Camshaft being eaten

[harrisonaard1]

One of the lobes on my camshaft has been eaten away! Not very much but it looks terrible and performance (which is why I was looking) isn't what I thought it should be. I know that there has to be a reason for it to happen, but I can't see one without taking the head and valve off!!! Surely I can plonk another cam on and see what happens. By hand-cranking at first.
If anyone has former knowledge of this phenomenon please tell me your sorry, or indeed happy tale. Please make it happy.

 

[television]

It is possible to have flaws under the hardened skin on the lobes,. and yes I have seen it before but not an MB

You can have the shaft metal sprayed and re profiled, or replace it, as you say no need to take off the head, the fault is within the manufacturing of the shaft and nothing else

 

[MIW615]

I have seen this many times with the manufacturer I represent and my advise is to fit a new camshaft. As said above the old cam can be metal sprayed and re-profiled, but I would renew

 

[kth286]

harrisonaard1

Possibly oil starvation because there is a blockage in the cam lobe splash oil tube.

 

[Bolide]

And replace the relevant follower as well

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[wireman]

Used to be very common on 2 litre cortinas, the early design of oil spray pipe was the culprit. Later ford OHC units had low cost case hardening problems which gave similar failiures.

Fit a new cam and followers.

If an old follower has run for any apreciable time it will have wear patterns matching the cam lobe against which it has run, so putting a nice new cam against the "run in" followers will lead to an extended period of settling in this may be detrimental to prolonged life.

 

[kth286]

harrisonaard1

If you are changing the cam/s then be very careful they are very fragile (hollow).

You have not said which engine but if you need to mess about with the timing chain tensioner and have not done the job before there is a special technique on the petrol engine.
Get Haynes manual or you risk breaking the cam after it has been changed.

 

[harrisonaard1]

Thank you for the advice. I have a 230 auto. I am considering getting a secondhand head with little wear, then I can fiddle with the old one. I have a Haynes and I shall read what you say. I have thought about looking at the tensioner but the worn lobe got there first. Don't you think that the valve may have burned a bit and is sticky, therefore accelerating wear? Anyone have a head hanging about??

 

[Ian B Walker]

Anyone have a head hanging about??

As it happens, I do. and a cam.