Stelvio Tappets (again!) 2009 model

[John in PA]

I have an '09 Stelvio that I bought new.  It had the phase one tappet recall done by the dealer way back when near new.  I've got about 10K miles on the clock now. Before I tear into the top end searching for evidence of plating breakdown, is that mileage high enough that it's likely to show, making the exploratory surgery worthwhile?

Also, I'll probably do the roller replacement myself if it's necessary.  Has anyone posted a step-by-step procedure (with pics?) showing the job start to finish?

[brlawson]

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=78160.msg1228436#msg1228436

[John in PA]

Thanks for the link for the full tear-down procedure.  (And an extra-special thanks to Pete for posting the whole enchilada!!)

 What's the minimum procedure for inspecting to see if  damage has occurred (to see if warranty parts will be covered)? 

[Lannis]

Thanks for the link for the full tear-down procedure.  (And an extra-special thanks to Pete for posting the whole enchilada!!)

 What's the minimum procedure for inspecting to see if  damage has occurred (to see if warranty parts will be covered)?

John -

I'm in the same boat, 2009 with initial soft-cam recall done, but unknown status on the surfaces of the tappets.

I'm at 38,000 miles.   My valve adjustments over that time have shown:

1) 600 mile break-in check - No adjustment

2) 12,000 mile check - No adjustment

3) 24,000 mile check - No adjustment on intake - <.001" on exhaust

4) 36,000 mile check - .001" on intake, <.001" on exhaust.

So far, that "feels like" normal valve train wear to me.   Rather than tear mine down for a pre-emptive strike, I'm going to check the valve lash at shorter intervals (maybe 4000 miles) and see.   My take is that if I see zero or very little valve-lash change (on the order of .001 or less) then there's no way that my tappets are compromised.

IF I see larger changes (> .003"), then I'm going to take it apart per the manual and beat Piaggio into submission for a new valve train.   If they do supply one on their nickel, I'll install it or have it installed and no more said, and enjoy riding it until 100K miles or more.   If they don't, I'll part the worthless, unsupported, low-quality piece of junk out and go on to something else .... So it'll be up to them.    Back up their work, or tell a loyal customer that Piaggio snafu'd it, we got your money, sucker, and you can bugger off?

Lannis

[guzzisteve]

Minimum would be same as changing them out. Must remove cam towers (which requires cam chain removal.) Towers are secured by head bolts. Take cam covers off & inspect.
This is from memory.

[jacksonracingcomau]

I'm in the same boat, 2009 with initial soft-cam recall done, but unknown status on the surfaces of the tappets.
I'm at 38,000 miles.   
4) 36,000 mile check - .001" on intake, <.001" on ex
If they don't, I'll part the worthless, unsupported, low-quality piece of junk out and go on to something else .... So it'll be up to them.    Back up their work, or tell a loyal customer that Piaggio snafu'd it, we got your money, sucker, and you can bugger off?

Lannis

Hold on mate, sky is not falling in, is just possible you have the only 4 valve per cylinder Guzzi that hung together with only one recall, but ,,,......,.....
Don't go far, just in case

[Karl Von]

My father just had the full cam and lifter up done on his NTX.  The lobes were wearing out on his cams.

[Lannis]

Hold on mate, sky is not falling in, is just possible you have the only 4 valve per cylinder Guzzi that hung together with only one recall, but ,,,......,.....
Don't go far, just in case

2500 mile trip coming up, I'll be riding my SP, friend of mine and his son will be riding the Stelvio ..... it'd better hold up.

Lannis

[lucian]

Mileage alone is not a good indicator,I just rollerised mine at 6000 miles and it already had a tappet with failure in progress. It had the cam recall when new and the dlc tappets. The oil has been changed five times in 6000 miles and was always agrip 10 60. If in doubt I would definitely pull the cam boxes and have a look. Check out the Got Rollered thread

[jacksonracingcomau]

2500 mile trip coming up, I'll be riding my SP, friend of mine and his son will be riding the Stelvio ..... it'd better hold up.

Lannis

Bound to be fine, it's only certain markets and conditions that make them fail, read up on it, some right experts on here, probably some advice on how often you have to stop and check valve clearances or tappet condition too.
Good thing is, factory WILL cover it after it fails so they encourage this kind of behaviour, good on yer for calling their bluff .Bring it home in one piece or send it toPiaggio in a wooden box !

[Lannis]

Bound to be fine, it's only certain markets and conditions that make them fail, read up on it, some right experts on here, probably some advice on how often you have to stop and check valve clearances or tappet condition too.
Good thing is, factory WILL cover it after it fails so they encourage this kind of behaviour, good on yer for calling their bluff .Bring it home in one piece or send it toPiaggio in a wooden box !

If it fails, it's not like it's the end of the world or anything.   Some friends are coming over from the UK and they'll be riding it, I'll be with them.

I'll check clearances before we leave, and maybe once on the trip, it's a fairly low impact check as long as you have an extra valve-cover gasket "in case" the old one breaks.   It's a shame I can't just do the conversion before we leave, but there's nothing wrong with it at the moment, and I hear that Piaggio won't provide the kit if it hasn't already grenaded.       

If it's looking like it's gained valve clearance after we've gotten home, I'll do the conversion.   If it fails rattling and throwing DLC shrapnel into the motor during the trip, we'll rent-a-Harley home, and I'll part the Stelvio out - bound to be people that need CARCS and front ends and trannies and Alpina wheels and ECUs and dashes and such.   I've had more expensive lessons in my life!

Lannis

[jacksonracingcomau]

If it fails rattling and throwing DLC shrapnel into the motor during the trip, we'll rent-a-Harley home, and I'll part the Stelvio out - bound to be people that need CARCS and front ends and trannies and Alpina wheels and ECUs and dashes and such.   I've had more expensive lessons in my life!

Lannis

I think Piaggio will prob give you new motor if it does, hard to believe they only cover cost of cause not result, esp as they won't cover anything till it fails.
Worst case, at least they'll have to give you roller conversion you can sell with the part out.
Might end up the collectable lemon and be worth fixing

[Lannis]

I think Piaggio will prob give you new motor if it does, hard to believe they only cover cost of cause not result, esp as they won't cover anything till it fails.
Worst case, at least they'll have to give you roller conversion you can sell with the part out.
Might end up the collectable lemon and be worth fixing

There's a lot of things "hard to believe" about Piaggio and their support of their customers and dealers.    My new dealer (I've gone through 5 of them since I bought the bike, they're all out of the Guzzi business now and the "P-word" generally came up when they talked about WHY they went out of of the Guzzi business) will have the contact with Piaggio - if it can be worked out reasonably I'll hang with it, but as you can tell I'm burning a fairly short fuse when it comes to this sort of shenanigans ....

Lannis

[leafman60]

John -

I'm in the same boat, 2009 with initial soft-cam recall done, but unknown status on the surfaces of the tappets.

I'm at 38,000 miles.   My valve adjustments over that time have shown:

1) 600 mile break-in check - No adjustment

2) 12,000 mile check - No adjustment

3) 24,000 mile check - No adjustment on intake - <.001" on exhaust

4) 36,000 mile check - .001" on intake, <.001" on exhaust.

So far, that "feels like" normal valve train wear to me.   Rather than tear mine down for a pre-emptive strike, I'm going to check the valve lash at shorter intervals (maybe 4000 miles) and see.   My take is that if I see zero or very little valve-lash change (on the order of .001 or less) then there's no way that my tappets are compromised.

IF I see larger changes (> .003"), then I'm going to take it apart per the manual and beat Piaggio into submission for a new valve train.   If they do supply one on their nickel, I'll install it or have it installed and no more said, and enjoy riding it until 100K miles or more.   If they don't, I'll part the worthless, unsupported, low-quality piece of junk out and go on to something else .... So it'll be up to them.    Back up their work, or tell a loyal customer that Piaggio snafu'd it, we got your money, sucker, and you can bugger off?

Lannis

That's a logical attitude and course of action.

No evidence of a problem yet.

By the way, my '12 NTX has almost 40,000 miles and the lash has shown no significant movement over that time.