Hi, I have taken the car to a Yamaha dealer (official) here in Budapest so that they check the engine - bought from a scrappy.
The engine runs, works, has a claimed 8.000 kms in it, but wanted to be sure.
I left the car there, because they said they need a cold engine to measure the valve clearances, and by the time I got back they said they were finished - I couldn't check if they opened the rocker cover at all...
Apparently my valve clearences (Intake) are mostly out of tolerances (larger mainly), and the dealer says that the engine is part of a series of R1 engines that had faulty valves installed, so these have to be changed. They say the material was not good enough, hence the reason for the incorrect clearences.
One thing that is worrying however is that I asked them to check if based on the engine number they can verify if indeed it was part of the faulty series, and they responded that they would need the chassis number for that, but since I don't have the chassis, they can not check... I am pretty sure they would be able to find the corresponding chassis No. based on the engine No. if they wanted, right?
So my question: Has anyone heard of such a valve issue with the 5VY (2004-2006) R1?
Or can someone maybe check with a UK Yamaha dealer?
I have a strange feeling that they might not be right and trying to rip me off by selling me a complete valve set with all the small parts, etc. plus labour (around 500 quid all in).
Thanks for your help!
Gergely

Only recalls I can see on google are for
throttle position sensor & front brake levers

GeorgeM

Yes I've heard of this problem, here is a little video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lz9GLMH_2w

Cheers
David

There's a big difference here between a Recall and Warranty.

Recalls are pretty much always safety related and the manufacturer is legally obliged to recall all vehicles that may be affected once a saftey related defect has been identified.

The case of excessive valve wear would be a warranty issue and as that has expired there would be be no obligation on the part of the manufacturer/importer.

In your case I would simply speak to the Yamaha importer and ask if your motor is affected by any Technical Bulletins. As the importer is not liable to pay for, or profit from, the repairs they should give you an honest anwer.

Lastly, I believe that Yamahas engine nos match the chassis nos. It certainly was the case a few years ago. Again the importer has no reason to BS you on this question either.

If you can't find a reliable answer then come back to me. I have a pal who is a Yamaha dealer here in France whom I could ask if you get stuck.

Cheers,

Mike

there were some recalls i remember, but im not 100% sure what they were for...
I cant get in touch now cause im out the country, but carrick yamaha in edinburgh are very good, I took my engine number to them and got a full history on my engines on the spot. their number is +441314777474

I hadn't heard of that recal or issue, the only one i knew about was the TPS problem which george already mentioned.

i would get the car home and check the valve clearences for myself and see if they are indeed out.
then maybe shim them yourself


ETA

i did a trackday last friday Gergely, after doing the breather mod, i didn't really need to top up with any oil throughout the day( just had some oil from breather filter on the cover might use a catch tank next time) and that was with maxing out most of the gears!! so thats thats good news for when you get back on track

[Edited on 31/7/09 by Johneturbo]

Thanks guys! I will check the links at home.
I have checked with two other, independent Yamaha mechanics suggested by some friends and they both said that the story the Yamaha dealer told me is somewhat weird. I will go to one of them, an old racing team mate of my brother, so I can trust him, and will have the valve clearances checked with me on the spot. If they are different than the ones the Yamaha dealer gave me, I will go back to them for my money...

But the horrible thing is that when I got home from the Yamaha dealer, I realised at home that my front bottom wishbones are bent... both of them... and quite badly in fact...

If it turns out that the Yamaha dealer lied to me about the valves, how can I be sure that they have not done something to the car?
I have not left the keys or the master switch there, but surely a Yamaha dealership will have someone who can "sort it"... and go for a ride... I know ķi have not driven the car at speed and only on the road, and I have worked on the front of the car two days before and I know the bends were not there...
I am gutted... I hope I will know more next week...

Johneturbo, thanks, that is great news! I am glad the mods worked out. This is really all thanks to road warrior (Greg and Sonja from Redback Motorsports), Andy at AB performance and quite a few other helpful people, too...
I can't wait to take the car on track but I need to sort the wishbones and the valve question first...
Thanks!
Gergely

Dear Gergely,

Was the engine warm or cold when you returned to the Yamaha dealer?

I am sorry to hear of your troubles.

RANT WARNING
For what its worth Suzuki can't get anything from an engine number, they always need a chassis number (or registration number). When will these people manage to sort out their databases, it isn't like they have loads of numbers (perhaps 100,000 numbers at most, you could pretty much do that in excel!). RANT OFF.

Matt

Valve clearances would surely get smaller as the valve bangs against the valve seat causing it and the valve to wear and close the gap?
The excess clearance can normally be cured with different size shims under the buckets. Haynes manuals have a chart for working out what size shim you need to replace the existing one with.





[Edited on 31/7/09 by stuart_g]

Thanks guys. I have checked with two other Yamaha mechanics over the phone, they both thought what I was told was rubbish, so will take the car to one of them soon to check the clearances.
The engine was cold when I returned to see the car...
And it seems the bent wishbone is due to the current spring / damper setup being incorrect, the damper bottoms out before the spring actually moves through its travel. We are sorting it with MNR at the moment.
Gergely

I don't know if your particular engine has this problem, but it is a known problem. I remember it clearly

Cheers
David