Thread: Worn Rockers 300TDI

Sharing this information on some rockers I installed less than 10K km ago.

When I replaced the head just over 10K km ago, I noticed that a couple of the original rockers were showing some wear, unsurprising after 380K. So I decided to order new rockers, shaft, tension springs and valve caps. Got them from Turner's as I had good sales service from them with the head and parts.

First problem was with one of the tension springs, all installed but on the last valve adjustment and one just pinged in half, no explanation. Out it all came again and put one of the old ones in. All adjusted up OK and I felt generally pretty good about the new parts. I emailed Turner's with a photo of the spring and asked them is there was any problem with a batch, in case I had to be concerned about the others, they said no but made no offer to replace it.

Nearly 10K down the track, nice day and time for adjustment. I always back the adjuster right off to look at the cap to make sure its OK, and feel the underside of the rocker for ridges - didn't think I'd need to with the new parts but its a habit. Just as well as this is what I found - pictured. So off with the shaft again to cobble up a decent one from the old ones I took out and the 4 remaining new which were sort of OK - they all showed wear but not as bad as these 4 here (especially the one with the hole, which by the way was riding on a still intact cap). I've been doing this work myself for years so its not an installation issue, oil gets changed every 5K km - and generally pretty fastidious in service as I put a lot of K's on the vehicle.

I'm unimpressed with these new parts, going to be looking at some genuine ones locally now, hopefully affordable. There is no real way to claim on overseas parts, though I will send Turner's a pic of these.

Simon

Yes, I said as much - all rockers were still on intact caps, none worn through.