Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[arya809]

Thank you for the kind words Arya, please I am no expert. Sharing what I have seen and observed. In their order.

Cheers!
VJ

Since that day, I didn't drive it, didn't even start the engine.

On that day, I could see minimum amount of oil in the glass window, it was frothy/bubbly. After that, I drove it home, around 5 kms.

Today I took it out and tried to start, didn't start. After 5-6 tries, engine started and I kept it idle for 1 minute but engine stalled and died. At that point, I noticed THAT THERE WAS NO OIL WHATSOEVER!

I immediately opened the oil filler cap, there were thick white fumes inside, smelled like evaporated oil! Fumes looked like liquid nitrogen, I mean it wasn't like steam which rushes out with pressure, the fumes were floating inside like clouds or liquid nitrogen.

That was 4 hours ago, I just checked the oil level (without side stand) and it's still zero, nothing's visible in that window.

I am afraid the engine is seized or damaged.

I went to SVC and told them that there is no oil in it and whether I should refill oil or not. They agreed to tow it back to SVC for free, after all they were the ones who forced me to drive back home that day despite my reluctance to do so.

Now I am seriously thinking about sending a complain to the top officials in Bajaj Head office. I will tell them to change the whole engine since it might be damaged beyond repair.


EDIT: I just googled "cam OR valves cause oil consumption". As I imagined, huge clearance or timing variation in camshaft can result in oil consumption via valves. Since it's proven that my bike's engine head is all messed up, is it SAFE TO ASSUME that engine oil will not disappear after changing the whole head assembly?

[Vishal Wagh]

I think this is best you can do now to make sure you will get brand new factory assembled engine. Which will gain yours confidence to not only for riding her longer distance touring without worries but also to keep this baby for long term.

[colosocool]

hello guys,
It happens to some of you that you accelerate with the handlebar and when releasing it the motorcycle continues to rev for a couple of seconds, it happens to my motorcycle being hot either with the carburetor fan on or without it, it is a Dominar 400 Version 1 with only 1600kms of travel (There were 2 units that were left in a local dealer and I bought it 100% new 25 days ago, black color with gold wheels).
I took it under warranty and they don't know what the problem is, they think it's the ECU, they've already checked the throttle guide and the throttle body and nothing.
Thanks and greetings from Colombia!

Here is a video showing that: (the video is hide, only persons with the link can watch it ) (https://youtu.be/OczvEBhNuvo)

[Indivar]

hello guys,
It happens to some of you that you accelerate with the handlebar and when releasing it the motorcycle continues to rev for a couple of seconds, it happens to my motorcycle being hot either with the carburetor fan on or without it, it is a Dominar 400 Version 1 with only 1600kms of travel (There were 2 units that were left in a local dealer and I bought it 100% new 25 days ago, black color with gold wheels).
I took it under warranty and they don't know what the problem is, they think it's the ECU, they've already checked the throttle guide and the throttle body and nothing.
Thanks and greetings from Colombia!

Here is a video showing that: (the video is hide, only persons with the link can watch it ) (https://youtu.be/OczvEBhNuvo)

Did they change the ECU ?

[arya809]

UPDATE:

Finally my motorcycle is ready with new parts under warranty - New head assembly and new cylinder piston set.

When it broke down on 10th Jan, I wasn't in a hurry (as I don't use it for commuting) and told the SVC about it, BIG MISTAKE! Since that day, They kept making the same excuse that Bajaj sent wrong spare parts and they have re-ordered the parts. Finally I had enough and registered a complaint with Bajaj on 24th Feb.

The SVC manager requested me to close the complaint and promised to get the spare parts soon, I didn't budge and told them that I won't close it until my motorcycle is fully repaired.

I also contacted the showroom owner and told him the issue, he gave me the contact of Area sales manager (ASM). When I called him on 26th Feb, he also made tall promises but I told him bluntly that I am losing my patience and if I don't have a working motorcycle within a week, I will file a consumer court case! That triggered something and he started singing like a canary!

The very next day, they towed it to the SVC on their own, dismantled the engine (while spare parts were under transport) and tested the engine parts thoroughly. They also found that there was heavy compression loss and piston rings were sucking up oil into combustion chamber. So they informed me that they will change the cylinder piston set also under warranty.

And within 5 days of that call, the motorcycle is fully repaired with a new engine. Now I have to redo the whole running-in process, at least for 1500 kms.

[arya809]

My personal suggestion to you would be, be present at the garage when they assemble your motorcycle. Trust me, you will spot many things they don't. z

VJ

SVC towed the motorcycle a week back, I didn't wish to go there everyday. Finally went there yesterday and found out that they had already changed the head assembly and block piston set. Now it runs smoothly BUT there's a new issue. While driving in any gear, if I accelerate HARD at 4k-5k rpm, there's a loud clicking/ticking noise from the engine.

I request all the members to listen to this short audio clip. NOTE that the extra clicking noise is way louder and distinct in person, I kept my cellphone near the left-side engine to record this audio, so it equalized all audio frequencies. In person, that sound is tinny and high frequency.


Google drive link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WA8bGF-gZ_hqkeRJdKcwntCDoI9Y5p3k/view?usp=sharing

UPDATE:
I researched a lot on this issue. From what I could gather, the sound is because of KNOCKING/PINGING/PRE-IGNITION. It is all a GUESSWORK, I don't know how to test/prove this theory.


It especially happens in a high compression engine (12.1:1 for Dominar). Also, the mechanics swears to God, it happens in KTM bikes also when they replace engine. I think he may be right.

When a KTM/Dominar is new, the ECU knows the TRUE Odo reading so it controls the ignition timing precisely for a new engine, in other words it doesn't send advance ignition signals for a new engine.
Then after completing 2000 kms, the ECU sends regular ignition timing signals i.e. way before the TDC piston position.

After putting a new engine, the ECU still thinks it is controlling an OLD engine (2200 kms odo reading in my case), so it still sends regular ignition signals i.e. way before the TDC position BUT that results in knocking or pinging or pre-ignition. It gets resolved after completing around 1500 kms because of carbon deposition.

I sincerely hope, all that is true and there's nothing wrong with my motorcycle.


@B7ACKTHORN
Is it possible to RESET the ECU to zero kms reading, to inform it that the engine has been replaced?

[kiran2508]

there's a loud clicking/ticking noise from the engine.

Not able to play the audio clip, can you post it over Youtube or link it in Gdrive?

[arya809]

Not able to play the audio clip, can you post it over Youtube or link it in Gdrive?

Now I have uploaded on Google drive, kindly listen and reply.

By the way, I noticed today that I can FEEL the vibrations from that cluttering noise in my feet through the footpegs. Maybe this will help in diagnosing the issue.

[kiran2508]

Now I have uploaded on Google drive, kindly listen and reply.

By the way, I noticed today that I can FEEL the vibrations from that cluttering noise in my feet through the footpegs. Maybe this will help in diagnosing the issue.

Listened to the clip,
Did you check if they replaced the timing chain and tensioner? Or they only did the piston and head change and put back old timing chain? My feel is its still old and hence the knocking and grinding sound.

Also the distinct tik tik sound is from the valves. It'll need readjustment to correct clearances after running from 1000kms after rebuild.

[ashislakra1989]

Today, i was inspecting my vehicle and found that my brake pads are likely to go more 15-18k kms. My odo stands at 20020 kms and the stock pads are not even half worn out. 🤔

Also I'm posting some pics which are from Head assembly of my bike. Found some sludge type formation with dirt accumulated on it. I'm not sure what is this? GASKET leak?? If anyone faced similar issue, pls shed some light.

Also, I'm not able to ascertain whether my bike has tappet or shims issue, sometimes the noise is more, sometimes less. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy0_PA_hihY

[arya809]

Also I'm posting some pics which are from Head assembly of my bike. Found some sludge type formation with dirt accumulated on it. I'm not sure what is this? GASKET leak?? If anyone faced similar issue, pls shed some light.

Nowadays Dominar thread is lonely, everybody's busy I guess. I will reply in the meantime, not an expert though.

That sludge looks quite old so it's difficult to detect its source. Get it washed thoroughly and make sure they remove all that sludge by pressure wash BUT carefully, avoid damages to the radiator fins. Then ride it for a few kms and keep checking for leaks from the engine. Also, check your oil level and (obviously) don't ride it an inch if the oil level is lower than expected. DON'T TOP UP THE OIL, you need to show the service center manager that your oil vanished unexpectedly.

IF you find out that it's actually oil leaking from the engine, then raise your concern to the service manager directly, don't bother with the illiterate mechanics. Talk in a stern manner, and if the SVC manager doesn't take care of the issue within a few days, file a complaint on Bajaj customer care, the SVC manager will start buttering you up for closing the complaint! Don't close the complaint UNLESS your issues are completely resolved. Read my story in the past 2 pages.

[s1d]

Today, i was inspecting my vehicle and found that my brake pads are likely to go more 15-18k kms. My odo stands at 20020 kms and the stock pads are not even half worn out. 🤔

Also I'm posting some pics which are from Head assembly of my bike. Found some sludge type formation with dirt accumulated on it. I'm not sure what is this? GASKET leak?? If anyone faced similar issue, pls shed some light.

Also, I'm not able to ascertain whether my bike has tappet or shims issue, sometimes the noise is more, sometimes less. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy0_PA_hihY

dont worry about the brake pads, their wear depends on usage.. read my recent post on the Duke 200, front brake pads on my duke have done much more km than yours https://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcy...40#post2230640

as for the oil leak, its a common occurance.. it seems to come from the head cover sealing area.. the svc should be able to fix that for you.. it requires a new gasket and a bit of gasket sealant to fix it. nothing major, though a pain to get this simple job done, probably involves removing the tank to access the head/valve cover.

coming to the noise, it could be because of a bad timing chain tensioner (easy to replace)/valve clearance (tappet/shim is used to refer to adjusting valve clearances) , or bad clutch basket or worse the crank bearings (Serious problem).. it does sound pretty loud to me from the video you posted, but only a proper inspection up close would give a proper conclusion. replacing the tensioner/adjusting valve clearance or replacing the clutch basket isn't a major repair, but if its the crank then it would need opening up the entire engine.
first start of by getting the timing chain tensioner(and its guide, i.e. 2 plastic rod kinda thingys) and clutch checked/replaced.

[arya809]

first start of by getting the timing chain tensioner(and its guide, i.e. 2 plastic rod kinda thingys) and clutch checked/replaced.

I have found from my own experience that Bajaj mechanics lack the ability or experience to diagnose noises in complicated engines. If they hear ticking noise in a Platina, they can easily diagnose a high valve clearance AKA tappet adjustment but show them a Dominar with engine noises, they will try their best to convince you that it's a normal engine sound and send you home. They will only accept a fault or issue when something's definitely broken and the engine doesn't is incapable of running properly.

So it's pretty useless to suggest solutions to someone based on engine noises which are impossible to pinpoint by ear. I would suggest ashislakra1989 to run the motorcycle on highest rpm rashly so that something breaks definitely, THEN Bajaj will simply replace the engine, that's all they can and will do. By the way, Bajaj doesn't try to blame the customers, they are always eager to replace engines because they know they have designed an unstable piece of crap!

I have completely lost faith in Bajaj, especially for touring purpose, I don't know when it will break down again! I will use my Dominar for a couple of years for commuting and sell it off to buy highest possible quality motorcycle.

[ashislakra1989]

I would suggest ashislakra1989 to run the motorcycle on highest rpm rashly so that something breaks definitely, THEN Bajaj will simply replace the engine, that's all they can and will do. By the way, Bajaj doesn't try to blame the customers, they are always eager to replace engines because they know they have designed an unstable piece of crap!

I have completely lost faith in Bajaj, especially for touring purpose, I don't know when it will break down again! I will use my Dominar for a couple of years for commuting and sell it off to buy highest possible quality motorcycle.

Hi Arya, Bajaj is not known for perfection. Every product they launch has its own niggles, i say more than their competitors. But what you said is true, the mechanic at service center might be knowledgeable, but he doesn't have the zeal to fix someone's bike. I've gone through 4 different service center in the past hoping someone would acknowledge and fix it. What use is engine warranty for 5 years when you suffer like this (incompetency, not acknowledging mechanic) through Service center for 5 years? I'll have to go to a professional mechanic outside bajaj sc to fix issues Which my might void warranty. Also, I can't rev the engine to its limit to make the matters worse. I believe procurement of sub-standard parts from local company is hurting Bajaj.

My brother sold his Mojo due to frustration because 4-5 different service center at different places were not acknowledging problem which didn't exist before giving it to Service center. Hope i don't do the same so soon.

[BPdt]

Dominar owners kindly advise.
I came back from a trip and noticed that the screw rubbers that tighten the visor are broken(the rubber part). I have been using Lluvia Windshields along with numberplate holder. Please see the attached pics:


Please suggest if I would have to replace the entire panel which holds the rubber and screw or will have to replace just the rubbers and screws.
Furthermore, Dominar Owners in Kolkata, please suggest a good dominar service center in Kolkata. I have been getting my bike serviced and repaired from 'Topsia OSL Bajaj' but they are more focused at undermining and ignoring the problems rather that solving it.

Quick reply will be highly solicited.
Thank you.