I think on second thoughts, maybe not. I got that wrong. Bosch claim IP55. I was under the impression it was IP54, but manual on web site says IP55. So new Polini motor probably ain’t gonna be any better.
Looks like some manufacturers are giving a bit more thought to keeping the water out.
New Polini ebike motor is IP55
POLINI E-P3+ MOTOR IS BORN - Polini Motori
The problem with the Bosch is, it can’t handle water, keep getting it wet and its only a matter of time, tends to be sooner than later. In terms of reliability, I'd describe it as crap.
IP55 – that’s a clear step in the right direction. IP55 should be the starting point for ebike motors...
I think what Bosch and other manufacturers are doing is protecting their market in that respect. The vast vast majority of ebikes will be used on public roads and shared pathways etc. Therefore, to continue to be classified as bicycles they will need to continue to be protected.
There are...
I do now.
G had a max working temp of 100 degrees C as opposed to 120 degrees for K.
It is just all the KP2K-30 greases I come across are sold in cartridges designed for use in grease guns.
Anyway this page helps explain the Bosch grease spec
LUBRICATING GREASES: DIN 51502 AND ISO 6743-9...
The Bosch Grease is very similar to Motorex FETT 2000
The Bosch grease retails at £1 a gram (it is 20 quid for a 20g tube I think).
But for £22.87 you can get 850g tub of pretty much the same thing. The Bosch price for that would £850.00.
(Though disclaimer - I don't know the significance of...
I’ve borrowed this image from a post by Stihldog in the following thread by Rusty MTB;
Bosch Gen4 Seal Service & Grease up
You can see the Bosch Tube of Grease has the details of the manufacturer on it.
RENOLIT CA-LZS 2 M
I had difficulty finding that for sale in the UK.
But the...
Umm, if that is the case Kingerz, then manufacturers shouldn’t be selling these things as mountain bikes. And such an approach as you describe isn’t really an option for me.
Here’s what the dictionary has to say about ‘motor’ Paul;
Motor (noun)
a comparatively small and powerful engine...
The old video recorder manufactures fully supported their products. Like our Bosch motors, they weren’t terribly reliable (certainly not in the 1980’s, though later they became almost bomb proof) but they were easy to get repaired.
So no I don’t see your point.
I think the Bosch motor is crap...
I really don’t know what their motivation is. But that doesn't make sense. And those old Betamax and VHS machines were fully supported by their manufactures, and frankly, just like our Bosch emotors, boy did they need it.
What I do know is that Brose seem to be happy to supply suitably...
Exactly, if your Engine Control Unit (ECU) in your car fails, you can get a new one. Either under warranty, or you pay for a new one out of warranty. But such a part will be available.
If your PCB in your Bosch ebike motor fails (basically the ECU), BOSCH will not sell you a new one.
No...
Yeah that is a bit off putting. I’m been toying with the possibility of purchasing a new emtb (yes I’m still addicted).
But if I am reading that correctly, it means that anybody who suffers a Bosch PCB failure with the Gen4 ‘smart’ motor, out of warranty, has no other option but to purchase a...
Not expecting my low milage motor to have any issues, well I started researching the issue once I had a problem. That’s often the way of things. Most bike shops seem to be telling their new customers that they don’t have many or any issues with ebike motors (whilst their skip out the back may...
Imagine buying a petrol-powered car and then just out of warranty the water pump fails. Not a big problem you think, until you find out that the manufacture considers the engine to be a sealed unit, they’ll supply you with a new engine but not a water pump. That just wouldn't happen...
Bosch won’t supply a spare PCB to anybody. They won’t supply a PCB to you, me or anybody else – nobody. They won’t supply it to a bike shop or any independent repair business.
If you get water into the motor and it damages the PCB then your emotor is finished.
Hence my perfectly potentially...
This is the biggest part of the problem Rusty, Bosch do not provide any support whatsoever for the Gen4 motor. As far as they are concerned it is a sealed for life unit.
Umm, this is the whole point of this thread now is it not? Bosch consider the Gen 4 unit to be a sealed unit. Bosch do not support service or repair.
And there is no point whatsoever in having access to the software if the manufacture won’t supply spares – ie the PCB. In fact, any spares...
You don’t say what your set up is.
My bike has a Bosch motor e*thirtten cranks. From your basic photo it looks like the same set up.
So you need to remove the screw from the centre of the crank arm – off the top of my head I think that’ll be an 8mm allen key.
Once you have that removed you...
I don’t think it would be particularly difficult to improve the situation. So focusing on Bosch, and water ingress just now…..
If Bosch don’t already know exactly how and where the water is getting in, well they have access to endless dead motors in order to figure that out. Then it is a matter...
Excellent result Andy. I’ve just tweeted your article – not that anybody pays any attention to me on twitter.
But seriously folks, do share this article across social media – keep raising the issue.
And again, well done Andy - good on you!