Are our valve shims/pads stackable

[tejkowskit]

I'm in the process of doing a valve check this weekend, and unfortunately every single one of my exhaust valves has too much clearance. No adjustments are needed for intake as loosest is 0.007" and tightest is 0.006". My tightest exhaust is 0.022" and loosest is 0.028". I am convinced there was an error in production since every exhaust valve is so close in the range of 0.022-0.028".

I haven't taken the buckets off yet to see what size shim (if any) is under the bucket but just a general question before I remove the buckets and go to my local shops in search for the correct shim sizes. So my question is can I stack the shims for our bike, or do I have to replace with a single shim of the correct thickness?

Measurements (in US customary units. Not metric)
Exhaust: 1a- .022 1b- .026 2a- .027 2b- .026 3a- .024 3b- .028 4a- .027 4b- .022:

Intake: 1a- .007 1b- .007 2a- .007 2b- .007 3a- .006 3b- .006 4a- .007 4b- .006

Edit: how to: adjustment here http://www.600riders.com/forum/how-to-s-/53398-valve-clearance-adjustment.html#post589932

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

The shop manual doesn't address stacking shims. I wouldn't think it'd be an issue. Make sure the buckets aren't dished (not likely).

I agree with you, I suspect there's probably NO shims under any of the exhaust buckets with all of them being out.

Valves tighten up with age (unless super carboned up), not loosen up, especially that much..

IMO, pull the cam, buckets and see whats in (or not) in there.

You have all the spec's already recorded..

Good luck and please post what you find..

 

[tejkowskit]

The shop manual doesn't address stacking shims. I wouldn't think it'd be an issue. Make sure the buckets aren't dished (not likely).

Thanks! As you said, I have the measurements; I'll just have to see what's under the bucketsand figure out the difference and get the right size.

Valves tighten up with age (unless super carboned up), not loosen up, especially that much..

Right! They open in the rarest of conditions. And the motor is very clean. Not carboned up as you mentioned.


I'm getting back out there today. I'll post up what I find. Thanks!

 

[iSteve]

I've not done shims on my FZ6 but on other bikes I have and you could not stack shims.

 

[tejkowskit]

After seeing our setup I have answered my own question. Do not stack shims. It would make no sense to even if it were safe to do so. Update and valve adjustment how to with lots of pics to come.

 

[FinalImpact]

^^ Fact is you can't with oem materials.. I Don't have the shim heights before me but in terms of % change needed vs overall height there is no need for such things. If you find that you're out of adjustment after measuring what you have in their now, now you have issues...
FWIW: on a cage i added shim stock to valvetrain just like ours. The key being 1) there was no oem shim to make up the excessive lash, 2) the added shim could not escape.
Let us know what values you find among the exh shims installed.
Also - can you hear tapping sounds from excessive lash?

 

[tejkowskit]

^^ Fact is you can't with oem materials.. I Don't have the shim heights before me but in terms of % change needed vs overall height there is no need for such things. If you find that you're out of adjustment after measuring what you have in their now, now you have issues...
FWIW: on a cage i added shim stock to valvetrain just like ours. The key being 1) there was no oem shim to make up the excessive lash, 2) the added shim could not escape.
Let us know what values you find among the exh shims installed.
Also - can you hear tapping sounds from excessive lash?

The bike has sounded the same since the day I got it 3 years ago. Bought with 2500mi now has 27000. I have nothing to compare it to as I've never heard another fz6 run except in youtube videos.

I was able to get the correct size shims at my local dealer. Putting back in and will remeasure and post up. :thumbup:

Edit: didn't really answer your question. Yes there was a bit of 'ticking', but as I mentioned I had nothing to compare to. Everyone says how the fz6 'tick' is normal so I thought it to be normal.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I was able to get the correct size shims at my local dealer. Putting back in and will remeasure and post up. :thumbup:

We're there shims in there?

 

[tejkowskit]

We're there shims in there?

Yes. Ranging from 1.78mm to 1.81mm. Either every exhaust valve loosened roughly the same amount (hard to believe), or the factory didn't set the proper clearance.

 

[tejkowskit]

Installing the shims


New exhaust measurements with new shims:
1a-0.27mm 1b-0.32mm 2a-0.30mm 2b-0.25mm 3a-0.27mm 3b-0.30 4a-0.30 4b-0.25mm

I know I know 1b is over by two hundredths of a mm, but I'm leaving it! :spank: Nay say me all you want, I'm comfortable with it.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Thanks for the pic.

I didn't realize the shim sat inside the "retainer" (and no, I've never had to adjust the FZ valve shims yet), thus no stacking...

Makes sense.. :thumbup:

 

[tejkowskit]

Thanks for the pic.

I didn't realize the shim sat inside the "retainer" (and no, I've never had to adjust the FZ valve shims yet), thus no stacking...

Makes sense.. :thumbup:

Yeah and the shims they gave me at the shop are pretty snug compared to the ones put in by the factory. I hope I'll be able to get them out if I need to for the next adjustment.

The shims sit in that recession and as you can see in this picture on the underside of the the bucket there is a raised circular spot that sits on the shim.

 

[FinalImpact]

Spec:
Valve clearance (cold)
Intake 0.13–0.20 mm (0.0051–0.0079 in)

Exhaust: 0.23–0.30 mm (0.0091–0.0118 in)


AS FOUND:

Measurements
Intake: 1a- .007 1b- .007 2a- .007 2b- .007 3a- .006 3b- .006 4a- .007 4b- .006

Exhaust: 1a- .022 1b- .026 2a- .027 2b- .026 3a- .024 3b- .028 4a- .027 4b- .022:

AS LEFT:

Installing the shims
New exhaust measurements with new shims:
1a-0.27mm 1b-0.32mm 2a-0.30mm 2b-0.25mm 3a-0.27mm 3b-0.30 4a-0.30 4b-0.25mm

You gonna do anything with the intake?

 

[tejkowskit]

You gonna do anything with the intake?

No they're all within spec. I took the buckets of to record what size shims are under each to assist in my next valve check.