Why to have your top end looked at!

[Kevin Erion]

This is my 2nd bus and the 2nd top end tune up. On both buses I have had to replace 3 roller rockers due to what looks like the surface starting to fail. On this bus one of the cam lopes also started to fail. So in my opinion the top end should be looked at somewhere between 100,000 to 120,000 miles. It would have been a lot less $ if I didn't need to replace the cam.
Ray Davis is kind enough to post these pictures.

[Ray Davis]

Here are Kevin's pictures ...

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IMG_2165 (Large).jpg

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[sawdust_128]

Were there any symptoms that made you check for something?

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Kevin,

I experienced that on a plane engine once.

I used to do oil analysis every oil change which I was doing at 35 hours. They always came back normal and there were no trends such as a rise in any of the elements.

That galling shown on the rollers happens almost instantly and is attributed to lack of lubrication. I'm not sure anyone could have seen that or any signs it was about to occur until after the fact.

At least that was the case with the plane engine.

[lonesome george]

Kevin, thanks for the post and sharing the ugly truth, sorry your cam got wiped out.

I believe the Detriot service manual states the first valve adjustment should be done at 60K, mine is about at that mileage, so the time has come, it looks like a pain to do in an XL. Most Diesel mechanics I've talked to say the valve train in a Series 60 should be maintained every 100k.

I have seen cams go flat in new engines that were still on a dyno, it can happen in a hurry.

[Kevin Erion]

This is only my opinion and the fact that 2 for 2 is 100%, not good odds.
I think there is a problem with these rollers and if you don't catch it soon enough, the pictures tell what happens next.
I did buy all my parts from United Engines and they are the best!

[rfoster]

Kevin, the outside and bottom exterior of your engine looked slicker & cleaner than those parts. Sorry to see and hear of your problem-

What where the synptoms that prompted you to tear into it?.

[garyde]

I spoke with Gem Services in Ventura(Detroit Dealer) regarding the rockers and cams. He confirmed the RV Engines need to be run more often, once a month, 15 miles or so. Also, Dave said some scratching is tolerable. No special oils or treatment will avert or help.
He also recommended having it looked at at 100,000 miles. According to them, if you hear something, it's probably too late .

[Ray Davis]

That's good to know. I guess I'm going to have to get out to the storage site more often, and take the coach for a ride every few weeks.

[James]

I have to leave the bus stored inside (plugged in) for up to two months in the winter without takeing it outside and getting the engine up to operating temperature.

Although I am unable to drive it during this time I could have someone start it once a week and get the oil pressure up and then shut down.

Would it be better to start the coach up every week for a couple of minutes and then shut down without getting the engine to operating temperature or would that be more harm than waiting a couple of months to drive it?