bluesmoker
Veteran Member
05newjetta,
We have had some cams, particularly from the 'Frozen North' that have gotten fantastic wear, well over 400 kilometers, some 500 kilometers.
Then, we have those who weren't able to get 20,000 out of an aftermarket cam. I don't think it's luck. I certainly know there are better and worse cams built out there, but the obvious conclusion, it is not that thousands of PD owners do lousy maintenance, but the POTENTIAL for cam failure is high because the cam design is poor.
So, if you got 200,000 miles from your aftermarket cam and then have to rebuild it again, would it not be better to have a cam/ lifter set that is still going strong? We have a lot of engines with 250,000 miles who have told us, "It looks like it's still breaking in."
Our record-keeper is an ADDITIONAL 450,000 miles. So, there are always exceptions to the case.
There are questions.
1. What oil are you using?
2. What change interval?
3. What is your driving style?
4. Where is most of your driving done? City/ Highway?
5. What distances do you average drive?
6. Is your vehicle automatic or standard?
So, besides the average high temperature, there are several factors which can increase
or decrease life-expectancy of a cam. Our effort is to make a cam that can take abuse better and still survive.
I think we have accomplished that.
time for me to come out of the (dino) closet
my PD cam had visible discoloration at about 80, 000 km, up until this time I was using stealer 5w30-505.01 oil.
My mechanic, Euro Wrench Werks suggested I do the following:
- change to a CJ HDEO 15w40
- 6 month- 5000 mile oil change interval
- delete the egr to reduce soot contamination
I have now passed 250, 000 km on the original cam and turbo, the valve cover was off last week to replace a dead injector, it electronically failed and the car was running on 3 cylinders
The cam is still in excellent shape and the lifters show no evidence of dishing, cracking or any wear at all
My mechanic then mentioned that some BEW and BRM cars have eaten through 2 cams in the time period that my original cam continues to live on
this is just one man's opinion and real world observations but I think a heavier viscosity HEDO full of zinc and phosphorus is one solution to the PD cam fiasco
this is the oil in my car right now:
https://www.bosslubricants.com/viewproductdetails/heavy-duty-extreme-diesel-engine-oils-api-cj-4