Cam Lobe

[Beagle]

How prevalent is the premature cam lobe wear?

[David.]

Not a problem on my 2012 Camhead after 28,000 miles. Only ever replaced one exhaust valve shim, all other valve clearances were always within spec.

[Beagle]

Apparently,


“ Again this is not anything to do with mileage at all. It is luck of the draw. How deep the hardening goes, how even it has penetrated the metal, how much of it is ground off during the grinding and polishing of the cam lobe profile so no telling or warning or knowing you just need to inspect them. ”

[David.]

A similar question was posted on BMWMOA, "Post here if you've had prematurely worn cam lobe(s) in your wethead"
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.ph ... ur-wethead

Some dramatic photos in this BMWLT thread, https://www.bmwlt.com/forums/rt-series/ ... -lobe.html

[Beagle]

I wonder if they could be inspected through the oil filler using a boroscope.

[David.]

Removing the valve covers would give a good visual check, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJEjGm8ne1g

Perhaps this could be done every 6,000 miles in line with an oil & filter change, rather than every 12,000 miles when the valve clearances are checked.

[Beagle]

Using a boroscope would save removing the head protectors and covers.

[David.]

Hopefully a penny won't drop through the oil filler cap hole.

[Beagle]

Have ordered this so I can monitor the cams and search any other orifices :alas:


https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Q8JQ8ZC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[David.]

Sorry if I'm missing something here, but I can't see how access would be gained to the LHS cylinder.

Please correct me if this is wrong, thank you.

[Beagle]

Cant but at least can check one side. Have other uses for the boroscope.