Restarting a 1997 Tata Sumo after 12 years: Will it start? [Video]

The Tata Sumo was one of the iconic vehicles sold by the Indian car manufacturer. The name of the MUV was not inspired by the Sumo wrestler but by the brand’s former Managing Director of the company, Mr. Sumant Moolgaokar. Tata had launched the MUV back in 1994, and it quickly gained attention from buyers. It came with a boxy design, which was utilitarian and extremely practical. Tata Sumo was once used by several state and central government agencies. Even today, in many North Eastern states, Tata Sumo is used as a cab by locals. Finding one in Delhi NCR is quite hard for several reasons. Here, we have a video from Kerala where a mechanic attempts to start a 1997 model Tata Sumo that was parked on the porch for over 12 years.

The video has been uploaded by Yathra Today on their YouTube channel. In this video, the vlogger, who is a mechanic by profession, and his friends go to a house in his area. The purpose of their visit is to restart a Tata Sumo. The Tata Sumo seen here in the video is a 1997 model, and it has been left unattended on the porch for the last 12 years. The information about this Sumo was actually shared with him by one of his subscribers. The vlogger happily accepted the challenge and went ahead to check the car.

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As mentioned above, the Sumo was left unattended on the porch for the last 12 years or more. The pathetic condition of the MUV was quite evident in the video. The car was completely covered in dust and dried leaves. The window of the Sumo was also left open, which meant a lot of dust had accumulated in the cabin as well. The vlogger spoke to the owner of the car, and he came to know that the owner and his family had moved to a new house, and since then, the car was left there.

The vlogger took the key from the owner and opened the bonnet carefully, as there was a possibility that any reptile or rodent might have made a home under it. The vlogger then checked the radiator for water and the dipstick for the engine oil level. The car did have engine oil; however, the radiator was dry. After filling the radiator, the mechanic removed the old battery and installed a brand new unit. The car did have some fuel left in the tank.

The vlogger and his friends started pumping the fuel in an attempt to start the car. The quality of the fuel in the tank had gone bad and was not helping them in any manner. They then made a temporary arrangement where they created an external fuel tank for this car. After setting up the tank, they removed the fuel injector pipes and checked for any blocks. Thankfully, the pipes were all good, but the Sumo still wouldn’t start. The mechanic then fiddled with a couple of more things in the engine bay, and the car finally started.

As the car was being started after a very long time, it was throwing thick black smoke. The mechanic then put the car in gear, moved the Sumo forward, and then parked it back in the same porch. The owner was extremely happy. We are not sure whether the owner plans to restore the car or not.

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