Slight Thud while reversing!

Hello,

Vehicle 1.4 Petrol

I have been having getting a slight thud while reversing the vehicle. I mean as soon as the reverse gear is engaged and the vehicle starts to back off and the left foot still on the clutch before releasing it fully I get sort of a thud sensation initially as soon as the vehicle starts to back up. The thud sensation not to loud or obvious goes away as soon as the foot is lifted off the clutch. Took it to a local garage where the reliable mechanic upon hearing me out did a test drive and then went underneath the vehicle by jacking it up and tightened two bolts. Then he opened the hood and inspected the engine bay carefully and informed me that the sound that I get is due to the loose foundation that the engine is sitting on, and advised me to take it to a authorized service station as they would do a better job by using the spares that are required only for the loan and most likely would not do any jugaad by trying to match parts of other vehicle into the Logan. Anyway when I drove back and upon reaching home, I tried to reverse my vehicle and this time I could not feel the thud that I used to get.

I was also informed that the gear oil if not replaced during the service intervals could damage the gear box and the noise may be due to the oil not being changed, but the manual informs that the gear oil outlives the car and this what the service technician also informed me, this I find a bit difficult to believe, as I feel that every oil has its life, and can gear oil live that long without a change? Even the Mobil 1 engine fully syn. oil is changed after every 15K Kms how can a gear oil survive so long?

I ask you guys, after how many KM should the gear oil be replaced or after how many years should the oil be changed?

Coming back to the concern, felt that due to tightening of the bolts the noise must have got rectified, but I was not convinced, took it to a Mahindra authorized service station and explained the issue, after trials they informed me that there was nothing wrong, then I opened up by informing them what the other mechanic had to say, I asked them to check for themselves again on the issue, and MASS have retained the vehicle.

I regularly service my car every 06 months and see to it that the essentials oils and lubrication is done to keep the vehicle is good shape ( last one done on 12.10.12) ,received call from MASS informing that as per the service schedule the following items would have to be replaced as the vehicle is its fourth year.

1.Accessories belt

2.Tensioner

3.Rollers

4.Break oil change

5.Coolant change

6.Spark plugs change

7.Timing belt change



I must admit that the vehicle has only 24K on its odometer as it was hardly used in the first two years due to some reasons, do you guys feel that getting the above said parts replaced would be a good idea? I think of it as preventive maintenance, as the parts need replacement as they must be reaching their fag end of their life (irrespective the vehicle being used or not) and now that the vehicle is being used heavily I think I so should go for it.

Kindly advice.

Hello,

Kinldy reply?

Thanks and best regards,

Siddharth Talageri

Hi Siddharth,

Firstly, the gearbox of the Logan is an oil sealed unit. By what I have read about it and heard from some technicians (including mine) it will not need oil replacement.

My vehicle has crossed 76000 kms and only in my last service (at 74000kms) did I get my timing belt changed.
The recommendation is to change it between 60000~75000kms.
After the change was done I noticed that the old belt was in a really good condition and did not show any signs of wear/tear. Anyway, I did not bother much as there could be the ageing factor as well which would not be visible to the eyes. I have retained my old belt though.
I do not see the need for the belt to be changed immediately. Check with some other service center as well on the condition of the belt and whether it needs replacement. While I am not very sure, I have a feeling that the timing belt & accessory belt are the same.

I have not got the rollers / brake oil / tensioner changed so far. Of course mine is a diesel car.

Regarding Spark Plugs, you may need to check as some manufacturers recommend chanage at even 30000kms.

Since you mention that the vehicle was idle only for the 1st two years. So, I assume that you have been running it fine of r the last 2 year. In that case, just drive & servcie it like you would do to a normal car.

It will stay fine.

Surya