Honda VFR800 VTEC Valve Clearance Inspection, Part 2 - Let's Get The Feeler Gauges Out!

Hello everyone and welcome back to the channel!
Here we have the much requested video detailing the valve clearance inspection on the 6th Gen Honda VFR 800 VTEC.
This is a mammoth task and one that costs an absolute fortune at a Honda main dealer or even at an independent.
This is part two of the task, which I have neatly broken down into three separate episodes, the first and last parts can be found by following the links at the end of this video.
As promised, below are the links to all of the gaskets that will be needed to complete this job. I will not add part numbers of any VTEC lifters or shims as the part number is determined by the thickness and would therefore be entirely pointless!
Bear in mind that the combined cost of all of the gaskets below, which are all genuine Honda items is £231.41!!
Valve cover gasket Front - Part Number - 12391MCW000 - Qty 1 (Item 7 at the link below)
www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/...
Valve cover gasket rear - Part Number - 12395MCW000 - Qty 1 (Item 9 at the link below)
www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/...
Valve cover, spark plug well gaskets - Part Number - 12394MBG000 - Qty 4 (Item 8 at the link below)
www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/...
Washer and O-ring, Kit A - Part Number - 06114MCWJ00 - Qty 1
www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/...
Gasket, Dowel, Valve cover - Part Number - 12396MBG000 - Qty 4 (Item 7 at the link below)
www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/...
Rubber Mounting - Part Number - 90543MV9670 - Qty 8 (Item 13 at the link below)
www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/...
O-Ring, Timing Cover - Part Number - 91301ML7003 - Qty 1 (Item 8 at the link below)
www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/...
Molybdenum Disulphide Grease (Black Molly)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Moll...
Hi-Temp Silicone Gasket Maker
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-HIGH-TE...
All links to products are affiliate links for which I will receive a small commission on any purchase made, at no additional cost to you.
I hope that you enjoyed this video.
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[@alexmorgan3435]

Wow! I have a 5th gen but watching this for the 6th is gripping stuff.

[@adventuremanintheclouds8968]

Great video, thanks for making it. I just want to add that torquing the cam caps is a proper step before taking the valve clearance measurements. Too loose or over tightened does have an effect on the actual clearance.

[@stevenvankoutrik992]

Also removing spark plugs, makes life easier

[@paulsmith4701]

Ive seen enough. Was considering one of these for the next bike. Maybe not now. I like my bikes simple.

[@user-ht9ij5vb2u]

Cheers Kev this instruction video is very easy to understand and follow. Top bloke 👍👍👍😁

[@bobklee2397]

This is far beyond my very basic skills but I wanted to see what the internals of my bike are like. These are fantastically engineered bikes - the last of the incredibly well made Hondas imho

[@edbland916]

Well I've learned one thing, I will never own a VTEC, in fact I will probably never move past an FJ/FK, screws and locknuts is enough for me.

[@zhalegh5182]

Never seen some one talking so much… tnx for demonstration

[@5891jonathan]

I have had the valve checks done on my 2004 at 16,000 miles and 32,000 miles. They were all in spec. Have another valve check coming up in 6,000 miles. I will have it done on schedule. Another $550 just to check the valves, and more $$$ if they need adjustment. This is annoying, but I don’t want to do this myself. Checking the valves on my Ducati and BMW is a piece of cake, but checking the valves on a VTEC VFR is a piece of something else. Good video.

[@KevsShed]

Thanks man!

[@roonewby8112]

My 2002 VTEC has over 173k miles on the clock and I'm just doing the valves now due to me taking the engine out for some paint and a few bits and bobs. All but two were still in spec and the VTEC's were spot on. Save yourself some money and increase your check schedule. The bikes are so well built, theres no need to go into them every 16k. This is HRC stuff and the engineering incredible, its not a Suzuki! I had to special order a head gasket the other week for a motor I was given with a threaded spark plug holewhich meant removing the head. Four weeks delivery, the reason given by official Honda chap was "We never sell any so we generally dont hold stock". That speaks a thousand words in reliability. Just saying I know they're all members of the family and you only want the best for your kids, I get it but when money is so hard to come by these days, save the un needed shop cost and buy more tyres and fuel ;-D

[@nevik001]

Thank you

[@holbeckghyll4997]

I watched/helped my mechanic do this on my VFR750FK at 32k. What a palaver! Now I see that for a VTEC it is even more involved and it's a full on nightmare. I wouldn't do this myself anymore.

[@KevsShed]

The process is pretty similar to most other machine with hydraulic lifters, the difference on the VTEC model is that the cam shafts have to come out to prepare the VTEC lifters before any measurements can be made, then they need to be returned to their natural state which involves camshaft removal yet again! You are right! it's a right palaver! 😂

[@holbeckghyll4997]

@@KevsShedyes so much more involved and then everything is doubled up as it is a V4 as well so on and off 6 times!

[@lmaoroflcopter]

Part 1: "hmm okay this is quite involved, but I think I could do this." Part 2: "yeah nah... Sod that, stealership time" 🙂 Thanks for these videos, I've a 2008 vfr800 in much need of some TLC having been off the road for about 3 years. Shall be working my way through your other vids, they're invaluable! :)

[@KevsShed]

Cheers mate 👌🏻😎

[@MrVulcan1963]

When you were installing that rear exhaust camshaft. Instead of shining the torch on the sprocket from above, there's a hole in the frame where you had that orange connector hanging that allows you to view the mark on the sprocket and the cylinder head with more certainty. I made the same mistake when I did my valve inspection.

[@KevsShed]

The torch was for the viewers benefit chap not mine! 👍🏻👌🏻😎

[@andyrawlings5369]

i use fowlers they are very good

[@andyrawlings5369]

rare kev that any need adjusting from what i have read merc axor its normanaly the exhaust vavles that need doing

[@milesfinch]

As the bike is coming up to it's 20th birthday next year, this seems the best way to write a bike off!! I wonder if you can claim for a full service on you're insurance!!!

[@KevsShed]

😂

[@memduherdogar150]

First of all thanks for these videos, massive help my bike is currently on 27k miles and I have 6 exhaust and 2 inlet valves are out of spec, one question that I have is that can I rely on the numbers on the shims and buckets as I don’t have micrometer or should I just buy one to be sure, as this job turning out to be quite expensive I didn’t want to ad more to the cost.

[@razvanoprisescu2925]

Hi Kev, Thanks for the videos. If you don't mind telling me where did you get the shims to block the vtec valve. I can't seem to find them anywhere...if not...I will try to cut a 6mmx2.5mm drill bit. Thanks

[@albertsciascia245]

Great video once again I just finished watching and noticed your handlebars, are they like rentals straight bar if so how do you find the bikes performance and did you do a video on installation ? Thanks in advance

[@KevsShed]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmG2o2adaqygb5I

[@albertsciascia245]

@@KevsShed thanks

[@albertsciascia245]

Love your videos my reg rec gave up burned out watched your vids and was going to get a different bike but apart from what goes wrong with the vfr it's a great bike so thanks again buddy you just restored my faith in the vfr

[@ReneBr42]

Thanks Kev, great video! I do have a question about the VTEC lifters. The ones that are out of spec: what exectly do i buy new ? Only the lifter? Cause i found valve lifters B, in sizes 2.93 mm to 3.35 mm (steps of 0.07mm). And re-use the valves, springs and VTEC element inside the lifter ? Thanks, your answer would really help me !

[@KevsShed]

Yes mate, just the lifter and reuse everything else 👌🏻

[@keyvanebrahimi389]

Hi kev Thanks for the videos Its the best place for me to confirm and check info. I have done the job and at timed the front bank with cylender 4 marks however when I rotate the engine there is 2 arrows the it seems they must meet in the middle for number 2 And they seemed to be off a bit Not sure what im doing wrong The bike sounds fine and crisp but I feel a slightly down on power or it could be m imagination Please advise if possible

[@KevsShed]

It is actually quite hard to get the timing slightly off as you describe, in order to get the timing out it would have to be out by one whole gear tooth so you can imagine that the timing is most likely fine. Potentially there may be a marginal bit of chain stretch, but if it is feeling down on power then it would have been like that before you worked on it. I reckon it's probably in your head as you suggested! Hopefully this has put your mind at rest bud!

[@keyvanebrahimi389]

@@KevsShed cant thank you enough

[@XRAYMAN34]

How many km’s roughly did the bike have during the video just curious as to wear

[@kaskader8888]

hello I need a valve cup 2.75 but in honda parts it is 2.72 2.79 what to do????

[@samuel19657]

Hey Kev! I have a question that you might be able to answer. I have an 04 VFR800 I’ve been wondering if my valves need to be checked/ adjusted (hence how I ended up on your video), because when the VTEC kicks in, there is a much heavier rattle than usual. I don’t hear it while accelerating, only when I let off the throttle. Does that sound like it would be a valve issue? It sounds like a heavy rattle and just doesn’t sound as smooth as normal. I did an oil change recently and oil levels are good, and it sounds the same at idol, so I’m not sure what it is. Sounds like something with the VTEC though. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[@KevsShed]

A mechanical rattle on these bikes is normally caused by worn cam chain tensioners. I did a video on replacement of these too mate 👍🏻

[@samuel19657]

@@KevsShed perfect! I will look more into it, but I’m hoping that’s it. Seems MUCH cheaper/ easier than these valves… haha

[@antoniogiannuzzi1965]

Buongiorno, a quanti km va fatta la registrazione del gioco valvole ?

[@KevsShed]

Dovrebbe essere controllato ogni 16000 miglia. Potrebbe non richiedere alcuna regolazione.

[@mikekovacs8981]

how many miles are on this motorcycle?

[@KevsShed]

Just coming up to 30k mate 👍🏻

[@ryoichinakamura5241]

@@KevsShed 😵 only 30k??? I was looking to buy one with 28k miles...

[@malcolmmathers2690]

this is the reason these bikes didnt sell well thats apparent the old saying keep it simple stupid makes sense does it not

[@malcolmmathers2690]

i put a deposite on a 2014 vfr after watching this im considering just forfiting my deposite and moving on this extrordinarly complicated process and expensive i wish i seen this video before hand thanks for doing it

[@KevsShed]

On the contrary, the 6th Generation VFR has sold more than any other including any generation since! They are fantastic machines with unfortunately a few known issues. At least knowing about any potential problems with the bikes beforehand means that you are forearmed!