R1100GS Cam lobes, buckets, and tensioner

[I of the Strom]

The left hand head gasket on my nearly 94K miles bike went and when the head was taken off the lobes and buckets were found to be badly worn. There was no discernable noise and without the gasket blowing I'd not have known about the damage (at this time). Is this typical wear for a bike that's done this sort of milage ? And, is this wear an indication that more specific problems and wear are inevitable elsewhere in the engine ? Also, the LH cam chain tensioner is still the original spring type, making no noise nor showing wear so, do these really need to be replaced by more recent designs ? When I bought the bike I was told it had been laid up for a while but turned over regularly (perhaps not !) could this be the cause rather than the milage done ?

 

[Stewart H]

Hi and welcome to UKGSer try searching this section of the forum, I do recall some instances of your problem with gory pictures too, I think it is down to the lubrication breaking down, 1100s can go many times past your mileage without it happening , I fitted the upgraded tensioner to my bike a couple of years ago after being frightened by the nasty noises on startup.

 

[richierex]

Its nothing to do with the tensioner or any upgrade that might or might not be necessary. Its more to do with the mileage and possible lack of oil changes/use of poor oil, thrashing from cold or a badly manufactued cam or follower. Or possibly all four.

 

[Steptoe]

As mentioned, posted previously.

Knocking noise from the R/H side - R1100 50K miles. Lefthand side of the engine was perfect. I've had similar on other engines, both left and right sides.

Worn cams, cam followers, cam/rocker holder and rocker arms.

The cylinder head after all the rocker gear and camshaft has been removed



Cam/rocker holder.


Cam and cam followers.


Camshaft.





Cam followers in the holder.



Cam followers


New cams and followers

 

[I of the Strom]

Thank you for the replies.
I'll take it then that similar damage as to that shown should not be an indication of inevitable damage elsewhere and that worse is to come.
I've had a few issues with the bike that do not confirm the information given when I bought it so hopefully, the cause is perhaps a combination of poor manufacturing and a lack of turning the engine over when it was laid up, hence these ones going and others lasting many miles more.
Fingers crossed there'll be no more engine problems...

 

[I of the Strom]

I fitted the upgraded tensioner to my bike a couple of years ago after being frightened by the nasty noises on startup.[/QUOTE]

As there is no obvious noises (not even with the damaged cams etc) I'll assume the tensioner is fine and doesn't need replacing.

 

[richierex]

yeah, its really two different things, a new tensioner will do no harm and is relatively cheap compared to what your repairs will cost. I might think about it.