8V tappet poll

[Wayne Orwig]

So when the coating is gone, has anyone actually inspected the tappet surface for wear? Any good tool maker could indicate that surface and tell you with in tenths of a thousandths (for us imperial guys) whether that surface is scarred or not. Actually the cam could be done also with more effort. Has that ever been done? If not, I can do it if someone can provide the components.

Once the DLC was gone, mine opened another 0.002" in 200 miles. The cam was damaged, but only very slightly. The tappet is pretty soft metal under that DLC. And visually you could see the gouge, though I didn't try to measure it.

Still waiting in kit C.

[trophy900]

Wayne - I may have missed this, but what kind of mileage did you have on yours and what type of oil (and / or any additives) were you running.

[Vasco DG]

Trophy, this has all been covered innumerable times in several threads, do a search and you'll find your answers. The ZDDP issue is a red herring.

Pete

[Jerryd]

So this is only with 8V motors? All models? When did they make the change? Thanks

[ohiorider]

That's the downside to coatings, they are thin and once compromised game over. I'm sure Guzzi would have chosen materials in the original design which normally would have been expected to do the job, we have to give them some credit I suppose.
The puzzling thing for me is  besides not knowing why the excessive wear is taking place is that the factory did not pick it up in the development stage. They manufacture a limited number of engines so it is not as if they were distracted by numerous other engine projects. Unless it was a Aprilia design.
 I would love to be a local in the factory watering hole and after a few beers and a few loose tongues, getting the real low down on the matter.

Indeed.

[jlburgess]

Joyous news from San Diego!  GP motorcycles just inspected my tappets and reported they are in perfect condition 
I have about 10k hard miles on my recall kit .  Mostly canyon riding in Oregon and Washington.  Perhaps there was only a bad batch of tappets that failed miserably right away?
Most of my riding was in a damp environment yet there is no milky colored oil in the valve cover.  Maybe running it hard is the key to keeping moisture out of the oil?  So happy, Thanks Santa 

[Vasco DG]

Have you got pics?

Really John, I haven't inspected a single flat tappet bike since I started checking them all that didn't have damage. I'm really glad for you if yours are good but I really do think its a matter of when, not if.

Pete

[rboe]

My mechanic thought MY tappets looked fine too, but after seeing photo's of them I had him submit them to Piaggio.  They approved the roller tappet upgrade gratis (I paid labor).

If you can, post your pics of your tappets here or on Griso Ghetto; maybe the collective, with the collective experience; agrees with your mechanic. I push this because you want them replaced early in  failure mode or risk punting the whole motor due to abrasive slurry pumped through it.

[MotoG5]

Joyous news from San Diego!  GP motorcycles just inspected my tappets and reported they are in perfect condition 
I have about 10k hard miles on my recall kit .  Mostly canyon riding in Oregon and Washington.  Perhaps there was only a bad batch of tappets that failed miserably right away?
Most of my riding was in a damp environment yet there is no milky colored oil in the valve cover.  Maybe running it hard is the key to keeping moisture out of the oil?  So happy, Thanks Santa 

So if I am reading this right you are seeing good condition on the dlc coated flats installed on your early model 8V at its original cam issue recall. And at this point they have 10K on. If so good news. BUT if I were you I would keep a very close eye on them as the miles go by. By and large the dlc flats have failed anywhere from 3K to 50K. Mine were hosed at 16K with never seeing mayo or any other indication of trouble. I absolutely am not making any statement here and am only saying what in fact happened to me. 

[lucian]

I would seriously consider installing a roller kit NOW, don't wait until it starts to fail. You will have tremendous peace of mind knowing that not even an inkling of dlc is searching out your oil pumps and big ends. Do you have visual confirmation that there is no wear, or just the dealers word? I know it sounds like a pricey approach but actually it is rather cheap insurance . Dave

[jlburgess]

sorry guys I'm going with the report the mechanic says. He's had the bike to completely apart before and fixed the clutch issues that nobody else could. I think GP will stand by me if there's a problem with the tappets in the near future..It's probably not as bad as we think.  rumor mill says there's another one coming in there from LA for inspection also.

[lucian]

I also have an 09 griso and my tappets were toast at 4000 miles. It also had the recall dlc tappets. I would have a talk with your dealer about exactly what they are going to do if and when the time comes . Will they cover the costs of inspecting the oil pump and flushing out the oil cooler? Also dropping the sump and inspecting the crank bearings? If they say no and you will have to pay out of pocket, I would just as soon spend it now on a preemptive solution. Most dealers I have talked to are only installing the roller kit, changing the oil and filter and sending them out the door. In any event catching this in the very early stages is essential.