Why the heck did this happen? (broken piece pics inside)

[Mikeyworks]

I was trying to remove the cam bolt last night and I think I made a fatal error.

Instead of using the Impact Wrench like I normally do to remove the bolt, I used the ratchet bar and the lock plate.  

Damn end of the cam snapped.  



It's still intact as a whole cam within the journals...just that little piece on the end chipped off. I think I still have it all too.

Is this the end of this cam? Am I going to have to replace it?

Note to all, if you paint your sprockets, don't paint the inside where it fits onto the cam/crank/etc. It makes getting the things off much harder (near impossible).

Mikey

[Dr. Diesel]

a pal of mine did the same thing. he just left it alone and kept driving. just takes a little more attention while setting the timing.

[Mikeyworks]

well, that's good to hear. I don't really feel like buying a replacement cam.

Mikey

[Cheesetoast]

good time to upgrade the cam!

let me know if it's an option, there is a guy who builds speciatly performance diesel cams here in abbotsford, bc.

[Mikeyworks]

good time to upgrade the cam!

let me know if it's an option, there is a guy who builds speciatly performance diesel cams here in abbotsford, bc.

What is the price we're looking at here and what performance gains are we talking about?

Mikey

[Northern RD]

Really?
How much and what are the specs?? :?  :?

[Cheesetoast]

Just spoke with my mechanic, who I  go through for the cam's. he said the best thing is to contact him with the year/engine size, mods etc on your vehicle and he will get you a price and some information.

[email protected]

[malone]

Just spoke with my mechanic, who I  go through for the cam's. he said the best thing is to contact him with the year/engine size, mods etc on your vehicle and he will get you a price and some information.

[email protected]

I had my TDI cam done through that guy. Here's a before pic of the stock cam:



After (same cam):



It's a regrind so the OEM core material is retained (better than some aftermarket cams with softer metal) and the price was very reasonable.

I haven't run the engine yet but I'm looking forward to it.

As for TDs, I don't know if they use a new cam or regrind the OEM version. It doesn't hurt to ask

[DVST8R]

You could also talk to colt cams in Aldergrove. They do all of Piers Diesel Research cams as well as some tractor pullers, and normal things like race cars street cars ect...

[QuickTD]

For future reference, the cam locking plate is not meant to hold the cam when loosening/tightening the bolt, it is for alignment only. Use a proper counterhold tool on the cam sprocket when torquing on the bolt and this will not happen.

[Mikeyworks]

Yeah....I kinda figured that one out the hard way... :wink:

Like I said, this is the only time I didn't try the impact wrench first.  And it will also be the last time.

Mikey

[SteveH]

Hrmm, Interesting.  I would really like to get info/prices on the cam.  My engine is a 1.6TD, engine code 1V.

Thanks,
  Steve

[Cheesetoast]

contact him yourself plz. [email protected]

Hrmm, Interesting.  I would really like to get info/prices on the cam.  My engine is a 1.6TD, engine code 1V.

Thanks,
  Steve

[SteveH]

I shot him an email at the beginning of last week, still no word.  Perhaps away for the holiday ?  Do you have a number by chance ?

Thanks,
  Steve

[fspGTD]

For future reference, the cam locking plate is not meant to hold the cam when loosening/tightening the bolt, it is for alignment only. Use a proper counterhold tool on the cam sprocket when torquing on the bolt and this will not happen.

Actually, QuickTD, the cam locking plate is designed to hold the torque when tightening the cam sprocket bolt.  Check out Bentley or other service manual for the recommended procedure for installing the timing belt and setting the cam timing, and you will see it does recommend tightening the cam pulley bolt while the locking plate is installed.

If you remove the cam locking plate before tightening the cam pulley bolt, it invites having the cam timing slip which is not good (based on my experience of having the cam timing slip 2 degrees when doing just this and trying to counterhold the cam/pulley some other way).

You are definitely correct that the locking plate is not supposed to be used to hold the torque when loosening the cam bolt.  I guess for various reasons (IE: corrosion, static coefficient of friction greater than dynamic, etc) the torque required to loosen the bolt can be greater than the force to tighten the bolt.