The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: JJH on January 31, 2017, 07:07:56 PM

Title: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: JJH on January 31, 2017, 07:07:56 PM
1979 R65 so the steel lined cylinder.

I am in the process of replacing my pushrod tube seals.  I now have the head, cylinder, and piston removed.  I cleaned the carbon off the head and piston.  I started to look at the cylinder and noticed I have three vertical scratches.  The three scratches are about 5 cm apart from each other, and travel maybe 25 cm.  You can see them with your eye.  You can barely feel them with your finger , but they will "catch" a finger nail.  They are deeper (easier to feel) at the top, and gradually go to nothing.  Not really experienced with this.  Looking for advise on the next step. 
Thanks,
 John   
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: Justin B. on January 31, 2017, 10:07:13 PM
Other than leaks was it using/burning any oil?  If not I'd be inclined to let "sleeping dogs lie", but I'm a cheap SOB or so I've been told. ;D
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: Adrian on February 01, 2017, 04:40:05 AM
Quote
The three scratches are about 5 cm apart from each other, and travel maybe 25 cm.  You can see them with your eye.  You can barely feel them with your finger , but they will "catch" a finger nail.  They are deeper (easier to feel) at the top, and gradually go to nothing.

,
Hi there - I have some small damage in my 1984 barrels - both of them have a couple of "nicks" in tem - about half way down - they are tiny areas that are easily seen and can be felt - as it someone has taken a small piece of the nickasil out of the wall.
.
The barrels have been like this since I bought the bike in 1992 and have never given me any problems .
.
If the scratches are not causing any oil smoke or the oil consumption is not high (1 liter per 1000 miles is apparently acceptable) then it probably is okay to ignore it.
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: Barry on February 01, 2017, 09:25:28 AM
I wouldn't worry about them. Even with perfect bores there is always some leakage past the piston rings and the tiny amount added by a few fines scratches won't make much difference.
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: JJH on February 01, 2017, 12:17:40 PM
To answer questions, the pushrod seals were leaking quite badly, if the engine was burning oil, I don't think I would detect this.  I did not see white smoke from the exhaust when I rode.  Now can I just reuse the rings or do I have to hone and buy new rings?
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: Barry on February 01, 2017, 03:18:02 PM
Quote
Now can I just reuse the rings or do I have to hone and buy new rings?
                   


The ideal scenario would have been to make that decision on the basis of a compression or leak down test but you could re-use them if the miles on the engine are not too high.
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: mrclubike on February 01, 2017, 04:34:35 PM
They are not that expensive from MOTOBINS
If they are not oversize
I would change them

The exchange rate is really low and if you order them today you would have them by next Tues or Weds
But you really need to measure the bore to tell if the bore is worn out  or is already bored over sized
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: nhmaf on February 01, 2017, 09:42:05 PM
+1 on installing new rings if you've had the piston out and the rings have more than a couple thousand on them.  They don't cost much, and it may be that the scratches are from one of them "sticking".  Just be certain to thoroughly clean the ring grooves first.
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: Matt Chapter on February 03, 2017, 03:15:18 PM
Quote
+1 on installing new rings if you've had the piston out and the rings have more than a couple thousand on them.

Where were you when I did my pushrod seals last year!?  I'm really regretting not replacing the rings at the time.
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: Tony Smith on February 03, 2017, 06:45:28 PM
I'd like to see a photo of the scratch(s), I'd also like to know what caused them.


A mark that can catch your finger nail is significant in the grand scheme of things , certainly enough to also catch the end of a ring for example.

I remember reading years and years ago how good a job rings, and in particular oil control rings do. Apparently a six cylinder engine using burning exactly 1 drop of oil per piston stroke will consume its entire reserve of oil in a couple of miles. Sobering when you think about it.
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: JJH on February 05, 2017, 10:09:48 AM
Here are some images.  Interpreting images from a reflective surface can sometimes be difficult.  Please ask questions if addition information is required.

As for what caused the scratches, I have contacted a medium but she told me she can't read cylinders ;D

Thanks for all the help
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: donbmw on February 05, 2017, 12:10:23 PM
Looks like normal wear that I have seen on other cylinders from motorcycles, watercraft and aircraft cylinders.
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: Tony Smith on February 05, 2017, 03:59:49 PM
Quote
Looks like normal wear that I have seen on other cylinders from motorcycles, watercraft and aircraft cylinders.

I would suggest that there is no normal wear that could cause those marks. It is not unusual to see such damage, but it is the result of an abnormal event.

Something has got in there  - either by way of a compromised air filtration system or because something came loose in the combustion chamber.


let's leave the air side of things because I am sure that as part of your rebuild you will be looking at filters and trunking anyway.

Leaving something loose in the combustion chamber - the usual suspects are the insulation in the spark plug falling apart or bit of carbon coming loose and rattling around the chamber.

I would probably re-use that cylinder and cross my fingers - with good prospects that all will be fine.  But I'd be keeping an eye out on eBay and the like for a pair of serviceable later model barrels.


Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: Bob_Roller on February 05, 2017, 04:03:11 PM
What do the piston rings look like that were in that cylinder ??
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: JJH on February 05, 2017, 05:25:22 PM
They looked fine to me, but I must admit that they are the first rings I have ever looked at.  There is no obvious break or cut or piece missing.
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: JJH on February 05, 2017, 05:28:17 PM
Do you think a piece of carbon could cause the scratching.  There where millimeter sized carbon pieces that were on the piston and head.  If they fell off could that cause that type of wear?
Title: Re: scratched cylinder wall
Post by: Jeremy R65 on March 22, 2017, 01:27:39 PM
if bore wear is acceptable other than these marks, my inclination would be to fit new rings, glaze bust the bores with a Flexi-hone or similar to allow them to bed in, and put it all together again.  The worst that can happen is it smokes a little bit and you have to take it to bits again later.