Posted by Bryan on May 5, 2006, 7:50 am
Dan wrote:
> I just bought a 1985 Virago that has 8,000 miles on it, so it has sat many
> years not being used. I have got it running pretty good, oil change, fuel
> system cleaning, etc, but I have two nagging issues that I am not sure what
> is happening. First, it back fires a lot when idling, but has power to spare
> when I get on it. Second problem happens when engine gets warm, there is a
> "clicking/rattling" sound as the RPMs get over 3,000. I am in El Paso, so
> temps are now in the 90s. Morning cool weather, the rattle is very rare, but
> afternoon heat it gets real loud. Wouldn't valve clearance issues be a
> constant noise, meaning even when cold engine? Could the cam chain be the
> issue here? Any ideas of where to go would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks Dan
>
>
Dan,
do a web search for Virago Owners Club. There is a lot of free help in
there to help keep the Virago's running. Bry
Posted by LittleJohn on May 5, 2006, 5:47 pm
On Fri, 05 May 2006 11:50:55 +0000, Bryan wrote:
> That Dan wrote:
>> I just bought a 1985 Virago that has 8,000 miles on it, so it has sat many
>> years not being used. I have got it running pretty good, oil change, fuel
>> system cleaning, etc, but I have two nagging issues that I am not sure what
>> is happening. First, it back fires a lot when idling, but has power to spare
>> when I get on it.
Virago engines are notorious for backfiring on deceleration, but not
during idle. They also are known for carb problems after improper storage.
I had the same problem with my 920 and cleared it with carb cleaner, the
little wires out of baggie twist ties, and a lot of patience.
Second problem happens when engine gets warm, there is a
>> "clicking/rattling" sound as the RPMs get over 3,000. I am in El Paso, so
>> temps are now in the 90s. Morning cool weather, the rattle is very rare, but
>> afternoon heat it gets real loud. Wouldn't valve clearance issues be a
>> constant noise, meaning even when cold engine? Could the cam chain be the
>> issue here? Any ideas of where to go would be greatly appreciated.
This may not be a problem. This engine tends to get a bit noisy when it
gets hot. I bought my 82 new and it always rattled a bit when hot. I
suggest you do a valve clearance adjustment and see if that doesn't
quieten it down.
> Dan,
> do a web search for Virago Owners Club. There is a lot of free help in
> there to help keep the Virago's running. Bry
Only if you like being forced to give out personal info and being blasted
with adverts. There are lots of sources on the web. One good one, for
example is:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ridevirago/tech.htm
--
LittleJohn
Madison, AL
Posted by Dan on May 7, 2006, 12:15 pm
Just a little update. I checked the valve clearance this week and found the
rear cylinder's intake clearance to be excessively wide. I adjusted it and
the noise I was hearing has stopped. We have not had the over 90 weather
since I made the adjustment, but I am pretty confident that this will
resolve that issue.
As for the backfiring, I am going to attempt a carb sync this week. We'll
see how that goes.
Thanks all for responding, it always helps to get others experiences.
Dan
> On Fri, 05 May 2006 11:50:55 +0000, Bryan wrote:
>> That Dan wrote:
>>> I just bought a 1985 Virago that has 8,000 miles on it, so it has sat
>>> many
>>> years not being used. I have got it running pretty good, oil change,
>>> fuel
>>> system cleaning, etc, but I have two nagging issues that I am not sure
>>> what
>>> is happening. First, it back fires a lot when idling, but has power to
>>> spare
>>> when I get on it.
> Virago engines are notorious for backfiring on deceleration, but not
> during idle. They also are known for carb problems after improper storage.
> I had the same problem with my 920 and cleared it with carb cleaner, the
> little wires out of baggie twist ties, and a lot of patience.
> Second problem happens when engine gets warm, there is a
>>> "clicking/rattling" sound as the RPMs get over 3,000. I am in El Paso,
>>> so
>>> temps are now in the 90s. Morning cool weather, the rattle is very rare,
>>> but
>>> afternoon heat it gets real loud. Wouldn't valve clearance issues be a
>>> constant noise, meaning even when cold engine? Could the cam chain be
>>> the
>>> issue here? Any ideas of where to go would be greatly appreciated.
> This may not be a problem. This engine tends to get a bit noisy when it
> gets hot. I bought my 82 new and it always rattled a bit when hot. I
> suggest you do a valve clearance adjustment and see if that doesn't
> quieten it down.
>> Dan,
>> do a web search for Virago Owners Club. There is a lot of free help in
>> there to help keep the Virago's running. Bry
> Only if you like being forced to give out personal info and being blasted
> with adverts. There are lots of sources on the web. One good one, for
> example is:
> http://home.earthlink.net/~ridevirago/tech.htm
> --
> LittleJohn
> Madison, AL
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> years not being used. I have got it running pretty good, oil change, fuel
> system cleaning, etc, but I have two nagging issues that I am not sure what
> is happening. First, it back fires a lot when idling, but has power to spare
> when I get on it. Second problem happens when engine gets warm, there is a
> "clicking/rattling" sound as the RPMs get over 3,000. I am in El Paso, so
> temps are now in the 90s. Morning cool weather, the rattle is very rare, but
> afternoon heat it gets real loud. Wouldn't valve clearance issues be a
> constant noise, meaning even when cold engine? Could the cam chain be the
> issue here? Any ideas of where to go would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks Dan
>
>
Dan,