VFR1200FD engine failure at 23572km

Yup Honda left metal parts in my engine, fortunately just the correct parts in the correct places

 

I havn´t been here for a while after my first VFR1200 vanished caused by an engine crush (I reported in this forum: only after 24.000 KM the engine was gone - BlowBy; after 4 month waiting of a positive feedback by HONDA I wrote to Honda-Japan complaining heavily.) One week after the arrival of my letter a new VFR1200 has been offered to me.
Only after 6.400 KM and less than 12 monthes the failure occurred again and my trust in the Honda-quality has gone. Now back to zero I am waiting for the outcome of my warranty-case.
Link to our german thread and photos which are self-explanatory:
http://www.vfr-forum.com/index.php/Thread/2915-Kohleablagerungen-auf-den-Einlassventilen/
Most of the VFR1200 drivers never look at the valves (from above via the airfilter)!
Honda-technik wrote: This damage has been influenced by a extremly low row (less than 5.000). They recommended to drive the motor always above 5.000 ROW - LOL!
I have a VFR800 and experienced the difference. In Germany Honda sold only 1.700 pcs. over the last 5 years - guess why?

- too heavy
- more than some engine break downs
- thursty

In our german forum the following engine problems were reported:
Rainer A, 07.06.2011; 5200 km; strange sound from the engine; route couse unknown; new engine
Andi 2009; 12.06.2011; 10900 km; strange sound from the engine; route couse unknown; new engine
Heino; 29.02.2012; 23000 km; strange sound from the engine; route couse unknown; new engine
Hans; 05.05.2012; 13000 km; strange sound from the engine; route couse unknown; new engine
Arnitus; 25.05.2012;25100 km; 2010er Modell; Pleuel damage, engine broken, route couse: defect seals at oil valve, Assembling failure
Pedro, 09.09.2012; Laufleistung 15000 km; Aluminum shavinges found in engine, new engine
Seven; 30.12.2012; Laufleistung 6600 km; 2012er Modell; strange sound on the engine; defect bearing shells and Pleuel shells; new engine
VFR Tino; 09.03.2013; 2100 km; Modell 2011; engine blocked totally; new engine
Berliner 5000; 12.12.2013; rund 25000 km; 2010er: cole scaling on all inlet valves; damaged cylinders; defect bearing shells; new VFR
Robert; 09.02.2014; 49888 km; 2010er Modell; similar to that reported by berliner.
Heavy accident in Austria caused by defect engine.
B. Engine defect caused by cole scaling on all inlet valves (VFR1200X) at KM 8.500. new engine
B. cole scaling on all inlet valves after only 6.400 kM. case open
Dieter: reported an heavy accident with his VFR1200F without finding the route cause. Heavyly injured (paraplegic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3xOmFp0AY0&app=desktop

I like this VFR1200F but I lost my trust in it!
Greetins from Germany,
Hans-Martin

 

That's amazing, why so many problems I wonder. I had a manual one sold and replaced with a DCT one four years later ... No problems but the rear shock adjuster. Sorry you had the problems Hans, I had some bitching to do about Hondas price promotion giving away free topcase and panniers first time around so went second hand second time around- no complaints at all.
I hope you find something you like to replace it

 

Looks like an oiling problem. Make sure the old pump and oil sending unit are healthy in any rebuild, and I will hope for a new engine for you.

 

Update:
the oil-level was too high. My dealer took 80ml out but the level still is on "MAX".
I will now look for an independent proceedings for the preservation of evidence after the official letter of Honda-Germany. They mentioned that the damage has been caused by driving extremley low rpm.

 

Too much oil is also bad. The oil can get whipped into a froth and the foamy oil gets pumped through the system. In any event, it looks like an oiling problem cause by lack of oil flow (the bearings are scored).

 

Update May 2015:
For your Information: This is not a single case or failure! I experienced it twice with a new bought VFR1200! My first 1200f Engine said goodbeye after only 24000 KM, indicaded 3-5mm carbon deposit on all in-valves. My 2nd VFR (Model 2014) has trouble after only 6000KM -Same Diagnose. Honda did'nt even conduct an inspection After receiving my taken photos but wrote in their neglegtion of my requested warrenty: this trouble is caused due to extremly slow rpm of the engine. Honda-technical Dept. Called me up to anvice me to use Motul vent-cleaner and not to run the engine under 5.000 rpm. Can you imagine that? What a helpful advice! LOL
I tried the cleaner 3 times without success. See the taken picture after usage of the cleaner and after 1300 KM. The in-vents did run less than 7000 KM and are 12 month old:
url=http://abload.de/image.php?img=img_0198fixa0.jpg][/url]

The photo of the damaged VFR1200 Engine is not mine, but from another 2013-VFR1200.
One of the indpendent german magazine which did not fear the consequence of loosing AD's of the marketing people http://www.motorradundreisen.de published the engine-problem in June 2015. and ask for a combined activity and Inspektion of the in-vents. Honda does does know more, but continue not to communicate this issue!!!

The thing ist that you don´t feel anyting strange while the engine is saying goodbeye. Last time in 2014 my mech. told me that the engine is close to death. I felt nothing before the 24.000 KM Inspection. The mech. told me as well that looking on the vent´s is not part of any Inspection by the Honda-garage.
This picture shows an engine run less than 10.000 km and less than 12 month old (2013):
url=http://abload.de/image.php?img=vfr1200_motor_lkohle99uqf.jpg][/url]


Headline of Motorradrundreisen June 2015: Is the Honda V4-1200 hazardous?
- This is not a single failure / case
- Honda changed the shanks - but do not comunicate (communication is a lack)
- Description of the Blowby
- Recall action for VFR1200 - what happened.
- More than 10 reported damaged engines; one fatal casualty reported from Austria on a crosstourer
- Inspection of valves (from above to inspect the carbon deposit) is not part of any Honda-garage
- Watch out for your valves and blue smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe

 

Interested in hearing what that article actually says in English.

Berliner - is it possible you screwed up both engines the same way, by filling with too much oil at each oil change?

I'm genuinely interested in the article, but also curious as to why it's happened to you twice...

- Dan

 

80ml is not enough oil to be an issue. It's 2-3 oz. I've seen people over fill by over a quart without a problem.

 

Ditto, you'll know you have too much oil if you see oil in the airbox. I've made that mistake before of adding just a tad too much and it's not like I had to get a new engine.

 

Face facts the 1200 is a dud, the 800 is perfect, case closed,:spit:

 

Man that is SUCK.....Sorry about your :bs:
Perhaps you should get a 6th gen :noidea:

 

I did a google for "VFR1200 engine failure" and found this:

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle...200fs-over-engine-seizure-concerns/11797.html

 

How come Honda didn't warn usa 1200 riders about this? Maybe they think usa riders will just put it in a barn and forget about it-Honda maybe right
600 pounds is way too much.

 

Because it was UK only issue.

 

Well its also a usa but for some reason people don't complain as much as uk riders who really pack on the miles. These bikes are so High tec is easy to make a mistake and it looks like a huge problem. Honda should redesign and reinstall new engines. That will cost a Big fortune.

 

Honda builds millions of motors that are on the edge of technology at the time, all manufacturers do, it is always a race to the top or you are quickly left behind, and every so often a motor can end up a dud once it is in use out there in the market place

 

Any approximation of how many engine issues we have had in the rest of the fleet?

 

sometimes you pay more and get less-one thing is for sure the 800 is a rolling M1 tank as far as engine's go-some 800's have hit over 400,000 miles
that is unreal! It is likely it was just one big batch of rotten engines and other ones don't have that problem, but if its a major design flaw then you got the worst possible case of Bad BB ass.:whoops:

 

Dealer here in Ohio has a NIB '10 1200 for $9800, if anyone is interested. 2nd mill not included.