Camshafts are made from cast iron or steel and can be mostly found in the head of an engine, nestled above the cylinders.
The camshaft is critical to the basic function of an engine. Comprised of two distinct parts, the cams and the shaft, the camshaft is the element that enables valves to open. As the shaft rotates, the egg-shaped cams push the valves open in sync with the crankshaft gear
Running along the shaft are lobes which are manufactured to sit at different angles. These lobes are positioned in such a way that – when the camshaft is rotated – they come into contact with rocker arms that then open the engine valves. The lobes themselves are egg-shaped, with the ‘pointy’ end contacting the rocker arms, opening the valves at specific times within the engine cycle. This allows the air/fuel mixture to enter the cylinder and then the exhaust gases to leave the cylinder at the required time
Common Camshaft Problems
Because the camshaft is a solid steel component, it isn’t prone to wear or breakage. In most engines, other parts will wear out before the camshaft. Still, there are a few common camshaft problems that might arise.
Worn Cam Lobes
refers to cam lobes that have been worn down. Worn cam lobes won’t open the valves as much as intended, leading to poor engine performance and cylinder misfiring.
Broken Camshaft
refers to catastrophic failure of the camshaft. This could be a manufacturing defect or be caused by the camshaft seizing. In pushrod engines, a broken camshaft could significantly damage connecting rods, cylinder block, pistons, or the crankshaft. In interference engines, a broken camshaft could damage the cylinder head, valves, or pistons.
Both of these problems are caused by lack of proper engine maintenance. Prevent camshaft issues by getting regular engine oil changes with quality oil, adhering to manufacturer recommendations regarding oil change interval, oil type, and oil viscosity, and avoiding engine overheating.
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Pepo Auto Parts, is an Automobile Parts seller in Ethiopia founded in 2015. Pepo provides selection of high quality genuine spare parts especially focusing on MERCEDES and RENAULT Automobiles.
