TDI BRM Camshaft problems

[chudzikb]

Originally Posted by Dmcampbell

Ol'rattler: Why did you choose this cam over the stock and the Colt from Kerma? Also what are the improved bearings and Oil clocking mods? Our 2006 Jetta TDI has 92,000 miles and I pulled the cam cover to inspect before doing the TB and WP and found four of the eight lobes worn. Dealer wants $3750 to do it all. Thanks, Mike

Did you use the thiner oil? The recommended 30 weight stuff? My understanding was the heat in the south and the thiner oil did not work out so well?

Frank developed a slotted bearing for better oil flow. Not sure on what the Oil clocking mod was, but, others surely know... I have no signs now, and hope to not have to replace till well after 100K on the car.

[Dmcampbell]

Used the 505.1 spec oil in 5w-40. Started with Amsoil and recently switch to Valvoline. Why the cam choice though?

[wicklowtdi]

105,000 on my 2005.5 tdi. Camshaft is gone as well. Did anyone's have deep gouges in it? My number one lobe has a deep gouge parallel to where it should have a chamfer.

[pitchb]

2006 TDI mine is currently in the shop will pick up tomorrow. 140,000 miles three of the valve caps were completly worn through and the others were cupped. will replace the camshaft, bearings, and caps $2400 plus. I called customer care at 800-822-8987 they took my concern and said they could not help. NHTSA will receive the concern. They issue the recalls. I think they only recall safety issues not engineering. I think VW is burying their heads. The camshaft was probably made by a company other than the one that made the valve caps and they were never tested for long term wear against each other please continue to voice your concerns. i feel anybody with 120,000 miles plus should have their cam and caps replaced. Hurry

[Rlee8394]

My 2005.5 is coming up on 178,000 miles. When timing belt was replaced at 101,000 miles, we checked the wear and I was getting the chamfer on the lobes. Switched to Rotella T6 with 4 oz. of ZDDPlus at each oil change. Hoped to slow down the wear. Now ready to do the cam/lifter change. Thinking of getting the IDParts kit for $729.00. Just need someone to perform the switch. I could probably handle it, but would rather have it done by someone who knows exactly what to do and has been throught it before.

Ron

[Dmcampbell]

Same just happened to our 2006 Jetta DSG TDI at 92,000 miles - so you should feel lucky to have gone that far!! So, never having worked on the TDI before, but being very mechanically involved in older Porsches, I tackled it all myself with the use of a friend's lift, trans jack and an above engine bar support over two weekends. I sourced a D'M'F' flywheel (newest version), Colt Stage 2 cam kit w/ lifters, bearings and hardware, the EGR cooler with the three gaskets (2 for cooler/ 1 for upper turbo oil drain) needed, the heater core coolant hoses, Q-Loader Tune and a Osirius skid plate all from Kerma TDI. Paul and staff were fantastic help and he gave me great pricing on the package. I also purchased a Timing belt kit (TB, Water Pump, Tensioner, idler pulley, Accessory belt, coolant and tools) from DieselGeek, but in hind sight I should have just sourced these from Kerma as well. I then proceeded in the following general order: Drain oil and coolant; Remove trans, R&R flywheel, install trans; removed timing belt; R&R cam, bearings & lifters; R&R water pump, tensioner, idler; Time and install Timing and accessory belts; R&R EGR Cooler & heater hoses; Refill coolant/oil w/ new filter and drove for a week. Then I installed the Kerma tune w/ the Q-Loader and the power is amazing! Car runs better than new - quick starts and smooth idle with little smoke under full throttle. I am now seeing about 37mpg around town and 51+mpg on hwy at 75 mph! I Have about 600 miles on car after all the work and plan to change oil/filter again at 1000 miles. B/T/W, torquing of all fasteners is essential and although I did source new subframe stretch bolts from Diesel Geek, which must be removed to drop DSG, the dealer advises they never change these. Obviously, you must use new flywheel bolts. In all I think I spent about $3,000 in parts, but saved nearly that much or more in labor. Good luck, Mike

[Lou Ferrigno]

Mine gone too, mine lasted to 109k on my 2002 Bora my cam lobes have worn at both ends and dished the lifters.
I got everything from a engine supplier in the UK from ebay for £209 and i am going to do the work my self,, well when i build up the courage to start stripping the engine ;-)

[paulas tdi]

we've got 181000 mi. on ours used VW castrol 5-40 1st 40k than they switch to 5-30 ? We switched to Amsoil 5-40 at 80k and now we are changing Cam & lifters At 181k ( maybe Amsoils got something )