Cam lobes damaged!

[Clogan]

Rider posted on another forum of scarred cam lobes found during 18,000 mile valve check. Anybody here see any damage/defects when doing valve check?

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[akarmire]

On a GT?

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[Clogan]

On a GT?

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Yup, a GT, with regular oil and filter changes using Motorex. It's on the Advrider thread.

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[DaveNZ]

Heard nothing down our way, i converse often with the guys who do my servicing, and they have yet had to alter the valve clearances on the 1290Rs that have passed 30,000Kms. Every now and then there will be an engine that will have a problem. Put good oil in and change half way between services, 15,000kms is too larger gap between oil changes. I do oil and filter every 7500Kms, the oil still looks like new. I used Motul V300 once in my bike, but the guys said not to, as is a short life racing oil, ok for 3000kms no more. They recommended using motul 7100 10/60 and change at 7500.

[t-bills]

Here are the cams in question:



For the purpose of internet squabbles, the oil and filters were changed at 620 miles, 7500 miles, and 10,000 miles. I used Motorex 4T 10W50 oil and K&N filters. The bike now has 17,900 miles on it.

KTM responded that the cams look fine to them and they won't replace them. KTM doesn't stand behind their product.

Edit: After a discussion with the VP of KTM NA, the decision has been reversed. KTM is going to replace the cams and followers.

[Aussie Dave]

Crikey ....... that's considered as ok......... glad they had a rethink!

I'm in the "change oil at half recommended interval" camp like DaveNZ. (I use 15w50 in V2's, 10w50 in my 4cyl CBR1100xx).

Hope I don't see cam lobes like those when I get to 30,000kms.

[t-bills]

I picked the bike up today. KTM replaced all 4 cams and the finger followers. They ended up flying in a race team mechanic to perform the work instead of having the dealership do it. Rather bizarre.

[DaveNZ]

I picked the bike up today. KTM replaced all 4 cams and the finger followers. They ended up flying in a race team mechanic to perform the work instead of having the dealership do it. Rather bizarre.

Thats great service, no doubt they will want to examine those cams to see whats behind the premature wear, and whether its a manufacturing problem, or oil related. My mechanic puts 10/60 motul in mine, thats what he recommends.

[MarkLH69]

I picked the bike up today. KTM replaced all 4 cams and the finger followers. They ended up flying in a race team mechanic to perform the work instead of having the dealership do it. Rather bizarre.

Thats a bit of a turnaround .. sounds like they don't trust the dealership mechanics very much !

[DaveNZ]

^^ Id say more the factory wants to look at these cams, the 1290 engine is in at least 3 KTM models, and have proved very durable, and racking up high milage. Possibly this being the first cam wear problem they will want to know why. Oil related? or a manufacturing problem and may be a one off. I think its fantastic of the company to put this much interest in there engines and not just sending out cam replacements. Try googling Guzzi 4 valve cam failures, those things are failing in huge numbers, and all the company does is replace the cams and flat tappets with new cams and roller tappets, and thats only with proof of servicing and and proof of cam damage, Parts only supplied not labour, and if these tappets fail, the engine can get irreparable damage. Good on KTM for taking this seriously.

[kevxtx]

A real good out come.

[Aussie Dave]

So I got interested in oils and downloaded some tech specs...... I'm not an oil specialist....... but at least I could compare KTM's Motorex 4T ( Formula 15w50 semi syn and Top Speed 10w40/15w50 full syn) to the Motul 5100 4T 10w50 I have used for over 12 years in my Honda (with no valve wear/oil usage issues - 6000km changes)....... and I'm happy the specs are similar/better

I was somewhat concerned using Motorex as it was new to me.... unlike the much used and thus trusted Motul 5100..... so now I feel more confident in my choice of oil and servicing intentions.

I wouldn't run any of these oils for the factory specified 15,000kms (not even 100% full syn spec) because they get mashed by the gear box etc......so I'm sticking to 5000kms for Formula 4T 15w50 semi syn, and, when I change to Top Speed 4T 15w50 full syn at the 15,000km dealer service, I'll do 7500km oil changes.....

I've seen some gripes about the pink M7100 10w60 stuff...... but it should be good for 7500km - if you can stand the perfume....... it really is very pink.... Main thing is they all have Jasco MA or MA2 - I use 15w50 to suit my local conditions (fuggin hot in summer..but lovely in winter - no snow ... ).

Tried and tried to attach those technical sheets but they just won't load to the forum page..... (but if you're keen..... google Motul/Motorex and have a read).....

Cheers all.....