Just for fun, who has a BRM make it past 100K miles without cam problems? I regularly check the cam failure thread and related topics. So far I'm in pretty good shape or my UOA's wouldn't be turning out well. I'm very close to 102K miles.
Any BRM's make it past the 100K mile mark?
- Thread starter dhdenney
- Start date
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
I have 4 customers with over 200k miles on their BRMs. One is almost to 300k. 
Antsrcool
Vendor
"serviced by oilhammer" shoudl be part of it
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
LOL, well service by the book and repairing/replacing what needs to be repaired/replaced and not buying crappy parts seems to be key.dhdenney said:
Just diagnosed another bad DSG DMF on an 80k mile BRM though.
But like I said, if it needs it, fix it, and move on. German cars are kings of longevity if you just care for them properly.
I hope mine can hit the 300K mark before major maintenance. I'm so glad to have made the TDT plunge and am doing 15K mile oil changes now based on my UOA's. Did my own clutch and TB job right before 100K. I feel like it gets the proper care.oilhammer said:LOL, well service by the book and repairing/replacing what needs to be repaired/replaced and not buying crappy parts seems to be key.
Just diagnosed another bad DSG DMF on an 80k mile BRM though.
German cars are kings of longevity if you just care for them properly.
hid3
Banned
Yeah, but that cam problem seems to be uncorrelated with proper maintenance. There're much cars which had maintenance done per book with correct oil but still having failues.
Those problems newer VWs have makes me scary. Flywheel?? Cam??? As early as 60k??
Those problems newer VWs have makes me scary. Flywheel?? Cam??? As early as 60k??
ssamalin
Veteran Member
Volkswagen is scum for not recalling all BRM PD for this major defect. I intend to demand some compensation or sue for it. Oilhammer do you consider a 3000 dollar cam job per 80k normal upkeep? And even with that, the car is not reliable due to unpredictable wear and breakdown.jerry_m said:Yeah, but that cam problem seems to be uncorrelated with proper maintenance. There're much cars which had maintenance done per book with correct oil but still having failues.
Those problems newer VWs have makes me scary. Flywheel?? Cam??? As early as 60k??
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apaterso
Veteran Member
revealing my Newbieness
What does BRM refer to and what does it mean?
How I hate having to ask this.
What does BRM refer to and what does it mean?
How I hate having to ask this.
Lee_Taylor
Veteran Member
It's the VW engine code BRM = North American 1.9l TDi with PD injectors (AFAIK)apaterso said:
http://www.vaglinks.com/Docs/Catalogues/ETKA_VW_Engine_Codes.pdf
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Since I have seen so few PD cam failures I hardly think it is anything to worry about. And if you are paying $3000 for a cam and lifters I have some oceanfront property in Missouri I'd like to sell you.ssamalin said:
None of the above BRMs I mentioned have had any issues with the engine.
just curious...did you change your clutch for a reason or just as a pre-emptive in regard to DMF. I have 55k on my BRM and thinking of switching to SMF. Spend a lot of time on the road away from home and don't want the hassle of major repair(DMF) while I am out of town.dhdenney said:
plus, I like working on the car and nothing needs fixin' lately
ssamalin
Veteran Member
Theres about 50 on this site. So everyone on this site is crazy? 2700 is what the dealer charges, not everyone can get to a trusted mechanic.oilhammer said:
geemo
Well-known member
I made it to 115 000 until wednesday and then "another BRM bites the dust"
I was on my daily commute 75 mile one way to work and then my car broke down.Had it towed to the dealer and after they diagnosed my problem,the cam,lifters ,bearings etc. had to be replaced.Got my car back this afternoon and talked to the tech and looked at my old parts,the lifters look in bad shape and the lifter on cylinder 4 broke completely apart,it looks like someone shot a hole through it with a bullet.The WORST part is that I asked him about the oil changes and they did not EVEN CHANGE MY OIL with the $2600 repair,I told him there would be alot of iron particles in the oil,and hid response was ,oh yeah.The car was dealer serviced until 70 000 miles and then I changed the oil the last 45 000 miles and used TDT,I had an easy commute 150 miles per day.I am very unhappy with this.
I was on my daily commute 75 mile one way to work and then my car broke down.Had it towed to the dealer and after they diagnosed my problem,the cam,lifters ,bearings etc. had to be replaced.Got my car back this afternoon and talked to the tech and looked at my old parts,the lifters look in bad shape and the lifter on cylinder 4 broke completely apart,it looks like someone shot a hole through it with a bullet.The WORST part is that I asked him about the oil changes and they did not EVEN CHANGE MY OIL with the $2600 repair,I told him there would be alot of iron particles in the oil,and hid response was ,oh yeah.The car was dealer serviced until 70 000 miles and then I changed the oil the last 45 000 miles and used TDT,I had an easy commute 150 miles per day.I am very unhappy with this.
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
I never said it doesn't happen. I've probably replaced more cams than you will ever see. I just do not think that it is quite as high of an instance as many are led to believe. And as far as "getting to a trusted mechanic" well I have no help for you there. I have serviced cars from Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, Washington, Virginia, Texas, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Alaska, Ohio, New York, and even flew to California to service a few more, so there is no reason anyone should be getting raped for $3000 at a dealer for a simple cam and lifter change anyways. Heck, JasonTDI did one on the parking lot at TDIfest in about an hour. Many vendors here sell the parts at really great prices, too.ssamalin said:
All my regular customers are running Pentosin 5w40 oil with no troubles... and my own PD is at nearly 100k miles with no cam troubles either.
I also think that the people that are ripping the valve covers off constantly looking for something are silly, IMHO. I stopped doing that because I just was not seeing anything worth while. Almost all the PD cams I have replaced we because someone brought it to me asking about it (or they had looked already). Or in the case of the BHW had 1/4 million miles or were tooefed from oil starvation when the chain was allowed to break.
I also think the dealer-supplied 5w30 SLX is not the best oil for any VAG product. But in any event, it is quite obvious by looking at the PD camshafts that it is an inherently weak design but it is not worth this PD owner losing any sleep over.
GoFaster
Moderator at Large
Any BRM's make it past the 100K mile mark?
Hahahaha ...
251,000 km and counting. No cam issues.
5w40 505.01 every oil change until the last one; I've made the switch to Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5w40.
Hahahaha ...
251,000 km and counting. No cam issues.
5w40 505.01 every oil change until the last one; I've made the switch to Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5w40.
Sweeps
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2005
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario, Canada
- TDI
- None currently. MK4/5/6 Jetta's in the past.
196,000km here.
No issues.
I've only changed the rear brakes, and timing belt.
505.01 5w40 since new.
No issues.
I've only changed the rear brakes, and timing belt.
505.01 5w40 since new.
SMUG SLUG
Veteran Member
not to insult you but calm the f- down
I know it is very frustrating - and I know that you want to skin a VW rep in your front yard but..............you are going to give yourself a heart attack
I can sympathize with you - I have a PD with 1 cam already replaced and another wearing w/ less than 12k on it -
-but if you think that either of the above scenarios that you mentioned (getting compensation or suing for it) are likely to become reality - them you my friend need to talk to captain kirk about beaming you back down to earth because you are in deep space.
sir, you need to relax - or sell your carssamalin said:
I know it is very frustrating - and I know that you want to skin a VW rep in your front yard but..............you are going to give yourself a heart attack
I can sympathize with you - I have a PD with 1 cam already replaced and another wearing w/ less than 12k on it -
-but if you think that either of the above scenarios that you mentioned (getting compensation or suing for it) are likely to become reality - them you my friend need to talk to captain kirk about beaming you back down to earth because you are in deep space.
hid3
Banned
What oil brand (mainly) were you using? Was the OCI 10k miles?GoFaster said:
GoFaster
Moderator at Large
It's seen various oils through its life. Castrol while the dealer serviced it (through 64,000 km). One oil change with Motul Specific. Then Elf until it stopped being available a year or two ago. Lately Liquimoly, now Mobil 1 TDT. Maintenance has been done by the book, always 16,000 km intervals.
05_new_jetta
Veteran Member
how did he do it in an hour? mark the belt and and gear together loosen tensioner, pull the cam gear bolt and cam caps and slide it out and slide a new one in?oilhammer said:I never said it doesn't happen. I've probably replaced more cams than you will ever see. I just do not think that it is quite as high of an instance as many are led to believe. And as far as "getting to a trusted mechanic" well I have no help for you there. I have serviced cars from Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, Washington, Virginia, Texas, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Alaska, Ohio, New York, and even flew to California to service a few more, so there is no reason anyone should be getting raped for $3000 at a dealer for a simple cam and lifter change anyways. Heck, JasonTDI did one on the parking lot at TDIfest in about an hour. Many vendors here sell the parts at really great prices, too.
All my regular customers are running Pentosin 5w40 oil with no troubles... and my own PD is at nearly 100k miles with no cam troubles either.
I also think that the people that are ripping the valve covers off constantly looking for something are silly, IMHO. I stopped doing that because I just was not seeing anything worth while. Almost all the PD cams I have replaced we because someone brought it to me asking about it (or they had looked already). Or in the case of the BHW had 1/4 million miles or were tooefed from oil starvation when the chain was allowed to break.
I also think the dealer-supplied 5w30 SLX is not the best oil for any VAG product. But in any event, it is quite obvious by looking at the PD camshafts that it is an inherently weak design but it is not worth this PD owner losing any sleep over.
congrats on getting your name out their, but I personally think you just like tooting your own horn alot..
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GoFaster
Moderator at Large
Don't give oilhammer a hard time, he's valuable around here!
And I can see doing a cam swap on a P-D in an hour (ish) if you are not changing the timing belt. If the belt is staying, you don't have to fight with the engine mount and all the stuff underneath. No need to mark anything either. Rotate the engine to the lock position before taking anything apart; lock the crank; release tensioner; knock pulley loose; remove cam caps; remove cam and lifters; install new lifters and cam with the locking tool in place; gently install pulley; install cam caps; set tensioner; torque pulley retaining bolt; remove locks; rotate crankshaft 2 complete revolutions and confirm lock positions. Doing it in an hour might be pushing it but if you've done it enough times, it might be possible to approach that.
And I can see doing a cam swap on a P-D in an hour (ish) if you are not changing the timing belt. If the belt is staying, you don't have to fight with the engine mount and all the stuff underneath. No need to mark anything either. Rotate the engine to the lock position before taking anything apart; lock the crank; release tensioner; knock pulley loose; remove cam caps; remove cam and lifters; install new lifters and cam with the locking tool in place; gently install pulley; install cam caps; set tensioner; torque pulley retaining bolt; remove locks; rotate crankshaft 2 complete revolutions and confirm lock positions. Doing it in an hour might be pushing it but if you've done it enough times, it might be possible to approach that.
MJ72
Veteran Member
I'm at 101,000 miles with the original cam and DMF. I'd better knock on wood quick because with my luck, both will break tomorrow!
Also, I've seen Jasontdi in action a few times and don't doubt he changed out the cam in an hour. I barely had time to finish my
cup of coffee when he did my TB!
Also, I've seen Jasontdi in action a few times and don't doubt he changed out the cam in an hour. I barely had time to finish my
cup of coffee when he did my TB!
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Why not come to 'fest next year and watch. I'll even honk at you!05_new_jetta said:
Any SOHC VAG engine, even a PD, is really easy to swap a cam/lifters on.
jasonTDI
TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
It actually took 1:50 min because 20 people had a LOT of questions.
Seriously, I can do the whole TB in 2 hours so when you don't pull the mount, water pump, roller, tensioner etc it's really simple. Lock it, remove valve cover, pull the pulleys, pull the valve train and exchange it. EASY.
But not easy if you haven't done one.I really suggest taking your time and being uber careful, it would take a first timer with no TB experience 7-8 hours.
Seriously, I can do the whole TB in 2 hours so when you don't pull the mount, water pump, roller, tensioner etc it's really simple. Lock it, remove valve cover, pull the pulleys, pull the valve train and exchange it. EASY.
But not easy if you haven't done one.I really suggest taking your time and being uber careful, it would take a first timer with no TB experience 7-8 hours.
ssamalin
Veteran Member
The next 80k
I have a BRM 6.5 at 80k. I'm switching to TDT 5w40 per 5k and doing a TB/cam job each 80k. I'm not going to examine my cams again. I will petition VW to cover any costs related to the cam repairs since they are responsible. If anyone will do a Franko6 or eddif rebuild I'll go for it, but I think the TDT will get me to the 160k without it. So heres to the next 80k, I hope it's as sublime as the first. And these people who say they get 2 or 3 hundred k on their BRM cams, well, either they're full of it or VW shills, or the problem is another defective part syndrome like the DMF restricted to some builds only. Time will tell. I'm not waiting for the proof, I replaced my cams at 80k and will again at 160k. My car simply isn't worth as much as I thought when I bought it because I have to deduct this new expense that VW ripped off me. It's still the best road car in North America.
I have a BRM 6.5 at 80k. I'm switching to TDT 5w40 per 5k and doing a TB/cam job each 80k. I'm not going to examine my cams again. I will petition VW to cover any costs related to the cam repairs since they are responsible. If anyone will do a Franko6 or eddif rebuild I'll go for it, but I think the TDT will get me to the 160k without it. So heres to the next 80k, I hope it's as sublime as the first. And these people who say they get 2 or 3 hundred k on their BRM cams, well, either they're full of it or VW shills, or the problem is another defective part syndrome like the DMF restricted to some builds only. Time will tell. I'm not waiting for the proof, I replaced my cams at 80k and will again at 160k. My car simply isn't worth as much as I thought when I bought it because I have to deduct this new expense that VW ripped off me. It's still the best road car in North America.
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40X40
Experienced
If Oilhammer says it, You can bank on it. You do understand that when he says he has X PDs with XXXXXXX miles on the cams, he is talking about customer cars that he has been servicing??? It is really nice to have someone as knowledgeable and honest as he is reporting back to us.ssamalin said:
There is a whole bunch of fear, uncertainty,doubt and outright panic spread around here... mostly by people that seem to panic easily or get quite emotional when a car DARES to break down on THEM. LOL
Some PD cams fail and some don't. The percentage of failures compared to number of engines built is pretty low SO FAR.
Bill
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ssamalin
Veteran Member
Like you know
I love that impeccable data of yours O great superior. The car has a major defect, how major? Only a great one like you can say.40X40 said:
40X40
Experienced
ssamalin said:
Wow, that was intelligent. Earlier this year someone on the forums was claiming a 100% fail rate on PD cams.
Obviously a false statement, wouldn't you agree?
If my cams (two cars) fail, I will replace them at that time. Cars break down, it is just a fact of life.
I don't foresee a need to post threats of lawsuits even if they do fail.....
If you really are serious about having a 'Franko6' job done on your car, you need to call FRANK himself... his number is in his signature.
Bill
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