Bought My First Car - Maruti 800 AC

[ss80]

1. Me too facing the same problem. Tried to rectify it but in vain.
I changed the front windshield gasket, rear windshield gasket & also the rear quarter panel gaskets too. Still no joy.
2. I still feel IMO the stock dash without color was better than this (no offense though). Was there a need for the dashboard?
I always hate the grey coloured dashboard for some reason (Trust me I have no idea why!) and that's why I did the painting. The problem started while fitting it back, I tightened the screws too much & 3 of the five mounting points have cracked (while driving I guess) so its rattling now.
3. Bonnet i still dint get the idea of how it bulged?
The bulge is very small, it happens due to heat from direct sunlight & any previous repair works like applying exessive Putty after tinker works.
4. First Get the battery gravity checked, This car electricians are money minded filthy people. DO NOT HESITATE to check with at least 3-4 Shops before concluding.

5. ANY particular reason for changing?
All doors are rattling beyond acceptable limits. The tinker last time checked it (by holding door when its open & trying to push it upwards, there is exessive play) & advised replacing a must.
7. Be aware that your seat covers may not be as pliable as you think it may screes and eventually tear.
Yeah seat sponge & seat cover has to be changed.
8. Reason?
The top portion of the exhaust pipe starting from the end can (cylindrical box next to fuel tank) till the bumper is rusted & huge holes are there (the bottom is no thicker than pappad). There holes are letting most gases to the stepney wheel storage area & heating that space (especially at idling)
9. How it went KAPUT?
I have posted this in my last few pages, gear changes less predictable & gear getting stuck in 2nd and fourth. Although tried our best by replacing all bearings inside, no luck. Shifting gears is still poor. It wont break for sure, but its not comfortable (needs too much effort sometimes).
10. If i'am not wrong you had changed the odo cable quite recently?
I replaced the speedo cable mainly because the ODO was working unusual (sometimes works, not fully stopped though)
11. Always take precaution when it comes to structural damage.
"This is what is really bugging me now, I dont want to put money into something that wont get solved. If I tinker here, still after two days if another patch needs to be done, then there is literally no end for this work"

Do not worry all will be good it just takes time.

Thanks, I too am hoping for some good times.

I am delighted by the way you did the restore work, I owned and reworked with 2 maruti 800s in the past 1994 and 1996 models. due to change in city i have to sell them, Now i own an type 2 800 carb type deluxe model with coil spring.

1. i want to replace the front as well as rear shockers. at present as these are very bad in my car.
can u tell me apart from gabriel which ones are available in market and their cost (front shocks needs complete including spring full assembly)

I have no idea regarding the coil setup - Jarpickle (Mumbai), Varun (Bangalore) wil be in a better position to help you in this case.
Apart from Gabriel, Acdelco, Rane Parts also provide suspension components.
However I have heard of poor reviews about the Rane Auto Parts.


2. I will paint the car later along with rust proofing the body under and inside, all other things are nicely working inclusing ac.
Before you start any work on painting, get the tinker work (if any) done. Also ensure your painter removes whole wiring, engine bay parts, interiors etc before painting.

Can U help i am at mumbai

Whatever help is possible from my side, I will surely do.

 

[Varun560061]

Hi SS80 the HU and Roof looks good.

I guess the center console is not mounted to dash/blower unit a clamp is missing.

Are you sure that the drive shaft boot has cut again ? Might be old grease which was not cleaned ?

ODO not working its a shock ! Is speedo working ?

For rain water have you checked the radio antenna slot ? Have you covered it ?

 

[jarpickle]

@SS80:I would suggest for the rainwater issue, you check the welds behind the dashboard and also the opening for the blower in the cowl panel.That causes water to come in.
For the welds if you haven't painted them, use silicone.I have done the same.As for the grease, it could be excess grease.

@Silver Dove:Where in mumbai are you located?For the strut assemblies(including springs bushes etc) you can go for Delphi,Cofap,Stallion apart from Gabriel.I have heard good things about Delphi and Cofap.I wanted Delphi when I changed my front struts but it was not available anywhere.I would suggest you buy the strut assemblies before you take your car to the garage.I couldn't go searching for them once the car was in the garage.

For rear ones are gas filled ones.You can go for any brand there.If you need to change the coil springs though go for MGP.

 

[Silver Dove]

@SS80 Dear packing and sealing with the Silicone Seal available at hardware stores is best for sealing water leaks
2. if you take out the engine any time in future i suggest complete body work and rust proofing along with change of all the mountings (gearbox, engine mounts).
3. dont bother with the grease it is leftover grease i also once experienced the same for more info about engine and tuning consult suzuki hatch manual. for the engine to run smoothly the timing needs to be perfect.
4. do not forget to replace the leaf spring bushes kit available to 80 bucks at MGP
@jarpicle i am at dahisar and would like to know more about the scrap yard market in mumbai though i will put new shocks but for braking drum and wheel rims i would like seconds from a scrap shop or car can u help. i have this car 800 carb delule it is untouched only some superficial dents and done about 24000km.
can u help about the topics mentioned,

 

[raama]

Hi,

Even though i took a lot of time today (Read since 01:00 pm) i went through entire 24 pages and all that i could say now is kudos to you and the amount of hardwork put in is amazing. Very neat piece of work there. Loved your dedication and attending the problem to the core and fixing it.

Wishing you all the success in the restoring work.

 

[jarpickle]

@Silver Dove:Do not buy important parts like brakes and wheels from the scrap yard.New steel rims cost Rs 800/wheel.

Drums and the internal parts (all you need to change are the liners and cylinder, these are not really expensive that you need to by from the scrap yard)are also cheap.Best is to go for MGP parts.

New parts might cost a little more but it works that much longer too.

For the carb you can buy a carb cleaner and spray it into the carb as per the instructions.
Or You can buy Cyclo Max 44 and use it when you fill your tank full.Use as per instructions.This will clean the entire fuel system.

When you go for an oil change next you can go for an engine flush,gearbox flush and radiator flush.Drain the brake oil and change it.If you have a booster you can go for DOT 4 oil.

For more info on the booster you can check SS80's post.You will find it informative and knowledgeable.

For scarp you need to visit Kurla.You get all things cheap there, but would you put your life to risk to save on a few bucks.

Please start a new ownership thread and we will be happy to contribute more information.

All new members, PLEASE START A NEW THREAD FOR ALL YOUR CAR SPECIFIC PROBLEMS.

@raama:Thanks for the good wishes and encouragement.

 

[Silver Dove]

@SS80 Ac delco you have tacken for rear are good ones, what front shockers have you in your car.

The crack in metal and rust under you have posted seems be be welded side chasis do check it and get the tinkering. U are a Maruti 800 Lover. before buying any car the body needs to be checked thoroughly. engine can be redone easily.the hard work you are doing can only be done by a DIY lover like you. i did enjoyed doing it long ago with the BAJAJ Chetak scooter and my fathers fiat padmini

@jarpicle i went to both the opera house and kurla, kurla seems to be more of a scrap parts and not good second hand ones.. the ones available good are overpriced. finally i purchased MONROE rear gasfilled and Gabriel Front suspensions.
monroe rear - 450 each
gabriel front with spring - 1850 each

Dear can u guide me about MGP parts in and around dahisar.

 

[ss80]

Thanks everyone for the support & encouragement.

Here is an update:
Found out the Source of the water leaks in my car.
1. Front windhshield gasket, finally water collects at the floor.




2. Rear right door rubber beading (quarter panel glass in the door)

I am not confident that water leaks can be 100% fixed forever in my car, hence I have modified the Vinyl mat I bought for my car in simple way as to be able to remove anytime easily for floor inspection or cleaning. Will look for a solution about the Vinyl smell (it doesnt melt, just smells like that)





I cut the whole Vinyl sheet into two parts (traced it on the old mats I had). Will post clearer photos once finished.

 

[Varun560061]

Did you block the leaks ?

Please cover the empty gap in the dash its looking very bad. I am sorry
Any day I will not recommend the vinyl flooring ! May be its looking good but there are many problems from it.

 

[Gurrala74]

SS80,

Wonderful work !! I hope this restoration will complete soon and you will come with that car to our inter-region meet to show case the DIY

 

[ss80]

Varun: Currently the Vinyl is atleast not soaking in water, the normal carpet absorbs & later smells. So I had no other choice & came back to Vinyl.

Gurrala74: Thank you so much. I too hope my restoration finishes before that.

Update:
The apron crack welded at a Tinker shop for 100 rupees! The crack was longer than my observation. Bought new transparent floor mats 600rupees - Universal size, it can be cut to suit any car.
I will post pictures tomorrow.

 

[ss80]

the welding done, (shot in three angles to show the size of it)

 

[Varun560061]

Paint it off before it starts rusting again. So what about that empty slot in the dash ?

 

[jarpickle]

Anand, that welding job does not seem to be done well.I hope that it lasts long enough and doesn't give out cause of bad roads and road vibrations.

 

[arunabh8899]

Hey SS80,reading your thread since many days and just loved your enthusiasm abt the indian saga M800 ..Inspired by many friends in this forum and lots of ifs and buts finally got to restore my friends maruti 800 1988 model which was lying in garage since 3 months,as he had some funding problem and i as being from a middle class family(4 in a bike kind of mentality) feared from being a individual owner of a so called CAAARRR..So finally by mutual we (me and my friend ) agreed to restore it..Uploading some pics initially taken in a hurry..Sorry that the car has been restored at present and will upload the final pics tomorrow..For the time being..