e., Its not fixing in its position when we put left or right signals.. When we asked for replacing that, they said that it can be changed only along with wiper switch because it will come only as a set.. Its their tactics to make money..

Also we can able to notice that Front wheels seems to be more pressed than other Indicas. We keep 30 psi for all the tyres.. We use only nitrogen air..
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

Once again Thank you all for your suggestions..

@Jayadev:

Will check the parts as you said..

@Appu

Yes i saw your Black Indica's review.. It was awesome..[:)] But the issues with water leakage and rust is really annoying. Because rusting issues was common only with Fiats and Ambys.. We too wonder that how come a three years old car can develop rust below beeding.. [anger] It was used extensively at Nilgiris by its previous owner.. So there are also chances of rusting since it rains heavily most of the year.. Regarding pick up i will check with diesel pump also..

@ Sam & Autosafari

To say the truth, we just bought this car few months back.. We preferred this car mainly because it was previously driven only by single person. (Owner cum driver) Infact we saw many T board Indicas.. Most of them were having many owners and maintanence was also poor. Since our max budget was upto 2,50,000 we can get only models about 2009 or before.. In total we found this car was a better option..

We know that TATA cars will always have niggling issues here and there, eventhough we maintain it well. For ex: Indicator switch gone, few days back.. i.e., Its not fixing in its position when we put left or right signals.. When we asked for replacing that, they said that it can be changed only along with wiper switch because it will come only as a set.. Its their tactics to make money..

Also we can able to notice that Front wheels seems to be more pressed than other Indicas. We keep 30 psi for all the tyres.. We use only nitrogen air..
I could not understand the gist of your post. But my submissions are as follows:

1. I sincerely hope that you did not pay Rs. 2.5 lakh (or any figure that is near it) for this car.

2. This car will only get worse with age. Niggles would never really disappear.

3. Rust would b difficult to tackle. Strip your car's carpet and you will find more rust.

4. Nitrogen is a waste of money. Get the rims straightened instead.

5. Sell this car. Really.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

Sam, I am bit surprised to see your POV . I thought you loved machines. I am sure after selling, it would be used by third party and not recycled unlike in west.

Anyway.
shrikant ,Lookslike you wish an ailment for it . But mark my word never go with Tass , they are here to loot .You can rely on independent service centre like TVS or similar reputed ones if you have.
Those Indicator stalk if not broken could be repaired just by stripping and cleaning.

Are your suspension alright. Why do you say one side is dipressed ?
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

@jayadev: I love cars. If I had this Indica, I would skip a meal or two to save the money to set it right but I would not sell it. But dear, here we have a person who purchased a used car on a tight budget for sheer practicality and the problems listed by him makes me feel that spending more money on this car (by guesstimate says that he would require a considerable amount of it, and the majority of it would be spent on the engine) would defeat the very purpose of buying a used car in the first place. That's why I still hold on to my point of view. I render an unqualified apology if I have hurt the car lover inside you, but that was not my intent.

@Shrikanth: +1 to jayadev. Avoid TASS like you would avoid herpes. The DI Indica is a very simple car to work on and most private garages have the necessary expertise to carry out a good job on it. Try TVS/Bosch service centres.
 
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Re: Tata Indica V2 DLS - List of Problems. Help Required!

@Srikanth

I completely agree with Sam on this.

Check with Mahindra First Choice for a repair quote, if found high it is better to sell it out[:)]
 

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