Toronto Area Service

[Shandit66]

Hi

My 2004 Honda VFR has developed a bit of noise in the engine. Seems like a valve. Its noisiest at low rpm's (< 4k) and when the engine is cold. At higher rpm's I can hear it (maybe just too much other noise, or the V-Tech may be kicking it making the difference). And once the engine is hot, I can't hear it either. The bikes got 24,000 km on it and I've not done any valve adjusts since I've had it for the past 6000, no idea about before.

With such a basic description, I'm not sure if anyone has ideas.

Also I'm looking for recommendations on who I can take it to. I've had 109 Cycle do simple work in the past, but found them to be not great.
When I asked about this over the phone, they said any valve work would be a min of 8 hrs. And if its anything inside the engine they just can't do it.
Doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. So i'm looking for someone else to deal with.

thanks
Olaf

 

[rbjeepthing]

first of V-Tech makes phones Honda makes Vtec.....lol

Not sure if the VFR's have it but sounds like an ACT (Automatic Cam Tensioner) issue.

 

[JohnnyP636]

Could be valves needing clearance adjustment, or it could be cam chain tensioner like mentioned above...If a motorcycle shop said they cant help you with either of those issues, they should not be in business period! Both are simple services that any motorcycle shop should be able to diagnose and fix...

9 times out of 10 by your description its a cam chain tension issue....I normally install 5+ manual cam chain tensioners a year for people with your exact symptoms...Rarely does anyone actually need valve adjustment

Your bike uses 2 cam chain tensioners

 

[frekeyguy]

If your looking for recommendation, you should take it to Johnnyp636 or if you want a shop take it to Stunters Inc.

 

[Shandit66]

first of V-Tech makes phones Honda makes Vtec.....lol

Not sure if the VFR's have it but sounds like an ACT (Automatic Cam Tensioner) issue.

Ah...yah... and those V-Tech phones really suck!
Damn caffeine was defective this morning.

Thanks for the feedback. My gut feeling was that the shop wasn't up to the job and this should be a relatively simple issue.
It also doesn't seem to affect performance as far as I call tell.

 

[JohnnyP636]

Ah...yah... and those V-Tech phones really suck!
Damn caffeine was defective this morning.

Thanks for the feedback. My gut feeling was that the shop wasn't up to the job and this should be a relatively simple issue.
It also doesn't seem to affect performance as far as I call tell.

Cam chain noise is just that..... noise.....I tell people all the time when I install them, its not going to affect how the bike runs, its just going to minimize the noise...Within reason, if its super loose it can cause damage but most of the time its just a little rattle, and always worse when cold and at lower RPM....Usually as the engine heats up or the RPM increases it will get quieter

 

[butters]

Those Vtec VFRs are a not just a regular valve clearence adjustment. Checking valves on any shim under bucket is no big deal until they need adjusting and the cams need to be removed. But with the vtec's.....cams come out so you can lock down the vtec lifters, reinstall everything then check your clearances. If good, remove cams again to remove vtec lifter locks and reinstall cams. If they need adj. then remove cams swap shims according to chart or you math skills, reinstall cams, recheck clearances, if good then remove cams to remove vtec lifter locks and reintall cams.
So at a bare minimum the cams are coming out twice if all measures good and at least 3 times if they need adjusting.

I'm only informing you of this because when you need to have valves checked at any shop be prepared to pay the labour charges, so be sure you need it done.
An informed consumer is a smart consumer