3.5 Ecoboost cam lobe wear?
- Thread starter Soliyou
- Start date
75k miles. Synthetic every 5k miles at most.
Rocker fingers seem fine, I am suspecting lifters failure since they got a bit noisy recently. But WHY?
does the oil smell like fuel?
Hmm… didn’t notice fuel smell, but will pay more attention.
What oil brand and viscosity? It certainly looks clean.
As a very general rule, roller followers place a heavy load in a small area. It is my belief that viscosity plays a role here too. Possibly inadequate film thickness leads to lack of 'cushion' and both the roller and cam lobe suffer. Often through microcracking and eventual wearing away of the surface. Although opinions differ markedly and some people believe ultra low viscosity gives longer roller life, there are sufficient examples of failed roller followers and roller lifters, along with cam lobe wear on low viscosity oils. And at least a few examples, often in the diesel engine world, where adequate viscosity, higher ZDDP and higher quality oils solved the roller follower problems.
Then there are the Chrysler products where metallurgy was substandard and no oil type seems to solve the problem.
As a very general rule, roller followers place a heavy load in a small area. It is my belief that viscosity plays a role here too. Possibly inadequate film thickness leads to lack of 'cushion' and both the roller and cam lobe suffer. Often through microcracking and eventual wearing away of the surface. Although opinions differ markedly and some people believe ultra low viscosity gives longer roller life, there are sufficient examples of failed roller followers and roller lifters, along with cam lobe wear on low viscosity oils. And at least a few examples, often in the diesel engine world, where adequate viscosity, higher ZDDP and higher quality oils solved the roller follower problems.
Then there are the Chrysler products where metallurgy was substandard and no oil type seems to solve the problem.
If it’s got a roller rocker that actuates the valves, then chances are the roller is stuck and no longer turning. On pentastars the roller needle bearings either wear out the shaft of the inner roller surface, which creates slack and makes them tick quite noticeably. But if neglected, the roller will eventually bind and stop rotating, which will then start wearing the cam lobe out.
Something similar may have happened in this case. No oil would have prevented the damage IMO in such a scenario.
Something similar may have happened in this case. No oil would have prevented the damage IMO in such a scenario.
Why the entire cylinder head?
Ya that's a weird recommendation.
Not good, i'd replace the cam and roller lifters.
Likely more cost effective to buy a head assembly than to replace the cam, tappets and followers separately. Bonus is you'll get new phasers and DI parts if it's a DI engine.
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I highly doubt there would be any cost savings. A fully assembled head would be super expensive and there is more labor involved removing the old head and installing a new one. Can you even buy a fully assembled head anyways?
Removing cam shafts is much easier and quicker. If you do one at a time, and mark the chain and sprockets, you don’t even have to worry about timing it again.
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To each their own. OP says there had been top end noise previously. I'd put a whole head on it if the job was mine. Can more confidently guarantee a fix, warranty, and a job completed with no surprises/extras in a timely manner.
:To each their own. OP says there had been top end noise previously. I'd put a whole head on it if the job was mine. Can more confidently guarantee a fix, warranty, and a job completed with no surprises/extras in a timely manner.
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To each their own for sure, one can go down that rabbit hole and just get a brand new vehicle at the end of it.:
To each their own. OP says there had been top end noise previously. I'd put a whole head on it if the job was mine. Can more confidently guarantee a fix, warranty, and a job completed with no surprises/extras in a timely manner.
People have done it.
But more realistically, he could take it down the street to you if he didn't like my offer. Wouldn't hurt my feelings. I wouldn't want the job if just a cam replacement was requested.
These engines have internal, chain-driven water pumps if I remember correctly. Verify that coolant isn't contaminating the oil first.
I’m just a shade tree looking out for my best interest. You sound like you’re on the opposite side and looking out for your bottom line. Two different perspectives I guess.
