Slightly damaged camshaft - Is it ok to use? Professional/Serious answers only please.

  1. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE
    #1
    Only looking for answers off the members with the right knowledge. No spam in here please.

    Can someone tell me if this camshaft is ok to use? My initial thought was a definate no, then looking at it, its not actually a lobe thats damaged, its just the locator that sits at the side.. that doesn't actually do anything?

    Whats the opinions of the professionals?

    Anyone without the knowledge/experience please don't bother posting.

  2. Regular Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Wakefield Posts: 395 saxo vtr/vts 106 diesel
    #2
    Im a mechanic so no about this scrap it and get a new one its damged there so might br cracked further along and break up eventually
  3. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE
    #3
    It seems pretty solid, it is cast iron. But i understand what you're saying (due to the speed they rotate and heat).

    I've asked a couple of local mechanics and they wasn't 100% sure. I'm hoping John from GMC, Kam or someone with a background in engine building will be able to throw 2p in.
  4. Regular Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Wakefield Posts: 395 saxo vtr/vts 106 diesel
    #4
    Yes trouble is it could appear solid but have small cracks and you dont want other bits breaking up and going into the oil upto you but i wouldnt wana risk it.
  5. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2005 MaDchester Posts: 8432 Vts
    #5
    i wouldnt risk it dude,

    if like said above the metal has weakness' over time maybe 5k? it could shatter and youll have bits of hard metal destroy the inside of the engine flying around everywhere
  6. Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2010 wigan Posts: 778
    #6
    i wouldnt use it mate. that piece missing will effect the balence of the camshaft and could cause vibrations followed by the shaft snapping and then your engines goosed mate. is it a special shaft or something?
  7. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE
    #7
    Cheers for advice people.

    It's a catcam 708.
  8. Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2010 wigan Posts: 778
    #8
    oh was gonna say if its a standard one you can buy them for about a tenner so dont be tight but as its a proper one i forgive you. is it for an S mate?
  9. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE
    #9
    Yep
  10. Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2010 wigan Posts: 778
    #10
    you can buy them seperatly cant you? or maby a gmc one as there cheaper and a very similar spec. dont think you'll find a second hand single cam tho..
  11. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2007 Posts: 16839 Saxo VTS, Westfield
    #11
    Balance would defo be an issue imo.
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  12. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Feb 2006 dudley United Kingdom (England) Posts: 6790 106 gti/ SEAT LCR
    #12
    No, don't use it
  13. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172
    #13
    not so much a worry about balance or further damage but that ridge is designed to run against the bearing cap so the sharp edge would act like a lathe tool and eat into the aluminium, scrap it.
  14. Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)
    #14
    Its certainly not usable! I've got one damaged similarly and its being used as a paper weight. Was it you who called earlier about the single camshaft then??
  15. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE
    #15
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by KamRacing View Post
    Its certainly not usable! I've got one damaged similarly and its being used as a paper weight. Was it you who called earlier about the single camshaft then??
    Yeah it was mate

    Problem is iv sold them someone, guys wondering if they're still useable.

    I've only sold them for 180 so I'll just refund him.
  16. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2009 Uckfield, East Sussex Posts: 3362 Citroen saxo 1.4 furio
    #16
    The problem with cast iron is that is extremely hard, but extremely brittle. if there are any penetrative cracks then the resonance of the engine and/or the now unbalanced camshaft could lead to further breakup. so no, scrap it
  17. Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)
    #17
    so who dropped it then?
  18. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire
    #18
    Yea defiantly can't use that matey. Is it the exhaust or inlet? Can the guy you sold them too not just Get hold or the one?
  19. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #19
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mandyslover70 View Post
    not so much a worry about balance or further damage but that ridge is designed to run against the bearing cap so the sharp edge would act like a lathe tool and eat into the aluminium, scrap it.
    wa going to say this, that would effect you well before any further damage to the shaft id have thought

    all other points are still valid issues too

    is it inlet or exhaust?
  20. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380
    #20
    cams are cast(cold chilled casting to make them hard) so that has had a serious shock to it to break that bit off --so time to bin it -you could never be certain it is not cracked internally .
    yes you can buy a single cam --if you really want to but it not going to be half of a pair of cams -carriage etc iis same for one or two cams .
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  21. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE
    #21
    Thanks for replies everyone