Engine expert needed

[Barneycanoe]

I am doing the valves on my GR650. I left the valve cover off and had a oily rag on top of the case. Then I noticed some rust appearing on the cam lobes. It looks like it will mostly wipe off, and I have now put the valve cover back on as the bike is in an unheated garage for the winter.

Will this stuff come off? Have I caused permanent damage?

Appreciate your help.

Dave

[pete]

Does it just look rusty and not rough to your fingers if you run them over it?

If so, it'll be like my camshafts were and the lobes got like that. I just oiled them, reassembled, and good to go.

I'd only worry if it is really starting to roughen the surface and corrode a lot.

Mine sat out of the motor for probably 5 or 6 years like that...

[wera90ex]

Use some Scotch Bright and WD-40. Rinse ,repeat .You'll be fine.

[Mekanix]

Steel wool +oil. Its only surface rust. I've had many parts do this. Its flash rusting. That can be reversed !

To do it right. Take the cams out and do the cleaning to keep everything out of the engine. Then reassemble with lots of oil covering everything.

[cowboyup3371]

Thank you for posting this as I noticed my cams doing the same thing. I forgot to try to clean them today but will do it this week.

[Nessism]

I'd keep steel wool and scotchbrite away from the engine. That stuff is abrasive and loose particles will fall into the engine unless you are very careful.

If the rust won't wipe away I'd pull the cams or just leave it alone. And oil the cams and all the valve train parts with lots of oil.

[Barneycanoe]

Thank You

guys for the valuable advice as usual.

Dave

[tatu]

I'd keep steel wool and scotchbrite away from the engine. That stuff is abrasive and loose particles will fall into the engine unless you are very careful.

If the rust won't wipe away I'd pull the cams or just leave it alone. And oil the cams and all the valve train parts with lots of oil.

+1 here, I would pull the cams, and clean them, even a light rusting can play havoc with the surface hardening, so don't hang about.

[wera90ex]

I'd keep steel wool and scotchbrite away from the engine.

Can't imagine cleaning them without taking the cams out. Too easy to find TDC and count to 18 to put them back in.