I'm looking at buying a 748 on a v plate I know around this year there were problems with the rockers flaking. When looking without taking it to pieces is there any way of telling if there ok? It's done 20.000 miles!!
Dropping the oil would give you a few pointers, but AFAIK you need to get into the heads to know for sure.
if clearances are excessive as a result and problem hasn't been detected yet then harder to start and idling rougher than standard but due to naturally noisy nature of engine it's very difficult to hear any difference. I would think a true specialist dealing with many engines like this could make an educated guess but as Toby says, there is only one sure way of finding out.
Tbf, I would be less worried about a higher mileage one as long as it's had servicing on the nose! Most concerns seem to be validated on low mileage bikes left for ages and then started so the cams were really dry. Also, v reg, that's maybe a little old for the rocker issue but I may be corrected, my understanding was that it was late 2001-2002 that the issue happened. For the record, I had 3 services during the time I owned my 2002 748 and had no rocker issues. I would be more worried about the earlier 2 wire charging system if it's a v reg, so if u can throw a multimeter at it and check it out. I agree though if clearances were out u would expect it to run like a dog once hot
Phill, the bikes built after 2000 had better quality rockers, the problem most affected 99 and 00 built bikes. Most MY02s like yours (and mine) were built in 2001 and were not afflicted so badly. Also for the record my MY02 was assembled May-July 01 from the frame and panel markings and has had no rocker issues from new, it is now at 38k miles. Servicing done by Louigi Moto every 24-30 months with oil, belts and clearances check, approx. 4k miles average driven each year. As you suggest V reg bikes were built mostly before the dodgy rocker suppliers were used. Also regular servicing is good but if the rockers are set wrong, crap oil used or there is no care on start up, they will wear out much quicker
I have a 1999 UK 748SPS, when I bought it it had done just over 10,000 miles. I completely rebuilt it and during the course of the engine inspection I fund that 5 rockers had to be replaced. It ran perfectly before I sorted the engine out and it runs no differently now. So it I feel is very hard to tell just from listening to the engine, unless the rockers are really dire I guess. I certainly couldn't tell there was anything wrong with mine. As has been mentioned you can check the oil but really you have to delve into mechanically to be absolutely sure all is well.
Something i've never known, if it runs fine with the dreaded flaking rocker issue, what is the actual effect of just leaving them?
Surfaces that aren't designed to interfere do, meaning wear, which means crap clearances which if left really long means valve 'float' not to mention all the bits of wearing metal getting chucked around in the cam cover. That's the most extreme case but essentially they are 'finished' in the way they are to avoid wear
yes - hot or cold Simon. The DesmoQuattro rocker system has a fundamental design flaw but works 'ok' if all parameters are at their best. I think early 851/888 probably flowed more oil to valve gear which is the best way to limit wear considering circumstances as regards lubricating and just as importantly - cooling. More than happy to p.m. with more details. Ducati tried 13 different rockers to try and improve the problem but stuck with chroming surfaces throughout. Although some set-ups from new seem to sustain good mileage it's still a 'luck of the draw' situation with all 748/916/996 bikes as servicing undoubtedly carried out over the years means it's inevitable that different O.E.M. rockers have been fitted. Apart from material going through to sump/pump/bearings, there aren't any real concerns if you keep using apart from accelerated wear of said parts - the bike will carry on running albeit badly but be prepared for not only new rockers but cams also.
