Vtec Valves

Just checked my valves all were within spec.I just wondering how often the Vtec valves would come out of adjustment knowing they only work a small percent of time?

[image: View Post]CR147, on Apr 28 2009, 01:45 PM, said:

Just checked my valves all were within spec.I just wondering how often the Vtec valves would come out of adjustment knowing they only work a small percent of time?

I think that I had 4(vtec) out of spec at 67,000 miles?? and a 5-7(regular) out... the reg shims are cheap..but the vtec buckets are stupid expensive..if you have more than one to do... why they couldn't have made shims for the vtec valves is beyond me!

[image: View Post]Luvmyvfr, on Apr 29 2009, 07:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]CR147, on Apr 28 2009, 01:45 PM, said:

Just checked my valves all were within spec.I just wondering how often the Vtec valves would come out of adjustment knowing they only work a small percent of time?

I think that I had 4(vtec) out of spec at 67,000 miles?? and a 5-7(regular) out... the reg shims are cheap..but the vtec buckets are stupid expensive..if you have more than one to do... why they couldn't have made shims for the vtec valves is beyond me!


Were all your tight or loose or mixed? I'm at the same mileage now and never checked them! :blush: .

[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Apr 29 2009, 10:31 AM, said:

Were all your tight or loose or mixed? I'm at the same mileage now and never checked them! :blush: .


In my not so humble opinion, Valve checks are just more money for mechanics and dealers. I don't intend to ever check mine, unless I have the engine apart for something else. I used to have a Ford Taurus SHO and the valve checks were all the rage. Everyone was checking them at scheduled times and finding little if anything out of spec. I put 140,000 miles on that car with no issues. I firmly believe that things such as that are for the anal. Not calling anyone anal, but I think it's more for liability than for a real need. I have 43,000 miles on my bike, and I won't be checking mine. *My disclaimer: Of course, YMMV.

[image: View Post]Jovinski, on Apr 29 2009, 11:29 AM, said:

In my not so humble opinion, Valve checks are just more money for mechanics and dealers. I don't intend to ever check mine, unless I have the engine apart for something else. I used to have a Ford Taurus SHO and the valve checks were all the rage. Everyone was checking them at scheduled times and finding little if anything out of spec. I put 140,000 miles on that car with no issues. I firmly believe that things such as that are for the anal. Not calling anyone anal, but I think it's more for liability than for a real need. I have 43,000 miles on my bike, and I won't be checking mine. *My disclaimer: Of course, YMMV.
I won't be checking mine for slightly different reason - I'm cheap :blush:
My guess is, that my local dealer will charge around a grand for this job :ohmy: and judging by their ellastrious track record, they'll just screw something up any way. I just don't feel like spending 1/4 of a purchase price just to see if everything is OK :rolleyes:
The motor works fine and unless something dramatic happens, I'll just be changing oil.

Valve checks should be done, whether it be on cars or bikes....but not typically according to the manufacturer's intervals, which i think are a bit exaggerated. Unless maybe the engine really has some hard miles on it.

On cars, especially honda's, there have been enough cases where valves got too tight and even resulted in a cold misfire issue. And a tight valve for thousands of miles can be nothing to mess with in some cases.

I think every 16k on our bikes is a little too often for checking valves from what ive learned, especially considering the cost of doing it. But, that's not to say it shouldnt be done. There are some who have driven over 100k miles on certain cars without an adjustment, nor have they needed one....but then others can use adjusting by 70k. Its not always consistent, so its safer to just check them at a reasonable interval. But to me, "reasonable" doesnt really mean every 16k.

But really, it's not fair to just assume that "valve adjustments dont need to be done....its just income for the dealers." They do need to be checked on any engine with adjustable valves....but not always at the manufacturer's schedule. Ive had many cars in here (including now my TL), where the valves are/were in need of adjustment BEFORE the recommended interval of 100k. And in some cases, that inspection is just to be an "audible" one according to the manufacturer, to just listen for excessive valvetrain noise. But, a ticking valve also doesnt reveal a tight one....which will not make noise.

I'll probably be waiting till the 60k mark on my bike before I do them.....besides, itl be something to do in the winter anyways....

Well, I think that I only added smaller shims....so that would make them tight...right?? Below are my work sheets that I came up with to record everything as to not really F things up. There is a lot to keep track of...

Also I guess I was off on my miles, I can't keep track of what I did yesterday, let alone last year :comp13:

The larger circles are the cylinders and the smaller ones are the valves...from an overhead view. In each of the valve circles are the tolerances....next to them are the three top lines that show the shims installed the clearance...if they were out, the lines in red are the new parts to be ordered with part #'s.

These sheets make me look really anal, but I'm not I swear...I had to make things as easy to keep track of or I'd have the wrong parts everywhere. If anyone would like me to send them one as you prepare for your valve adjustment, let me know.

In conclusion, the bike ran great before...and seems to run equally as good now....time wasted or well spent...who knows??

Bailleyrock, I would say that if you have the mechanical ability to do the valve check yourself, then it surely wouldn't hurt. If you need the little vtec valve tools, let me know, I'll loan them to you!

I wish I was going make it to TMAC this year to see everyone in person, but I'm opting for a No Mar tire changer and some other needed accessories....these days I have to be picky on what i spend money on...it sucks!


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Not sure if it is more disturbing that you made a chart for it, or that the top of your chart has a different design than the bottom...depends on how Anal I am atm.

Good idea on a chart to track them...I never remember to note when I do maintenance.

I have an excel spreadsheet on my home computer.You just type in your measurements and it calculates what shims you need.

[image: View Post]ronimalvfr, on Apr 29 2009, 05:01 PM, said:

I have an excel spreadsheet on my home computer.You just type in your measurements and it calculates what shims you need.

Me too

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Apr 29 2009, 02:43 PM, said:

Not sure if it is more disturbing that you made a chart for it, or that the top of your chart has a different design than the bottom...depends on how Anal I am atm.

Good idea on a chart to track them...I never remember to note when I do maintenance.

:goofy: Yeah, I had to come up with a simple way to look at it, a spreadsheet sounds great...but my mind would not stay focused in a numbers only format, it had to look like something :comp13:

It's pretty crude, but did the job....I photo copied a few more for my next time around. :fing02:

Adam30 is 100% correct. I have been with a Honda car dealer for 15 years, and Honda automobile engine valves will tighten over the course of time. Some (S2000) need to be done often, others will get through 100,000+ miles with no problems. I have been told by "inside" folks at AHM that the valve seats are designed soft on both auto and M/C engines for a variety of reasons. I doubt if they need to be done every 15K, but I'm not going to bet an expensive engine repair or decreased performance that they never need to be done.
And yes, I have drank the Honda Kool-Aid.

[image: View Post]CR147, on Apr 28 2009, 12:45 PM, said:

Just checked my valves all were within spec.I just wondering how often the Vtec valves would come out of adjustment knowing they only work a small percent of time?

You're doing it all wrong! The only time you should be out of VTEC is when you're accelerating from a dead stop or coming to a stop, otherwise the VTEC valves should ALWAYS be engaged :cool: I've heard that it helps improve gas mileage and actually causes less wear on your engine :goofy:

[image: View Post]justryd, on May 1 2009, 05:42 PM, said:

I doubt if they need to be done every 15K, but I'm not going to bet an expensive engine repair or decreased performance that they never need to be done.
Except you can get a used VTec engine on ebay for less than most dealers would charge to do the valve job correctly. :blink:

I checked mine at 32K and set them all to the loose end of the spec. If I ever burn a valve, I'll get a new motor.