[rigoscrf]

Hi, I am new to the forum and am impressed with all the helpful info.
I just purchased a basket case 2004 crf250r for very cheap and am looking to give it life again. I have only pulled the valve cover and oil filter and found severe needle bearing failure at the exaust rocker roller. The cam is overheated and the exhaust shims had came out. I plan on pulling the top end apart for further inspection but, at this time am just curious if others have experienced this and what may have been the cause. I don't have any history from the original owner. I do know that it did have oil in it but don't know if it was added after failure or not. Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any info.

[Asmith]

That certainly is not a part prone to failure.

First one I've ever heard of.

Can you post a pic of the cam and it's overheated condition?

Is it just the lobe for the exhaust or all three that exhibit overheating?

If all three I would suspect oil related failure, just the exhaust, bearing related failure.

[rigoscrf]

Thanks for the reply. Sorry no pictures but, the majority of heat looks like center exhaust lobe with slighter blue heat discoloration at both intake lobes. I still need to pull the cam/bearings. The oil filter had alot of metal flaking on it. I am expecting for the worse and hoping for the best. Wish me luck!

[Asmith]

Thanks for the reply. Sorry no pictures but, the majority of heat looks like center exhaust lobe with slighter blue heat discoloration at both intake lobes. I still need to pull the cam/bearings. The oil filter had alot of metal flaking on it. I am expecting for the worse and hoping for the best. Wish me luck!

Post a picture when you can...

The flaking on the oil filter...what color was it? Silverish or brass/gold/copper colored??

Might be a clue as to what failed first.

If something was failing in the bottom end, and clogged the inlet to the oil pump, that lack of oil could've caused the failure to the rocker bearing.

Good luck bro...

[rigoscrf]

It was silver metalic flakes. I pressed the roller shaft out and found quite a bit of metal/surface missing from the shaft. so, im hoping that it may be the flakes I'm seeing?? The right clutch cover was off and can't detect any signs of overheated parts. It's very clean. I also just removed the magneto cover and don't see anything obvious. The top of the oil strainer looks clean with darker residual at the bottom (still need to get a better look below strainer).

[Asmith]

It was silver metalic flakes. I pressed the roller shaft out and found quite a bit of metal/surface missing from the shaft. so, im hoping that it may be the flakes I'm seeing?? The right clutch cover was off and can't detect any signs of overheated parts. It's very clean. I also just removed the magneto cover and don't see anything obvious. The top of the oil strainer looks clean with darker residual at the bottom (still need to get a better look below strainer).

Good news.

Means the bottom didn't let go first.

Make sure you do a serious cleaning of every square inch prior to rebuild.

[rigoscrf]

Thanks, I plan on going through it soon. I need to purchase a Honda manual before I go too much further.