Feb 13, 2006 06:51 PM
5951 Views
(Updated Feb 13, 2006 06:56 PM)
Coming to my Indica, I settled for a V2 DLX which came with all the goodies. I found the power windows too noisy to my liking. Also the OE tyres 165/65 R13 were inadequate and I changed it to 185/60 R13 Michelin Certis Tubeless. There was no music system when I purchased the car (July 2002).
For people who feel the Indica is underpowered, try to drive her without the AC...The car could keep up with any car in its category and still give you the 17+ Kmpl. I was pleasantly pleased that Tatas have come with such a wonderful “mini” truck which could be thrown around anywhere. The only sad part to this great vehicle was the BAD service from the dealers’ right from day one...well that’s another story altogether.
The car was parked for about 6 hours and started to get back to Chennai by about 5:30 p.m. Since the temperatures were high, I turned on the AC after five minutes and rolled down the windows to get the hot air out. Got a faint burning smell of rubber and dismissed the idea that my car was burning. A km or so later out of curiosity, I pulled the car of the kerb and opened the Bonnet. Man..did I actually see the ENGINE ON FIRE..!!! …
I could actually see fire on the engine bay next to the fuse box and above the fuel filter area. We were lucky to find some sand nearby and quickly put out the fire by throwing the sand on the fire. I tried calling the tata rescue in vain only to be told that we were too far away and they could only “attend city calls”
On scrutiny the complete wiring harness appeared burnt and we waited for nearly an hour before trying to start the car.
The best part of the Indica was that it actually started [to my surprise] and all the functions..lights..AC etc were working fine. The Tata dealer [mobile rescue] whom I called again to enquire whether it is safe to drive after the fire assured me and advised me not to exceed 60 Kmph and also not use the AC. I travelled the 100 odd kms at 50 Kmph on the highway and managed to reach the city after nearly 4 hours. The only problem was the car was over heating if I was to slow down for traffic. On reaching the city, my biggest nightmare was to control the engine overheating as well as manage the traffic. I did fairy well until a point when I had a warm splash of greenish liquid on my windscreen and the engine died. Luckily I was inside the dealers compound.
The car was srutinised by the service manager [at 2200 hrs] and he confirmed that the wiring harness has burnt and the radiator cooling fan [thermostatic fan] had stopped working. This was the reason for the engine overheating. I wondered the reason for the car burning automatically and on enquiry, found that the fuse box loosens around 60000 kms and they automatically replace the same. My car had just done 45000 kms and hence it was decided to replace the same at the next service. I was lucky to get out unburnt and alive!!
Also I was thankful to the reliability of the indica which really held up inspite of a fire in the engine.. Kudos to Tata motors for a wonderful product.
