2006 Honda VTX1800 - dealer worked on it, now there's engine noise!

Let's fix it! 2006 VTX1800, customer states a Honda dealer worked on it and now it has a lot of top-end sounding ticking noise, he brought it back but they didn't or couldn't fix. Can we? Watch and see!

[@newbernbears]

What a mechanic. Should be teaching shop classes at the college. Wonderful job!

[@rahulrane1658]

Wow, so much detail in the work. Much appreciated

[@grabir01]

Right away I figured it was exhaust as you said the dealer had replaced the gaskets. I would have used a nut to clamp the exhaust down and then Jam nut the cap or acorn nuts against them. At any rate. Good fix and that motor sounds fantastic!!

[@kborutski]

Great video thanks for the insight. I have a 2002 VTX runs like a champ but I know I’ll need to do the valve Someday

[@bert6499]

Nice detailed video and good alternative solutions with for example some extra washers here and there. You got yourself a new subscriber!!

[@jesusacovarrubias1390]

Nice job. I need to take a class to be less apprehensive to work on my 2010 Yamaha RSV.

[@Mobius1_]

Great vids. Keep 'em coming.

[@patwalker9890]

Why, oh why can't I find a mechanic like you in my area?

[@MotoRestoFL]

Very kind. I can answer that. Money. There’s no money in doing a top job over and above. Because the hourly rate plus parts, if billing hour for hour, would exceed (often) the value of the machine. I “adjust” the cost to be commensurate with the value and condition of the unit. Well, I used to before I had to shut down operations.

[@ccboss490]

What area?

[@patwalker9890]

@@ccboss490 So Cal Inland Empire

[@dragonclaw88]

dang i wish i could find someone like you around here in upper Texas...id have zero issues making a few of your house payments...lol...i dont mind paying a good mechanic...if they actually help

[@S1lentpie]

Thanks for the interesting video. The only time I was able to really check the valves clearance, was when I replaced the cam chains. I had to pull the engine out partially and remove the heads covers. And the clearance was just fine after 120k kilometers.

[@johnfontana8770]

i have the exact same bike, same color also. great bike, very interesting video, thanks for the information!

[@MotoRestoFL]

I liked test riding this better than the VTX1300. It was a fun test ride. It really pulls hard, but in the end, these behemoth cruisers are kind-of not exactly my style. Cheers.

[@Restless2010]

Nice Video. I own 2 VTX 1800's one is a Neo and other is a C. In between my girlfriend and her family, we have 7 VTX's ranging from 1300 - 1800. Looks like the bike has been dropped on both sides, to be honest. That forward control on the brake side is not aftermarket. That is factory, but probably being that It was dropped on that side as well being the brake foot lever bent waddled out the bolt hole. Sounded like the Exhaust Donut especially being that you had to add washers to get it tightened up. Being that the exhaust and the bike engine heating up makes the clearance even worse. So yeah, it was the exhaust and possibly that Hypercharger air intake being so loose rattling.

[@adarngoodjoe4043]

It's way easier to adjust the valves when the pair valves are deleted with block off plates. I understand this is a customer bike so that isn't necessarily an option. The back exhaust is still a little difficult but it's easier when you remove the fuel lines out of the way (That's really directed towards the internet and not necessarily the content creator).

[@MotoRestoFL]

Thanks.

[@daneck5337]

I ride my 95 Magna down the road , through the woods, out onto the highway...and start thinking 🤔..maybe I should get an 1800vtx, a Goldwing, a Valkerie...than I look at the speedometer reading 75 mph..and the tachometer at 5 k and know I have 5k more rpms to play with ...than I stop Thinking !!

[@rogereastman3187]

I love watching, and listening to perfectionists. 🤗

[@MotoRestoFL]

I'd say that's being kind, frankly I think I am obsessed sometimes... hehehehe

[@Lapeerphoto]

Nice work. My 1800F is a 06, too.

[@trukngal]

That pro choice intake on the side is supposed to open and close

[@MotoRestoFL]

Yep. I know. But it was messed up just like all of them I get in here. Not part of the job. This was a low budget affair.

[@raymondfrye8847]

Great job!

[@jeffkeni]

Well done sir!

[@LongMileGamer]

I wish you would've started it up at the end.

[@barryjohns1965]

Just a question. Why wouldn't you check the simple fix first. Like you had talked about exhaust gaskets then you went and tore the bike down before even seeing if the exhaust gaskets were leaking. just wondering why you didn't do that first sense it would have been such an easy fix. Seems like you cost your self a ton of work for no reason. You said the valves were in spec on the tight side so no way were the valves rattling at all. Could you not have put a flame against the exhaust and see if they were leaking and blew out the flame. OLD SCHOOL TEST. Just asking. When you got the exhaust off and the Gaskets were not crushed that was a tail tail sign that it was exhaust leak. or that is my opinion. but I loved the video. I have the exact bike.

[@MotoRestoFL]

Great questions. Customer wanted a valve clearance check. I should have been more clear on that. I do recall mentioning the reason the gaskets weren't crushed is the nuts were bottoming before putting enough pressure. Some stainless washers solved that. I never heard of a flame against the exhausts, in this bike that spot is hard to get to and I kind-of like my house too much to use open flames around bikes I barely know. Occult fuel leaks, etc. But it's interesting anyway. I did say the gaskets weren't crushed and indicating a leak. Thanks for the question, and watching the video.

[@archiebunker7688]

Use a stick of smoking incense to see air leaks, it works for drafty windows.

[@billstapleton8833]

I have a 05 VTX 1800 F that has the same Hyper charger, my question is the butterfly isn't working and there is a part that is on the bottom side of Hyper charger that is small that looks like a vaccum hose would fit on,and there is a small hose that isn't connected, but won't slide on to it, and there is no vaccum on the hose,or could the hose b a gas vent ??? Great video on the VTX !!

[@MotoRestoFL]

Thanks. It's a vacuum hose simply tapped into the vacuum line that attaches to the carb, probably at the air cut valve. They tend to tap into those around that spot. That's an air solenoid of sorts that opens the thing up when the engine is running so if the thing is sitting in the rain, theoretically it helps prevent water intrusion. I haven't ever seen one work. My advice is to dump that garbage and go back to stock air box and filter. Otherwise, just cap off the hose and don't ride in the rain. Cheers.

[@PeterSloss-qy9pt]

Great information.

[@doreentring5995]

great vid top man👍👍👍👍👍

[@lamardavis34]

Where are you located.? I have that same issue with my Vtx 1300. I’m willing to bring my bike to you…?

[@MotoRestoFL]

Bradenton Florida

[@trukngal]

Thanks for viedo

[@dieselhog]

Hi .....I have a 2002 vtx1800...really nice bike 🏍 I am also a diesel technician ..but learn much..thanks . Somethings they don't tell you that the engine is not reverse turn in the workshop manual ...

[@MotoRestoFL]

Just remove whatever side crankcase cover you're supposed to for access to the bolt to bar the motor over (I'm talking any engine) and bump the starter. Do this before any other work performed. Then note the direction of rotation.

[@grimsmotovlogs369]

Nice video! Did you get a chance to ride the vtx1800?

[@MotoRestoFL]

Thanks. I don't exactly remember except to ride it into the trailer and deliver after the work was done.

[@nuncaviisso]

@MotoRestoFL quick question about ecu’s if you don’t mind. Can you please confirm if a 2014 Honda 1300CT Interstate has an ecu unit??

[@MotoRestoFL]

Unfortunately I cannot. I’m not familiar with that bike. Check the service manual.

[@nuncaviisso]

@@MotoRestoFL I did it says nothing about that. Thx for the quick reply anyway!!!

[@MotoRestoFL]

Well, if it’s fuel injected then it has to have some sort of engine control module, which receives sensor inputs like crank and cam position, so the injector(s) fire correctly. Something has to control them if it’s fuel injected. Where that component lived on the bike I have no idea.

[@dco956]

Wow...4 plugs per cylinder

[@RickB5000]

That air box was rattling like hell. Too bad you didnt just put your hand on it while the bike was running to eliminate that and see if there was any other rattle.

[@MotoRestoFL]

I knew about it and fixed that also. Can’t remember if I mentioned it. It was not contributing to most of the noise, actually, very little. The cap bolts inside were loose. I removed and locktited them and torqued.

[@chrisandersen3213]

Not relevant in this case (since you are checking the exhaust gaskets), but If you have an old 5mm Allen key, and cut it down, you can get it in behind the exhaust to remove the timing cover without having to remove the exhaust.

[@MotoRestoFL]

Ah. I’ll remember that. Thanks.

[@archiebunker7688]

My VTX 1800 has that chopped 5mm allen in the stock toolbag.

[@TheVTXchannel]

The "butterflyers" on the hypercharge must be working.

[@MotoRestoFL]

Those things suck and nobody ever wants to repair or replace them when they take a dump.

[@rbljackson]

maybe you can help me diagnose a problem with my vtx. It acts like bad fuel or a vapor lock issue. With full tank of gas, bike runs fine, after about 30 miles in hot weather (it was 106 today) during heavy throttle roll ons it starts missing intermittently. It does it a little during highway runs at a constant throttle, but more so when rolling on the throttle. On our way home from a trip over the weekend, it go so bad as I got low on fuel, that the only way the bike would keep going down the highway was to barely apply the throttle. I plan to do the "VTX ground fix" and see if thats the problem. I cant tell if Im loosing spark on a cylinder, or if im dealing with a fuel issue. Any ideas? Bike ran fine in spring until it got hot...which is why im wondering if there is some type of vapor lock issue. My other thought is something electrical is intermittenly going bad in the real hot weather. Thanks!

[@MotoRestoFL]

You'd have to tell me what year bike first. I can only assume you mean an '06 like this one, but assumptions don't help us. And is it an 1800 or 1300?

[@rbljackson]

@@MotoRestoFL sorry...mine is an 02 1800C model. I ran it yesterday in 106 heat and after about 10 minute it started doing it again. Rode it this morning at 85 degrees. After about 10 minutes, I could only get it to do it when riding along at 3k rpms, and then downshift and crack the throttle wide open. It would miss or hesitate and then come back and throttle up, rpms jump up. Strange problem. Throttle Position sensor? Vent tube in tank? Electrical miss? The "ground fix" will be attempted over the weekend to rule that out.

[@MotoRestoFL]

@@rbljackson Well, according to the parts fiche, that's a fuel injected engine and a bit out of my wheelhouse. A 2002 VTX1800C fiche shows no carburetor and shows a throttle body with two fuel injectors. I don't know what a "ground fix" is on that bike. Being fuel injected, the first thing that comes to mind is fuel pump/filter. Sure sounds like a lean mixture condition, but may not be. Being fuel injected it'll automatically do the mixture adjustment when it is cold, like an enricher would on a carbureted engine. All that is based on sensor input. Are you noticing any black smoke or it looking rich when it misfires or when you can't give it any throttle when it's hot? Because if so, I'd test the coolant temp sensor and make sure that is within spec. The ECU must get feedback on engine temp to adjust the injectors. The parts fiche, again, also shows a single oxygen sensor in the exhaust but strangely, doesn't list it in the list of parts. Just shows on the drawing. So I'm wondering, does that bike have a temperature gauge? If so, what is the engine temp look like, normal or low or high? Because if there's no gauge and the temp sensor is not sending proper engine temp, the ECU might be throwing a bunch of fuel at it when it's hot and causing your issue. A check of the spark plugs would be telling. If they're black or sooty, I'd go right for the temp sensor it's part of the radiator assembly, test and replace if it's out of spec. If the plugs are good or look really lean like white not tanned or normal looking, it's definitely a lean condition and I'm afraid I cannot tell you what that would be. A Honda dealer may have the equipment to hook it up to a scope and see what it's doing, I don't know. Again, fuel injected is outside my normal stuff I work on. Could be many, many things, fuel pump, injectors, O2 sensor, etc. It should have some sort of MIL or malfunction indicator lamp or something that comes on or displays any codes, have you seen anything like that when it acts up? Certainly could be TPS, vent tube, electrical.... like I said, really hard to say. Look at the plugs. They will tell you a lot. That's one of the first places I go when diagnosing an engine running issue. Wish I could help you more.

[@rbljackson]

@@MotoRestoFL Thanks for the detailed response. It doesn't have a temp gauge but I will keep that in mind and check that temp sensor if I can find it/figure out how to test it. There is a "dummy Light" called FI for fuel injection, but its not lighting up at all to indicate an error or issue. I think there may we a way to jumper a connector under the seat and view for trouble codes. Im researching that tonight. I will definitely try your recommendation on checking the plugs as well. Thanks again for taking the time to type that detailed response on a few possibilities. Very helpful.

[@BigBearN81975]

Could be as simple as a loose battery conection.

[@ccboss490]

The hypercharge was froze.

[@ghostmost2614]

Where are you located

[@MotoRestoFL]

West coast of Florida. Bradenton.

[@kenheyward9924]

Good job !!

[@nilseckerbom6826]

Seems to be a strange owner 😔

[@MotoRestoFL]

We are all strange in our own ways. I mean, myself being the strangest of them all. For some reason, I like bringing junk into the workspace and performing exorcisms and resurrections.

[@David-pp9fk]

​@@MotoRestoFLYou are hilarious and one hell of a good mechanic.