CBR650R New CBR650R Failed Head Gasket.

[eternalplayer]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading the forum for a few months and recently sold my 2014 CBR and purchased a new 2020. It was old stock new from the dealer with 0km. From Day one it was running hot. At 900km it decided to spray oil on a ride all over the insides of the fairing and down the lower cowl. I took it into the dealer and they told me they believe the head gasket had failed. They said they only started the engine and idled it because they don’t want to starve the engine of oil and believe it is a head gasket issue. They didn’t sound 100% confident about the diagnosis and I am not that confident. Due to this lovely pandemic they have told me it will most likely take 1-2 months to submit the warranty claim to corporate and complete the work. Canadian summers are short so I am pretty bummed to have lost my “therapy bike”.

Has anyone else had a head gasket fail on their new CBR? I never pushed the bike but had some spirited rides through the twisters.

 

[BC_Rob]

Sorry to hear that! It can be a big problem only owning one bike.
I hope it gets fixed real soon.
BTW, when I needed warranty work done on my Triumph (during COVID) they emailed some photos and got same day approval to do the work from Triumph Canada.

 

[baugustine]

No reason they can’t fix your bike in under 2 weeks. Push them, that’s total BS they are feeding you.

 

[eternalplayer]

No reason they can’t fix your bike in under 2 weeks. Push them, that’s total BS they are feeding you.

Thanks, I will push back. They gave me some speech about parts and inventory being highly constrained or not available because of the pandemic.

 

[eternalplayer]

Sorry to hear that! It can be a big problem only owning one bike.
I hope it gets fixed real soon.
BTW, when I needed warranty work done on my Triumph (during COVID) they emailed some photos and got same day approval to do the work from Triumph Canada.

Having two bikes is now a must. I am shopping for a second as we speak. Lol.

 

[Cbat]

Thanks, I will push back. They gave me some speech about parts and inventory being highly constrained or not available because of the pandemic.

It's a freaking head gasket! They are FOS! Buy one off Partzilla, get it priority shipped, bring it with bike to them, tell to fix and reimburse you for the gasket.

 

[JDude]

I hope it comes together for you. Just curious which dealer did you purchase from?

 

[eternalplayer]

It's a freaking head gasket! They are FOS! Buy one off Partzilla, get it priority shipped, bring it with bike to them, tell to fix and reimburse you for the gasket.View attachment 10617

I know. I am hoping there is no internal warping or any other damage. I have had some people tell me the bike might never preform like it should after a head gasket failure. Especially a bike that’s basically brand new. It was only on the road one month! I have had two other brand new Honda’s that were bulletproof from day one.

 

[eternalplayer]

I hope it comes together for you. Just curious which dealer did you purchase from?

I purchased the bike out of province. It came from a dealer in Quebec. I am going to call that dealer this week just to see what they think.

 

[JDude]

It sounds like a dud from the get go, which happens. It’s good to keep touches on the good dealers and the not so good. Please keep us updated.

 

[eternalplayer]

It sounds like a dud from the get go, which happens. It’s good to keep touches on the good dealers and the not so good. Please keep us updated.

Just spoke to the dealer. Honda Canada will cover the cost of a head gasket and new head bolts. It does not cover fresh oil and new filter!!! They also told me the head bolts are back ordered with Honda Canada till August.

Upset, I called Honda Canada who told me repeatedly there is nothing that could be done. After 45 minutes of me saying it was unacceptable they said they will attempt to send it to remediation for the cost of the oil and filter but I will have to have the dealer email me a quote for that cost and then have me send it to Honda Canada.

To say I am upset is an understatement. And get this. The dealer still said it will take two weeks to complete the repair once the parts arrive.

 

[Brammers]

August? If the header bolt is the one I think it is, you could have them shipped from UK stock in less time! Which is a first.

Ask for a part number and see if a little legwork pays off.

J

 

[eternalplayer]

It's a freaking head gasket! They are FOS! Buy one off Partzilla, get it priority shipped, bring it with bike to them, tell to fix and reimburse you for the gasket.View attachment 10617

Update: Over the past several weeks, I have contacted close to a dozen OEM part suppliers in Canada and the US (including PartZilla) and none have the head gasket bolts in stock to ship. None could offer an estimate restock date.
I followed up with the dealership this morning as it has now been a month since the bike was dropped of for repairs. They informed me that the part restock date has now been removed from Honda’s ordering system and replaced with a TBD unknown. In their words “that is never good, and in previous experience that generally means about 2 months or more wait.
Honda customer service has been no help either.
To say I am disappointed is an understatement.

 

[JRinKtown]

Oh man, this sucks in every possible way. Difficult to understand how Honda could be so inept with their customer service. To not cover the peripheral losses (oil and filter, etc.) due to a warranty issue is mind boggling.

And not to be able to access head bolts is just lazy. I'm sure production is not halted. Head bolts are available at the factory for all the new bikes currently on the production line. All it takes is someone to divert some for your warranty repair. That should take precedence.

I'm not savvy on the mechanics involved here, but with a blown head gasket, there's a chance coolant has entered the oil. If so, I sure hope your dealer has drained the remaining contaminated oil and flushed it clean. Otherwise, coolant sitting where oil should be will ruin bearings in short order.

Is there a way you can find a contact for Honda at a higher level, or in Japan? Lots of Honda forums on the Net with owners from all over the world. A few enquiries might find a higher contact for you. Years ago I knew someone through a forum who worked in the engineering division of Honda Motorcycle in Japan, so it's possible. Someone is not doing you -- or the company -- justice. Continue to fight this.

 

[JRinKtown]

Another thought here: BikerzBits in Thailand (where the bike is assembled) is very good at procuring OEM parts for Honda's made in Thailand. Might be worth giving them a phone call to see if they can source those bolts and whatever else you need.

 

[eternalplayer]

Just providing a following up for the forum. It has been almost 4 months and no resolution in sight. I tried ordering the bolts from the USA, UK and Thailand. No luck. Dealer now tells me that Honda Corporate is advising the parts are back ordered till 2022.

I bought a brand new bike to only have it fail 2 weeks into ownership. I have tried complaining to the dealer with no luck. I have tried both customer service and customer relations at Honda Canada and got nothing but, we are sorry and we are dealing with ongoing global constraints. In Canada we only have a one year manufactures warranty. Riding season starts late April and by the time the repairs are done and I get the bike back I will have about a month of warranty left. I have asked to get extra year of warranty and compensation to which they flat out chuckled and said no. This is the last Honda I will ever purchase. I purchased back to back brand new bikes from them and we have purchased 4 cars from them in the past. Lost customer for life.

 

[miweber929]

Just providing a following up for the forum. It has been almost 4 months and no resolution in sight. I tried ordering the bolts from the USA, UK and Thailand. No luck. Dealer now tells me that Honda Corporate is advising the parts are back ordered till 2022.

I bought a brand new bike to only have it fail 2 weeks into ownership. I have tried complaining to the dealer with no luck. I have tried both customer service and customer relations at Honda Canada and got nothing but, we are sorry and we are dealing with ongoing global constraints. In Canada we only have a one year manufactures warranty. Riding season starts late April and by the time the repairs are done and I get the bike back I will have about a month of warranty left. I have asked to get extra year of warranty and compensation to which they flat out chuckled and said no. This is the last Honda I will ever purchase. I purchased back to back brand new bikes from them and we have purchased 4 cars from them in the past. Lost customer for life.

I don’t blame you. I’d be pissed as well.

Sorry to hear.

 

[trippy]

Just providing a following up for the forum. It has been almost 4 months and no resolution in sight. I tried ordering the bolts from the USA, UK and Thailand. No luck. Dealer now tells me that Honda Corporate is advising the parts are back ordered till 2022.

I bought a brand new bike to only have it fail 2 weeks into ownership. I have tried complaining to the dealer with no luck. I have tried both customer service and customer relations at Honda Canada and got nothing but, we are sorry and we are dealing with ongoing global constraints. In Canada we only have a one year manufactures warranty. Riding season starts late April and by the time the repairs are done and I get the bike back I will have about a month of warranty left. I have asked to get extra year of warranty and compensation to which they flat out chuckled and said no. This is the last Honda I will ever purchase. I purchased back to back brand new bikes from them and we have purchased 4 cars from them in the past. Lost customer for life.

What are the exact part numbers?

 

[skeletor]

Are the bolts damaged? The service manual for my bike says to clean the cylinder head 9mm washer-bolts in a solvent and dry them. Then apply molybdenum oil to the threads.

 

[baugustine]

E @eternalplayer do they have Lemon Laws in Canada? Here in the US they would have to buy it back.