oil flow to rockers /5

toolmandoug · Post by **toolmandoug** » Mon May 30, 2016 10:28 am

Just got done with winter project, restoring a r60/5, and have low oil flow to right rockers. When I tore engine down, the right rockers were worn at valve contact area. Work done to the engine- New rings, new rod bearings and reseal. Right rockers have been replaced. The inside of the engine looked very nice and saw no reason to go further. The best description for oil flow is that it "falls" through the rockers, with a drip about every 30 seconds. Oil flow on left side is as should be, flushing, cooling, and lubrication. I am sure this problem existed before tear down, anyone have any ideas on what's going on or wrong? Forgot to add that I bought the bike couple of months before restoration, so I have no history on it.

schrader7032 · Post by **schrader7032** » Mon May 30, 2016 10:35 am

Oil flows through the rocker tubes along the top two head bolts. I believe there is a base gasket of some kind, made of metal or paper. Also, there's probably two small o-rings that are at the base of the two top head bolts. Usually, a very thin film of non-hardening sealant, like Hylomar or Permatex Ultra Gray is used. It is important that the sealant does not block the oil flow out of these two top head bolts.

The oil flow is not gushing, but it's more than just a drip. I think this blockage needs to be investigated.

toolmandoug · Post by **toolmandoug** » Mon May 30, 2016 10:47 am

There is no restriction, was very careful with my ultra grey. In fact I can remove the rocker, and spacer, clamp a hose on the sleeve around the stud and blow through it. It's almost like there is a plug missing in the oil passage.

schrader7032 · Post by **schrader7032** » Mon May 30, 2016 11:03 am

Anton has a bit of a writeup on rockers.

http://www.largiader.com/tech/rockers/

Snowbum has more details here:

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/headassy.htm

toolmandoug · Post by **toolmandoug** » Mon May 30, 2016 11:26 am

I have read a lot about the adjustment (end play) and low oil flow, but it does not make sense to me why one side has good flow and the other has nothing. Could there be a plug missing from the oil passage on the right side?

schrader7032 · Post by **schrader7032** » Mon May 30, 2016 11:58 am

I'm not following what you mean by a plug missing. It's almost like there's a plug in the right side, not allowing the oil to flow. Could there be some blockage where the stud screws into the engine case? According to Snowbum's oil flow diagram, oil flows front end big bearing shell which has outlets to the top engine studs. Sounds like somewhere in that oil flow path, there's a restriction to the right side.

toolmandoug · Post by **toolmandoug** » Mon May 30, 2016 1:18 pm

I thought there might be a plug that goes in the drilled passage, maybe one that got left out. Like I said before I can put a hose on the sleeve over the stud (at rockers) and blow though with little restriction. I have looked at snowbums diagram, studied up with my three shop manuals, but really can't find any good information. My gut tells me that the oil is dumping out some where, or the bearing in the front holder has been replaced and not drilled to the right passage.U

toolmandoug · Post by **toolmandoug** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 11:26 pm

Found the problem! The oil passage between the rocker studs had a hole in it. It was right in line with the feed hole to the cylinder, but up inside the block. Had to use a mlrror to see it, or lay on the ground and look up. When the block was machined, it went through the oil passage. I think this was done from day one, 1971. Repaired the hole with a aluminum patch and J B Weld. Not my perferd way of fixing, but figured had nothing to lose. After the engine was put back together and runnig oil poured out of rockers as it should. I'm going to run the bike this summer and keep an eye on it.

schrader7032 · Post by **schrader7032** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:25 am

That's a strange one!!