Bary Var 06 - Tappets?

[toxster]

I think... I may have a Tappets problem...

There is a sound like someone shaking a handful of change when power is applied - and only when the engine is warm. It's been doing it for the last 800 miles or so (started about 500 miles after its 10k serice). I've just changed the oil and this certainly makes the bke run better, but seems to have made the noise worse....

NB - Have ruled out drivetrain etc. I did the stethoscope thing on the engine block(s) and the rear cyclinder def. has a slight clicky noise from the top of the cyclinder.

If it is Tappets - does it matter?

Thoughts...?

[StumpyFingers]

If it is making that much noise that it is annoying you then adjust them.If it is only the rear cylinder then adjust them as they are the easiest to reach.

[toxster]

Please tell me there is a little knob - say on the dashboard......?

[Boris]

Without hearing it I can't be sure but what you describe sounds more like the cam chain to me. Not sure about the vara but other hondas had problems with the tensioners but the good news is they were an easy fix.

They use oil pressure to tension the chain and tended to rattle more when restarting a hot engine especially after the bike had been switched off for 15-30 minutes as the oil is thin and had all drained back into the sump. Things improve slightly with an oil change but its more a clue and not a fix.

Never done one on a vara so I can't advise further on replacement but do it now before it gets worse and causes the chain to jump with the ensuing damage to the valve train.

[Austin]

I think... I may have a Tappets problem...

There is a sound like someone shaking a handful of change when power is applied -
Thoughts...?

My immediate thought was "pinking" usually caused by a lean fuel mix - carbs/EFi or an air leak on the induction side.

Loose tappets are normally louder when cold, tight tappets cause uneven tickover and a reluctance for revs to drop to tickover. You should hear tappets clicking with the stethoscope trick - along with a load of other whooshing, whirring, and clicking sounds. They should sound nice and smooth - literally like a well oiled machine. Its the one's that are defintely out of place that are the one's to worry about. That's my theory anyway.

Dunno about cam chains (I have had several lucky hondas without any cam chain trouble), but sounds plausible too.

Its time for your dealer or your local workshop I would say for an expert opinion.

Good luck

[toxster]

Stethoscope does sound worse at the top of the rear cylinder....slightly clicky/grindy...

[africajim]

Ok, enough!

This noise be it clicky or grindy, sounds to be quite serious, I'd advise you have someone professional have a listen.

If it's a tappet it'll just get worse and cause top end damage (bucks). If it's a camchain it'll cause top end damage (bucks). If it's a tensioner it'll cause top end damage, again, (bucks). Recurring theme here,,, bucks. Better to have it fixed now rather than have serious top end damage costing,,, you guessed it,,, BUCKS!

[toxster]

Ok, enough!

If it's a tappet it'll just get worse and cause top end damage (bucks). If it's a camchain it'll cause top end damage (bucks). If it's a tensioner it'll cause top end damage, again, (bucks). Recurring theme here,,, bucks. Better to have it fixed now rather than have serious top end damage costing,,, you guessed it,,, BUCKS!

Oh bucker.... off to the shop... thanks anyway.

[africajim]

Evening folks,

Less of the rusty nails tonight, (I'm on the Grouse and Crabbies tonight, less alcohol content, just!) I still think it was wise to warn you of the impending disaster of running a noisy top end. I recall a short story of mine from my distant past regarding the same sort of issue.
I'd bought an old Honda XL250 which was noisy in the top end but I just had to run about with it for a few days but it got noisier. Pity was it turned out to be a K3, to those in the know, it was a four valve head but with only one exhaust port (like an RS?), very rare. This unfortunately ate the cylinder head to the point it couldn't be saved. The demise of a classic bike!
Moral of the story? Don't run noisy engines if you want to save them!

Hope you get it sorted out mate.

[toxster]

Took it to the shop - he seems to think it's a loose valve on the rear cylinder but not so loose that it's worth worrying about. Due for a service in another 1000 miles (end of Feb) so I guess if it doesn't get worse then it'll survive...

Thanks.