[arn]

@ almost 1000 km, the engine is not exactly "new". Though I have not tried to do a maximum speed run with a pillion, I have run at a steady 120kph into a huge headwind for a sustained period of time, with the odo at about 1500km, there was none of the snatchiness or sluggishness associated with an engine on the verge of seizing. The engine was smooth throughout.

It happening so soon after a service points to only one thing in my mind - reduced oil flow for some service related reason, perhaps a wrongly replaced filter?

 

[Aargee]

just out of curiosity how much do you and your wifey weigh? (without being rude)

Both of us put together don't cross more than 140 Kgs. We've gone through the owner's manual once before buying & twice after buying the bike

engine under immense pressure especially being a relatively new engine.

But did Honda not ask us to run in for 300 mi or 500 Kms? Shouldn't the seizure happen within that limit?

Oh!!! In addition to this, I also had lots of false neutrals between 5-4-3-2 gears.

See the point on ARN - That's exactly what I'm saying too. At 1000 Kms, the break in has already happened. And believe me, most people have touched 140+ Kmph right after 600 Kms & I personally know someone who has clocked 137 Kmph with pillion. He couldn't do more as he ran out of road.

side of a piston tells bugger all, We need to see the top, the underside, the rod the bearings.

Can you educate how to read by the pics? Reason I'm asking is because, Honda & dealer had already confirmed it was a seizure

All that photo shows is some scoring on the side of the piston. It would only be there when crap got in its way, its not the failure

So are you saying this is quite normal?

 

[qlred]

So are you saying this is quite normal?

I think he is saying that that part of the piston doesn't even touch the cylinder wall. In the picture, you can't see damage to the rings, (are they broken, cracked or chipped?) Just looking at it, I'd say the problem was lower down. The main bearing can seize too, right? We can't yet discount that maybe there was crap in the case, wrong kind of oil or improper viscosity.

What a bummer to have to deal with, I am sorry to hear that about your machine.

I have 3,000 miles on my bike. The dealer changed the filter at 600 miles and I changed the oil twice since then. I still sometimes shift into neutral after coming off the highway. It clacks a bit from 1st to 2nd under full throttle and will give a big whack when downshifting into 3rd aggressively.

My bike hasn't used any oil, it keeps getting smoother and has plenty of power. It hasn't stumbled or missed a beat ever.

It looked like there was a link in your post about someone's guess about the problem, but the link was dead. Thank you for taking the time to give us updates, hope you are back on the road soon! GL

 

[Rossman]

Seizure

Piston skirt scoring like that looks like oil starvation. Possible they didn't put enough oil in after your first service.

 

[qlred]

So, Aargee, what's the update, any news?

 

[Michael]

Piston skirt scoring like that looks like oil starvation. Possible they didn't put enough oil in after your first service.

Or put the filter in the wrong way round.....

 

[flighttime]

Or put the filter in the wrong way round.....

The piston skirt is not feed by the oil pump so I wouldn't think the oil filter would effect this. If the oil filter was installed incorrectly you would more likely see a big end failure.
The piston is lubricated by good old splash feed, so If it has seized (As the photo shows), I'd say someone forgot to fill it with oil. (Like Rossman suggests) No oil, no splash It wouldn't be the first time, and I bet it won't be the last time.
I have seen it happen in our shop (no names ) when guys don't concentrate on the job they are doing.

 

[Aargee]

WTH!!! Are you guys saying its because of insufficient oil? But, the temp bar was 3/6 all the time. If there wasn't enough oil circulating, then wouldn't the temperature rise? Or is it because the coolant took care of it?

Anyway, the update is I got the entire engine block replaced right from clutch hosing, cylinder, head, piston kit, tranny. Bad thing is that, my engine number is different & I've to approach the corrupt DMV to get it changed!!!

I also experience a minor false gears at times. It happens randomly between any gears, but strictly only when downshifts.

After the new engine has been replaced, I experience vibrations. A real good vibrations after 4.5K RPM & 6th gear all the way from thighs to foot. Do any of you experience this too? If so, how did you get it resolved? Pls help.

Also both the RVM's vibrate during idling no matter the engine is at operating or cold temperature. Does anyone also experience this?

 

[Michael]

The piston skirt is not feed by the oil pump so I wouldn't think the oil filter would effect this. If the oil filter was installed incorrectly you would more likely see a big end failure.
The piston is lubricated by good old splash feed, so If it has seized (As the photo shows), I'd say someone forgot to fill it with oil. (Like Rossman suggests) No oil, no splash It wouldn't be the first time, and I bet it won't be the last time.
I have seen it happen in our shop (no names ) when guys don't concentrate on the job they are doing.

Yup, a more likely explanation.

That sort of thing happens alright. The boss, on a farm I worked on in Canterbury years ago, was not too impressed when his near new Jaguar conked out on the way home from being serviced. The grease monkey had not tightened the drain plug......

As you say, would not be the first time, and sure won't be the last for a similar story.

Aagree is back on the road, but has not said what the cause of the engine failure was yet. He does seem to be having more than his share of problems.

 

[Aargee]

but has not said what the cause of the engine failure was yet

How would I know that? Either the engine has to be with me or I've to work in R&D deparment of Honda India OR worst case, Honda India has to communicate to me back. Unless any of these turns true, I'm helpless to post a right info here.

 

[qlred]

>If so, how did you get it resolved? Pls help.
You will have to run it in and see if it gets smoother. I'd run it hard, if it is not right, then it will break again.
>I've to approach the corrupt DMV to get it changed!!!
You know the drill, bring some bucsheesh.
Good luck, friend, I hope the for best possible outcome.

 

[Aargee]

^^^ Why would I want to pay the DMV for a no fault of mine. Either the dealer does it free for me or I write to HMSI (Customercare, where else)

 

[qlred]

well, if it is too much hassle, then you can sell the bike. It seems that big companies always have their costumers do the R&D. I don't think it is very fair when you get caught in that situation.

 

[Matthias]

I also had that twice, that the engine stoped without any reason or pressure during changing the gear. I have also recognized a new noice, which sounds like holding a peace of paper into a fan, which comes from the right side somewhere in the lower part of the bike

 

[red1]

Yes this happened to me. The bearings in the rocker arm appear to be faulty. My dislocated after only 47 miles and left me stranded. Honda is aware of this problem, but appears to be in full cover-up mode. They are rebuilding my engine, but I'm not sure I can every trust this bike. So much for Honda quality.

 

[arn]

Perhaps this is the reason why mechanics here have been instructed to remove the camshaft instead of sliding out the shaft holding the rocker arms while replacing the shims....

 

[Aufitt]

Yes this happened to me. The bearings in the rocker arm appear to be faulty. My dislocated after only 47 miles and left me stranded. Honda is aware of this problem, but appears to be in full cover-up mode. They are rebuilding my engine, but I'm not sure I can every trust this bike. So much for Honda quality.

What country are you in red1 ?