Worn Camshaft: Symptoms & Repair

I have read about 'worn camshafts' here several times. How does this actually happen, and what exactly is it? As a driver, do you have any influence on this, meaning, how can you prevent it? Does driving at too low an RPM have an effect? Thank you very much for your answers!

I have read about 'worn camshafts' here several times. How does this actually happen, and what exactly is it?


Technically speaking, it appears that the cam lobe is wearing down. This usually happens when there were manufacturing defects (insufficient hardening) or design flaws (incorrect design, improper material combination).


As a driver, can you influence this, or how can it be prevented? Does driving at too low an RPM have an effect on it?

Actually, not really. As a driver, you can influence things by properly maintaining your vehicle. This means adhering to oil change intervals, always replacing filters, and avoiding overstressing a cold engine (by avoiding high RPMs).
In engines without hydraulic valve clearance adjustment (e.g., many motorcycles), the valve clearance must be regularly checked. With excessive clearance, there is a greater risk of pitting (material failure).

This is what a damaged camshaft looks like (worn out).
The third one from the right is almost round.

http://www.rsbike.de/dienste/nockenw/nockdef.jpg

CU Gremlin.

Ah yes, nice to recognize. Thank you very much!

Gremlin wrote:

This is what a defective camshaft looks like (worn out): The third one from the right is almost round.

What does the corresponding component, the pestle, look like in such mortars?
Is it also similarly damaged, or is it completely normal even under harsh conditions?

This is what a defective camshaft looks like (worn out):
The third one from the right is almost round.
What does the corresponding component, the pestle, look like in such mortars?
Also, is it also similarly damaged, or is it completely normal even under extreme conditions?

just as damaged... in this case, it was a lever that's also broken. It's due to wear and tear.
We also once had a 2.2i engine with worn camshafts, which resulted in corresponding indentations in the tappets (in some cases, up to 4mm!).

As soon as the cam wears out, the alignment is no longer correct, which results in excessive surface pressure.

CU Gremlin.

Hello everyone.

Today, curiosity got the better of me, and I took a look at my camshafts.

A cam lobe is pressed into each camshaft per cylinder head. You can feel a distinct groove at the tip, likely caused by the lifter. However, it appears to be less than 0.5mm deep.


How long will this last?
Or is the wear now increasing significantly after I've only gone through the surface once?


The A4 model is from 2000 and has 142,000 kilometers on it.


http://de.geocities.com/wankum2002/eingelaufeneNocke.jpg

Hello.


Does anyone have an opinion on how quickly something like that deteriorates?


Thank you, Rainer.

Probably not. If there are no personal experiences, one would need to know the hardening process, whether it's only superficial, through and through, or a combination of both.