The bike: Pulsar 220 (2009 Carburetor)
20100 kms
History:
The bike completed 15000 kms and then my bro met with an accident. Bike was scarcely used for 1 year. When I got transferred I got the bike serviced at 16600 kms. Took it to Krishna Bajaj in Gurgaon where my bro used to take it. They charged around 2000 bucks saying Starter motor needs change, engine gasket needs change (small metallic parts inside the are where Pulsar DTSi is written) etc. They also forced me to get engine decarbonised (Charged 400 bucks for that!!) as the initial inspection guy had written DC on the job sheet. After the service when I realised that I actually don't need to get the decarbonising thing done, they said bill has been produced and now it can not be changed. The decarbonising has to be done.
The Problem:
Anyway, I rode it till 19000 kms and then took it to Agra trip recently. Never rode above 110 kmph. Came back and next day I saw engine oil light blinking. Checked and couldn't see oil in the window. Tilted the bike by a bit and finally saw black liquid.
Temporary solution:
I had heard the dangers of engine getting seized. I had an opened can of cheapest 20w40 engine oil by BP (used it for the chain). I poured around 600ml this morning until the level was fine. Went to Green park shop to get Motul SS 5100 15w50 as I planned to get it serviced tomorrow.
The shock:
The mechanic came my way and asked if anything needed to be done. I told him just like that how Bajaj engine oil could go away in 4000 kms? They promise life for 10000 kms!! He checked and said bike is giving black smoke. I said I don't think so and lovingly throttled till 5k rpm for few seconds with my palm at the exhaust. Nothing!
He came and throttled it wildly and his whole palm was black!! He said piston needs some change.
The dilemma:
I have heard that engine work is quite costly. I gave the history as I'm reluctant to go to Gurgaon all the way and get treated as the way I was last time. But the Probiking guys there are just great I feel. Patient and skilled without doubt. And I don't trust these mechanics as such. I live in Malviya Nagar in Delhi. Green park is very close. And atleast this guy looked efficient and pointed out the problem as a matter of fact.
He said if you will take it to company they will blindly put new parts costing me 10k to 12k. He said he would resize the bore or something from 0 to 50 size. It will be bigger. I'm not sure what to do. Please help as I have only tomorrow to get things done.
The bike needs a lot of other things like new chain sprocket, front tyre, horn doesn't work, and I plan to take gud care. But seeing piston loosing life after 20000 kms, suddenly it has shattered the confidence.
Please suggest what I can do. SVC or this guy? Please help.
EDIT:
TIMELINE (To keep a track of the issue)
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Phew! Let me timeline it for myself. Please ignore if anyone finds it absurd.
Last week of May, 2012
Kms: 16600
Bike given for service.
Parts Changed:
Both spark plugs
Starter motor
Replacing gasket plates and resealing
Rear brake pads (or shoes??)
Decarbonised with water
Cleaned air filter
Engine oil changed to: Bajaj DTSi
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2nd Oct (Agra trip)
Kms: 19400 (Morning), 19850 (Night)
Went via NH2 and returned via expressway. Never rode above 110. Maintained max 90 on my return leg as sprockets were old and making noise (Had them tightened in Agra)
Met Brawn Riders Delhi on my way back on 2nd toll plaza and had their company till Greater Noida riding at 70s.
Bike came in reserve near 25 kms from Greater Noida. (Reset trip1)
Bike gave average of 38 over 13 litres of fuel.
Rode 50 kms in reserve before adding 450 rs of fuel at Delhi petrol pump.
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3rd Oct
Kms: 19850 to 19910
On my way back to home, saw engine oil light blinking. Ignored as I had read blinkers malfunctioning. Bought cheapest 20w40 in the market to lube the chain as it needed oiling frequently, the sprocket needing replacement.
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4th Oct
Kms: 19910 to 19960
Filled 650 rs fuel. Kept an eye on the blinker. It incessantly blinked. I checked, no oil!! Decided to add that 20w40 the next morning.
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5th Oct
Kms: 19960 to 20010
Added 800 ml of 20w40 in the morning as top-up. Checked engine oil, was fine. Went to buy second can of Motul. As per plan had to give the bike for service the next day and recently realized I actually need two cans (1000+150 ml). Local mechanic at the Motul shop discovered bike giving black smoke in high throttle. Palm was black after putting it at exhaust with high throttle..
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6th Oct
Kms: 20200 to 20250
Bike serviced in Gurgaon.
Parts changed:
Sprockets
Relay
Horns
Throttle cable
Cleaned air filter
Sprockets were siverish white. ASC mechanic scrubbed them with sandpaper. He asked what average does the bike give, I said 38 to 40. He recommended to add additives to avoid this coloration of sprockets.
Engine oil changed to: Motul SS 15w50
ASC mechanic said black smoke problem will still remain. Asked to leave bike for 4 days. Couldn't afford that much time, came home.
Bro rode it hard that night for 20 kms. Engine was smoking of rust at the end of the ride with lots of heat. No smoke from exhaust at the end of that journey. Oil level intact.
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7th Oct
kms: 20250 to 20270
Bro rode it hard again for 20 kms. Smoke on the palm after the ride. Oil level intact.
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8th Oct
kms: 20270 to 20330
When starting from office throttled hard in cold engine. Worst situation experienced of black smoke problem. Palm was very moist, Dark brownish black. Rode for 30 kms back to home and then clicked the photo posted in this thread.
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11th Oct
kms: 20430
Oil level intact. Not checking for black smoke anymore. Just keeping an eye on engine oil level.
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12th Oct
kms: 20510
Sped up to 145 kmph. Would have gone further but traffic held me up. So all apprehensions about engine problem should be put to rest now. Oil level just above the lower mark.
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Even when I explicitly mentioned no Engine oil change and nothing was mentioned on the job sheet as well. I had my own engine oil which I asked Rakesh to pour into the bike!

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