Freelander 1 1.8 scratched camshaft

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PRO

Well-Known Member
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637
Location
West Yorkshire
Hello, noticed an heavy oil leak on one of the inlet camshaft seals.
Replaced the seal, leak again.
After a closer inspection, it seems like the cam has been scratched quite deep by somebody else in the past.
Is there any solution to this? I am thinking of using some putty/filler and then use 1000 sand paper to smooth it out.
Otherwise, will have to replace the cam. I believe it can be done without fully removing the cylinder head just the camshaft carrier...
 
Don't put filler on the cam lobe and certainly don't put sand paper near it!

You could replace the cam, however you'd also have to replace the tappets..

Are all the lobes scored or just the one?

common on neglected engines.
 
It's just one. On the timing side, inlet. I need to try at least something before I order and wait for a new cam, and the tappets.
Can I change those as well without removing the cylinder head?
 
PRO said:
It's just one. On the timing side, inlet. I need to try at least something before I order and wait for a new cam, and the tappets.
Can I change those as well without removing the cylinder head?
Click to expand...

Nothing you can do with a scored cam..

They can be replaced by removing the cam carrier.
 
Right, it's not that expensive. About 100 quid for the camshaft and another 80 for the tappets.
Can somebody please confirm I can change only one camshaft, new with new tappets on the inlet?
 
Engineers can put a thin sleeve over the damaged area. I forget what they are called. I have to do the same thing for a front drive shaft that wept oil where it ran on the seal, and I'll keep it as a spare.

Were the tappets noisy? Not that common to replace them is it?
 
Well it's always advisable to replace the camshafts with the tappets from the head they were into, unless new.
Been receiving this advise from several people now...
 
I've replaced the K4 cam in the past, without replacing the followers and all was well. The followers would wear to the old cam, so could potentially damage the new cam, as dissimilar wearing surfaces combine.
However when I changed the cam, I suffered no problems with such wear.

If it were me, I'd refinish the seal surface, by taking of the absolute minimum of metal. I can't see the surface being affected by more than a couple of thou, which should come out and still allow sufficient seal pressure to seal up correct.


Do you also have a damaged cam lobe?
 
I do not know yet, found a cylinder head in good order for 50 quid so went for it. Will replace all, and clean the tappers as well while at it.
I did not think of removing the camshafts and sandpaper it, the scratch is very deep as some big screwdriver was used. I wish it would be on the block, as it can be sealed easily and there is no movement. On the cams, while harder to scratch, they move and in this particular case that scratch also messes up the seal seconds after running.
It's just worth replacing the cams, sealing cam carrier (leaking as they used silicone) and keep the cylinder head around for darker days.
 
Just in case I thought I'd mention some seals are handed so if you put them in the wrong way round they will pull the oil out instead of keeping it in.
Sorry if I'm teaching grannies to suck eggs but thought it worth mentioning.
 
Ah I've changed quite a few of these, I know which way they go and the black ones are on cambelt and red on the other end.
In this case, I noticed an oil leak below and immediately knew what it is. Changed the seals, didn't look very well on the camshafts, leaking seconds after.
I initially did believe I somehow put them wrong but when I've replaced it again, I saw not one but two scratches and one is very deep.
I have a fancy screwdriver for this purpose, cannot do such a mess even if I want to.
 
Like I said, apes...

upload_2020-4-26_22-1-34.png
 
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