Ok so as im changing the rocker cover due to oil leaking, i thought i would take some pics, to see if any knowledgeable folks think stuff under there looks ok :p

 

I noticed the two closest central headbolts are full off oil, i did changed to pd150 bolts a few months ago.. is this a issue, also i see some wear on the shells, again are they alright?

Edited 1 May, 201610 yr by FromTheDarkness

There are no shells in those pictures, only lobes and rollers, the left hand lobe in picture 4 looks brutally scuffed around the nose, it should be smooth, please confirm this by running a fingernail across it and report back.

As above,that lobe looks well worn :(

There are no shells in those pictures, only lobes and rollers, the left hand lobe in picture 4 looks brutally scuffed around the nose, it should be smooth, please confirm this by running a fingernail across it and report back.

Please forgive my ignorance, ie shells :P

 

Ive had a look, and it looks pitted or kinda corroded like aluminium does, but i cant feel anything to touch.

Out of interest which is the exhaust lobe? 

Out of interest which is the exhaust lobe? 

 

I think that scuffed looking one is an exhaust lobe, I believe that lobes 1, 4, 5, 8 are inlets and 2, 3, 6, 7 are exhausts.

I think that scuffed looking one is an exhaust lobe, I believe that lobes 1, 4, 5, 8 are inlets and 2, 3, 6, 7 are exhausts.

 

Hmm thought it sounded a bit off on idle, do you think its in need of further inspection?

Hmm thought it sounded a bit off on idle, do you think its in need of further inspection?

 

Yes, check all the lobes, it looks like the case hardening has worn through on that one.

Yes, check all the lobes, it looks like the case hardening has worn through on that one.

I mean its a bit out of my knowledge base, it it worth booking it in a VW independant, Ive been reading this and its a bit hmm beyond me :P

 

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/camshaft-lobe-wear-inspection-and-replacement-on-tdi-pd-engine/

On topic kind of... :

When replacing the head bolts, do you have to take the cam shaft off, or are the head bolts all accessible with it in place?

JRJG

They are accessible, no need to remove the camshaft.

So hmm anyways, should i be ****ting my pants with the iffy cam? and what should i do? 

Only way to sort the cam issue is by replacing the camshaft with a new item along with a new set of lifters and shells for the cam itself.

Only way to sort the cam issue is by replacing the camshaft with a new item along with a new set of lifters and shells for the cam itself.

Is this in iminent doom, i realy dont know the implications of using the car with a lobe thats worn. Timing belts been done only 5k ago :(, will this wait another 25k? ie 2 years lol?

 

 - also isnt the cause worn bearings? so would this not just be masking the issue? 

Edited 2 May, 201610 yr by FromTheDarkness

I havnt read all of it in detail but basically...

It's the camshafts that wear down and the tappets that the camshaft push up and down on, if you don't use PD oil (ever in its life, so previous owners also) then this wear tends to happen.

To cure it will cost around £250 for a new camshaft kit with parts that go with it, ideally that will be....

- Camshaft

- Tappets

- Bearings

- Bolts

- Seal

We can't say how long it will last, obviously your getting problems that's why your looking into it, so leaving it longer isn't going to help.

Advice is to change it asap in an ideal world.

However it will only get worse, performance, mpg, idle will be rough, bad starting, tapping noise from the engine and more....

I havnt read all of it in detail but basically...

It's the camshafts that wear down and the tappets that the camshaft push up and down on, if you don't use PD oil (ever in its life, so previous owners also) then this wear tends to happen.

To cure it will cost around £250 for a new camshaft kit with parts that go with it, ideally that will be....

- Camshaft

- Tappets

- Bearings

- Bolts

- Seal

We can't say how long it will last, obviously your getting problems that's why your looking into it, so leaving it longer isn't going to help.

Advice is to change it asap in an ideal world.

However it will only get worse, performance, mpg, idle will be rough, bad starting, tapping noise from the engine and more....

 

 

£250 parts?

What about labour?

£250 parts?

What about labour?

I couldn't say, depends where you go but around £200 - £300 maybe? Just depends who you use I suppose.

If you done the timing belt yourself it's possibly worth doing DIY like a new people have.

I couldn't say, depends where you go but around £200 - £300 maybe? Just depends who you use I suppose.

If you done the timing belt yourself it's possibly worth doing DIY like a new people have.

I would but, realistically would need a indoor work area with a bench. I only have a driveway with no outdoor shed/space. Reading up it doesn't seem a driveway repair.

Fair enough, it is abit of a chew on and needs correct torque settings and some bolts replacing that some people might reuse.

I've done the job quite a few times now, it's doable in a day really.

I would but, realistically would need a indoor work area with a bench. I only have a driveway with no outdoor shed/space. Reading up it doesn't seem a driveway repair.

 

It isn't, but you can take the head off and take it to a reconditioner to do the work and fit all the bits or exchange it for a recon head, then refit that head yourself.

 

Or you could just leave it until it gets noticeably worse before undertaking the job.

It isn't, but you can take the head off and take it to a reconditioner to do the work and fit all the bits or exchange it for a recon head, then refit that head yourself.

 

Or you could just leave it until it gets noticeably worse before undertaking the job.

 

I think i will leave it a while and get the most out of the timing belt ive had fitted recently, and wait for next interval. The issue i always have is finding the above specialists as you suggest. Where/ how do i go about finding someone who specializes in redondtioning top vw group engines? That being said i might ask the 2 local vw independent garages to see if they recommend any one. Im a bit more relived that it isnt in impending doom, and i can still drive it, giving me some time to find a specialist.