THE FABIA CLUB

rm · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:51 am Post subject: Rainy Day Woes

Folks,

Let me start by saying that i am greatly perturbed by what i saw and experienced this morning.

The Fabi including my other cars sadly stand exposed to the vagaries of nature. That has been the case for quite some time due to the lack of covered parking and will continue to be so as far as i can see.

Last night, we in Hyderabad (at least in the place that i stay) had our first real encounter with the rain gods this year. Nothing frightfully fierce but quite a decent downpour.

This morning when i went to take the car off for some regular errands i noticed that the door locking mechanism was a little sticky. The kind of feeling when you have something loosely adhered to with glue. Nevertheless the locking still worked fine but i was not very happy with the feeling that i got while locking / unlocking the car.

The second, most disconcerting incident was when after unlocking i opened the driver door and what do i see but a a nice trail of water dropping down from the door panel. There was no sign of water outside and i can surely say that water has manged to seep in inside between the door and the door panel. This i am really concerned because of all the electrical wizardry that lurks within a modern car door. I cant go changing Power windows every time Mother Nature feels the need to empty her belly. No pun intended. Smile

Folks tell me what i need to do coz i was under the impression that this 'built like a tank' lady can withstand these minor altercations with nature when my old steeds like the Esteem and the Santro have done without a twitch over all these years and still continue to do.

rm
_________________
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it

admin · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: Rainy Day Woes

k_ajay · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:12 pm Post subject:

Hi RM,

Yeah, like Robin says, I've not had this problem either, of water entering the inside through the rubber beading..

Must be a one-off case or does it happen everytime it rains? A few droplets running in and dropping when you open the door is common, but a regular feature that, could need some looking into..
_________________
Peace precedes Prosperity..

rm · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 4:22 pm Post subject:

Comrades,

I visited the Skoda Service center today and have spent the better part of the morning there. The driver side door panel had a problem with the beading which allowed the water to seep into the door. This they say has been rectified. I will confirm this as soon Mother nature pours again.

This they also say is the first time that they have come across such a problem. I wonder if it was their own handiwork when they opened the panel in the first place to replace the R.H.S. Rear view mirror assembly.

Coming to the rear view mirror, this time the L.H.S. mirror assembly had also given away so they replaced that too today. I hope that the left door panel does'nt start collecting water now.

If you kind folks remember, i had posted some time back the quirkiness of the fuel gauge which would suddenly start showing an empty tank whenever it so fancied. This has been traced to a faulty fuel float which i had already realized could have been the problem. A replacement has been sent for since they did not have one in stock and will also be replaced today or tomorrow.

There is also a 'Monsoon Checkup' that has started and was added to the list of items on the Job card. I dont think that has been done as yet and i have also asked for a checklist of the items that would be covered under this checkup. I have not got that as yet too but will get my hands on it when i go for the fuel float replacement.

So two of my concerns have been taken care of but have given rise to a far greater concern on the quality, reliability of this car. I have been to the workshop way too many time with a new car.

rm
_________________
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it

rm · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 4:29 pm Post subject:

Another very quick update. This happened the minute i had posted my previous response on this subject.

I received a call from the Service Advisor stating that the fuel floats have been changed and the one that fits my car is not available at this point. He said that they should be able to get one by the end of the week. Will keep you posted.

I also enquired on the call the items covered under the 'Monsoon Check' and what i got was that the AC filter was cleaned. I dunno when that was done honestly. The Wiper fluid topped up, Wiper blades checked and the under body was washed to remove dirt and grime.

So that kind of marks what was done for my Fabi w.r.t. to the Monsoon Check. If anyone gets a hand on their checklist please do share it with us since i dont think i will be making a visit to them before the end of the week. God Forbid. Smile

rm
_________________
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it

rm · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 12:59 pm Post subject:

I just got a call from the Skoda service center. The fuel float unit has finally arrived. Plan to visit the service center tomorrow to get it rectified.

Will post details once its done.

rm
_________________
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it

admin · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:51 pm Post subject:

I too got the monsoon check - up done. Replaced the front wipers - cost ~1500. Also got fixed wires that were chewed by rats. Learnt few tricks .. like changing fuse, jump start etc.
_________________
Robin

rm · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 5:06 pm Post subject:

admin · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:13 pm Post subject:

rm · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks Robin. Similar to the other vehicles. The handy addition of a clip to pull out the fuse is a boon for people with podgy fingers like mine. Smile

rm
_________________
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it

rm · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:43 pm Post subject:

I paid my scheduled visit to the A.S.S for getting the fuel float replaced. A job that they told me would take 20 mins took over an hour and a half. Also i see that the document that they have given me mentions that the Fuel pump has been replaced.

When i asked them why the replacement has been mentioned as that of a fuel pump instead of a float, the answer that i got
1. From the Admin dept was that, that is how it appears in the system and
2. From the service exec. was that both the float and the pump are the same thing.

As far as i know, the fuel float and the fuel pump are completely disparate items akin to chalk and cheese. This is from whatever past knowledge that i have garnered with respect to driving around the Maruti's and Hyundai's of yore. After spending close to 2 hours at the workshop i was in no mood to argue any more as long as it worked.

I would like to understand from my comrades here whether my understanding is correct w.r.t the Fabia or have i got it completely wrong.

rm
_________________
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it

akutty · Newbie Joined: 22 Feb 2010 Posts: 18

In some other thread some one mentioned about the fuel pump being changed during service (for BS IV compliance someone mentioned??). Anyway when I went to Vinayaka, Bangalore I did enquire about the same. The service person said it is not needed in my car as they are doing this replacement for some particular chasis numbers.

He also mentioned that with this new fuel pump your pick up would improve, but mileage might come down.

admin · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:56 pm Post subject:

rm · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject:

Rudy · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:18 pm Post subject:

After the fuel pump replacement, the mileage has dropped to 9 from 10 KMPL in the city...
yet to check with the long drive.

admin · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:39 pm Post subject:

jbarai · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:55 am Post subject:

jbarai · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:00 am Post subject:

rm · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject:

rm · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:33 pm Post subject: