[V0rtex]

Originally Posted by BullettuPaandi

..also, the slickest in the world! Gaslighting couldn't get any more literal than this!

One reason people take their bikes to local mechanics is for less expensive repairs and service. However, some of these mechanics often try to make you spend as much as possible on minor issues. I've seen many riders get unnecessary engine work done when their problems could have been resolved with a simple service. Many have felt suspicious when told, "Your engine is gone, you need an engine rebuild," and after taking their bike to an authorized service station (A.S.S.) or another mechanic, they found simple fixes for the issues. For example, in my case, changing the oil and tuning the carburetor resolved the problem. Additionally, they took my perfectly fine air filter and spark plug. While these parts are of no use to me, I'm certain they will reuse them in someone else's bike after cleaning them. I'm also suspicious about whether they completely filled up the engine oil. They took the sealed engine oil can back to the shop, and I should have double-checked it. My trust in these mechanics led to them exploiting me.

[BullettuPaandi]

Originally Posted by V0rtex

One reason people take their bikes to local mechanics is for less expensive repairs and service. However, some of these mechanics often try to make you spend as much as possible on minor issues. I've seen many riders get unnecessary engine work done when their problems could have been resolved with a simple service. Many have felt suspicious when told, "Your engine is gone, you need an engine rebuild," and after taking their bike to an authorized service station (A.S.S.) or another mechanic, they found simple fixes for the issues.

From what I've heard people of older generation speak of this, it feels like this didn't use to be the case, but it is now and increasingly so: We can't outsource any job that we ourselves aren't familiar with. We need at least a basic theoretical understanding, to be able to verify if our trust is in the right place.

Simple way is to ask questions like: "What makes you say that?", "What do think will fix it?", etc. and see if they're making sense or dodging your questions. This applies for the mechanic who did the simple fix as well; asking questions like: "What was the cause/fix?", "How permanent is this fix?", etc. is important. Most mechanics would happily explain, as they are genuinely passionate about bikes/cars; also, they get to advertise their know-how.

Originally Posted by V0rtex

they took my perfectly fine air filter and spark plug. While these parts are of no use to me, I'm certain they will reuse them in someone else's bike after cleaning them. I'm also suspicious about whether they completely filled up the engine oil. They took the sealed engine oil can back to the shop, and I should have double-checked it. My trust in these mechanics led to them exploiting me.

I was quite the ride, but glad you got off well with some near misses. So, at this point, it's best to let bygones be bygones.

New air filter & spark plugs are probably worth the price paid, all things considered. You can still check the oil level and condition from the dip stick.

[ringsoftime]

My Aprilia SR150 failed test last week, although it was only half way through the service interval of 3k kms. I just took it directly to the PUC centre, and it failed with obscene amounts of CO levels. I was so sure that it would be due to engine not being in its optimal temperature. I did an Italian tune in, but next test is supported only after 24 hours of failing the first. So didn't take it out for a few days then rode it close to 1 hour through varying conditions and heavy traffic.
Went to a different PUC centre this time. Although it was only few day apart, this testing centre asked me to throttle hard while in centre stand - so much so that the scooter was shaking a bit. But it successfully ran through the tests this time, and there was a quite a difference this time. It's a 2017 model SR150. So I was sure that it should not fail.

So once a test fails, after checking oil and filters, I would fill up from a good outlet and run the vehicle through different terrain and speeds for some time from now on, and go to a good PUC centre.

[V0rtex]

Originally Posted by ringsoftime

So once a test fails, after checking oil and filters, I would fill up from a good outlet and run the vehicle through different terrain and speeds for some time from now on, and go to a good PUC centre.

During my third test I took it to a different center.

[RD410]

Originally Posted by kozhissery

I think the reasons for BS3/BS4 vehicles failing is that these engines were made for BS3/BS4 fuel and the mechanics increase/tamper the fuel/air mixture to avoid sputter (in non FI engines for sure). I can say from my experience that after the mechanic tuned the vehicle to pass the test, the idle speed is low and the vehicle dies if throttle is not given.

I think this PUC is linked to national portal and not state portal, so I don't think that the state has any control over the PUC machine or software.

I think our esteemed members who are working in this field would be in a better position to say why PUC is failing after the software/hardware upgrade.

That makes me curious. My bs3 Dio is running on factory carburettor tune. The carburettor has only been cleaned, my mechanic has never tampered with the factory tune. I just changed the spark plug last week and the old spark plug had reddish grey coloration on the electrodes, which means the tune is as good and lean as it came from the factory. And I am very cautious about not filling E20 petrol. Yet it failed PUC.

Ok forget about the bs3 Dio, it can be considered as too old. Buy my friends bs6 Activa 125 and another mutual friends bs6.2 FZ 150 also failed PUC! Both the aforementioned vehicles are fuel injected and have all the complicated pollution control measures related to bs6. Yet they somehow failed. The owner of the Pollution test center where I test my vehicles said that lot's of bs6 2 wheelers are facing difficulty passing PUC and they have no idea why is this happening. Why are such new & modern vehicles failing the test? Why is this issue only being reported from KL?

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by kozhissery

M.... I just took the activa to the nearest shop and mentioned the issue. He said most probably the spark plug/filter/oil needs to be changed/cleaned, so asked him to do full service and get the PUC done (with additional fees).
I got back the scooter next day with the new certificate and a bill lot lesser that what is usually charged by company showroom. Only the filter and spark plug were changed, according to him oil is in good condition....

Originally Posted by V0rtex

Guys, I just passed the pollution test! I ... I went to the mechanic, explained what had been done, and as they started testing again, he began tuning the carburetor. Voila! My CO level dropped to 2.3%, and hydrocarbons dropped from 156 (which was still way below the 3000 limit) to just 10. I was truly surprised, as every other mechanic I consulted wanted me to do complete engine work...

Thanks for the details - it'll be good to have the shops / mechanics names added so anyone who wish to avail their services benefit.

You could also create an entry in the team-bhp directory so it stays easy to find. Such honest mechanics deserve more business is what I believe.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/other-cities/

PS : please mention the City & a good relevant headline so it's easy to understand (eg : PUC tuning - Kochi).

[V0rtex]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

Thanks for the details - it'll be good to have the shops / mechanics names added so anyone who wish to avail their services benefit.

You could also create an entry in the team-bhp directory so it stays easy to find. Such honest mechanics deserve more business is what I believe.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/other-cities/

PS : please mention the City & a good relevant headline so it's easy to understand (eg : PUC tuning - Kochi).

The mechanic’s name is Filip and he runs a small workshop called FS Two Wheeler Workshop its in Kalamassery, Kochi.

[r24x7]

I missed noticing that the PUC issues discussed were happening only in KL and took my 10 year old, (60K on the ODO) FZ v2 to the nearest PUC here in BLR, with fingers crossed. It passed the test with 2.1% on CO.

[Vaastav]

Its strange that all these newer bikes are failing their PUC when both my RX100 (1994) and Bullet 350 (1990) continue to pass theirs.

[b16h22]

I took my BS6 Gixxer 250 yesterday for PUC and it passed without any trouble. And it has an erratic O2 sensor which I haven't replaced yet due to the costs involved and the bike is outside warranty. The CO levels were very minimal. 0.08 iirc

[V0rtex]

Originally Posted by b16h22

I took my BS6 Gixxer 250 yesterday for PUC and it passed without any trouble. And it has an erratic O2 sensor which I haven't replaced yet due to the costs involved and the bike is outside warranty. The CO levels were very minimal. 0.08 iirc

I don’t think that newer bikes have any issue in passing the pollution test, but it is predominantly the BS3 and Pre-BS3 bikes that are having issues.

[V0rtex]

Originally Posted by Vaastav

Its strange that all these newer bikes are failing their PUC when both my RX100 (1994) and Bullet 350 (1990) continue to pass theirs.

I think this could be an issue specific to Kerala. The pollution center folks and many people at workshops were saying that this issue started after their system got a new update a few months ago, prior to this all bikes were passing the pollution test.

[Mortis]

Guys one simple tip for those whose bikes are generally in good condition but are still failing the PUC. Do a tankful of Speed or Power and add 1.5 - 2ml of Acetone to the tank. Ride a bit until the tank finishes a couple of litres of fuel and then get the PUC done. It will pass unless something is seriously wrong with the bike.
Acetone will not harm the bike in any way atleast in the short term. I have used it on a car and scooter over 60k and 20k kms, 13 and 8 years respectively in almost every tankful without any problems. If in doubt only use it in the pre PUC tankful.

[V0rtex]

Originally Posted by Mortis

Acetone will not harm the bike in any way atleast in the short term. I have used it on a car and scooter over 60k and 20k kms, 13 and 8 years respectively in almost every tankful without any problems. If in doubt only use it in the pre PUC tankful.

Here's an older post on TeamBHP that I found regarding this. If anyone needs instructions on how to do this, you can refer to this.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...ne-petrol.html (My Experience With Adding Acetone in Petrol)

[Vaastav]

Originally Posted by V0rtex

I think this could be an issue specific to Kerala. The pollution center folks and many people at workshops were saying that this issue started after their system got a new update a few months ago, prior to this all bikes were passing the pollution test.

Could well be, my Bullet's PUC was done in Noida, after I was told it couldn't be done in Delhi.