VFR1200F Engine death

Hello @all from Germany. Let me inform you about my trouble with Honda:

My VFR1200F (2011) is at my dealers workshop since dec. 8th. for the 24.000 KM inspection when I was informed that the engine is defect. I have to mention here that I complained during the 12000 KM inspection (a year ago) a noise at the cold start only for 1-2 minutes. My dealer told me this is "normal"
I took a photo of the defect vents but after posting in our german forum Honda-Germany instruced my dealer that I am not not allowed anymore to take photos. The engine is dismanteld in hundreds of pieces.
All vents are defecet (2-3mm cole and flacking)
All 4 shanks are defect
The bearing brasses look affected - have to be replaced.
When we sat down in the inspection bay to look for the replacement no´s of the shanks in the Honda-Intranet a message came up to warn us that these partnumbers have been replaced (letter B)
That means that Honda knew about the problem of the shanks - In our german forum we have 10 engines identified as defect; one had an accident with a shank full stop on the highway. It seems that we are talking about a "BLOW BY"
My first photo which I was allowed to take shows the defect vents:

http://www.vfr1200f.eu/VFR1200F-Forum/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=2120

Now I have to ask myself if I can trust this engine or say good beye to my VFR1200.
Of course all defect parts (which are visible) will be replaced - that´s what Honda has to fullfil according to their warranty rules.

My advice for all interceptor 1200 drivers (2010 and 2011): look for you vents and contact your dealer during the 24.000 inspection to proove the engine´s health (if you still have warranty)!

 

Wow! Sorry to hear about that. I hope that everything works out for you with Honda. If it was me, I'd certainly be pushing for a brand new engine at Honda's expense. But I know that's easier said than done.

 

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for sharing about the cylinder valve damage. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

i wonder if some excess clearance at the intake valve lands when cold allowed blowback of exhaust gases that eroded the valve lands over time, and wore the valve shanks and brass valve seals, etc?

Most likely the initial grinding of the valve head angles didn't match the seat land angles correctly.

The good thing is that cylinder heads are routinely repaired when the valves and lands wear, but it does seem like premature wear.

Did you use an aftermarket or OEM air filter? Seems like a lot of sand and dirt around that one intake port.

 

Swarf maybe ?

 

I only used original HONDA Filter - that was not the reason. You know that Honda had trouble with the first VFR1200 (2010), recalled to Belgium because of swarf in the engine.
It seems that could be one of the route causes, beside the fact that due to thermical problems and probably weak material the shanks have been deformed and caused the blowby! The oil enterd the filtercase "below" the airfilter (filter was dry).
Greetings,
Hans-Martin

 

Hi Hans


I just realised this is your first visit to the forum - so its time for an official welcome to the MadHouse:welcome:

When you get time, it would be great if you drop by the introductions forum and tell us a bit more about your bike and your riding history, and hopefully add some photos of your VFR in better times.

It is sad to hear of problems with your first post but a strong point of this worldwide forum is the ability to both share knowledge and learn from others - so thank you for your input. Please keep us updated about developments - hopefully with Honda involved the problem will be resolved satisfactorily and you can get back out on that VFR soon.

:vtr2:

Meantime take care.




SkiMad

 

:welcome: to the world :wave:
One of the memeber in SA having engine problem as well and took them few months to investigate and finally replace with a new engine. You can find his thread under 7th gen

 

Last week I have been contacted by www.Kaizinger.com who identified the engine problem of VFR1200F and VFR1200X on 15 engines - you may see some of his photos of the VFR1200-engine on his homepage. What he summarized was:

1. weak shanks - identnumber of shanks have been changed in 2012 (last letter = B)
2. silicium carbit in the enging due to the fact that cylinder and socket are not coated - rest of the silicium carbit even in the oilpump which has been damaged.
3. no coating of the cylinder socket (he reccomends to coat them with nickel-ceramic)

OK, that´s not my choise to hone the sockets and get them coated. I choose a new VFR1200 from 2013 and will do a restart.

 

When major problems like this arise, Must we insist a new poster who we know little about furnish a resume and a CV to gather some info about a glitch in a multi thousand dollar bike? I don't think so. This guy is having a problem and this is not a exactly a pressing of the flesh afternoon tea party with everyone required to wear those sticky badges that say " Hi there. My name is ______.