Valvecheckapalooza!

[irish phil]

Just going to float this idea out there and see if it is worth pursuing. There are a few of us up here in the northern reaches of the PNW that have reached that time in our rides life when we need to reach in and tickle the valves. To lead us through this monumental task we have sought out the sage advice and counsel from none other than a man of great wisdom and insight of all things FJR, Escapefjrtist. George has tentatively agreed to Saturday, June,28th at my shop in Bellingham. Pending his schedule of course. I have enough room for a few more bikes who would like to participate. So if you are mechanically inclined but would like someone looking over your shoulder who has been there and done that, this might be for you. Anyway its just a thought.

irish phil

EDIT!-Sorry for the confusion. Meant to say June 28th not July in earlier post. It has been edited.

 

[alchemy]

Interested, but pretty sure I'll be doing the H3 on the July 28th wknd

 

[Barabus]

Do not need valves checked, but might stop in to lend a hand.

 

[Justin]

Interested, but pretty sure I'll be doing the H3 on the July 28th wknd

Dang Phil, you're planning on Making it back home by Monday? HW3 ends on Sunday the 27th

 

[irish phil]

 

[SeattleTy]

What a great idea Phil. Please put me down for values adjustment. Thank you again Phil and George, looking forward to it

 

[ionbeam]

For those that are riding in for a valve adjustment, a reminder that the FSM says:

NOTE:

---------------------------------------------------------

• Valve clearance adjustment should be made on a cold engine, at room temperature.

A hot engine will change clearance readings a small amount.

 

[henwil]

Thanks Phil. Please put me down too.

I am glad I checked again, since July 28th would have been too late for me

Would it be OK to do the Wynpro cover plates and a coolant change at the same time? I understood some of the coolant needs to be drained anyway.

I would assume that if I arrive early (like around 8am) things would be cool enough by the time we got everything opened up. Please let me know if that is a bad assumption.

Thanks!

 

[RossKean]

I would want the engine to cool at least 4 hours before making the measurements. Wynpro plates shouldn't take more than 5 or 10 minutes with the valve cover off; much easier to get to them. Coolant change (or drain and refill) is necessary when you do a valve check anyway.

 

[irish phil]

Thanks Ross for answering those issues as I wasn't too sure myself. Im still waiting for George to confirm the

date. It sounds like we have some interest in this and it should be good time.

Phil

 

[n2osx]

A couple things that people have to think about are 1- You need to bring coolant. 2- You have to consider that if you are out of adjustment, you need to have access to shims of various sizes. 3- It would be a good idea to bring 2 # 14 and 1 # 17 O rings for coolant tube just in case your O ring rips in the process.

I am sure that the veteran valve check guys and add more info as to what may be needed and things to consider having for the job before hand.

I haven't done mine yet because I need to get a valve shim kit so that I am ready just in case. Although dealers often have an assortment in stock but not always.

Carl

 

[Twigg]

If you have four or five bikes, some valve shims might simply swap with those from another bike.

Heh ... make a "master chart" of who has what, and who needs what. Let the dealer know in advance so he can stock up on the shims, then one visit to buy or swap the missing ones should work.

Don't let the "Keeper of the Chart" drink beer until all engines are running again

 

[RossKean]

A micrometer (or even a decent caliper) along with some carbide paper (and patience) is all you really need. If there is a nearby dealer with a good stock of shims, I would just buy what I needed but in many cases it may be easier to "adjust" the ones you have. Local dealer is not known for having anything in stock - they will order them and they "should be here in three days!" Almost certainly will be going to a thinner shim and sanding is do-able.

 

[bhendron]

Would anyone attending this be willing to take some video and perhaps put together a little tutorial? That would be so awesome and helpful for us virgins.

 

[henwil]

Thanks for all the input guys!

I assumed Phil would have everything we need ready

(just kidding)

Phil and George, please let us know what to bring and what will be available locally. I will be bringing coolant.

I am planning to take many photos and document it for future reference. The challenge is going to be to remember to keep taking photos and notes

 

[RossKean]

Timing cover gasket. Fair chance that it will have to be replaced if you have to reshim. You have to take off the timing cover to secure the cam chain if you are pulling the cams to swap shims.

If you are careful, you probably won't need a valve cover gasket.

+1 on the coolant pipe O-rings. Gen II requirement is different from Gen I (I think).

O2 sensor safe silicone to secure the rubber valve cover gasket to the valve cover. Otherwise its a ***** to replace. (Other gasket goo might work too)

 

[henwil]

How about the cam chain tensioner?

I think I read somewhere some year models have an issue and it should be replaced.

 

[MCRIDER007]

Timing cover gasket. Fair chance that it will have to be replaced if you have to reshim. You have to take off the timing cover to secure the cam chain if you are pulling the cams to swap shims.If you are careful, you probably won't need a valve cover gasket.+1 on the coolant pipe O-rings. Gen II requirement is different from Gen I (I think).

The GEN1 and GEN2 use the same coolant pipe O-rings (2) but the GEN1 owners also need to replace the thermostat O-ring.

 

[frankenfeejeer]

I would be super interested in a trip to Bellingham for a training session like this. Perhaps a Throttle Body Sync session at the same time. Thinking I could ride up the night before and take a taxi from the location.

I'll subscribe to this link and will mark this on my calendar.

Thanks a ton in advance!!