[stallmaster]

Originally Posted by Gansan

Can someone post the grade and quantity of engine oil required for a 2003 model petrol Zen, with filter change please?

20W50. Don't go for thinner oils.

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by Gansan

Can someone post the grade and quantity of engine oil required for a 2003 model petrol Zen, with filter change please?

Hope this helps:

[Gansan]

Thanks. It is for a relative's Zen. He had handed it over to MSM because they made some service offer with free oil change and Ac gas top up. He informed me after they took the car away and upon a hunch I called my regular SA there and asked what engine oil they will fill, and he replied MGO 5W20. They have no other 40 weight oil, not even 5W30. All they have is either MGO 5W20 or Mobil1 0W40.

I stopped the oil change and bought 3.5 litres of Shell HX7 10W40 which he will collect from me tomorrow morning (he lives nearby my home) on the way to the workshop.

[Gansan]

^^ This car's central locking has a problem now. It is possible to open only the driver side door from the outside, all the other doors can be opened only from the inside. Some part is needed and even MSM Chennai are saying they are unable to source the parts and are trying to get it from outside (scrap market). MSM is owned by Suzuki and if they are unable to source it I don't know who else can. Is it possible to source it from somewhere online?

[fawad0222]

Hello Everyone,

I own a preowned Zen LXI, 2001 which has run 114000 kms so far. The car has been with me for last seven years. I use it sparingly for intracity travel but I plan to use for intercity travel once in a while in future.. I have recently renewed the car's fitness and wish to use it for next five years. The car has certain age related issues, primarily related with its body but nothing major. I believe car needs an exhaustive TLC in the form of replacement of old/ defective parts, paint etc. I contacted someone who is a TBHP member and is in the business of car repairs and restoration and he has quoted charges around 70000. To be fair to him, He has not yet seen the car in person. Can any one suggest a reliable passionate car mechanic/garage in delhi ncr who can do the job with reasonable charges.

regards

[stallmaster]

Originally Posted by fawad0222

Hello Everyone,
Can any one suggest a reliable passionate car mechanic/garage in delhi ncr who can do the job with reasonable charges.

Nakul Khanna
Global Automotives India
+918882237347
Wazirabad, Sector 52, Gurugram, Haryana 122003

https://goo.gl/maps/9UC5nvDxXpUYeSWN7

[Mohanprasath]

Hi BHPians,

I had bought a preowned Zen LX 2001 carb one (my first car) by 2019. It has done 2,20,000 kms by that time (now it is 2,35,000) and reason for buying this is, it was owned by one of my uncles for the last 15 years and he used to maintain it well.

Now, it is time to get the Registration renewed, so took zen to an All car care center. After a test drive, they said that

1. The front struts have to be changed as they didn't show any action (which I could feel when the front wheels go over a bump)
2. Steering box has to be changed, as it became hard (I didn't feel it). Along with it, lower arms and tie rod ends will be replaced. If it is not changed, wheel alignment cannot be done and already the front tires were worn out in the inner edge
3. Also, there were some issues in using petrol to run it (it is an LPG zen), they opened the petrol tank and quoted to replace the tank and fuel pump with a used one from the scrap market.
4. Left side rear wheel brake cylinder has jammed and it has to be replaced along with the brake shoes.

For all these works and they quoted (along with the labor charges)

1. Front Struts - Rs. 5000
2. Steering assembly Rs. 5000
3. Fuel tank - Rs. 2000

Along with the general Engine oil change, it came around Rs. 22,000. At first, I said not to replace the struts and planned to use the same for another 5k kms. But thought that the vibration will be transmitted to the suspension mount and chassis, so agreed to replace it.
And here is the summary of the bill

1. Oil Filter Rs. 160
2. Engine Oil (20W-50) Rs. 1,170
3. Used fuel tank - Rs. 2,000
4. Steering box Assembly - Rs. 4,380
5. Both Lower arms - Rs. 1,500-
6. Rear Brake shoe (1 set) - Rs. 780
7. Front Strut assembly (both) - Rs. 5,252
8. Wheel alignment + Water service - Rs. 750 (which will be 500 if done in my cousin's place)
9. Misc - Rs. 2,320
10. Labour - Rs. 5,180

It came around 23,000 and even after doing these things, it is not running on petrol. Petrol is coming to the carb and returning to the tank, Jet is also spraying fuel (over-spraying), but it is not running. They said that the float is not working and have to do a carb overhaul for which they have to source the MGP Carb repair kit and it will take time for it, I also agreed (as it hasn't been ran on petrol for the last one year).

We took the car home on that day and by referring to many youtube videos and many Team-BHP posts, I removed the air filter, cleaned the idle jet (which has been blocked). I found that the secondary throttle is not working and the secondary butterfly valve has formed some rust kind of things with the body (will this happen if we are driving only in low rpms?), poured some petrol into it and opened the butterfly valve. But it looks like the secondary throttle actuating vacuum diaphragm has worn out and not working. I also noticed that, when running, fuel is overflowing through the hole aside from the primary and secondary throttles (not sure why this is happening).
Overflowing through this hole

After that, when I tried to crank, the petrol hose near the fuel tank bursted and fuel started leaking. Then I contacted the service center, and they said they have asked some other mechanic to source the MGP carb repair kit (which was somewhere in Kerala).

All these seem to be some minor issues (at least for me). An important thing I noted is when I opened the oil filling cap in the valve cover when the engine is running, I can clearly feel the air coming out of it.

Now my questions are

1. Are all these costs in the bill correct or am I over-billed?
2. Why fuel is overflowing through that hole?
3. What is the reason for the air in the oil filling cap? Is it due to compression loss?
4. If it is compression loss, how much will it cost to fix it, how long will the fix last?
5. Is it worth fixing and keeping the car (some are saying carb-related parts will not be available in the future and no one will know to work on it)?
6. If I plan to sell this carb zen, I would like to go with a 2005-2006 MPFI zen (due to low maintenance and budget). Is this the right decision?
7. Is an MPFI zen a trouble-free one? if-else which will be best for my purpose (average - 7000 km/year, budget - 1.5 lakhs max)?

Thanks in advance,
Mohanprasath

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by Mohanprasath

[*]If I plan to sell this carb zen, I would like to go with a 2005-2006 MPFI zen (due to low maintenance and budget). Is this the right decision?[*]Is an MPFI zen a trouble-free one? if-else which will be best for my purpose (average - 7000 km/year, budget - 1.5 lakhs max)?[/list]
Thanks in advance,
Mohanprasath

If you are onto the Zen because it is a project car, then go ahead and get another Zen. You will need to spend some money to bring it into decent condition.

If you are looking at a daily driver car on a budget, please look at a used Mk1 Alto. It is cheaper to run and maintain, parts are readily available.

[Mohanprasath]

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

If you are looking at a daily driver car on a budget, please look at a used Mk1 Alto. It is cheaper to run and maintain, parts are readily available.

I'm looking for a combo of both, need a budget performance car. Also, I like the Jelly Bean and its manual steering.

Will it be good if I was able to find a Zen in decent condition? How about the availability of the spares, does it share the same spares with other Suzuki cars?

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by Mohanprasath

I'm looking for a combo of both, need a budget performance car. Also, I like the Jelly Bean and its manual steering.

Will it be good if I was able to find a Zen in decent condition? How about the availability of the spares, does it share the same spares with other Suzuki cars?

Being in Coimbatore you should be able to find and restore a jelly bean zen with some effort. There are certain common parts but that generation of Maruti parts are not as common as the later Alto onwards, it is the same scene with Esteem as well although M800 parts were much more readily available.

[Mohanprasath]

Friends, I was not able to source the Carburetor repair kit to overhaul the carb. Can someone help me in getting it?

[Rahul Bhalgat]

Originally Posted by Mohanprasath

Friends, I was not able to source the Carburetor repair kit to overhaul the carb. Can someone help me in getting it?

You can try online at Boodmo website. I find that the entire kit isn't available as one package. You need to choose and buy the individual parts. It will still serve your purpose.

https://boodmo.com/catalog/4254-repa...03-maruti-zen/

[Mohanprasath]

Originally Posted by Rahul Bhalgat

You can try online at Boodmo website. I find that the entire kit isn't available as one package. You need to choose and buy the individual parts. It will still serve your purpose.

https://boodmo.com/catalog/4254-repa...03-maruti-zen/

Thanks Rahul. Ordered some parts in Boodmo, yet to deliver.

Anyone knows a good SA to overhaul Zen's carb in Coimbatore/Pollachi? I'm planning to go with MyTVS Pollachi.

[Zen2001]

My 2001 carb zen stalls immediately on pressing the accelerator pedal, not while normally idling nor when the pedal is slowly pushed as while driving at good speeds. Pickup is good and there is no misfire, except during that initial launch from a standstill when the accelerator input needs to be quick and of a greater magnitude. I've had the carb overhauled twice in the last 3 years with complete change of the float, needle jets, accelerator daiphragms, screws, packing etc as is sold as a carburettor repair kit. The suction tubes are also connected properly and external diaphragms are in working condition. The mechanics say that this is a problem in the carburettor nozzles - probably blocked and could not be cleared during the usual process of overnight soakage, brush/wire cleaning, compressed air etc. This leads to frequent stalling while starting in 1st gear from a complete standstill as soon as the accelerator is pressed (even without releasing the clutch pedal), which is problematic at signals and in slow moving traffic.
Any inputs, as to what could be the source of this issue and the possible solution?

PS : My car has also been running (more than 90%) on LPG since 2009 (more than150000km), but this stalling NEVER occurs while driving in LPG mode; but exclusively only when driving on petrol. Does driving on LPG affect the fuel jets/inlets of the carb? Mechanics are quick to blame this. Yes, fuel pump had been replaced during the carb overhaul along with thorough fuel tank cleaning ( debris caused the earlier one to choke and burn out).

[Zen2001]

Originally Posted by Zen2001

My 2001 carb zen stalls immediately on pressing the accelerator pedal, not while normally idling nor when the pedal is slowly pushed as while driving at good speeds. ...........

Any inputs on the above problem would be appreciated. Issue is neither highly frustrating especially with increasing traffic. MASS and a couple of private service garages who have worked on this issue before are clueless. Thanks in advance.