Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[leedonotrix]

[QUOTE=Vishal Wagh;n2229365]

Hi!

Hey leedonotrix, kiran2508, @B7ACKTTHORN

It can be happen due to evaporation (based on coolant to water mix ratio and quality of coolant) as no white smoke complaint nor any excess oil level complaints you have mentioned. If bike still has not given to workshop, just check oil level and if you have no idea how much it was at the time of oil change service, drain the oil in the workshop and check quality. You will get enough idea to make a difference between oil and coolant mixed oil. Based upon observation making a final decision makes sense.
Also there is sp. Tool called Coolant leak tester available which in which if pressure drop is significant that means coolant is leaking somewhere.

What if it's because of evaporation? What's the solution? Should I try some other aftermarket coolant?

[leedonotrix]

The mechanic is right, there are two ways coolant seeps into these engines, one by a faulty pump rotor seals and the other one is through internal gasket failure inside engine, both are high probable causes. It "can" solve your issue, as the engine needs to be stripped open to bare bones, reseal the crankcase with new sealant and this has solved the issue in some of the KTM engines too which had this "magic disappear" syndrome. I'd suggest you mail/call Bajaj and keep them apprised regarding your last to current interval on replacing the pump seals and the status quo. Chances are high, you will have to shell out from your pocket. I'd strongly recommend you to undergo this engine surgery so you save yourself bigger expenditure in the future.

Good luck!

Keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Thanks a lot for the information. Really helps when I can cross check these things with a community like this. I'll go ahead with it then and keep Bajaj in the loop as you suggested. Thank you again!

[leedonotrix]

It's not about 3 years old bike, but how many kilometers bike has covered and how it was ridden for those miles!! Some rubber coolant hoses have shelf life of only 3 years and manual says to replace them every 30K kms or 3 years whichever is early.

Max to Min drop of coolant over a period of 2-3 months is pretty normal in Bajaj/KTM bikes, the reservoir level for Max to Min is only 200ml, the radiator holds the remaining 800ml. Leak occurs due to various reasons, cracked old coolant hoses, worn out sealant near hoses end point, evaporation.

Service center might be lying when they say coolant is mixing, Do you white smoke? green color engine oil or bubbles in engine oil inspection window? any loss in power or hiccups? any leaks near head are or valve cover area?
If there are no symptoms like this, then there is no mixing pretty much.

Bajaj itself mention in their owner manual to get a half engine head job like valve cover removed and tappet checked for every 15K kms and for every 30K kms to replace all coolant/radiator hoses, timing chain, head gasket, water pump seals. So opening engine doesn't mean it's a fatal thing, even for periodic maintenance opening up engine is necessary.

You can verify things to done for 3years/30K kms in D400 manual attached.
https://www.bajajauto.com/pdf/Owner'...ar-400BSVI.pdf

The bike's been ridden for about 21k kms. Usual commute and occasional short trips outside the city. No white smoke, no hiccups, no leaks and no bubbles. That's why I was wondering what's really happening. The guys at the service centre told me that one coolant top up is good for about 5000 kms or 6-8 months and what's happening with my bike is not normal. If everyone here agrees then I think I should just get it done and over with and go with what they are suggesting. They quoted an amount of approximately 7k and a week's time to fix this. I'll also consider keeping Bajaj in the loop. Thanks a lot!

[Vishal Wagh]

[QUOTE=leedonotrix;n2229334]Hi!

Hey leedonotrix, kiran2508, @B7ACKTTHORN

It can be happen due to evaporation (based on coolant to water mix ratio and quality of coolant) as no white smoke complaint nor any excess oil level complaints you have mentioned. If bike still has not given to workshop, just check oil level and if you have no idea how much it was at the time of oil change service, drain the oil in the workshop and check quality. You will get enough idea to make a difference between oil and coolant mixed oil. Based upon observation making a final decision makes sense.
Also there is sp. Tool called Coolant leak tester available which in which if pressure drop is significant that means coolant is leaking somewhere.

[kiran2508]

Hi!

Need some advice and help. Have been having a weird problem in my 2017 Dominar. The coolant goes from Max to Min in about 2-3 months. The service centre guys in Kirti Nagar, Delhi changed the seal in October and told me that it was good to go but when it happened again they told me they need to open up the engine and clean the engine entirely as the coolant is leaking into the engine. I understand that they may need to do it if the coolant is mixing with the engine oil as that can be fatal for the engine but I still don't get as to how that is going to solve the problem of the coolant leakage. Also, a 3 year old bike needs to get its engine opened? Isn't that sad? Should I report this to Bajaj directly?

Thanks.

It's not about 3 years old bike, but how many kilometers bike has covered and how it was ridden for those miles!! Some rubber coolant hoses have shelf life of only 3 years and manual says to replace them every 30K kms or 3 years whichever is early.

Max to Min drop of coolant over a period of 2-3 months is pretty normal in Bajaj/KTM bikes, the reservoir level for Max to Min is only 200ml, the radiator holds the remaining 800ml. Leak occurs due to various reasons, cracked old coolant hoses, worn out sealant near hoses end point, evaporation.

Service center might be lying when they say coolant is mixing, Do you white smoke? green color engine oil or bubbles in engine oil inspection window? any loss in power or hiccups? any leaks near head are or valve cover area?
If there are no symptoms like this, then there is no mixing pretty much.

Bajaj itself mention in their owner manual to get a half engine head job like valve cover removed and tappet checked for every 15K kms and for every 30K kms to replace all coolant/radiator hoses, timing chain, head gasket, water pump seals. So opening engine doesn't mean it's a fatal thing, even for periodic maintenance opening up engine is necessary.

You can verify things to done for 3years/30K kms in D400 manual attached.
https://www.bajajauto.com/pdf/Owner'...ar-400BSVI.pdf

[B7ACKTHORN]

Hi!

Need some advice and help. Have been having a weird problem in my 2017 Dominar. The coolant goes from Max to Min in about 2-3 months. The service centre guys in Kirti Nagar, Delhi changed the seal in October and told me that it was good to go but when it happened again they told me they need to open up the engine and clean the engine entirely as the coolant is leaking into the engine. I understand that they may need to do it if the coolant is mixing with the engine oil as that can be fatal for the engine but I still don't get as to how that is going to solve the problem of the coolant leakage. Also, a 3 year old bike needs to get its engine opened? Isn't that sad? Should I report this to Bajaj directly?

Thanks.

The mechanic is right, there are two ways coolant seeps into these engines, one by a faulty pump rotor seals and the other one is through internal gasket failure inside engine, both are high probable causes. It "can" solve your issue, as the engine needs to be stripped open to bare bones, reseal the crankcase with new sealant and this has solved the issue in some of the KTM engines too which had this "magic disappear" syndrome. I'd suggest you mail/call Bajaj and keep them apprised regarding your last to current interval on replacing the pump seals and the status quo. Chances are high, you will have to shell out from your pocket. I'd strongly recommend you to undergo this engine surgery so you save yourself bigger expenditure in the future.

Good luck!

Keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

[leedonotrix]

Hi!

Need some advice and help. Have been having a weird problem in my 2017 Dominar. The coolant goes from Max to Min in about 2-3 months. The service centre guys in Kirti Nagar, Delhi changed the seal in October and told me that it was good to go but when it happened again they told me they need to open up the engine and clean the engine entirely as the coolant is leaking into the engine. I understand that they may need to do it if the coolant is mixing with the engine oil as that can be fatal for the engine but I still don't get as to how that is going to solve the problem of the coolant leakage. Also, a 3 year old bike needs to get its engine opened? Isn't that sad? Should I report this to Bajaj directly?

Thanks.

[V 12]

Anybody tried installing D400 UG dual port exhaust muffler in 2018 D400? Is it a straight fit or requires any major alteration?

There have to be major mods as 2018 had an underbelly cat whereas 2019 onwards cat is incorporated inside the muffler. You'll have to change the whole system and still you would not get the required bass(assuming you are looking for a bassy sound from your bike) as 2019 has a DOHC setup whereas 2018 has sohc setup and lots of varying internals and parameters.

[Greymatter]

Anybody tried installing D400 UG dual port exhaust muffler in 2018 D400? Is it a straight fit or requires any major alteration?

[kiran2508]

I've tried liqui moly additives and ran almost 2800 kms , not that much difference in smoothness / refinement but yes vibes will be present & harshness will be there. It's always there.

I'm not sure who started the trend of using additives on bike with such low kms, most Indian bikes are designed for 87-91 octane fuel, ignition timing and knock sensors are tuned to function in the same range and anything higher octane might cause more wear and sensors might not catch a knock.

If you using Bajaj oil, throw the old oil(without using engine flush) and switch to Motul 10W50. Another thing, the bike will feel harsh if you have less than 30-40% fuel, try the same with full tank of fuel, you'll see the bike perform becoming so much smoother and linear!

[ashislakra1989]

I tried using liqui moly benzene tec additive. I feel the difference after half fuel tank is consumed. Bike feel more peppier. Throttle response is smooth. I used 3.5 ml/litre. Especially what is improved is low speed riding in higher gears. Jerks and knocking is minimized not totally gone. Now i can do as low as 55 to 60 kmh in 6th gear without any knocking.

Using Premium petrol helps a lot and knocking is reduced for sure.

[ashislakra1989]

Hi xhbhpians,

I have d400 ug19 purchased aug 19.
I want to know about when should be
1. Air filter changed ?
2. Spark plugs cleaned ?
3. Throttle body cleaned ?
As my running is very less bike has clocked around 5600 kms on odo. All the riding is in urban conditions and paved roads no off roading means less dirty conditions.
Last service or third free service was done on around 3800 kms oil and oil filter were changed. Now according to bajaj app service is due in first half of dec.
And any reviews regrding fuel additive like Stp octane booster or liqui moly. I usually fill up premi2 fuel extra premium or speed only but i am not satisfied with refinement still feel some vibrations and harshness in engine. Does these additives do their job as mentioned in reviews.
TIA.

I've tried liqui moly additives and ran almost 2800 kms , not that much difference in smoothness / refinement but yes vibes will be present & harshness will be there. It's always there.

[V 12]

Even if the oil level is not decreasing and not burning, the problem could be not enough oil is reaching the HEAD where the sensor sits.

The oil pressure sensor used are 1.15bar sensor. If the Sensor was at fault, it would not have turned off again automatically after 80-90, once the sensor current circuit line is open, it would go no off until you cut power to it with ignition key on-off. So my hunch is sensor is fine.

If oil levels are fine then could be clogged oil jets in the head guide or a clogged oil pump line or a weak main Oil pump or weak Evacuation pump.
Clean the jets and oil lines with compressed air, clean the oil pumps and gears, change the sensor. Replace the pumps if needed, sensor is only Rs.150 and oil pump doesn't cost more the Rs.400 each if they are worn out.

It never turned off automatically, what actually happened was whilst going back since turning on the bike the light never popped up as it usually does when i hit 70kmph.
You have shed a lot of info about what could be the problems. I'll get all of them rectified just to be sure and leaving nothing on chance. Thank you for helping me out.

Ride hard ride safe
Amogh Sharma

[B7ACKTHORN]

I have a similar feeling too. Also the case has got a little bit weirder, while on a short sunday ride to a nearby dhabha (45km single side), while going as usual the light pops up and i continue riding. Although while returning back I am riding at constant speeds between 80-90 and no light pops up. I even push the bike to 100kmph to check but still the sensor or the pump works fine. Also which i forgot to add before was as soon as i turn off the ignition and turn it back on their is no error light displayed.

There have been cases where the oil pressure switch has been replaced due to faulty readings, many a KTM 390s have suffered this issue.

Cheers!
VJ

[kiran2508]

Probably a faulty oil pressure sensor. If you have checked the engine oil level, and it's as per spec and the error throws up at particular RPM or speed, chances are high that you might have a faulty oil pressure sensor. It's recommended that you double check your oil level by draining it at the SVC and ruling out any chances. Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

I have a similar feeling too. Also the case has got a little bit weirder, while on a short sunday ride to a nearby dhabha (45km single side), while going as usual the light pops up and i continue riding. Although while returning back I am riding at constant speeds between 80-90 and no light pops up. I even push the bike to 100kmph to check but still the sensor or the pump works fine. Also which i forgot to add before was as soon as i turn off the ignition and turn it back on their is no error light displayed.

Even if the oil level is not decreasing and not burning, the problem could be not enough oil is reaching the HEAD where the sensor sits.

The oil pressure sensor used are 1.15bar sensor. If the Sensor was at fault, it would not have turned off again automatically after 80-90, once the sensor current circuit line is open, it would go no off until you cut power to it with ignition key on-off. So my hunch is sensor is fine.

If oil levels are fine then could be clogged oil jets in the head guide or a clogged oil pump line or a weak main Oil pump or weak Evacuation pump.
Clean the jets and oil lines with compressed air, clean the oil pumps and gears, change the sensor. Replace the pumps if needed, sensor is only Rs.150 and oil pump doesn't cost more the Rs.400 each if they are worn out.