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Finding Top Dead Center--any tricks?

JayElDee

New member
ON my 2009 r1200r, finding TDC has been a challenge. That arrow that shows up so well in pictures doesn't show up so hot in real life on mine. It's there, barely visible, but it is almost a 2 person job. I tried putting a dot of paint on it, but the paint was washed off by oil. It certainly does not jump out at you.
Two questions: are there any tricks to getting TDC, other than turn the rear wheel a little, look and feel the valves, repeat...

and

Can you assume the engine is TDC IF BOTH valves, exhaust and intake are loose. IOW, once any clearance is there, is the engine at TDC? It seems that they are either loose or they're not, no middle ground.

Thanks

John
 
It has never failed me to rely on both intake and exhause valves being loose, and timing indicator on the flywheel (or wherever) to be at TDC, to properly indicate that cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke.
 
There is middle ground... the cam is smooth, not stepped. There is also a large range (don't remember the exact number of degrees) where both valves are fully closed so if you are off a bit you are likely OK. I had no problem seeing the arrow on my GS with enough light. A flashlight when looking for TDC helped. Here you can see the arrow in the flash of the camera. It looks the same when using a strong flashlight.

p-20110125-1431-2696.jpg
 
On Airheads and Oilheads I always just pulled the plug out of the timing hole cover and looked for the TDC mark. Did they omit the timing hole on the Hexhead?

p.s. After chasing my tail a few times trying to line things up with the rear wheel I also almost always just remove the front cover and turn the crank with a wrench while I watch the flywheel through the timing hole.
 
Yup, different system and no rubber plug to accidentally lose down the rabbit hole when putting it back, either (I stick mine on an ice pick when positioning on oilheads).

Re the TDC on the hexhead, as was noted, all you need to do is get reasonably close. Cam max durations are in the 270-280 degrees range on any gas engine with most all of the lift occurring in the middle half of that spread. The rest of the 90 degrees of the cam is no lift so as long as both valves are loose and you're somewhere generally in the middle of that wide degree range you're fine. No need to obsess about exact TDC just to check a valve clearance- getting it to the nearest degree won't do a darn thing for your valve adjustment one way or the other.

An old trick for getting closer without depending on those hard to see marks on hexheads is simply to pull a plug and put a plastic straw down the hole to touch the top of the piston. When its at max extension you've found TDC.

Its easiest to rotate the wheel . motor with the tranny in 6 if that's your choice for turning stuff..
 
No timing hole...the arrows are visible only on one side...there is a plastic fan blade on the right side ( I am 50% sure it's the right anyways) that blocks it now...on some there is a square block on the gear that is in the position of the arrow. I just did Helen's '07 R12R and going by heatstroked brain at moment.

I remove all four plugs anyways to take a look, so spinning the rear wheel in 6th and peeking for the left arrow has always worked for me
 
Pull a plug, stick a screwdriver in the hole and feel the piston, while bumping with the rear wheel.
 
Seeing the mark

You may wish to try a different paint. There is a type called "ball paint" that is impervious
to oil. My mentor always called it "junkyard paint" as it's what salvage yards use to mark parks.
I mark all sorts of timing marks with it on equipment I repair. HF is where I get it, comes in an applicator, but I usually use a Q-tip. It is pretty permanet so be careful.
 
+1 and feeler gauge advice

Chopsticks and both sets of valves are loose.

2 more cents. Get the Wurth feeler gauge set from Beemer Boneyard. Using 2 lightweight gauges on the tappets of both valves simultaneously gave much more consistent results than using a single automotive style guage on one valve at a time.
 
Thanks for all the info.

My arrow is not nearly as visible as I've seen reproduced here and elsewhere. It's really hard to see. And it's in the shadow of the chain.
Yes, I use 6th and manually turn the wheel with the two horizontal plugs out.
That fan thing is on the clutch side.
I think that block on the gear is 180 degrees from the arrow.

Thanks for the tip about the permanent paint. Testors just didn't cut it :doh

So, to be clear...TDC is when the chopstick, or dowel, or straw is the farthest out, right? This would mean the piston is at its greatest distance from the midline of the engine.

And it seems there were two opposed answers on the question, or maybe I'm reading it wrong.

When both the exhaust valves are loose, ie have play in them, and simultaneously the two intake valves are loose, that means TDC? Or is there some middle ground where the measured clearance, the play in them, will change with a slight turn of the rear wheel?

Thanks again,
John
 
2010;

2009 do have tappets, 2010 was the year for twin cams. I thought so anyhow. You find yourself having to adjust them on any of the twins, its not a regular thing. Mine has never needed any adjust for 97000m. I check every 6000 still. I think the new ones, its a 12000m interval look see? Mine could be, as I have not seen them get out of whack on my '07GSA:). Randy
 
It's really hard to see. And it's in the shadow of the chain.

Use a STRONG Flashlight.

I think that block on the gear is 180 degrees from the arrow.

Yes, 180 degrees from the arrow. It is what the cam position sensor reads as the cam turns.

So, to be clear...TDC is when the chopstick, or dowel, or straw is the farthest out, right? This would mean the piston is at its greatest distance from the midline of the engine.

Correct.

When both the exhaust valves are loose, ie have play in them, and simultaneously the two intake valves are loose, that means TDC? Or is there some middle ground where the measured clearance, the play in them, will change with a slight turn of the rear wheel?

There is lots of play on either side of TDC. If a slight turn of the wheel changes clearances you are not near TDC.
 
+1 , for straw, chopstick, etc. rotate rear wheel, watch intake close, insert straw, when it stops coming out you are there.
 
Use the BMW tool!

As I recall from my 07 R1200RT there is a "special tool" that fits through a round hole in the housing around the flywheel and when you are at TDC it engages another round hole in the flywheel and sinks home. Can't miss, no guess work involved besides finding the flywheel hole. Can be a little tricky but once you get it you know it is correct. You can get TDC on each cylinder using this tool.

I just looked on the parts fiche and I can't find any special tools, but maybe I am looking in the wrong place. I bought mine from the dealer maybe 3 years ago. It was not very expensive either, like $20. Considering all it is was a bent rod with a little plastic coated handle that was about right. If you can figure out the diameter of the flywheel hole it would be an easy thing to make. I'd guess its about 3/8 of an inch.

I suggest you call or visit the dealer and ask about it. I'm sure the mechanics will know what it is.

One other thing - if you do use this tool put a long obvious ribbon or rope on it so you don't forget to remove it before starting the engine as it locks the flywheel.

PS: Found it on the A&S website, BMW OEM - 112 650 - TDC Locating Mandrel (R11S, RT, ) $35! Maybe you want to make one...
 
Or you could enjoy dinner at a chinese restaurant and take home a chop stick. Less $, you decide. If you forget to remove the chop stick, the valve cover will not go back on/amazing it's fool proof and free.
 
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