Zappacoop
Thread starter
The followers have what BMW calls DLC (Diamond Like Coating).The topic of wear in modern engines is one of those subjects..... I'm not yet convinced we have worked out the proper methods (for example coatings are one way we can get timing chain pins to live with 0W-XX oils), to allow relatively wear-free operation on many modern oils.
These coatings and/or surface treatments can be exceedingly expensive, are often a just a micron or two thick, and some hold up perfectly, right up until they don't.
We've been building reliable, high performance engines for over 100 years. The conventional tried-and-true methods are very well understood.
Unfortunately, without knowing what (if any) coating they used on the follower, I can only guess at the situation. It would be interesting to see what the wear surface looks like on the follower. Some of these coatings shed oil, and that in itself could present a problem.
Timing chain pin coatings, so 0W-16 can be safely used:
Thinking aloud here, I'd send off pictures to BMW, on the off chance that they acknowledge the issue.
I think what many are referring to was for the R1200 engine. Mine is mechanically related but has what BMW did to fix the admitted problem implemented : increased surface area of the followers. The link below summarizes the fix.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10194314-9999.pdf
Maybe they still haven’t worked out the kinks yet haha.
I have to adjust my valves in near future. I’ll have to take cams out for that and I’ll inspect the followers when I’m in there. Hopefully the dealer calls me in between now and then and says they will cover the cam (wishful thinking but a guy got to have hope).