Reliability of a OHC vs OHV engine?

Question

I have a 125cc OHC engined Honda called an e-Storm in South Africa (just called a Storm in some countries).

I have read that the OHV engine in the Honda CG is bulletproof. How is a OHC in terms of reliability? I have also seen that if the cam chain (if that is the correct part) in a OHC engine breaks that it will basically mess up your whole engine.

I also want to know how often this happens? I am planning on servicing the bike myself (atleast the basics like oil, etc) and want to know how NOT to let this happen, how often the Cam chain needs adjusting or how you can see that it does.

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Generally, chain cam drives are very reliable (only gear drives are more robust), especially those of duplex type (double-width link chains). Longer drives have a pressure pad or roller on the slack side (usually spring loaded and adjustable to some extent). They are usually not replaced as a regular maintenance (or at very long intervals as compared for the timing belts).

Their wear can be assessed by a slightly irregular engine operation and some noise from the mechanism caused by the chain extending and the sprockets teeth becoming thinner.

When replacing the chain, be sure to replace also both sprockets and the roller. Adjust the roller, if applicable, after 1,000...2,000 km of operation.

Chains are unlikely to break (it may happen with timing belts). In most cases that means a major engine damage as pistons clash with valves. Accurate maintenance reduces this risk to the minimum.

Answer 2

Ohv Vs Ohc

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Reliability of a OHC vs OHV engine?

I have a 125cc OHC engined Honda called an e-Storm in South Africa (just called a Storm in some countries).



I have read that the OHV engine in the Honda CG is bulletproof. How is a OHC in terms of reliability? I have also seen that if the cam chain (if that is the correct part) in a OHC engine...

Answer 4

When I was in school, back in the late 1960s, all the production motorcycles in the world were 2 valves per cylinder, OHV. Honda came out with a 450 twin that everyone was talking about, a 'revolutionary new design'.. It had 4 valves per cylinder and OHC. It had a chain that not only turned the camshafts but also the oil pump, the fuel pump, the tach. drive, etc. etc. We looked at diagrams of the engine and this little chain went all over inside. We thought, as you do, that if the chain ever broke the engine would probably self-destruct.. Pushrods were just so much simpler!



The engine sounded strange too, lots of mechanical noise. People compared it to shaking a coffee can full of nuts and bolts.



But that designed turned out to be rock solid. And a year or two later, Honda came out with a 4-cylinder version that is known today as The Bike That Changed Everything. Within a very short time, every Japanese manufacturer was making an inline 4-cyl with chain driven overhead cams. And that's the prevailing architecture to this very day.



And nobody thinks about cam chains breaking. I don't think I've ever heard of one breaking!

Answer 5

Ohc Engine

Answer 6

I've had a cam chain break on a honda. it went at 40,000 miles and was catastrophic. locked the engine solid ripped holes in cases and everything. I luckily wasn't doing more than 50 mph and reached the clutch in time to allow the bike to stop safely. Depending on the model Honda either advise changing the chain at 36,000 or 48,000 or 60,000.

OHV engines will not suffer this fate, but if not properly adjusted you can still get bent valves and other related failures. the OHV however is easier to repair and the CG 125 engine is a direct replacement for the CB ot XL 125. just bolts straight in with the correct engine mounts top and bottom. Also the OHV CG engine can effectively be bored out to 150 or a 200cc replacement engine cam be obtained.

Keep the oil and filter clean and replace regularly, infact more often in dusty and sandy climates, this will ensure good engine life

Answer 7

It would be extremely rare for a Honda cam chain to break. The chains have automatic tension adjusters.