V-4 HONDA TOP END OILING KITS

[MarylandMagnav45]

To protect your v-4

http://www.holeshot.com/old/v4/v4_oiler.html

[hootmon]

Very nice..

[lragan]

My recollection is that the early Magnas suffered from inadequate oil flow to the top of the engine, but that this had been fixed for the 3rd gen engines. 

Am I correct in this assertion?

[MagnaDaddy]

It was supposedly fixed in the '86 but I put one of the DRP top end kits on mine just in case.....

[hootmon]

My recollection is that the early Magnas suffered from inadequate oil flow to the top of the engine, but that this had been fixed for the 3rd gen engines. 

Am I correct in this assertion?

Except the '94 (Honda seem to have trouble learning this lesson on the V-4's)
There was a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin)#1 on the '94 to drill out the cam caps to allow oil to flow, adding more oil under the caps. (It was not a recall). In the 1st 5 years of the TSB, Honda would do the service for free.. This was never done on my '94.. At idle there is a noticable knocking in the top end.. If you did not get the work done within the 5 years, the work is on you to pay for..
You can know if a '94 model has been done as they were supposed to take a center punch and punch a point under the serial number on the neck of the bike when completed.

[dgc67]

Someone on here posted one day that this was a v65 problem ONLY for the 1st gen.  I don't think that is true myself.  I mean, it is the same engine design for the v45 and v65.

[guywheatley]

This was never done on my '94.. At idle there is a noticable knocking in the top end.. If you did not get the work done within the 5 years, the work is on you to pay for..
You can know if a '94 model has been done as they were supposed to take a center punch and punch a point under the serial number on the neck of the bike when completed.

Hey hootman. I noticed a rattle somewhere in my engine over the last year. I can't really localize it except that it's generally from the front of the bike. I had a 96 Nissan Centra that made a similar noise when the oil pump went bad. I was told that the valves didn't use springs, but pneumatic oil in the valve stem sleeve. The rattle, I was told, was the valves hitting bottom when there was insufficient oil in the sleeves. A new oil pump solved the problem.
All of this sounds suspiciously familiar.

[lragan]

Guy, this sounds like hydraulic lifters not getting the oil they need to function.  Our 3rd gens do not appear, from the shop manual, to employ hydraulic lifters.  It appears that the lifter is a hollow cap for the valve spring.  As all lifters do, it runs against the cam.  One adjusts the valve clearance by replacing shims.  The point of hydraulic lifters is to eliminate the need for adjustment.

Moved my question re: valve adjustment to a new topic in the Garage...

[dgc67]

Guy, have you considered the cam chain tensioner(s) as a possible culprit?  It can make a rattle like sound that will go away as the rpm goes up.

[hootmon]

Hey hootman. I noticed a rattle somewhere in my engine over the last year. I can't really localize it except that it's generally from the front of the bike. I had a 96 Nissan Centra that made a similar noise when the oil pump went bad. I was told that the valves didn't use springs, but pneumatic oil in the valve stem sleeve. The rattle, I was told, was the valves hitting bottom when there was insufficient oil in the sleeves. A new oil pump solved the problem.
All of this sounds suspiciously familiar.

Guy;
   Not sure exactly what answer your looking for here..
First.. Nice seat!!!

It looks like you have a 94 or 95 (I'll assume a 94) - The issue is an oil issue at the top end of the motor.. This will cause a knocking sound (not a rattle) but only at or about idle.. There is no difference at higher RPM's that I know of..

What DG said...

I'm sure the Nissan didn't have "Pneumatic" but maybe Hydraulic lifters???
Where would you like me to go from here???

[guywheatley]

I'm sure you guys are right about the lifters. I'm not a real gear head, and am prone to misunderstand some of the technical explanations given to me.

DG, With Charles' help, the cam tensioners were the first thing we thought of. He's had some experience with that particular issue on a couple of bikes, He listened to my bike and doesn't think that is the problem. It's been doing it since June and doesn't seem to be hurting anything. I'm just keeping my eye on the bike, (when it runs,) for any other signs of trouble.

My main problems right now is getting a new regulator and battery put in. I ordered a "generic" regulator form a local bike shop. I was going to put it on this morning, but discovered that it won't fit. The magna regulator has seven wires, going two plugs. My "generic" one only has four wires. I'm taking it back Monday. In the mean time I'll see what I can find online.

I replaced the air filter and decided to do a few minor mods while I've got the bike apart. I'm putting LEDs under the tank to light up the engine. I re-ran my accessory plug wire where you don't see it once the tank is on. I'm considering some road lights. Finally, I'm going to put some LEDs somewhere on the back to make it more visible after dark.

Right now, I'd love to hear that rattle again.

[Lurkin]

Guy, be careful with any non-Honda regulator, they have been know to fail more often and fail uglier.  The only manufacturer that appears to be good is Shindengen (I think I spelled that right).  They make the stock Honda part.  You can find them from other sources, but it may take more time.

Rod...