rattle/knock

[yellow_magna]

Hi all,
Tghis may have been brought up before on the forums, I have a 95 magna, with only 11.000 mls on the clock, have noticed in the last month a rattle or knocking from the engine on idle or slow speeds when hot, no probs when cold, can't tell which side of the engine noise is coming from, I thought may be timing chain/tesioner has anyone had this problem before if so would like to hear from you,
keith [ from the UK]     

[hootmon]

My yellow '94 knocked pretty loud at idle... Type of oil can make some difference.. dis you just change the oil?
Tensioners usually make more of a growl.

[Magnum Magna]

With only 11000 miles I would guess it is a normal knocking.
I have not noticed my 94 knocking for a while.

[yellow_magna]

Hi again,
Thanks for the quick reply's guys, my next oil change is coming up about 500mls time, like to change it about every 3000mls, think will do a oil  change sooner, bike has not lost any power, just a bit noisy on idle/low speeds, think someone said the early vf 4's did suffer from soft cams or cam chain tensioners wearing out, thanks again.
keith.   

[hootmon]

Hi again,
Thanks for the quick reply's guys, my next oil change is coming up about 500mls time, like to change it about every 3000mls, think will do a oil  change sooner, bike has not lost any power, just a bit noisy on idle/low speeds, think someone said the early vf 4's did suffer from soft cams or cam chain tensioners wearing out, thanks again.
keith.   

No unreasonable issues in the drive train on the gen 3's...
I just changed oil brands in my 94 and the mocking got worse... Still not concerned ad my previous 94 had approx 90k miles and ran like new.

[Magnum Magna]

My  cam chain tensioners went out this year had about 55k miles.
I changed both but only one was bad. It is normally only one that goes bad.

[hootmon]

My  cam chain tensioners went out this year had about 55k miles.
I changed both but only one was bad. It is normally only one that goes bad.

I guess I was lucky, the yellow bike never had tensioner issues..

[tedkraus]

My gen III had noisey cam chains etc. starting around 15k miles my friend rides it now says it hasnt gotten any quieter but it is still runs good and gets good mpg etc.

[roboto65]

They do tend to be noisy but I have gone thru 3 tensioners well in 2 bike to be honest. Know i was practicing my launches for Drag racing LOL and after MOOTMag I will test that again as I plan to Drag race her stay tuned 

[Greg Cothern]

Good MC specific Synthetic will help.

[ggeezer]

My two early 80's Magnas also rattle when hot and idling. Both have the high pressure top end lube mod.
Good ear plugs help a lot!

Orv.

[ripster31]

how do you know when the cam tensioner goes out.  what noise or what does the bike do to indicate that.

[hop along]

Rip, when a cam chain tensioner fails, it will be a sudden, dramatic noise change.  When mine went out at speed, it was like listening to a bicycle chain being run against metal edges at very high speed and, even with wind noise and earplugs, it was LOUD and not a pretty sound. 
Search the forum for cam chain failure, for gory details of my past experiences. 
I will say that having the Honda roadside assistance saved me one massive tow-they go through Roadside America.  The local dealer here didn't even know about it.  Then they charged me only $25 a year for a 5 year plan   
Hop Along

[TLRam1]

Hop Along,

How much is it normally a year? What does yours cover?

[hop along]

Terry,
The towing coverage is called "HondaCare Roadside Assistance", but is provided through Roadside America (the same company that does Harley and other groups).  I investigated after a friend who was a HOG member had a 300 mile tow covered for free.  I found out at <road-America.com> that American Honda is a 'group member'.  Just make sure you have the dash in the website address, or you will go the website of the legendary race track in Elkhart Lake, WI.  But I digress.

The rep I spoke to at the local Honda powerhouse dealer was from the financial dept and didn't have any idea what it was til I asked her to look into it.  It took her a week or two.  She wasn't supposed to share the cost info with me (apparently the dealer sets the fees for some reason), but the cost for a 5 year plan is listed at $24 per year.  She charged me $20 per year  Let it be known that that is less than the HOG members apparently pay   
Shorter terms are supposed to cost more, but it is pointless to buy less-they prorate refunds anytime you cancel, and the subscription is transferable with the bike if you sell it!

I know, I'm starting to sound like a late night TV commercial... "But WAIT! There's MORE!"  This can be bought at ANY time; IE even if you have owned your Honda for 15 years, for example.

This is the link I found on the Honda website (it is less helpful than it used to be...):
<http://powersports.honda.com/protectionplan.aspx>
FWIW, the first link at the top of the post is more helpful.

All they needed from me was to confirm VIN number, my address, and of course a small-very small-amount of cash.

For the OKC MOOTsters *you know who you are* you will want to talk to Christie at Shawnee Honda   

Sorry this is a long post, but to answer the rest of your question Terry, it covers tow to : 1: nearest dealer regardless of distance; OR 2: dealer of choice or residence within 30 miles; OR 3:dealer of choice beyond 30 miles, with rider paying the difference. There is also extrication assistance, the coverage stays with the bike no matter who is riding it (with permission of course), up to 4 calls per year, and fluid delivery up to 2 gallons.

Umm... hope that answers your question 
Hop Along
PS I had a tow from Guymon, OK to Amarillo which was covered by the plan.  The tow operator showed me the $500 fee that I didn't have to pay.  Not bad.  I think I'll keep the plan!