Don't be taken for a ride

THE OTHER day at a party, a Yankee Lima walks up to me and asks me a pertinent question - What will happen if one uses diesel in a petrol driven car with a fuel injection system?

Well, one thing is sure that it is no great blunder as diesel is also a fuel but of a low octane rating as compared to petrol and the results of this mixture can be varied: — if the quantity of diesel in the fuel tank was in excess of petrol then the engine will stall immediately once the petrol finishes in the fuel line. If the quantity is low, then the engine will run as long as it is hot and the fuel mixture ignites but may not start after it is switched off. Of course, it will create heavy knocking in the engine and there will be a phenomenal loss of power to tell the driver that there is something really wrong.

Now what is the remedy to this fiasco:— Very simple, have the fuel tank drained of the mixed fuel that it is carrying, clean the fuel line and the fuel pump if the vehicle has a carburetter clean that as well. Replace the fuel filter, get some fresh petrol filled in the tank and go ahead and crank the engine and every thing will be as before. If the vehicle is fuel injected, it is recommended that the fuel injectors should be physically removed, cleaned and reinstalled before starting the engine. The engine, once it starts, will sputter initially but will smoothen shortly once the residue mixture of petrol and diesel gets burnt out. Don't be taken for a ride if the workshop owner or the mechanic starts telling you stories of replacing the fuel pump or the fuel gauge or even opening the engine for cleaning and the like. This was suggested to the lady and an estimate of Rs. 40,000-50,000 was quoted for this job, as she happened to own one of the brand new German Marque. In cold countries experts recommends by experts that petrol can be mixed with diesel up to 30 per cent for a good morning start as well to better the octane rating of diesel. But the diesel engine will not withstand if the petrol to diesel ratio is reversed. That mixture can surly create havoc in the engine.

Another peculiar feature that one will notice is the Indian made foreign cars manufacturers will not recommend that their product should be repaired or serviced at any other workshop other than their own. I agree as well as disagree with this. I agree because they — the authorised workshops have some special tools and testing equipment for certain sensitive jobs that have to be carried out on a car that has ECMs on board and that too rarely in the life span of the car. The rest are normal maintenance jobs that can be carried out by any qualified workshop. The nexus I see between the manufacturer and the authorised workshop is the return on the investment that the authorised workshop has to make on the establishment vis-`-vis the returns.

The authorised workshop actually makes one feel as if the owner has made a mistake buying their product, once the car goes for service or repairs to them. They charge the earth for the same job that can be done at half the price outside or even less. Understandably, the concept of repairs to units is being done away with for reasons of reliability but in spite of that certain replacements do not need to be done at all other than to boost the sales figures of the workshops.

And disagree because there is nothing that a qualified workshop cannot do that the authorised can and for a pittance. I know of many manufacturers who would not sell a fan belt or a hosepipe to a stranded owner and would insist that the vehicle be towed or brought to their workshop for jobs as small as that.

This is simplify blackmailing, blackmailing the owner, because that part is not available in the market and the owner does not know where else he could get the same from. If the part is procured from the dealer he would charge the earth for the same besides the inconvenience of the car being towed to the company work shop that may be in the boon-docks.

Abroad, one could walk into any spare part shop in the company owned showroom and order form a `nut' to an `engine' across the counter. Not only will they supply you the part but may also offer a discount on the same and possibly have it home delivered. These episodes have actually happened and I have helped many a gullible owners and friends who have fallen into this trap. Unfortunately the philosophy of spares is peculiar to our country only. Abroad, the manufacturer could not care less where and how you get your car repaired as long as you get the original spares from their dealer.

Tutu Dhawan

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