Cam Lobe

Having Problems with your BMW R1200RT/R1250RT? or have some Maintenance and Service questions?
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Beagle
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Cam Lobe

Post by Beagle »

How prevalent is the premature cam lobe wear?
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David.
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post 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.
Last edited by David. on Wed Apr 15, 2020 7:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Beagle
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post 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. ”
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David.
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post 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
Last edited by David. on Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Beagle
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post by Beagle »

I wonder if they could be inspected through the oil filler using a boroscope.
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David.
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post 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.
Last edited by David. on Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Beagle
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post by Beagle »

Using a boroscope would save removing the head protectors and covers.
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David.
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post by David. »

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

Image
Last edited by David. on Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Beagle
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post 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
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David.
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post 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.
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Beagle
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Re: Cam Lobe

Post by Beagle »

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