VFR 2003 noisy!

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by vroumvroum, Sep 6, 2009.

  1. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    Well, Honda dealer told me it was nothing... I doubt they spent much time on it: sounds horrible to me!
    Cam shaft?
    Is that dangerous to keep driving like that if it is? I mean what if it breakes? will it lock the wheel?
    I posted a movie (best I could) on youtube, here is the link:
    YouTube - VFR2

    Now in reality it's way loader but with all the other noise around it's hard to catch!
    Merci beaucoup!
     
  2. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    More on VFR noise!

    Vroumvroum again
    OK, so to be more precise..
    My moto is a 2003 VFR, Was revised a year ago at almost 30K, no valve adjustment at this time.
    However I get the recall and they replaced the wire-harness about a year ago.
    So, I drive, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gear gives the same: when I decelerate (push down the throttle) it does this clinging noise. (youtube link: YouTube - VFR2
    Now i've tried a few things: happens at 3000 to 4500 rpm (not tried much faster - of course you'd guess why!). If I use the clutch then the brakes then the noise disappears.
    Originally Honda said it's probably the camshaft. They said they need 7-8 hrs to access it and make the chain less loose. I left them my VFR for an entire day but said I'd like them to double-check first (8 hrs at $70.hr is a bit hard right now!). Also asked them to do oil + filter change and brake pads.
    When I picked it up they said they drove it and everything was fine... Couldn't believe it! even that it was when it goes from 2 to 4 valves and back to 2... Well, I don't know much about mechanics BUT I know the sound it does in that case, plus this is around 6000 RPM. I later found out they did not change the oil... So a bit skeptical about how hard they troubleshoot my bike!

    So yes the movie is not the greatest, short but you can hear the sound it makes...
    Hopefully you can help me :smile:
    Merci beaucoup!
     
  3. captb

    captb New Member

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    I can only say what I would do, I know the Blackbird CCTs (Cam Chain Tensioner) can cause chain noise, mine never has but I replaced it at 30K since it was only $30 and 10 minutes work. The VFR has 2 and I'm sure it's more difficult to do but may be a thought. Best to do valve check since the CCTs are removed in that operation, good time to put the fresh ones in.
     
  4. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    Thank you Captb,
    Yep that would make sense to me as the cling-noise sounds like something is banging. Now i get confused between the camshaft and the drive chain... I wish i was a guy!
    I'll take it back to Honda this week, may even force these guys to seat behind me so they can hear the noise... Beside I love to take a guy behind me :)
     
  5. captb

    captb New Member

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    You might search around this site for Cam Chain Noise and see if anything turns up that sounds like what your experiencing. Best of luck to you.
     
  6. Longerfellow

    Longerfellow New Member

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    ,

    I'll take it back to Honda this week, may even force these guys to seat behind me so they can hear the noise... Beside I love to take a guy behind me :)[/QUOTE]

    I swear, I'm such a juvenile-
     
  7. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    Hey guys, I thought you were serious... What I meant is that I enjoy very much having "the bitch" sitting as a cargo on my bike! Never seen the "famous - classic" Harley T-shirt that says: "if you can read these lines that means the bitch has fallen off"... Ah Ah, I must be a feminist sensitive!
    Did not go to Honda today, traffic was horrible in Honolulu and I only dreamt about goind back home... I think Captb's right: the drive chain most likely...
     
  8. Meatloaf

    Meatloaf New Member

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    You must have a huge sense of humor to be able to handle much of these forums. 99.9% of the time, anything that can be taken as mean or hurtful or arrogant is alway ment to add some humor to the situation.

    That said... it would be quite funny if he did fall off AND you just so happened to be wearing that shirt...
     
  9. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    Yep I have a good sense of humor!
    Regarding the shirt, i was tempted to make my own with replacing the "bitch" with "bastard". However I did remember what was said in the training courses taken a while back where the instructor mentioned than anything written will make the driver behind you get closer to try to read... Not a good idea knowing their poor reflexes!
    Have a great day!
     
  10. someguy

    someguy New Member

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    ok. questions:
    does it do it at idle, ever? warm, cold, whatever??
    i'm assuming your oil level is correct, and there is no change in performance
    how long after it was in the shop did this start??

    the vid is hard for me too tell, and isolate the sound... what i'm hearing doesn't sound too good... ( your reflection looks cool in the tach lens BTW! )

    having been through this with my 04, a few things i noticed:
    mine would come and go at idle once warmed up. there was little if any consistency.
    performance was unaffected, and much over 45-50, i either didn't hear it any more, or the sound went away.

    the one bizarre point that tipped me off was that when the sound came at idle, in neutral or clutch in, i could tip the bike over to the left side and it would go quiet. as soon as i stood her back up, sound returned within 3-5 seconds.

    Mine was the cam chain tensioner. the top one.

    the stealership had not a clue, and we were way into the problem before i figured out they had no idea. they wanted to take it all the way down to the mainshaft (completely apart for thousands and thousands of dollars)

    in my opinion, do the following:
    if you have other options find them. these bikes so rarely break that the only time a dealer gets to work on them is 'honda school', or when they get to practice on your bike.

    If there are no other options, take it to them.
    when you fill out the work order, state, "replace the top and rear CCT only" nothing more. be sure to write it down. they will likely screw you if you don't.
    it should only cost a couple hundred, tops, probably less.

    IF you know a guy who you trust with a wrench around your bike, you can remove the seat, tank and do this in the comfort of your own home.
    there's an excellent photo 'how to' on this forum.
    or this one
    http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=47958
    there is no need to take all the shit off that the manual says...

    each CCT has two bolts holding it in, and that's it. a little inimidating for most, but really simple once you've done it.
    usually, only the top one goes out, so if you want, change that one only...
    the rear one gets plenty of oil and seems to last. but if they're in there, may be worth changing both

    again, this is only my opinion based on my mechanical experience and personal moto experience...

    my logic is this. instead of letting the stealership 'experiment' and 'try to find the sound', and they will at your expense, start with the simplest and cheapest, most likely problem. CCT's go out on these things, and they make noise. there is absolutely no way to tell from looking at the CCT if it's working or not. it has to be up to temp and the oil pressure up to function. if they tell you otherwise, they are lying or FOS.
    .

    again, i assure you there are smarter and more experienced people here who may see this differently, and that's cool...
    take their advice, this is a good group.

    also, this guy seemed to be having similar problems, maybe shoot him an email see what he found out:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miYXZyyaFE4

    keep us posted...
     
  11. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    A great THANK you to "someguy"
    Need to print your reply and read it carefully :)
    I'll get back to you tonight (Hawaiian time). I wish i could fly you over here!!
    Aloha, Z-z
     
  12. someguy

    someguy New Member

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    cool...
    i'd like for the others to weigh in on this too...
    hope this all works out well...
     
  13. Comicus

    Comicus New Member

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    Hey vroumvroum, I think I saw you in Waikiki about a week and a half ago. I was walking with some friends and saw a red 6th gen go by and thought someone stole my bike.:eek: But I didn't hear the glorious rumble of a leo vince exhaust:biggrin: so I knew my bike was safe. I'm out here for three more weeks then I'm getting transferred back to the mainland. I'll miss Hawaii but look forward to riding some good roads again. :thumbsup:
     
  14. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    Hey Comicus,
    Sorry but that wasn't me: my bike is silver... AND I'm easy to recognize: very long hair attached with multiple rubber bands... Too bad the cops spot me so easily :-( Been a good girl for > 3 years NO MORE speeding tickets! What a relief on my insurance rate!!!
    Zoum-zoum
     
  15. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    Hey Someguy?
    Ok here is the scoop: Went to Honda yesterday, armed with my camcorder to make them listen to the noise... Finally get my favorite mechanic, Will, to ride WITH me (eh eh I was on the back :-(...) and with a "cup helmet". He finally heard the noise, said it was a weird one but ruled out the CCT. At 4,500 RPM we'd hear a rattling noise not this one. He thinks it's a leak in the exhaust. This at the engine level, kind of like backfiring but not as loud.
    Made n appointment for next Tuesday when Will is available to fix my bike. Driving back home, I realized that I had noticed recently that my legs get super hot - almost burning - while riding and remembered that the Honda guys always told me they were surprised I could ride with short pants (to the knees) because their bike is so hot they can't. It did not ring a bell to me as we've had really hot weather lately in HI... Now it just "clicked" last night: if my VFR does have even a small exhaust leak then if makes sense that there is way more heat than usual coming out of the engine and "burning" my legs! So I'm very hopeful Will found the problem...
    I texted that to my buddy who will give me a ride B&F to work and he replied that he won't get further into the "hot legs"! Ah Ah boys will remain boys!
    OK I'll let you know by next week. Have a great weekend (almost) and BE SAFE!
    Aloha, Zoum-zoum
     
  16. adam79

    adam79 New Member

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    I agree with "someguy" on the CCT being the problem. The people over at VFRD that have had to replace the CCT, had around 30k on there bikes also. Which just helps to back up "someguys" theory. This is the link for a step by step instructions on how to replace it. Looks to be very easy to change out.

    Cam Chain Tensioner, Without Throttle Body Removal - VFR Discussion
     
  17. adam79

    adam79 New Member

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    Thats one hell of an exhaust leak if that is the problem!!
     
  18. someguy

    someguy New Member

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    Hey, thanks for the update...
    i truly hope that's it... because it shouldn't cost too much to fix.
    keep us posted!
    and even if that fixes it, i doubt the hot legs will change. :) maybe if you post a pick the 'collective' can give you a better diagnosis. :) :)
    have an awesome weekend!
     
  19. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    I'd be tempted to post a pic... we'll see!
    Thank you guys for all your help. I still hope that's an exhaust leak!
    Weird how the psy takes a toll: drove my bike today and wasn't confident... Scraed something will just breakdown while I'm driving... Shorts, flip-flops and no helmet around Kailua, that won't be a pretty scene :-(
    Have a great weekend too!
    Zoum-Zoum
     
  20. vroumvroum

    vroumvroum New Member

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    Ah ah, a glass of wine and I'm getting brave... Here's the pic...
     

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