Page 1 of 1

Incompatible surfaces

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 9:38 pm
by Zzzz
Is anyone able to expline to me what is meant by "incompatible surfaces" when iused by a technician/mechanic to describe a problem with a motorcycle engine? Apparently a standard production bike, three years old and with less than 17K miles on the clock and having been serviced regulalry by the manufacturers own service network has developed an irregular sound (the technician's words not mine) that is due to incompatible surfaces on the engine components.

Re: Incompatible surfaces

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:33 pm
by Dave
I know of lots of incompatible things, but never heard of "Incompatible surfaces".

It would be good to know the issue

Re: Incompatible surfaces

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 11:06 pm
by Zzzz
Dave wrote:I know of lots of incompatible things, but never heard of "Incompatible surfaces".

It would be good to know the issue
I am told that it is not a manufacturing or assembly fault but it needs 4 new cam followers, 1 rocker arm, 1 right camshaft and 1 o-ring -

The technician agreed that the bike had been regulalrly serviced and the correct grade of oil had been used - invoices and service book were provided. No sign of off-road or misuse - in fact the previous owner had stepped the tyres.

I find it ard to believe that a major German manufacturer can be so acceopting of a fault which i was told was uncommon but not unknown.

I was looking for reliability and carrying ability - the first is out, even if I pay for the repair, there is nothing to say that it will not re-occur.

Re: Incompatible surfaces

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 3:55 pm
by Gazza
Not a term I've ever heard of, but if the surfaces are incompatible, then they would have been so since day 1. Incompatible means they are not suitable to be run against each other. I hardly belive Big Mans Wanger would be doing that unless there was a fault in the manufacture. Maybe take it up with Big Mans Wanger.

Re: Incompatible surfaces

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 11:01 am
by missile
The camshafts, cam followers and rocker arms are all made from case hardened steel. One or more of those components not manufactured to the correct hardness, will rapid premature wear.

It would appear several sub-standard components have been fitted to your engine. Mating a new to a part worn component is not good practice and I would be asking for all of those components to be changed.

Re: Incompatible surfaces

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 8:53 pm
by Zzzz
missile wrote:The camshafts, cam followers and rocker arms are all made from case hardened steel. One or more of those components not manufactured to the correct hardness, will rapid premature wear.

It would appear several sub-standard components have been fitted to your engine. Mating a new to a part worn component is not good practice and I would be asking for all of those components to be changed.
Now done - many thanks to John Clark, Aberdeen. They have been most helpful.