Vtec transition clicking

Hi there.  I got my 2004 6th gen about a month and a half ago and have noticed a clicking noise coming from the engine compartment.  The only mods done are de-flap, de-pair, and a partial exhaust gut.  The bike has 12,000 miles on it and the PO said it sat on the floor til 06 or 07 when he purchased it.   It happens only when the Vtec engages or disengages, and generally only happens when I'm really getting on it.  It does not happen every time, but will happen whether the bike is moving or not.  It is a single click and does not happen again until it comes out of Vtec.  At first I thought the bike was throwing up rocks until I realized it was happening only during Vtec transition.  Has anyone else had this happen and if so is it something to be concerned about?  Any input is appreciated.

Is the bike broke in? Not adding any snake oils to the engine oil? Not loosing anti freeze. Is there piece of drilled out exhaust pipe bouncing around inside the pipe ?

Yeah 12,000 miles its broke in.

Switchblade, on 04 May 2012 - 08:44 PM, said:

Is the bike broke in? Not adding any snake oils to the engine oil? Not loosing anti freeze. Is there piece of drilled out exhaust pipe bouncing around inside the pipe ?

Nope, haven't changed the oil yet.  The PO took it to Honda to have it done.  It was a half quart over full when i got it.  Anti-freeze levels are still good.  I did the partial exhaust gut last week and it has been happening before that.  I am going to change the oil and see if anything changes.  I have been riding it like it was meant to since I bought it (pretty aggresively).

did you do the mods? there nothing bouncing around inside the air box ?

I can hear a clicking noise when vtec disengages, but I seldom hear it when it engages.   I suspect you're just hearing mechanics of the vtec system.

edit: hmmm in gear or not... should not be vtec....

Where in KS?  There are enough of us around that you could get together with other 6th gens to compare sounds.

edit again:  316

Switchblade, on 04 May 2012 - 09:01 PM, said:

did you do the mods? there nothing bouncing around inside the air box ?

Yes I did them.  No, not to my knowledge.  I can specifically hear it when the V-tec transitions only, so I don't think it would be something like that.

Lee 2002, on 04 May 2012 - 09:05 PM, said:

I can hear a clicking noise when vtec disengages, but I seldom hear it when it engages.   I suspect you're just hearing mechanics of the vtec system.

Where in KS?  There are enough of us around that you could get together with other 6th gens to compare sounds.

Yeah we may have to do that.  I live in the Wichita area.  There are a few of us Kansans on here, eh?  I thought that may be usual but am used to gear drive cams :/.

I dont think the over filling the oil will cause it but the first time I change mine I over fill it and pcv hose pump a small amount of oil into my air box. If you were riding hard and it was over filled with oil you mite have pump enough oil in the air box to reach the air filter and could enter the intake. And it seems I remember another member saying the same thing and his was over filled with oil.

5thGen316, on 04 May 2012 - 09:05 PM, said:

Switchblade, on 04 May 2012 - 09:01 PM, said:

did you do the mods? there nothing bouncing around inside the air box ?

Yes I did them.  No, not to my knowledge.  I can specifically hear it when the V-tec transitions only, so I don't think it would be something like that.
I was the thinking the flapper on the air box was snapping closed.

vtec should not engage when the bike is not in gear or when the clutch is pulled in.   Flapper

Lee 2002, on 04 May 2012 - 09:13 PM, said:

vtec should not engage when the bike is not in gear or when the clutch is pulled in.   Flapper

So even though the vacuum line is plugged the solenoid can still activate?  Isn't the flapper normally operational at low RPMs?

The flapper works at higher RPM but I did not know if you remove it, as I did, or if you left it in place and air was causing it to move.

Switchblade, on 04 May 2012 - 09:20 PM, said:

The flapper works at higher RPM but I did not know if you remove it, as I did, or if you left it in place and air was causing it to move.

I see.  Nope I just capped them off and left them in place

Nah, wouldn't be the flapper if it's disconnected.  I missed that in the OP.

Well I doubt it could be the Vtec because I have heard it while in neutral, only once when I was letting someone hear the exhaust gut.  I was thinking cam chain noise but I think it would be more consistent if that were the case.

Yeah start with changing the oil first, I'm suspicious of a dealer installing the wrong amount of oil. I personally use Syn. Rotella and honda filters.

 Switchblade, on 04 May 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

Yeah start with changing the oil first, I'm suspicious of a dealer installing the wrong amount of oil. I personally use Syn. Rotella and honda filters.

Yeah thats what I will start with.  I usually use Honda filters and Honda standard oil.  Thanks everyone for the input and others are welcome to chime in.

Could be cam chain tensioner(s), but that seems awful early on in miles to have that issue. Still.........

Mike

If it's just a single click, mine did that too.  I always thought it was a solonoid.  I rarely could hear it moving but sitting still it was an obvious click when rev'd past 6800.

5thGen316, on 04 May 2012 - 09:40 PM, said:

Switchblade, on 04 May 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

Yeah start with changing the oil first, I'm suspicious of a dealer installing the wrong amount of oil. I personally use Syn. Rotella and honda filters.

Yeah thats what I will start with.  I usually use Honda filters and Honda standard oil.  Thanks everyone for the input and others are welcome to chime in.

Well couple of more CHIME IN  ............

my vtec often makes a metallic click when it engages.  sometimes it doesn't.  seems to do it most when it is cooler.  and the first engagement of a ride is usually harshest, then it seems to smooth out after that.

I have no idea, never heard a click like that with Vtech, maybe its the Vtech solenoid kicking in and out.

well first of all you need to stop reving the engine that high without any load on it. Or you might find out what other noises it can make,

 ericlw, on 05 May 2012 - 01:52 PM, said:

well first of all you need to stop reving the engine that high without any load on it. Or you might find out what other noises it can make,

I'm not the type that thinks pegging the rev limiter is cool, just showing a friend the sound of the partial gut.  And yes, it was warm.

 dutchinterceptor, on 05 May 2012 - 07:55 AM, said:

If it's just a single click, mine did that too.  I always thought it was a solonoid.  I rarely could hear it moving but sitting still it was an obvious click when rev'd past 6800.

 dirtbag, on 05 May 2012 - 11:25 AM, said:

my vtec often makes a metallic click when it engages.  sometimes it doesn't.  seems to do it most when it is cooler.  and the first engagement of a ride is usually harshest, then it seems to smooth out after that.

Yeah that describes mine too.  I would be more worried if it was a constant noise, but I think I am just hearing the solenoid engaging.