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Cam Lobe

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:55 pm
by Beagle
How prevalent is the premature cam lobe wear?

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 7:15 pm
by 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.

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 8:10 pm
by 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. ”

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:20 am
by 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

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:25 am
by Beagle
I wonder if they could be inspected through the oil filler using a boroscope.

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:44 am
by 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.

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:07 pm
by Beagle
Using a boroscope would save removing the head protectors and covers.

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:40 pm
by David.
Hopefully a penny won't drop through the oil filler cap hole.

Image

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 5:35 pm
by 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

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:00 pm
by 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.

Re: Cam Lobe

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:12 pm
by Beagle
Cant but at least can check one side. Have other uses for the boroscope.