16,000-Mile Service Cost - Yikes!

I'm looking at a 2000 VFR that's got 18,000 miles on it at a Honda dealership. I asked them if the 16K service had been done but it had not. They said if I bought the bike, they'd be happy to do it for $850!! What the hell do they do, rebuild the bike?
What should a typical 16K service cost and what all would be done besides checking the valve clearance?
I think I'll be looking elsewhere to purchase a bike and for my mechanical work.

 

Mine was around 850 or in that vicinity, but I also had the back tire replaced as well (included in the total price, so yeah, 850 sounds a bit high for the 16k service). As for the rest of the maint....standard stuff, Oil change, air filter change, new plugs, inspections of the usual stuff and a good lube-up is all I remember. There is probably more than what I mentioned.

 

How much! Yikes.Had my 32K service done in August. Took mine to a shop in town, who mechanic is from one of the Honda dealerships. I paid $800 for the full service, 2 new tires, an new thermostat, and chain.

 

Pull out the wrenches and do the basics yourself!
Hint: You probably don't need valve clearance work, and if you're out, it won't be by much if you're not too particular about things being spot-on perfect. My '95 has over 34,000 mi and has not needed shims.
Anyone with some basic wrenching skills can do oil, oil filter, air filter, cable lube, brake bleed and plugs. Buy or download some shop manual info and still save hundreds.

 

Look around at some other Honda Shops I found one near me that did mine for $250.

 

Of course they'd be happy to do it for that price, that's about $500 profit! Download the manual and do it yourself. The hardest part of it will be the valves and like Vlad said, they are probably still in spec. Use the money you save and get the suspension set up.

 

Yeah you can do the 16K mile service yourself IF you have patience, some wrenching skills, a garage.

I did this myself back in July. Here's what it looked like going through the service:



It took me 2 days though because it was the very first time I did a job this involved and I took time to make sure I didn't screw anything up.

If you're feeling up to a valve clearance inspection I got a thread here on tips for it: http://vfrworld.com/forums/mechanics-garage/16474-tips-5th-gen-valve-clearance-inspection.html

 

I am pretty handy with a wrench and I've got a garage. I can do basics like change fluids etc as long as I've got a reference book handy for anything that might get tricky. The valves I'd leave to a pro. I believe they're shim under bucket? I could see that little shim zinging off somewhere, never to be found again. I do enjoy mechanical work, though. I do most of the work on my car and have owned bikes in the past but it's been 24 years since I owned one. I do recall adjusting the valves on my 89 CRX Si years ago but I don't think they were shimmed. I could be wrong about that.
The bike I was looking at has some cosmetic damage, an undocumented service history and they want $5K for it with no accessories. I'm gonna pass on it and keep looking. When I find the right one, I'll snap it up and post some pictures.
Joey_Dude, you're a brave man! :wink:
Thanks everyone, this site is great!

 

What the hell?

 

Norcal's garage is way cleaner than that. He has a blanket under his bike and bins for the parts. That pic must make him cringe.

 

Man that don't sound right, even thou mine is a 4th gen and was a 32K service, it ran me $350.00 something is not clicking here.

 

All
If the valves need adjusting, wouldn't you be able to tell from a change in engine performance,idle, gas mileage, etc.? It is not the kind of thing that suddenly goes and can cause further damage?

 

And what is that green stuff in the jug?

 

^^^ My guess would be coolent, but it is Joey so maybe not.

Action

 

Have your dealer/shop provide you with a written estimate detailing all of the service items they will be performing and the parts that will be used for the $800+ they are quoting. If you are not happy with what you are getting in return for your $800+ investment, take the estimate in hand and go shop around.

 

I believe...

Nepix That is coolant for your radiator (keep ur engine cool):unsure::ncb:

 

My guess would be 3/4 of a gallon of Absinthe. Explains the mess.:tongue:

BTW - a 1988-1991 CRX Si has screw type valve lash adjusters (loosen locknut, tighten down screw with flat blade screwdriver, tighten locknut). I used to have one. The VFR has the dreaded shims. Leave that job to a pro if you're not comfortable with major top end disassembly. On the bright side, however, the geared cam drive makes pulling the cams VERY easy cmpared to a chain/belt...

 

Another thought

I have to agree with Action, It is from Joey so it can be anything....lol
(Super hiperfomance fuel so he can run away from Randy and PoPo):vader::ncb:

 

Ha ha you nuts!! That green stuff is just the old coolant. Part of the 16K service was to replace the coolant with distilled water/water wetter and because I have dogs in the house I didn't want to have a pan of antifreeze for them to drink.

 

No symptoms until it's too late and letting valves get stuck open and burn will be bad. Your mileage "might" fall off a little, but within the range experienced by summer/fall temp differential. If they're stuck open enough to be a problem (when warm), a compression check will be telling.

FYI, my 5th gen had 1/2 the valves tight at 13k, 4 of them outside of spec, so I don't buy this "you don't need to worry about the valves on a Honda" stuff. I think some shops say they checked the valves but don't and tell the customer it was all ok, knowing it's free money for them because the customer won't know, and they can't be blamed for something that happens way down the road.