1998 Virago 1100 - wouldn't idle - now hanging valve?

[steveb42]

I've seen a couple of questions about Viragos failing to idle after being left standing for a while.
I have a 1998 Virago 1100 with just 2500 miles on it. It's left standing for several months at a time between rides. I decided to sell it last month - I took it out for a run to make sure it was running OK, then advertised it. A couple of weeks later, I had someone come round to buy it. As I warmed it up, it wouldn't idle. I took it to a local shop, and they diagnosed clogged carbs, and charged me $400 to replace the jets.
So far so bad.

The mechanic then said there was a backfire in the cylinder, and loss of compression.
Then as he started the bike he heard a clanking noise in the cylinder.
His theory is there's a hanging valve, and has estimated $1900-$2800 to fix the problem.

The bike was in near-perfect condition when I put it up for sale, and I had a couple of takers at $3500.

So ... should I pay the shop to fix it and hope to recover some of my money?
Or sell it for spares?
Or take it to a different mechanic?

If the latter, does anyone know of a good Yamaha mechanic in the San Francisco Bay Area?

[stevepaige]

if it were mine i would sell it four parts. but thats my oppinion. i cant beleive he charged you that much.

[MMIvirago]

lol i think the mechanic is trying to make some money off you lol.. first of all back firing doesnt happen in the cylinder it happens in the air box, detonation happens in your cylinder, which is the fuel is igniting before its set ignition time, there are a few causes of that if its your problem. my guess would of been if it was sitting the carb are for sure clogged, u said he fixed that, but way over charged you for it. if its still having idleing problems, id say its not getting enough air if anything, to be honest i think you should have it estimated by another mechanic, these bikes are awesome no doubt

[bstig60]

Take it to another mechanic. If it isn't idling after setting for a while, it is likely the pilot jet or low speed jet in the carb. Replacing Main jets doesn't cure this. You have to clean the passage. I would say that the guy you took it to doesn't know what he is doing. As for the noise, Virago engines are not the quietest things around, so unless it is a loud knocking noise, just make sure you are getting oil to the upper end by cracking the oil line connections as instructed when you change the oil and ignore it. Go to www.drpiston.com and check out the diagrams and info on Mikuni carbs and you can see what I mean.

[bstig60]

I am coming to the Bay Area this weekend and will be glad to look at the bike for you if you wish. Let me know.

[bstig60]

Sorry I couldn't stop by this weekend. The weather sucked on Sunday and I had to leave on Monday morning. Can I help in any other way?

[jtsop]

If you still want to sell it the way it is let me know.Thanks