In my opinion, if the wear can be felt with your finger tip, on a surface that presumably still has some layer of oil film on it, it's likely more than "normal wear". Something like this will get worse and worse over time. As someone said earlier, it's not impossible to have a flaw in a human-designed mass-production environment. The dealer likely will say that's normal, but at least it'll be documented for later on down the road.
Excessive Came Lobe Wear? (Pics inside)
- Thread starter GMFan
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Compare the OP photos to Nick R's, who has a nearly identical engine. There is something very unusual about the OP's cam. In any event getting it documented is the best course of action, as has been mentioned. I recall reading on BITOG a few weeks ago that 0w-20 has shown evidence of too low a TBN resulting in abnormal cam wear.
I do wonder why they're not using roller cam followers here. They obviously don't remove completely the lubrication stress at the cam surface, but surely reduce it significantly.
I don't think it's reflections, because of the 2 different pictures.
And once again, at less then 10k, this is NOT right.
The sooner you pursue this, the better.
And once again, at less then 10k, this is NOT right.
The sooner you pursue this, the better.
I will keep a close eye on the cam lobe for now and see how it looks after a few more thousand miles. I will take additional pictures every few thousand miles for the folks here.
I am documenting the photos for record and potential use in the event I need to file a warranty claim. If it looks to get progressively worse I will head to the dealer with my car and photos with the mileage and date recorded.
If I contact the dealer now, I can guarantee I will be turned away saying it is normal wear. I have 50,000 miles and 4+ years of warranty coverage yet. I don't have a gun to my head in terms of rushing to the dealer for this.
I am due for an oil change in a few weeks as I am about to hit the 7,500 mile/6 month OCI as dictated in the manual. I will not bother to do a used oil analysis...there will certainly be a decent amount of metal in the oil due to break-in wear and as many here know, a simple used oil analysis cannot be used to condemn a motor in all cases.
Thanks for the advice so far.
I am documenting the photos for record and potential use in the event I need to file a warranty claim. If it looks to get progressively worse I will head to the dealer with my car and photos with the mileage and date recorded.
If I contact the dealer now, I can guarantee I will be turned away saying it is normal wear. I have 50,000 miles and 4+ years of warranty coverage yet. I don't have a gun to my head in terms of rushing to the dealer for this.
I am due for an oil change in a few weeks as I am about to hit the 7,500 mile/6 month OCI as dictated in the manual. I will not bother to do a used oil analysis...there will certainly be a decent amount of metal in the oil due to break-in wear and as many here know, a simple used oil analysis cannot be used to condemn a motor in all cases.
Thanks for the advice so far.
^Keep records, as you have laid out in your approach here...and definitely share the pics with us here.
PS: If you did have to walk in one day in the future, laying the smack down would probably cause them to put their proverbial tail between their legs and make it right.
PS: If you did have to walk in one day in the future, laying the smack down would probably cause them to put their proverbial tail between their legs and make it right.
Not that there's much difference between 0W-20 and 5W-20, but Amsoil says:
Quote:
LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS:
Engine Oil
Grade 1......API*
Maximum Performance SAE 5W-20 Signature Series 100% Synthetic Motor Oil (ALMQT)
Performance Plus XL 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil (XLMQT)
Performance Synthetic 5W20 OE Motor Oil (OEMQT) All TEMPS......5W-20
When I look at those pictures, I see evidence of metal to metal contact.
Quote:
LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS:
Engine Oil
Grade 1......API*
Maximum Performance SAE 5W-20 Signature Series 100% Synthetic Motor Oil (ALMQT)
Performance Plus XL 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil (XLMQT)
Performance Synthetic 5W20 OE Motor Oil (OEMQT) All TEMPS......5W-20
When I look at those pictures, I see evidence of metal to metal contact.
Don't wait.
Complain now, and be firm.
This is NOT normal or good.
Get paperwork -evidence of your concerns with them.
Complain now, and be firm.
This is NOT normal or good.
Get paperwork -evidence of your concerns with them.
I am going to take more pictures in a few more thousand miles. If it gets worse I will have photographic proof for my claim. My only fear is them trying to deny my warranty (if it comes to that) because I didn't use the OEM Mazda oil filters.
I'd get a used oil analysis and visit the dealer. Granted the wear metals will be high as a result of normal break in. If that really is wear and not an optical illusion there will be a lot more wear metal in the oil than an engine under normal break in conditions.
I looked into the oil fill cap on both of our 2011 Fusion Hybrids at work (with the 2.5L Duratec) and both have a smooth look to the lobe crown surface on that one cam lobe.
Is it likely that if this is indeed a problem that one could point it out in the form of wear in a used oil analysis despite this engine still being in the break-in period? I do have a blackstone kit laying around. If the used oil analysis is unlikely to tell me anything I may not bother but looking to hear others thoughts on this first.
NickR and Hokiefyd...I greatly appreciate the pics/effort posted for reference vs my cam.
NickR and Hokiefyd...I greatly appreciate the pics/effort posted for reference vs my cam.
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Originally Posted By: GMFan
Is it likely that if this is indeed a problem that one could point it out in the form of wear in a used oil analysis despite this engine still being in the break-in period? I do have a blackstone kit laying around. If the used oil analysis is unlikely to tell me anything I may not bother but looking to hear others thoughts on this first.
NickR and Hokiefyd...I greatly appreciate the pics/effort posted for reference vs my cam.
I was never much of a beliver in used oil analysis reports, lots of mistakes etc. But in this case if wear is enough to be visible by looking at a part, that metal is somewhere. So it is either in the oil, in the filter, or both. B_S should be able to tell if the excess metal is considered normal for break in, or excessive indicating a problem. If that is the case you'll have documentation from an outsider in the event the dealer claims its normal, and you have a problem later on. JMO
Is it likely that if this is indeed a problem that one could point it out in the form of wear in a used oil analysis despite this engine still being in the break-in period? I do have a blackstone kit laying around. If the used oil analysis is unlikely to tell me anything I may not bother but looking to hear others thoughts on this first.
NickR and Hokiefyd...I greatly appreciate the pics/effort posted for reference vs my cam.
I was never much of a beliver in used oil analysis reports, lots of mistakes etc. But in this case if wear is enough to be visible by looking at a part, that metal is somewhere. So it is either in the oil, in the filter, or both. B_S should be able to tell if the excess metal is considered normal for break in, or excessive indicating a problem. If that is the case you'll have documentation from an outsider in the event the dealer claims its normal, and you have a problem later on. JMO
^For $25, not including postage...describing that you are trying to track pre-mature wear on the camshaft lobe already 'appearing' within 10,000 miles may at least make them double-check numbers, metals etc, that would be expected from cam lobe surfaces.
There is a good chance they won't be able to 'state' anything definitive, but if something does pop up at least you have that part of the process covered.
There is a good chance they won't be able to 'state' anything definitive, but if something does pop up at least you have that part of the process covered.
So you guys are saying there's something wrong with the camshaft?
Can you feel it with your fingernail?
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Definitely have it documented.
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