How does this engine sound?

[jonclegg]

I changed my plugs a week ago and the valves got noticeably louder. Turns out of didn't torque them down very well and after it quited down. The problem is now I just hear the valves and it sounds loud to me, but maybe i'm crazy.

Is this ticking too loud? Otherwise the engine runs fine, though it does always smell a bit like gas and gets pretty bad milages, around 30mpg.



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thanks,

[CMReynolds1]

I thought I heard some ticking that may not be correct. If you are smelling gas you best find the issue. Nothing like a Goldwing Zippo on the side of the road. I smelled gas in an old rod of mine when I was a kid. Didn't do anything about it and bang, LIGHT MY FIRE. Hence, if I smell it I find it. Food for thought. I do recall that my 82 sounded like a Singer sewing machine, no other noises. But that was new and well cared for. But I bet you can get it back there too.

[jonclegg]

I *think* the gas smell is from a old gas cap gasket, it really doesn't seat down much. I can't find any gas leaks anywhere else. I have one on order so I'll see after that.

[HawkeyeGL1200]

How did the plugs look when you changed them? If they were black or sooty, you could be in need of a carb synch or you may have raw gas running into a cylinder when the engine is running... that will make the engine buck, pop and snort when at lower speeds... and will certain contribute to poor fuel economy.

[jonclegg]

They looked great when I pulled them, I probably shouldn't have even put in the new ones. I have gotten puffs of smoke when starting it, but it goes away instantly, It's not everytime, it may depend on the weather and how long it's sat.

I checked the carbs to see if they were leaking, I poked around the lines and tank, no signs of any leaks. It smells more like gas when i'm running it, then just sitting there.

I'll try checking the valves tomorrow, the guy I bought it from said he checked them within the last 3-4k, but he also said he likes to lean towards making them loose since it's less harmful than getting them too tight.

Back to the first question, do the valves sound especially chatty to anyone else?

[dingdong]

I do hear some tapping that sounds like loose valve adjustment. Re-adjust the valves to the "exact" specs. That's just stupid what that other guy said about adjusting on the loose side.

[HawkeyeGL1200]

I didn't watch the video last night. I watched this morning, and while your valve clearance may not be correct, I believe you have something going on with your fuel system (too?).

Take Tom's advice and set the valve clearance to specifications in the Honda Manual.

Seriously, beg borrow or steal a set of vacuum gauges and synchronize the carburetors. There's at least one (in my opinion) that isn't working right. It could be balance, low speed (idle jets) jets are plugged some, or some other source of the "thump" I hear.

You all probably think I'm crazy by now, but there's an absence of something in there that I think is gas related.

[f1xrupr]

I think it sounds pretty good-valves do need adjusting. I think if you adjust your valves, your fuel mileage would improve-try highway testing, not city-makes a huge difference on my 1100.

[jonclegg]

Well I adjusted the valves, and they were pretty much dead on. It sounds exactly the same.

What I DID find is that the right cover has a threaded bolt. It doesn't leak thank god, but It's way louder on that side so I think maybe it's louder simply because the seal isn't torqued down as much as it should be? I hope that's it, because it's driving me totally nuts.