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Praveen's ZMA or Ananth's ZMA? Praveen has N250R. BTW, you mean xinfii right?

Most engine failures are caused by the following reasons:

1. lack of services & full overhauling at proper times like 1 Lac kms or so,

2. using spurious parts,

3. using aftermarket parts like performance air filters without the proper air box setup. This leads to more air flow and more dust too. Remember, a small particle of dust can seize a 180 bhp engine, if its within the combustion area.

So, how long the "Bullet proof" engines of GT or N survive, only your maintenance can tell. Usually engine's reliability is affected by:

1. usage, mostly depending on environmental conditions, road conditions, the purpose the bike is used for and how much high revving and abuse you indulge in.
For instance, if you use a supersport for bumper to bumper commuting or a city bike for serious off roading, its more likely to seize earlier.

2. manufacturing characteristics, like crank strength, materials used, combustion chamber thickness, cooling system, etc.


And let me tell you why & how journalists say for GT and N, that they are bullet proof engines...
GT is based on Suzuki SV 650 which by itself was a reliable bike. Kawasaki N650 has been here for 5 years, recently updated in 2009, that too cosmetically only. And owners abroad are quite happy with it.

Journalists themselves can't do tests to determine how long the engine will run. They just take clues from previous years models, ownership experiences and iterations.

Lack of maintenance could be a primary factor..escpecially less or no engine oil for four strokes.

yup usually the most common reason for engine seizure... if the bike is not maintained properly, the engine life reduces drastically. hence, following a religious schedule on basic oil and filter change is a must

cheers

It was Praveen's ZMA from Bangalore. Here is the link to the post where he has spoken about it

So just proper maintenance and not stressing it can make an engine run forever or at least very very long when everything inside it gives up due to wear and tear?

There are a buttload of reasons why your motor can give way, they start from running crap engine oil+petrol and go upto running a motor with screwed up timing and poo poo spark plugs. Regular maintenance and good quality spares is the key to motor life.

Indian Bikes are mostly low powered, ranging between 100 to 225CC. So there aren't much reasons for an Engine Seizure, like a 1000CC.

Main reasons for failure,

1) Engine Valve Gasket seal unseated or cracked.

2) Piston Rings get cracked due to excess heat or lack of lubrication.

3) Crank, con rod angle dislocation, usually happens as a reverse reaction to an abnormal Piston cycle within the bore.

4) Cam timer chain break down, usually happens when the cam dislocates itself due to extensive RPM and this leads to a series of Failures including the Valves completely shutting down or opening up.

5) CDI Burnt out due to excess heat.

6) Last but not the least, Clutch ball slip.


All the above happen only due to improper maintained bike like,

1) Engine Oil: Old,Incorrect Level, Poor Quality or not using the correct grade .

2) Engine Heat: Any engine should not be redlined for a long time, failing which any of the above may occur

3) Improper lubrication, Power quality fuel and also incorrect Coolant grade/level.

4) Rash and improper gear shifts which results in sudden heavy back pressure to the engine.

Re: Engine Seizure

Hi,

My Apache RTR 180 is producing a lot of noise (29,000 kms) like it's gonna seize. This is because i failed to notice the engine oil leak. Yesterday i left my bike at TVS Service center and they told me it will cost more than Rs. 13000 and they are gonna take apart the engine to find the problem and rectify it.

What should I do?

Do I have to keep the bike or sell it after the repair?

Because my friends told me, once you lay hands on the engine, it will create more problems. Is it true?

Please help me.

Re: Engine Seizure

Nothing like that, thats a myth that one has to sell the bike if engine work is done. I too had my whole piston kit and bore rebuild and it costed me 12k and honestly I am happy now. I am about to touch 50k kms on odo and i know it has plenty of life left in it. Just after the work, get the run in done again and then get timely service and keep eye on engine oil level.

Re: Engine Seizure

Thanks.....