Valve Inspection---Holly Crap

I was out in Thousand Oaks yesterday and went by T.O Motorsports because I had heard that there mechanic is Honda factory trained. Even tho my 2002 only has 11,000+ miles and they say at 16,000 it should be done, I just wanted to pick his brain. He says it's a 6 hr job @ 90 an hour. He also told me that after doing at the minimum of 12- 2002-2007's he not once had to adjust anything--- told me to save my $$$$$$------ Well, any advice ?
Thanks

 

This seems to be very common advice, from both certified mechanics and DIYers.

 

How many miles on your VFR and did you have them looked at ?

 

I have just over 10K and probably won't have them checked unless something seems a miss. More likely have them checked at 32K.

 

Thanks Man------:boobies7:

 

I had mine checked at Mac 1 (Costa Mesa, CA) at 16k. I think it needed two valves adjusted. At that time I also had the Starter Valves synchronized, oil/filter changed, coolant flushed, brake/clutch fluid flushed, the total bill came out to $800. After that though the bike ran beautifully. Right around that same time I also put a PC III with the 2006+ VFR map loaded. VTEC engagement is flawless now. The feels like it has more low end torque. Like I said in another forum, if you feel comfortable extending the valve inspection interval then go for it. OTOH, if that bugs your conscience, then you must pony up the $$ to get it done or do it yourself. If you do get it done get it done by a competent mechanic. I know a fellow VFR ('04) owner who went through a nightmare scenario at Champion Honda/Kawasaki in Costa Mesa because they screwed up his valve inspection.

 

I think there are 6th genners creeping up on 80 to 100K without valve inspection with no problems. While they may be slightly out of spec, I think a 16K valve check is a bit of overkill, especially considering what's involved in just checking them much less adjusting if needed.

 

Just my .02, but I can see checking the valves every 16k IF you constantly are in the upper RPM range, say 8k+. Given that most kids that get bikes that can rev up to 12k+ do just that, it seems advisable to have that interval set from the factory.
I used to auto-x my SE-R a lot, and sure it didn't rev up to 12k, but I never once gave consideration to checking my valves every 16k miles. Why? Because of the way I treated my engine. I didn't treat it like a race-bred engine constantly, despite how it was built. I, personally, have felt the same way about my motorcycles. If you don't abuse them day in and day out, then your engine will last longer. And yes, I know motorcycle engines are built differently, but the same basic principles would apply.
Do I plan on going much past he 36k my bike has on it before checking my valves? Possibly, but only due to the lack of funds available. As one person put it "Even if your engine did go pop, what are you out? The engine? You can pretty much buy another one for the cost of a valve job."
otstir:

 

I'm in for the long haul with my '05 (8yrs, 42k) so personally, I'd rather stick to the Maintenance schedule and pay the extra few hundred than risk having to rebuild or replace the engine...

 

Thanks for all your advice guys---------

 

I'm like Cyborg with my VFR. Go with whatever comfort level you have as these bikes in general are bulletproof. OTOH, if you want 100k + miles from it, spend the $$ and do inspections at least every 25k miles....it certainly will add to peace of mind. If you want to save $$, learn how to do it yourself and save yourself the uncertainty and stress of not know whether you are going to get a mechanic who knows what they're doing.

 

Man that sounds like the buisness,the PCIII with the 2006+map

 

Mine needed a shim changed at 16,000 miles but was fine at 30,000 miles. I think doing checks at 25,000 miles wouldn't hurt anything. JMO of course.

 

It's not a 6hr job if they don't have to adjust anything. Checking valve clearances shouldn't take 6 hours. Adjusting them if out of spec, perhaps, but for a trained tech, 6 hrs is entirely too long.

 

While you are adjusting/checking the valve clearances on a 5th gen, do you have to remove the throttle bodies?
Thinking it might be a good time to replace my thermostat, think its goose is cooked, the bitch is running cold.

 

last friday my 2007 check at just over 70,000 km found valves still in spec

SkiMad

 

No you don't have to remove the TB's only the airbox to get clearance to work. Some might even leave that on ! The valves are much simpler to do on the 5th gen due to the gear driven cams, just measure clearances, pop cams, measure installed shims, calculate, change required shims. Remember that some shims usually can be moved around to correct clearances, so you only need to buy a few !

Definately need the TB's off to get to the thermostat. Why honda put the bolts on the bottom of it is beyond me Means you have to disconnect the hoses to get it out.

 

well to me it is all math and budgeting. new chain and sprockets every 20K so that is .01 per mile. Figure what 250.00 for rear tire every 10k is .025 per mile, valve service lets say 500.00 is around .03 per mile. Then insurance, gas, and so on. We can bitch about costs but all costs are the same. You want to ride, pay the piper and shut up. We don't do our own insurance, we don't make our own gas, you can lean to do your own valves or not. Some areas you can save money (or cents per mile). I choose not to skip valve maintenance and will pay the price when I have it done. The real question is when not if.

Last March I picked up a 2004 VFR with 47711 miles on it. The PO had valves done at 16k and 33k plus with full history of other services like stator and rectifier replacement, chain/sprocket replacements and so on. Lot of miles, yes, was bike wore out, NO. My plan is to get the valves done at 50k. should I sell the bike, It is worth more because of the history so not all that money is wasted value wise and piece of mind (my mind) has some value.


so that is my .02 worth (per mile) lol