Engine rough idling when stopped

My dealership would not exchange the caps and let me install them myself. They said they would need the bike for three days and that if they ever find out that I replaced the caps myself or did any other work on the bike the would void what is left of the Honda warranty. I ordered then from a on line supplier and installed them myself. I found they are available at most any auto or motorcycle supply that sells NGK for any where from three to seven dollars. The number is NGK VD05F

Ron
 
Ron, your dealer is breaking federal law - they are not allowed to make the warranty conditional on having them do the work.
 
Ron,

Your dealer was way off base with that comment. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act a federal law, prohibits that type of warranty games. See here for more details...SEMA.
 
Even though the dealer looked my bike up in the computer and said it doesn't need the new plug caps, I have used the info in the service bulletin to check, and I do not have the updated caps that are described. I haven't had any trouble, though, so I think I will button it back up and try to have the new caps in hand next time I open things up.
 
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Well, I just ordered a pair of them off Amazon. Cost including shipping was $9.34. I could go over to the dealer and ask again, and I'm sure they'd get them for me, but it'll be two trips at least (one to order, one to pick up) and an argument over whether I'll let them install them. Paying nine dollars and having them sent to my house is a lot less troublesome.
 
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elizilla said:
Well, I just ordered a pair of them off Amazon. Cost including shipping was $9.34. I could go over to the dealer and ask again, and I'm sure they'd get them for me, but it'll be two trips at least (one to order, one to pick up) and an argument over whether I'll let them install them. Paying nine dollars and having them sent to my house is a lot less troublesome.
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Not having had the plastic off the NT so far Katherine, what do you think is involved in installing these? Take the panels off; pull the plug wires, un-screw the caps and screw new ones on?
 
Got a link for those at Amazon? I think I'll just throw a set in the tool bag.
 
What is involved in installing these?

Both of them are pretty well buried - you're not going to get at them without a lot more disassembly than what is shown in that service bulletin. And I do not believe that even the most amazing dealer mechanic is going to be able to change these things in 3/10 hour. I don't think a NASCAR pit crew could change them that fast. A really good wrench turner might be able to do it in an hour, if they were already familiar with the NT (not that anyone at any dealer is that familiar, but if they were...). Mere mortals like myself, well, it's several hours.

I had the big silver right side cowling piece off anyway to hunt for the coolant leak, so that made the front easier. When I checked the spark plugs at the 600 mile service, I got at the front plug from above, by lifting the tank; this is harder than coming in the side, but doable. The big piece of plastic is a pain to remove so if I hadn't had it off for the coolant leak I probably would have come in from the top again.

The rear can be seen and even touched, by simply taking off the black panel by the left knee. You could probably determine whether you have the updated plug caps just by looking and feeling that way. But getting it out without lifting the tank would be tough. I was lifting the tank anyway for my valve adjust, so I got it while I was in there.

The spark plugs were a good color and their gaps were still in spec, btw - but since they're so hard to reach I changed them anyway. Long as I'm in there, y'know.

I just googled "NGK VD05F" and it came back with a dozen places selling them. After I ordered the ones off Amazon I looked at some of the other hits and they were even cheaper.
 
Thank you Katherine. I don't even know if I would want my dealer to do this even to save me the hassle. Right now I'm thinking I might make a list of things to check when I have the bike apart.
Check and adjust valves.
Replace Caps and Spark plugs
Run farkle wire.....
 
My dealer called Monday and said he had a pair for me and to let him know when I was coming in to get them installed. He guessed about an hour after talking to the mechanic who has done all the work on my bike so far.
 
The right side plug is fairly easy to access but the left side is another story - neither are something I'd like to do in a hotel parking lot or at roadside. The left side is pretty much a straight shot once the plastic is removed but the right side takes some fiddling. I had the plugs out when I did a valve adj as it makes it much easier to turn the engine and have it stop at the exact TR or TF mark. I used a normal plug socket with a short 3/8" "wobble" extension + rachet and it worked fine. By the way, the improved parts have raised letters with "NGK" on the side and there is also a raised, stiffening rib where the plug cap makes a turn. I looked at the right cap on my bike and it is the old style but so far (9k) they have not caused any problems and I rode it last summer to Taos where we often had stop-and-go traffic in the afternoon with temps in the high-80s or low-90s. I may change them before riding to Nova Scotia this summer?
 
Oops, I had it reversed. The left side plug is a straight shot and the right side takes some fiddling. Sorry!
 
Yeah, if you are removing the spark plugs, it's a 16mm deep well socket, and a wobble extension, and another straight extension, to get at them. Once I get them loosened, I pull the wrench out and push a piece of tubing onto the spark plug and turn it out with that. I also use my piece of tubing to get the new spark plug threaded and most of the way in, and just use the wrench to tighten it. But if you're just changing the caps, you don't have to get the spark plugs out, so that's a little easier.
 
Just finished reading "The whole thing"
I have a hard time believing that most dealerships are out to rob us. My experience with the two Honda dealers in our area have been quite good.

Comments concerning Synthetics: If the oil meets JASO-MA standards, it is fine. Anything that says "Energy Conserving" is not. You will find "Energy Conserving" in the lower half of the circle that says "API Application" I ran Rotella T6 Synthetic in my Ninja. The Ninja revs to 13000RPM. I never ran it below 7000RPM.It also has a wet clutch. At the 12000Mi service the valves needed a slight adjustment and showed no signs of wear. I also use Rotella T6 in my Turbo Diesel. The engine has 130,000mi on the clock. Oil changes are every 6,000mi. The nice part is that the oil comes out a nice honey color on the bike. On the truck it does come out black. Diesels are a different breed of cat.
 
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Phil Tarman said:
Warren, you said, "$360 including parts and labor for the valve adjustment and the oil change."

That's a bit more than I was charged. I think they charged me $315. But there shouldn't be any parts for the valve adjustment. Were you talking about the oil filter and maybe crush washers? That's the only parts I can think of that you might have bought.
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parts were for the OC. Labor was for both
 
This thread is for the spark plug cap issue. Let's not confuse it by talking about oil choices and valve adjustments - we have other threads for that. :)
 
elizilla said:
Yeah, if you are removing the spark plugs, it's a 16mm deep well socket, and a wobble extension, and another straight extension, to get at them. Once I get them loosened, I pull the wrench out and push a piece of tubing onto the spark plug and turn it out with that. I also use my piece of tubing to get the new spark plug threaded and most of the way in, and just use the wrench to tighten it. But if you're just changing the caps, you don't have to get the spark plugs out, so that's a little easier.
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I just wanted to get a stamped socket wrench for the NT but you're the first to identify the size. Thank you.
My dealer called this morning and told me the new caps are in (even though I ordered some yesterday from Amazon) and asked me when I wanted then installed. I have a date with the dealer for 9AM Saturday morning. I can go close buy, get some breakfast, two for one shots of tequila, gamble or watch a matinee while Honda struggles with the panels. I'm not ready for the hassle yet. : )
 
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