Excessive Came Lobe Wear? (Pics inside)

[GMFan]

Good evening to all,

It just so happened that the cam lobe was facing upward toward the fill hole when I was looking in so I was able to get a good look. The cam lobe looks to have worn notches in it. See the pictures below. Is this something to be concerned with?

This is a Mazda 2.5L motor with 9,300 miles on the odometer.

Cam Lobe pic1

Cam Lobe pic2

Thanks

 

[xxch4osxx]

Put your finger in there and feel it to see if it smooth or not. If it is not, Id be heading to the dealership and letting them know.

 

[chubbs1]

I don't like the looks of that at all. as said above if it feels rough take it in. That just isn't normal.

 

[The motor guy]

That's not normal. Take it in.

 

[Dave Hess]

I would be very worried... but the dealership might say its normal for the cam to look like that.

 

[antonmnster]

That really doesn't look right, esp for the LOW miles. The wear across the lobe doesn't look even, nevermind that there shouldn't be any.

Is that the original oil? Looks really dark.

 

[GMFan]

Originally Posted By: antonmnster
That really doesn't look right, esp for the LOW miles. The wear across the lobe doesn't look even, nevermind that there shouldn't be any.

Is that the original oil? Looks really dark.


It isn't the original oil. The FF was drained at 3,200 miles and this is currently on the second fill of oil (Mobil 1 0w20) with 6,100 miles on it. I am following a 7,500 mile OCI as recommended for normal service.

I stuck an extended toothpick into the fill hole and I didn't feel a ridge...the toothpick glided over it smoothly.

How would the dealership even check the cam? They'd say it's normal wear. The motor has a 5yr/60,000 mile warranty.

 

[OVERKILL]

If you can't feel it at all, it may just be a visual anomaly due to the hardening of the lobe.

 

[dparm]

I would at least report it. If a problem develops later, it's better to have it on record early.

 

[jaj]

Or a hall of mirrors style reflection of the filler hole distorted by the polished shape of the lobe.

 

[vinu_neuro]

Seriously.. you won't stick your finger in there and see it's something real or not..?

 

[aquariuscsm]

Looks fine to me.

 

[Colt45ws]

I think that might be a reflection of the filler hole itself.

 

[ltslimjim]

Break-in wear?

Appears, if actually present, to be wearing to one side(notice the stroke pattern below in picture #2?).

Not sure if it's supposed to break-in like that.

 

[Smokefan1977]

given Gm's track record with cam wear I would have them look at this. My professional opinion is that this is an issue

 

[GMFan]

Originally Posted By: vinu_neuro
Seriously.. you won't stick your finger in there and see it's something real or not..?


I don't think my finger will really be able to reach down there but I will try again tomorrow. I used a toothpick to go over the surface and I didn't feel any ridge...the toothpick felt as if it were gliding smoothly over that area.

I'm not ruling out that it could be a mirror like effect or a reflection of some sort...but it at least seemed to me to be some sort of discoloration.

Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
Break-in wear?

Appears, if actually present, to be wearing to one side(notice the stroke pattern below in picture #2?).

Not sure if it's supposed to break-in like that.


Could you please elaborate on pic#2 and the stroke pattern?...I am curious.

 

[ltslimjim]

To the naked eye, I am untrained by the way, it appears one side of the lobe is getting 'rounded off', perhaps it's a mechanical issue or normal...IDK...but it appears that it's getting worn by whatever it's down-stroke meets with. Normal? Abnormal? IDK.

Again, it's if there is actual wear visible or some sort of optical illusion. Picture #2 you posted shows this more, IMO.

 

[mcrn]

Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
given Gm's track record with cam wear I would have them look at this. My professional opinion is that this is an issue



So what does this have to do with a Mazda engine?

 

[Challenger71]

It appears the outer hardened case is wearing away. Are you hearing any ticking noise from the valvetrain?

Let me guess, you're manual recommends 0w-20?

 

[wander2039]

Looks like what happens on some Aspire's. The plastic piece holding the rocker center can break which in turn causes the roller rocker to be off center. Not sure what retainer's the 2.5L use I'd say a spring. Maybe the spring is broke or mis-aligned.