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Valve rattle

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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Anonymous

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The valves on my GS 650 E ? newly running again ? are rattling like nobody's business. It's not running any too well, and I think the valves may just need to be adjusted.
I haven't torn into it yet because the book says the tappet shims can be replaced to adjust them, but the dealer here says you have to replace shim and tappet together: that it's one piece, and that each one costs approximately $10.50.
Can you replace only the shims if they're needed? Or is that cost really only for the shim itself?
My dad says he's concerned that the valve rattle may be because oil isn't getting where it should be. The bike only has 14,000 miles, so I don't know how bad the valve adjustment could be. On the other hand, it's 21 years old. Any help would be appreciated.
J. Daniel
 
Re: Valve rattle

If its valve train noise that you're hearing - you've ruled out exhaust leaks at the cylinder head that can masquerade as valve noise, then you really should get them looked at. If not then you run the risk of burning a valve(s). Unfortunately the amount of noise doesn't always match with how out of adjustment the valves are.

I can't speak for the 650, but the clymer manual for my 450, suggests that only the shims need to be replaced. However, shims can be pricey on their own. With 14000miles and 21 years against it, the valves can be anywhere from kinda ok to really needing some work.

If you're mechanically inclined, dig in! If not, you can really do some damage - let a mechanic you trust do the work.

Sam


J. Daniel said:
The valves on my GS 650 E ? newly running again ? are rattling like nobody's business. It's not running any too well, and I think the valves may just need to be adjusted.
I haven't torn into it yet because the book says the tappet shims can be replaced to adjust them, but the dealer here says you have to replace shim and tappet together: that it's one piece, and that each one costs approximately $10.50.
Can you replace only the shims if they're needed? Or is that cost really only for the shim itself?
My dad says he's concerned that the valve rattle may be because oil isn't getting where it should be. The bike only has 14,000 miles, so I don't know how bad the valve adjustment could be. On the other hand, it's 21 years old. Any help would be appreciated.
J. Daniel
Click to expand...
 
The shims are a separate part. You have to measure your clearance first. Write it down for every valve. Any that are out of spec are going to have to be removed so that you can see what size is in there. Once you figure out what shims you need, you can go to the dealer. DON'T put more than one shim in each bucket or it WILL spit it out. You may be able to use one of the shims you took out on another valve. Just watch your math.
 
The exhaust is somewhat rusted out: I'm planning to replace it eventually with a 4-1 system, once I get the thing running right. Don't wanna dump the money into it, without knowing that it's really gonna be OK.
So how can I know that it's really valve rattle and not something masquerading as valves? And is there any way to know that they are getting oil up there, as it should?
Next up: How do I convince my dealer that the tappet and shim don't come as a single part, that the shims are separately available?
Oh well. I'll dig into it and see what the measurements are like. Can't hurt. Much.
As for being mechanically minded: Once I know what a problem is and the standard way of dealing with it, I'm alright. It's the diagnostics in the first place that kick my butt.
I can replace the clutch or engine or fuel injectors or whatever in my Mustang: I've done them all: but without knowing how, I can't tune the carbs on this motorcycle.
But I'm learning.
Thanks,
J. Daniel
 
Once you know what shims you need, you can go to Bike Bandit and get the part numbers.
 
Pull the fuel tank off, remove the top breather remove the cam cover. Check the valve adjustment, there should be signs of oil around the cams. Or start it up to see? be carefull oil will go all over the place if you rev it
 
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