Cam gear questions

[Gazaragi]

Hi All,

Wonder if anyone of you more experienced guys can help.

I've had some issues with oil leaks, where the bolt that holds the cam gear drive in place on the rear cylinder bank works loose (or snaps) and the engine starts leaking from the hole on the side near the top of the V.

I'm going tr try and replace the large double cogged drive gear, which may not be seating properly and causing undue vibration.

There are a few cam gear drives on ebay, but...

1. Is the part the same for the front bank of cylinders as the rear?
2. does anyone know a part number?
3. does anyone have one they would sell - in good condition obviously.

Example of the gear is here to help my bad explanation. https://flic.kr/p/wecbws

Many thanks for your help
Gaz

[TyeNoodle]

Not sure if they are the same front and rear, but I have a couple of sets spare.

Cheers
Paul

[Neosophist]

The bolt snaps? I think there is something seriosuly wrong with your bike.

The only way I can see the bolt snapping is if the camgear isnt bolted in properly and is moving causing the bolt to snap.

Ive ridden more Honda V4's than I can remember and never had one ever have any trouble with that bolt, more to the point i've NEVER heard anyone have anyything remotely similar.

It does sound liek you ahve some cam-gear movement causing the bolt to wrok loose / snap.. frankly you shouldnt be riding this bike at all.

Are your cam gears bolted in properly? your not trying to hold it in with just cams and that little bolt?

Front at rear are different I think as the locating lug is in different place.. you can soon tell on yours, remove them both and try swapping them over...

[Gazaragi]

Interesting reply.

unfortunately I noticed the bike leaking soon after I bought it. It was one of many problems. However after sorting everything else, electrics, suspension, breaks. This issue is persistent.

When I first investigate the leak, the bolt had snapped so I went into the engine took out the cam gear drive and drifted the broken end out of where it enters the cam gear and replaced it.

It was fine for a while then leaked.

It's come loose two more times since then (both times after being ridden hard). It's had original Honda bolts to the required 12nm of torque and last time some red locktite too - but the leak is back.

The gears appear to seat OK and look in good condition. They are only secured with that one bolt (as per the diagrams so nothing dodgy) but clearly something is very wrong to cause the issue to persist. Hence the change of cams.

Appreciate the feedback.

TyeNoodle I'll dm about those parts

[hunter]

The gears will fit either way,There's been no mention of the copper washer that's fitted under the 6mm bolt,
This is what stops the oil leaking out.

[Gazaragi]

The good news is that I fitted a new copper crush washer (Honda oem) and red locktite. But the issue still persists.

[Neosophist]

The cam gear is not only secure by one bolt, they are secured by 4 big beeft bolts in the top end and then that small locating set bolt in the side of the head. Also they are also NOT interchangable.

The issue persists because as I said something is seriosuly wrong with that engine. The only way that bolt is coming loose is if the camgears have movement in them and they should not, which means something is really amiss.

If you havn't shagged the bolt hole and can tighten it to the proper low torque it requies then it should NOT come undone.

Are you really saying if you remove the cams and that little bolt you can take the cam-gears out? Thats not right and potentially dangerous as the cam-gears can move. Yes they are under-tension from the cams but they are not secure.

Yes cam gears will phsyically fit but they are different, read the parts book or the service manual (it's on the website for FREE )


Heres some tip

when the identification mark is not clear, the gear case can be identified by the sub gear of the second (lower) gear.
When the sub gear is towards you-

the front cylinder:-the sub gear is off the the left side from the main gear
the rear cylinder:-the sub gear is off to the right side from the main gear'





As you can see per the service book, to remove the cam-gears you need to remove the 4 securing bolts and then the 1 set bolt (set bolt is the pissy one on the side your having trouble with)

Usuaully its the other way around when people are moving cam-gear.. they remove the 4 beefy bolts and then cant work out why the cam-gear wont come loose beucase they miss the set bolt.

[Gazaragi]

Thanks Neosophist, this makes sense. You are correct, the gear is also secured by the four bolts on top as you described and pictured. There doesn't appear to be any play when they are all torqued down and with the side bolt it in place.

But clearly there must be some movement or vibration causing the problem. I'll take everything out, check that I've not missed something obvious and change to a new cam gear. If this doesn't fix the issue, it will be a real head scratcher.

Time for another dismantle...

[Neosophist]

Ah you have the 4 bolts in. thats good!

Make sure you have the front and rear in the proper order...

[vfrman]

The good news is that I fitted a new copper crush washer (Honda oem) and red locktite. But the issue still persists.

I think I'd call that bad news.