2002 model - Weird engine noise / rattle / knocking

I'm hoping I might be able to call on the collective knowledge of all you experienced Viffer owners! I'm not in the position to race off to the mechanic at this point but I'm concerned my bike isn't happy on the inside...

I've noticed 2 abnormal noises coming from my engine - VFR800 2002 model with 78,000 kms.

1st noise is a kind of jack hammer noise that sporadically comes on whenever the engine heats above 80degrees. Started about 3 weeks ago with random short bursts of a couple of seconds when I was sitting at the lights...but over the past few days its started happening more often and for shorter bursts.
Here's a recording after a 6kms ride, engine was about 83degrees

2nd noise I only noticed this week after its warmed up when you rev it to 4k revs and let it roll back down, you can hear a kind of rattle. (Not sure if the noises are the same or not, but I'm leaning to them being different).

I've been told my cam chain tensioner was on its way out... are both of these noises indicative of that? Anything I can do to check?
Is it ok to keep riding it as is whilst I arrange to get it checked out/replaced?

Extra points:
1st jack-hammer noise happens in neutral and idling, as well as when I'm waiting at the lights with the clutch pulled in
valve clearances were checked 6 months ago
spark plugs were all replaced 6 months ago
oil level is slightly over but otherwise normal

Would love any hints or tips!

 

Hi mate, I have the same problem here are a few links of what my bikes sounds like I think it makes the same sound as your does :

MOV00106 - YouTube
Honda VFR800 VTEC 2003 bad engine sound - YouTube

I havent figure it out whats with the bloody sound ...

 

That does sound very similar! Did yours start out like mine - occuring in shorter bursts? If so, how long did it take for it to ratle constantly?
Have you had a service or done any checks to try and figure out what it might or might not be?

I'd be stoked if we had the same problem and figured it out from using the forums! That sound doesn't give me much confidence.

 

Well I have changed the oil filter and the oil inside of it, I use 10w40 Repsoil. As I said it doesnt matter in which gear I am, or if I stay the sound still appears at a point , and then it goes away. I have read on some forums that it might me be the cam chain tensioner. So are two pieces the whole deal will cost me 350 euro, chain + cam chain tensioner. I took it to different services and they could not help me as they never repair a HONDA VFR 800 VTEC.
So I am taking the faith in my own hands. I will do some research about it and I will still post here what I am up to.

 

It sounds like the cct,they are very easy to change.

 

Sounds just like CCT's to me. There are many schools of thought on this issue from changing oils, to replacing with OEM, to upgrading the tensioners to manual units. I went for the manual adjuter repair myself, got the APE racing adjusters and now I don't have to worry about them going bad again as the OEM units can (even new ones). YMMV, good luck and :welcome:

 

Hmm.. just got a quote from a reputable mechanic to replace both chains (he said might as well do both since we're in there)....
$400 for parts (chains + tensioners)
$60 potentially for gasket covers if they're fargone
$540 for 6 x hours of labour.


DAMN! These are AUD prices...does that seem fair?

I wish I calculated this cost into the purchase price 6 months ago!
Seems like there's always something that is needing to be done on my bike... although I'm trying to remind myself that it IS a 10year old bike.

 

Hwy Devochka - from what I have read on this site it is possible you only need to replace your Cam Chain Tensioners (CCTs). Defiantly try this first before ripping in and replacing cam chains. This doesn't involve major surgery or cost.


Good Luck - and I wouldn't keep riding her while the cam chains are not kept at tension as they will wear/stretch much quicker while they haven't got tension on them.

 

Oh really? I didn't realise it was easier/quicker (and therefore cheaper) to get to the tensioners than it was the chain... I'll do some research and asking around.. thanks!

 

Sounds just like CCT's to me. There are many schools of thought on this issue from changing oils, to replacing with OEM, to upgrading the tensioners to manual units. I went for the manual adjuter repair myself, got the APE racing adjusters and now I don't have to worry about them going bad again as the OEM units can (even new ones). YMMV, good luck.

Hi Metallican525 ,

If you install race CCT's like you have , does it need adjustment like each month or something ?

 

Definately not each month, PM replied.

 

Issue solved, I have took out the CCT's I have armed them and put them back and its rolling really fine no more that crazy soundn;

 

This is definitely something that should not be ignored. Another member recently had his cam chains come off and it destroyed his engine! IMO, changing oil or what have you does not fix a hardware issue, it only masks the sound.

 

Well it has not been ignored, the CCT's were looking great, there was no reason the change them.