Valve adjustment question

[videoarizona]

I'm thinking of checking my valves on the 05.

 

I've read through the procedure and other than the 3 hours it will probably take me to get down to where I can see and get to the valve covers, I'm ok with doing this. BUT, there seems to be a discrepancy with the procedure to insert/remove the tool. The posts I read said rotate the engine enough(counterclockwise) to get the valve tool to the proper position to remove the shim but go no farther as you can break the tool or the motor! Here's the question, if you can't go to far or you will break something, how the heck do you get the tool out? You are not supposed to go backwards (clockwise) or you might damage something inside, and if you keep going counterclockwise you might break the tool or the motor?

 

Sorry, but my logic is out the window on this one. What am I missing? How does the tool come out so you can do the next set of valves?????

 

Edited July 14, 2017 by videoarizona
correction

[Flyinfool]

Yes you do rotate the engine backwards to remove the tool. If you try to rotate the tool thru you WILL break something, engine tool or both.

 

You need to watch very close when using the tool to push the buckets down, trying to push them below the surface of the head will damage the head. Once you do the first valve set it will be obvious as to how it all works.

[videoarizona]

Thanks Jeff. So a little twist backwards is ok. Good to know.

[MiCarl]

You also want to make sure the tool is seated firmly on the camshaft hex. If you're mis-aligned you'll break the tool.

 

Also, watch the heel of the tool. It needs to come close to the surface the cam cover rests on but not actually contact it. If you turn it against the gasket surface you'll break that.

[djh3]

I recommend once you get covers off, go thru and take reading all the way across. Maybe twice to confirm reading. Then use the handy chart and number on shim to get size of next shim needed. Sometimes you can just swap a few around and only need to buy a couple.

[videoarizona]

You also want to make sure the tool is seated firmly on the camshaft hex. If you're mis-aligned you'll break the tool.

 

Also, watch the heel of the tool. It needs to come close to the surface the cam cover rests on but not actually contact it. If you turn it against the gasket surface you'll break that.

 

 

Wish there was someone around here who was about to do theirs. I'd like to see how it goes. But I think @KIC is good on his. At least he hasn't mentioned doing any valve work. We only talked about our oil leaks....getting together to tear in to those. Plus, I volunteered to help him replace the shock again. We have a donor bike and the rear shock seems pretty good.

 

I'll look on youtube and see if there is a video that shows what I need. Thanks, gentlemen...

[camos]

Wish there was someone around here who was about to do theirs. I'd like to see how it goes.

 

I'll look on youtube and see if there is a video that shows what I need. Thanks, gentlemen...

This job is rather simple to accomplish, so don`t let it get you stressed out. It just takes time and some attention. You will find a small slot on the rim of each bucket that is for popping out the shim. It needs to be in a particular position so as the tool depresses the shim, the bucket will rotate and the slot will not be reachable to release the shim. It is fairly obvious what needs to be done to work around it.

 

Other than that, keeping the gasket in place when putting the cover on was the only thing that I found the least bit difficult. Don`t want to tighten it down with a little bit sticking out.

[videoarizona]

Appreciate the positive thinking, Clive!

Once I get the parts in, I'll whistle while I work. And take notes and pictures and really take my time!! Grins.

 

What started all this is the PO last year gave me a bag of shims and said he had just done the valves. That was 15K miles ago. And my gas mileage has dropped. Went from 42 at 75 to 38 at 75. I know that was because I corrected the speedo so now my speedo and odo are much closer to accurate, the mpg's will go down.

But from 38 to 35.....nope that's something else. This morning's run to the border and back gave me 68 miles ... almost 1/3rd tank. That's not right for this scoot. I usually get about 75 miles on 2 or 3 bars depending upon wind. BTW, I've never seen the red fuel light...I always stumble first and have to switch to reserve before any light comes on. Yes bulb is good.

 

Plugs (iridiums) are less than a year old, slightly used vacuum port plugs so they should be good, everything else looks good. Do need an oil change....but I doubt that's worth poor mpg's.

 

This mornings ride: 1st pic is breakfast at a diner near the border.

 

 

2nd pic is another one of those roads to nowhere. You can't CTFW to far on these roads as they stop....nothing in front but desert.

 

I like this area (Rio Rico) a lot. The clouds throw nice mottled light on the hills behind me. They get a lot of rain down here for Arizona. So it's always a bit cooler.

If cowpuc ever came down this far, I doubt he would move back up North.

 

Geesh...I just hijacked my own thread....

Edited July 15, 2017 by videoarizona
double check mileage

[djh3]

Have you sync the carbs? That was always my indication I needed to check that. Valves I think would be more a power thing.

[Flyinfool]

What started all this is the PO last year gave me a bag of shims and said he had just done the valves. That was 15K miles ago. And my gas mileage has dropped. Went from 42 at 75 to 38 at 75. I know that was because I corrected the speedo so now my speedo and odo are much closer to accurate, the mpg's will go down.

But from 38 to 35.....nope that's something else. This morning's run to the border and back gave me 68 miles ... almost 1/3rd tank. That's not right for this scoot. I usually get about 75 miles on 2 or 3 bars depending upon wind. BTW, I've never seen the red fuel light...I always stumble first and have to switch to reserve before any light comes on. Yes bulb is good.

 

 

If cowpuc ever came down this far, I doubt he would move back up North.

 

Geesh...I just hijacked my own thread....

 

If the valves are bad enough to notice something, it means that the valve is down to less than zero clearance and the valve is not closing, this will result in major engine damage, not just a MPG drop.

 

But if Cowpuc stayed down there he would no longer be able to harass me about the snowpercharger every day during the winter. I don't think he would want to give up all that fun.........................

[videoarizona]

If the valves are bad enough to notice something, it means that the valve is down to less than zero clearance and the valve is not closing, this will result in major engine damage, not just a MPG drop.

 

But if Cowpuc stayed down there he would no longer be able to harass me about the snowpercharger every day during the winter. I don't think he would want to give up all that fun.........................

 

 

Understand, Jeff. I'm concerned about where the clearances are on the valves. Maybe I shouldn't be as scoot has only 60K miles and supposedly had valves gone through once already.

 

RE: cowpuc...yea....right on this one too. Shame, cause I think he would really like the riding down here...

[Flyinfool]

It all depends on just the valves were done last time and how long ago it was. I think it was around every 30k that valves are recommended in the owners manual. If they were set as "good" but right on the low end then those would most likely need attention again. When I did my valves I made sure that they were al right on the high side of the tolerance so that I know they will be good for a long time.

[djh3]

It all depends on just the valves were done last time and how long ago it was. I think it was around every 30k that valves are recommended in the owners manual. If they were set as "good" but right on the low end then those would most likely need attention again. When I did my valves I made sure that they were alright on the high side of the tolerance so that I know they will be good for a long time.

Yup me too. I had the opportunity to make sure they were all set on the high side to prolong having to do it again.

[videoarizona]

Sync'd the carbs after I got back from the breakfast run. Used way to much gas for the little trip down and back....

[Flyinfool]

So did you repeat the breakfast run today to see if the sync made a difference?

[videoarizona]

So did you repeat the breakfast run today to see if the sync made a difference?

 

 

No, had an appointment in Tucson this morning early. Will try to get out tomorrow am before the weather hits. We are in our "monsoon" season. Ie, IF the weather pattern is just right, we get rain. So far, after the past 4 weeks of record breaking heat, we have had rain more often than not. Kinda nice actually. Of course, the humidity peaks for a few hours reminding me I could never live in the South! At least I dry up in the July mornings (sometimes) and it's cool enough to open doors in the early am!

[rbig1]

No, had an appointment in Tucson this morning early. Will try to get out tomorrow am before the weather hits. We are in our "monsoon" season. Ie, IF the weather pattern is just right, we get rain. So far, after the past 4 weeks of record breaking heat, we have had rain more often than not. Kinda nice actually. Of course, the humidity peaks for a few hours reminding me I could never live in the South! At least I dry up in the July mornings (sometimes) and it's cool enough to open doors in the early am!

 

what I thought it was the monsoon season while I was down there?

[videoarizona]

what I thought it was the monsoon season while I was down there?

 

 

LOL! Who knows what the weather Gods have in store for us!

 

Officially, the monsoon is from mid June to end of September.

 

https://www.tripsavvy.com/arizona-monsoon-facts-2683732

 

 

But we have had serious flooding rains in December and April as well. So who really knows!

Edited July 19, 2017 by videoarizona
sp

[videoarizona]

Update:

 

Did go out for another breakfast run to the border with the RSV yesterday. Started instantly, cold with full choke. Warmed up then idled fine. Ran nicely down the freeway at 75mph. After breakfast, chicken friend steak and eggs this time, she started first time, no throttle, no choke. So I think I have the carb balance spot on.

 

Mileage still low as the gauge dropped quickly on run back. With about 120 miles on odo, the gauge shows 3 bars. For me, that's about 1 bar shy of normal. My RSV hits 2 bars and and within a few miles, I have to switch to reserve. I used to go between 180 and 200 on a tank....assuming both highway and secondary road speeds with reasonable wind. I check mileage at every fill up.

 

So next up, I'll pull air cleaners and plugs and check them. It's time anyway...been a year on both.

[cowpuc]

Appreciate the positive thinking, Clive!

Once I get the parts in, I'll whistle while I work. And take notes and pictures and really take my time!! Grins.

 

What started all this is the PO last year gave me a bag of shims and said he had just done the valves. That was 15K miles ago. And my gas mileage has dropped. Went from 42 at 75 to 38 at 75. I know that was because I corrected the speedo so now my speedo and odo are much closer to accurate, the mpg's will go down.

But from 38 to 35.....nope that's something else. This morning's run to the border and back gave me 68 miles ... almost 1/3rd tank. That's not right for this scoot. I usually get about 75 miles on 2 or 3 bars depending upon wind. BTW, I've never seen the red fuel light...I always stumble first and have to switch to reserve before any light comes on. Yes bulb is good.

 

Plugs (iridiums) are less than a year old, slightly used vacuum port plugs so they should be good, everything else looks good. Do need an oil change....but I doubt that's worth poor mpg's.

 

This mornings ride: 1st pic is breakfast at a diner near the border.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=109654

 

2nd pic is another one of those roads to nowhere. You can't CTFW to far on these roads as they stop....nothing in front but desert.

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=109655

 

I like this area (Rio Rico) a lot. The clouds throw nice mottled light on the hills behind me. They get a lot of rain down here for Arizona. So it's always a bit cooler.

If cowpuc ever came down this far, I doubt he would move back up North.

 

Geesh...I just hijacked my own thread....

Hey ya lop eared desert riding varmint,, ya know what they call that spot at the end of that roadway dont cha? That there is a CAMP GROUND = and pretty dog gone nice one too I might add - yep,, would LOVE to put that one on a "Pucs Home Away From Home" list David = NICE PICS brother!!

Thinking out loud here on your tuning,,, personally I would also double check my diaphrams if that 05 was mine.. 12 year old scoot could definitely have a pin hole or two and those little vacuum leaks can really drop the MPGs when the cylinders start fightin each other.. Might be worth a peek.. I have yet to set a set of valves in any of my 1st Gens (sounds nuts but its true),, holes in diaphrams = TOTALLY different story line...Dont forget to double check along the edge where the diaphrams meet the carb bodies if you do check em..

Another I have noticed about all my v-4's,, for some reason they do tend to use a little more fuel when running in extreme heat and they have warmed up.. Always figured it was the nature of the beast,,, could also be that I tend to wick em up a little harder to increase the air flow over my body too though I suppose,, you know,, kinda like turning up the fan some..

 

 

 

If the valves are bad enough to notice something, it means that the valve is down to less than zero clearance and the valve is not closing, this will result in major engine damage, not just a MPG drop.

 

But if Cowpuc stayed down there he would no longer be able to harass me about the snowpercharger every day during the winter. I don't think he would want to give up all that fun.........................

 

Ohhh trust me Fool,, ol Pucster would continue to harrass you and your Wisconsin White Washer even if he moved to Hawaii - some varmints deserve to be harrassed no matter what!!

 

Understand, Jeff. I'm concerned about where the clearances are on the valves. Maybe I shouldn't be as scoot has only 60K miles and supposedly had valves gone through once already.

 

RE: cowpuc...yea....right on this one too. Shame, cause I think he would really like the riding down here...

 

I take issue here,, NOT think = KNOW,, you KNOW cowpuc would LOVE to ride that spot!!!

[videoarizona]

I've been re-thinking the valve thing, @cowpuc, and you may be onto something about the carbs. I keep thinking that the 05 is new....and 12 years isn't that new!

I wouldn't think carbs would be a problem, but yep....I'll look into that ASAP.

 

And I know you would like it down here, but you would have to sell all your snow gear away....and that would be hard to do. I miss snow enough that I still keep a snow shovel in my garage...just in case. Though the amount of snow I've received here over the years isn't enough to dress up in my shorts and sweater and go shovel!