[dean5545]

Actually the puncture happened on my Innova.The innova and the Fortuner both have the same puncture repair kit.
Even I thought about the single rod the same.Will definitely have a look at it on my next visit to the ASC.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by dean5545

Actually the puncture happened on my Innova.The innova and the Fortuner both have the same puncture repair kit.

Interesting. But doesn't Innova too have a set of tubeless tyres ?

[dean5545]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Interesting. But doesn't Innova too have a set of tubeless tyres ?

The tyre had got a puncture due to an iron rod about 8cm had pierced it a day before.The tyre had a very big patch which gave onthe expressway.The steering had started to vibrate.This happens a lot with me due to the roads I travel on.Hence I am worried to put Michelin on my car.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by dean5545

The tyre had got a puncture due to an iron rod...

That's bad.
I have had many such episodes of large metallic bolts, rods etc playing havoc on my earlier ride's (Scorpio) Yoko tubleless. But never have the patches given way despite the highway/high speed runs or age. Normally patches give way because of improper size. Tyrewallahs generally put small patches as they have a flat rate for all patch repairs and don't go by patch size generally - and so smaller patches cost them less. The larger the patch the better it is as there is a larger area for the grip. So even for small ruptures I insist that they put the largest size (wherein then there is a mighty squabble and I generally win !). That keeps it going.

[Guderian]

Now this is truly spooky.
Here we were discussiong about flats/punctures & patches and...

This morning during the weekend routine - on topping the air in the tyres saw that the air in the front right tyre had reduced considerably. Down to 20 psi. Knew there was trouble somewhere. Checked the tyre thoroughly. Nothing. Checked valve. All well.

Anyway took it to the nearby tyre shop. A large, modern shop where I went the first & only time with Admiral with a metal piece embedded in one of the tyres almost a year+ ago. They checked visually. Nothing.
And then the tyre was dunked in water and at a point there was a 2mm round aperture and a merry chirp of bubbles around it. There was something metallic deep inside.

Tyre pulled out. And the aperture probed. And this was pulled out from deep within.


For comparision.



Appears the full screw was around for some time with the head outside. Hmmm... no wonder I got some great traction for some days !
And then slowly with the running, the head and some portion of the screw wore off and the empty portion started to leak. Can't they make better quality screws I ask you !

Anyway the offending piece of metal removed and first the outer tread surface which was pitted was filled with some materal and glue and sealed off. I was told by the owner not to go in for a strip filler/sealer but opt for a double patch. Agreed for a change - as he informed that many complaints were received about the strips, which when the treads reduced, were popping out like corks despite all the glue being put in.

Then the inner damaged portion of the tyre was gently ground/roughened with a hand electric grinder and glue spread around the hole. First a small cold patch was fixed and pressed hard with a device that looked like a pizza cutter. Next more glue was spread on the first patch and around it and a much larger patch was fixed and pressed hard again.
Tyre set back on the alloy wheel and checked. No merry, gurgling bubbles.
And I got the wheel studs to be greased well, as the wheel was fixed back
I think a thorough job was done. Time will tell.
Paid Rs 170 for the job and 20 bucks for the grease monkey, who did a good job, as a tip.

...as I left I remembered the recent discussion on this thread.

[Guderian]

With a slightly pleasant climate visiting the city, signalling onset of winter (if at all you can call it that in Mumbai) Admiral is returning some real good FE numbers as of the end of last week - all running in the city.


The FE figures after running for:



Last weekend was the date to grant attention to Mr Sparks - the battery.



First of course the usual distilled water top up:


And then the half yearly battery yank out exercise - great for the bi & triceps. This to check if everything was/is fine below and around the battery area. Many a time battery spill outs (acid) can cause rusting etc below & around, as well as to check the battery casing overall. Also to clean the area below the battery. The amount of gunk/detritus that can accumulate there (on/around the battery's plastic tray/area below) is not very thrilling to think about.




All OK and Mr Sparks gets back where he is at his best.



And from the bridge:


Driving to work today - a little early these days. Good clean run, hardly any traffic, easier on the nerves and good on the FE numbers too.

On the Mulund flyover:


Dream run on the EE Highway:


At Lake Tah...forget it...Powai Lake:


Underbelly:


Ship at anchorage for the day !



Aloha.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Last weekend was the date to grant attention to Mr Sparks - the battery.
And then the half yearly battery yank out exercise...

PS:

A quick clarification here on the battery removal exercise (thanks to a phone query from a fellow Fortuner owner who had read the piece) for all the Fortuner owners.

Once you place the battery back and start up the engine you'll find that you'll need to reset the radio, AC settings (vent settings - if on internal circulation/ temperature setting goes to 25 degrees - default.). Both the trip meters get reset to '0', so note the readings before disconnecting the batteries, as will all the MID readings.
Also note that the driver's side window winder's one touch switch operation will stop working until reset. This can be reset by rolling up the window fully and holding up the switch for 5 seconds.

Tally ho.

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Attachment 1173976

Does some portion of wire near lug/clamp that connects to negative battery terminal remain exposed in Toyota vehicles? I see similar exposed wire in my Innova.

Both the trip meters get reset to '0', so note the readings before disconnecting the batteries, as will all the MID readings.
Also note that the driver's side window winder's one touch switch operation will stop working until reset. This can be reset by rolling up the window fully and holding up the switch for 5 seconds.

None of these happen in Innova, this appears to be specific to Fortuner. I don't understand reason for trip meter getting reset on disconnecting battery.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by sukiwa

1. Does some portion of wire near lug/clamp that connects to negative battery terminal remain exposed in Toyota vehicles? I see similar exposed wire in my Innova.

2. None of these happen in Innova, this appears to be specific to Fortuner. I don't understand reason for trip meter getting reset on disconnecting battery.

1. I guess so. Have seen this on the other Fortuners too. I'll possibly tape it up tomorrow after checking it thoroughly.

2. Well with so many critical, cynical, sarcastic observations and comments about the Fortuner being too Innova-ish the boffins at Toyota must have decided to change/differentiate Fortuner and they started off from here - with these little bits...Wink !

[sukiwa]

For Innova, negative terminal wire is first one to be removed & connected last.

How is it for Fortuner?

[Guderian]

And another Sunday morning.
Couple of DiYs...

The slightly exposed -ve terminal wire which I thought of taping up. Wasn't sure whether I should tape it up:


Saw small gaps in it and imagined that water could get in & trickle down and so decided to go ahead and do it:


And was done:


Mr Sparks - all set.



And then I spotted that the plastic clip of the clutch tube (metal), recognisable by the looped section below, which takes the clutch oil to the clutch slave cylinder was broken and dislodged from the seating point.
The tube was dangling along with the clip beside the curved fastening point. The fastening plastic hooks below had broken. Not sure how. Could be a flying stone from one of the OTRs.

Didn't want to wait till the next service to get a new clip and leave it as it is.

So used a bit of this to seat the plastic clip into the metal fastening point:



Plastic clip fastened to the seating point:



Tube fixed back:




And a further foolproofing:

All secured. This should last a lifetime really.



Nothing like having these two onboard all the time:




Squeaky clean engine bay. Even smells good:




And all set for the week ahead:



Anchors aweigh !

Originally Posted by sukiwa

For Innova, negative terminal wire is first one to be removed & connected last.
How is it for Fortuner?

I thought that was the case with all auto batteries.

[bluevolt]

Good going General, nice to see Admiral in fantastic shape.

How many miles on the ODO yet? & How long you plan to keep it?

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

1. Good going General, nice to see Admiral in fantastic shape.
2. How many miles on the ODO yet ?
3. How long you plan to keep it?

Hey bluevolt,
Long time.Welcome back !
1. Thank you for the warm words. It would be more appropriate, I guess, to state that Admiral keeps me in good shape - thanks to the weekly work out !

2. Admiral has crossed 48K KMs as per the odo.

3. Frankly I have no idea at all. Feel as though the journey has just begun.
Though, at this point, asking me this question is akin to asking the French as to how long they intend to keep the Eiffel Tower !

[F150]

Good Morning General,

Could you please let us know the make of that knife and where you procured it from ?

How are the brake pads doing ? Were they already replaced ?

When are you planning to replace the tyres ? @ 50K ? Which tyres did you finalize ?

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by F150

1. Could you please let us know the make of that knife and where you procured it from ?

2. How are the brake pads doing ? Were they already replaced ?

3. When are you planning to replace the tyres ? @ 50K ? Which tyres did you finalize ?

Hi F150...Long time !

1. That's the Leatherman Wave. Some details & more snaps here:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-do...-diyer-35.html
Though I got this piece in the US - you can now order it in India.

2. Brake pads seem to be doing good as per the check during the last service at 45K KMs. They still have some life left. No, they've not been changed till date.

3. No plans on the tyres yet. The Dunlops still have life left in them as of today. Some of the Fortuner owners seem to have ridden the Dunlop OE for 75K KMs before the first change. Let's see how long they last on Admiral.
Nothing finalised on the next brand.