26.6K Valve Adjustment! Dealer says it's a waist of money!

[majicmaker]

I went to my Local Greater Yamaha Dealer to get my 26.6K Valve Adjustment done in time for my trip to the SFO Rally!

The Service manager told me that it's a waist of money ($600) because the FJR engine is almost always still within the specs at 26.6K.

Since I just got my 24 month check done, He said I got the important things done (Spark Plugs & Air Filter Etc.) so I'm good to go.

So all you Motorheads out there! Is this true or is he being lazy and just doesn't want to do it? Should I make them do it anyway?

Thank you all in Advance!

VIC.

 

[JimLor]

I'm at 36k w/o the check so this will be interesting to me!

 

[cometman]

I had my 26K done at 25K and my mechanic said the vavles needed adjustment and so did the carbs. He wrote down how far each one was out for the next adjustment. I think the bike ran better after.

 

[Wicked Webby]

I had my 26K done at 25K and my mechanic said the vavles needed adjustment and so did the carbs. He wrote down how far each one was out for the next adjustment. I think the bike ran better after.

Cometman,

Glad you got your Carbs adjusted!!

Hahaha!!!

Whateva.. :wacko: :blink: :dribble:

Majic,

A valve service check should not cost $600.... Maybe if they have to do a lot of shimming but that still sounds very high. Most 26k checks need no shimming and are within the spec range.

I will say that I am a obsessive maintenance type person so I will do mine (I have the YES warranty and all)... When I do mine.. I will not accept, "They were all within the spec range." I will have any of mine shimmed back (that are reaching out of the range). Now, this will be more expensive than a simple clearance check.

Food for thought:

I know a lot of very good honest mechanics and they all share the views of your dealer guy. A couple have even stated this to me, " If the Yamaha valve train is not noisey... Odds are 90 to 1 that they are still within the spec range."

Not saying that is the way to go about doing valve maintenance checks.. Just passing it along.

If I didn't have the YES warranty... And at 26K, my valves sounded like they always have.. I would skip it until 52k (or until they got noisey).

WW

 

[Ignacio]

The Service manager told me that it's a waist of money ($600) because the FJR engine is almost always still within the specs at 26.6K.

So, let's try a scenario to help you answer your own question. If in the small chance your engine fails say at 50,000 miles...will HE go to bat and make sure your warranty is honored? I seriously doubt he will....and Yamaha could make an issue that you didn't follow the published

If he will or that's a risk you want to take...by all means skip it the check. The key word is "almost all" even by his own statement. I think it's in between "almost all" and "Most" from experience on here. We've had a few people here with bikes that weren't in spec the first check, but then tended to be in spec at 52K and other checks.

And $600 for a check is expensive! Probably should be closer to $200-300 for a "check".....with an actual "change" being roughly double.

My own case was that both my 26K and 52K check were within specs. My 78K was close enough to warranty end I didn't bother and don't plan to have it checked till maybe 125K.

 

[jwhite518]

My 26k check needed 9 new shims and he said they all were out - swapped the remaining shims around. Bike definitely runs better and quieter now. Before I thought I had a ticker.

 

[cometman]

Well excuse me for my little error. I am a little busy trying to stay employed

 

[SkooterG]

My own case was that both my 26K and 52K check were within specs. My 78K was close enough to warranty end I didn't bother and don't plan to have it checked till maybe 125K.

Based on my experience. I don't think that's a good idea. My valves tend to get worse (with respect to being in spec) as the mileage gets higher.

majicmaker - I personally think your dealer is full of phooey. $600 is definitely high for valve check. Just a bit high if re-shimming is in order. And I guess he, as well as many others around here know more than Yamaha when it comes to getting the prescribed valve check. Oh, and you all can go to 10,000 mile oil change intervals too. FJR's engine will be just fine! You can believe me.

Clicky HERE for more valve check info.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I'm with Iggy on this. If your service guy is willing to put in writing that he thinks you don't need to do a valve check because he thinks it is in spec, then go for it. However, since "most" are within spec, instead of "all", I bet he won't take the risk. Personally, I'd think about going to another dealer. Especially at $600 for a valve check.

 

[pinhead]

I had my 26K done at 25K and my mechanic said the vavles needed adjustment and so did the carbs.

Glad you got your Carbs adjusted!!

Hahaha!!!

Whateva..

WW

Well excuse me for my little error. I am a little busy trying to stay employed

Don't sweat it. My service guy still calls a TBS a "carb sync". I know what he means. And he does a good job. That's all that matters.

 

[Wicked Webby]

Well excuse me for my little error. I am a little busy trying to stay employed

Hahahaha!!!

 

[scubabiker]

I was having no problems or noises, but just to be safe I pulled mine apart and checked the valves last winter. 30,000 miles, all within the manual's spec. If nothing else, I'm much more familiar with what is under all that palstic. While you're at it, good time to change coolant etc.

 

[jjsC6]

$600 is what the dealer I used quoted also.

 

[Phugedaboudet]

carbs?! carbs are bad for you!

The FJR is the Atkins' Diet motorcycle! All meat, no carbs!

I had my 26K done at 25K and my mechanic said the vavles needed adjustment and so did the carbs. He wrote down how far each one was out for the next adjustment. I think the bike ran better after.

 

[majicmaker]

Thanks Guys! This confirmed the doubt I had when I left the dealer. Being in Aircraft Maintenance my whole life, (Pistons & Jets), It didn't sound or smell right.

But, I didn't have the horsepower to debate the inner workings of an FJR engine with a "Yamaha Service Manager". So I decided to turn to the Ultimate Authority!

THE FJR FORUM!!!. I'll turn it in tomorrow! Thanks for your input Iggy, and the rest of you guys. You're right. That's a bet I'm not willing to make. As far as the

$600 cost, two seconds after he said it, he started subtracting for the 24 month check I had done just a few month ago. Plugs, Air Filter, Coolant, Oil Change Etc.

Etc. So I'm sure it would be more closer to $200-$300. And besides, This is West Palm Beach!! Ain't nothing cheap around here!! Hell, My Y.E.S. cost me $750

including tax! This is the land of Donald Trump, The Kennedys and a whole lot of other She-She Poo-Poo people. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them.

So just like this Bike, This Forum is AWSOME!!! :yahoo:

Thanks!!!

 

[Big Sky]

I've always been told it's not the noisy out-of-spec valves you have to worry about; it's the quiet ones! The quiet ones are too tight, won't seat and hot gas will leak past and eventually burn the valve. That's an expensive fix.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I've always been told it's not the noisy out-of-spec valves you have to worry about; it's the quiet ones! The quiet ones are too tight, won't seat and hot gas will leak past and eventually burn the valve. That's an expensive fix.

You are correct, sir.

If the valves on almost any modern engine do anything -- invariably, they will lose clearance.

Since the removal of tetraethyl lead in gasoline, most engine manufacturers worth a darn have figured out the metalurgy for hard, long-lasting valve faces and seats.

It took awhile tho -- some, about 10 years.

 

[majicmaker]

My own case was that both my 26K and 52K check were within specs. My 78K was close enough to warranty end I didn't bother and don't plan to have it checked till maybe 125K.

Based on my experience. I don't think that's a good idea. My valves tend to get worse (with respect to being in spec) as the mileage gets higher.

majicmaker - I personally think your dealer is full of phooey. $600 is definitely high for valve check. Just a bit high if re-shimming is in order. And I guess he, as well as many others around here know more than Yamaha when it comes to getting the prescribed valve check. Oh, and you all can go to 10,000 mile oil change intervals too. FJR's engine will be just fine! You can believe me.

Clicky HERE for more valve check info.

Thanks for the Clicky! SkooterG! Read the whole thing. Exellent Information. This FORUM is AWSOME!! I'm glad I'm here! :clapping:

 

[PA1195]

To those concerned about valve recession and ultimately tighter valve clearances - add a little aircraft 100LL fuel to the tank (for off-road use only of course) every few thousand miles. It may eventually reduce the effectiveness of the catalysts some, if that's a priority. But as an old BMW Airhead owner with experience in these matters, it may be worth it in the long run, hardened valves/seats and all.

I don't know who wrote this post. Damn right hand - must be the dreaded Dr. Strangelove's curse. The only cure is...

Gary in Fairbanks