My Kwak ate my valve shims

My ZX-6R had 8 shims replaced at its 24k mile service. Now, 8k miles
later, *15* have been replaced.

So the question is whether this is normal for a 7 year old 6R, is it a
sign of something more serious going wrong (mechanical or riding style)
or is the garage having a larf at my expense[1]?

Cheers.

Chris
Significantly poorer than he was this morning....

[1] 44 GBP per hour labour FFS!!! I'm in the wrong job!

 

Don't know if it's normal or not, SWK will be along it a tick. Ask for
the worn shims, that way you at least know they may have been changed.

If only the mechanic got that, it's more likely ~£7ph. Last time I was
contracting I charged a lot more than £44ph and if my employers now
charged a customer for my time it would be >£100ph.

 

This is definately *not* normal.

There could be something wrong with the top-end lubrication, poor oil or
partially blocked feed.

I'd ask the dealer to tell you what was replaced with what, as there's a lot
you can tell if they were all tight or loose (e.g. worn cams or pocketing
valves). It also challenges them to justify the bill.

 

Hmmm...makes sense.

I'll give them a call Monday and see if they can tell me.

Cheers.

 

[snippety snip]

Thanks for the comments, guys. At least it makes me feel a bit better,
even if my credit card doesn't.

Chris

 

Depends if the valve clearances were closed up, or opened up dunnit?
Opened up clearances are usually down to lobe or shim wear, closed up
clearances usually speaks of valve seat wear.

 

Hang on, why does it make a huge diff to your credit card bill. AIUI, all
the work goes into "checking" the valve clearances. If they're out, the cost
of a replacement shim is not a huge amount.

I recall none needed doing on my 8k service on the old 6R, and 12 or so
needed doing on the 16k.

I felt more ripped off at the 8k service when they checked them, and said
none needed doing, and I'd paid the best part of £300 for that privilege. At
least if they change some, you can justify the cost IYSWIM.

 

I think mine charge me out at 106 quid an hour, and I'm only a unix
monkey kind of thing.

 

Kiran fumbled, fiddled and fingered:

Checking is not too bad a job but if any require replacement then I'm
gussing they're under the buckets so require the cams out to change
which is a bit more labour intensive.

<snip>



--
Steve Parry
K100RS SE & F650
and a 520i SE Touring for comfort

(not forgetting the SK90PY)

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

 

While it's true that the shop keeps the old ones and *may* have the
right sizes in their little tray, or be able to swap them around
within the same engine to a certain extent, the shims are actually
fucking expensive.

 

Well, I personally would have no clue but went on what I was told and what
my service bills were. 8k service for the 6R where none were changed was
£260. 16k service where most of them needed doing, £280. So go work that
out. And that's from a "trusted" [1] Kwak dealer.

[1] nods to Blaney.

 

Excluding the first free service I've always used fully synch, the
difference in cost is minimal, at least with Halfrauds on brand.

 

<winks>

It's a while since we've wheeled out that old chestnut!

 

<sums>

122 here, but my employer's employer charges me out at around 250 per
hour!

 

I don't get charged out at all any more, but when I did my record was
£2.5K a day.. £125/hr was the average though.

I actually like the whole being charged out thing as it makes pay
negotiations much easier.

 

You're probably right. They just average it out.

Still, swings and roundabouts. When I had the dynojet kit fitted on the 6R,
it was on the dyno for ages until it was right. Yet I still paid a fixed fee
and nowhere near the number of hours they spent.