Valve adjustment

[agasperino]

I have a 2013 RT limited and
After finding out how much my 2 year service will be in the spring thought I would ask if anyone had any pointers on doing your own valve adjustment.

 

[DrewNJ]

Checking the valves is actually really easy. Adjusting them if needed is a bit of a pain but not all bad if you take your time.
This should get you going in the right direction... http://home.comcast.net/~sl_mille/valves.html

 

[chuck gross]

Unless you have over 25,000 miles on your motor or it is knocking you shouldn't need to adjust your valves. Or you are just looking for some wrenching to do :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

I posted the following information in another thread requesting valve adjustment information. Hope you find it helpful.

I did valves on my 2008 at 12,000 miles--cost about $800 extra.
I did valves on my 2010 at 28,000 miles--cost about $800 extra.
I do not plan on having the valves on my 2011 checked until about 50,000 miles or more.

In both cases, neither :spyder2: had to have actual valve adjustment. The mechanic failed to put a new gasket on the 2010 after the valve adjustment. The :ani29: begin to leak and was brought back to the dealer for a re-do. That $800 was on them.

Valve adjustment service is a owner call. Have never heard that failure to perform the service was a cause for warranty issues. The new 1330's do not require valve adjustment service. Many of us think that valve adjustment on the 998's was a CYA thing.

If you are experiencing knocking etc.--then it may be worth having the service performed at recommended intervals.

 

[jerpinoy]

I posted the following information in another thread requesting valve adjustment information. Hope you find it helpful.

I did valves on my 2008 at 12,000 miles--cost about $800 extra.
I did valves on my 2010 at 28,000 miles--cost about $800 extra.
I do not plan on having the valves on my 2011 checked until about 50,000 miles or more.

In both cases, neither :spyder2: had to have actual valve adjustment. The mechanic failed to put a new gasket on the 2010 after the valve adjustment. The :ani29: begin to leak and was brought back to the dealer for a re-do. That $800 was on them.

Valve adjustment service is a owner call. Have never heard that failure to perform the service was a cause for warranty issues. The new 1330's do not require valve adjustment service. Many of us think that valve adjustment on the 998's was a CYA thing.

If you are experiencing knocking etc.--then it may be worth having the service performed at recommended intervals.

Nice to know and thanks a million.

 

[Chupaca]

Try this..!!

a mechanics stethescope...listen to the valves and if there is no significant difference between them you are fine. Got 24,000 miles/2+ years and all is well...:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

I find it tough to tell somebody to NOT pay attention to what's in the manuals... :shocked:
But based upon the experiences that I've read about in here; I'll tell you that I did NOT have my 2010's Valves checked at the suggested intervals...
It appears that you can safely go at least twice as far as they have suggested; keeping in mind that you'll want to take notice of any changes in how the bike runs or sounds along the way.:thumbup:

 

[AbNormy]

How long has anyone gone before they checked them and did they need adjustment? Dealer check mine @ 14 k got 31 now hope to keep this, till it's paid for at least!

 

[ARtraveler]

How long has anyone gone before they checked them and did they need adjustment? Dealer check mine @ 14 k got 31 now hope to keep this, till it's paid for at least!

I am guessing I may be one of the beta testers when it comes to valve jobs. (Post #4 Above) Based on what I have found so far, I am going to hold off for 50,000 miles or so on my 2011--unless noises or different operation of the :spyder2: occur. 16,000 miles in two years of ownership so it may be another 4 years before I can give my next report--if all goes well--of course. :roflblack:

 

[AbNormy]

[emoji1]

 

[BikerDoc]

The best tech I know has checked two Spyders over 100,000 miles each and not found a need for an adjustment.
BRP is very conservative with respect to maintenance and up to a point I appreciate that but experience has shown this to largely be a waste of money. I had my 2010 checked once and my 2012 checked once and that was in a collective 75000 miles.. no adjustment needed

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm pretty sure that Spyderjockey got to 53,000 miles, and his were still good to go! :thumbup:

 

[DrewNJ]

I'll probably check mine over next winters down time anyway. Not a difficult or expensive diy. I guess I'd rather know for sure first hand...

 

[finless]

I'll probably check mine over next winters down time anyway. Not a difficult or expensive diy. I guess I'd rather know for sure first hand...

I am debating to do my own 14K service or have the dealer do it. I have done all my own so far. I know I can do the valve check myself but with all the other stuff to do, I might just take the easy way out. My only worry is they don't put it back together right

Bob

 

[SPYD3R]

REGULAR MAINTENANCE

i've brought mY '09 RS in for regular maintenance PER THE BOOK for the 1st 36,000 miles...
twice during that time, there was a 'scheduled' valve adjustment requirement... and BOTH TIMES, i was told that my valves were 'PERFECTLY ADJUSTED'...
NOT to say you, or anyone else should ignore this part of a scheduled maintenance, but i'll take my chances from now on, and forgo this portion... especially considering the cost...
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R

 

[DrewNJ]

I am debating to do my own 14K service or have the dealer do it. I have done all my own so far. I know I can do the valve check myself but with all the other stuff to do, I might just take the easy way out. My only worry is they don't put it back together right

Bob

I hear ya on that Bob. Doing the job correctly and getting everything back together right is my biggest fear as well, if the dealer has to do anything....and we have a good dealer too!

If I had to pay for the dealer to do it I'd probably skip it, but we end up with a few months where it's basically unrideable anyway. It's always the best time to get some maintenance or mod work done.
I guess it's one of the benefits of winter? ?..