engine woes

q: I have an eight-year-old Indica DLE, January 2001 model. Every time I make a high-altitude trip, the car produces white smoke beyond 4,000ft or so. I had the same problem at Kempty Falls, Mussoorie, at around 6,000ft. Service stations say that the car’s fuel controller is an old model unit and needs to be replaced with a newer one with barostatic control. Will this help?

Atul Bhatia

a: The advice given to you is correct. Your Indica will run better at high altitudes if the fuel pump is replaced with one that has barostatic control. Such a pump takes into account the drop in atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes while delivering fuel to the engine. However, the cost of such a replacement would be very high (approx. Rs 50,000 including parts and labour), so it does not make sense to replace it on such an old car. The better bet is for you to buy a new one, since newer engines are better able to cope with high altitudes.

battle of the suvs

q: I want to buy an SUV between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh. My usage is mostly urban with occasional outstation trips. Which would make a better buy — the Mahindra Scorpio or the Tata Safari? I’m also impressed with the Škoda Yeti. I could wait for it if it will be launched in India within the next six months. Please advise.

Sachin Kumar

a: Since your driving is mainly in an urban environment, we recommend the Scorpio as it’s compact enough for city use and is a good highway cruiser too. The Safari is more spacious thanks to its massive size but then it’s cumbersome for regular use in the city. Given your budget, there is not much to choose from and the Scorpio is your best bet. The Yeti can be expected only around April 2010.

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