1. Unusual Tapping or Ticking Noises
A common early warning sign of camshaft trouble is unusual tapping or ticking sounds coming from your engine.
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- What to Listen For: Rhythmic tapping or ticking that gets louder with increased engine speed.
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- Why It Happens: As the camshaft wears, the valve lift and duration are reduced, leading to less effective valve operation. This creates an irregular valve train movement, often resulting in tapping noises.
Don’t ignore these sounds—get your camshaft inspected to prevent further damage.
2. Reduced Engine Power or Acceleration
Struggling with sluggish acceleration? The culprit could be that your camshaft is failing.
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- What to Notice: A loss of power, especially when trying to accelerate or climb hills.
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- What’s Happening: As the camshaft wears, it disrupts the timing of the valves, leading to less air entering the engine and weaker combustion. This directly affects the power output and overall vehicle performance.
3. Misfiring or Rough Idling
Does your engine seem to hesitate or idle roughly? Misfires and rough idling are common symptoms of a failing camshaft.
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- Why It Happens: Worn camshaft lobes can affect valve operation, causing the engine to struggle with maintaining the correct air-to-fuel ratio, leading to incomplete combustion.
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- What to Look For: Engine hesitation, jerking, or a rough, uneven idle.
Addressing this early can prevent bigger problems like a failing cylinder head.
4. Excessive Exhaust Smoke
If you notice abnormal smoke from your exhaust, particularly black or white smoke, it could point to camshaft issues.
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- Why It Happens: Worn camshafts affect the valve timing, resulting in improper fuel combustion. Older diesel engines (pre-2007.5) without modern emissions controls are especially prone to excessive smoke due to camshaft wear.
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- What It Means: Black smoke often indicates too much fuel, while white smoke points to unburned fuel due to incomplete combustion.
Excessive smoke signals the need for professional engine services to avoid expensive repairs, like replacing a damaged DPF.
5. Metal Shavings in the Oil
During routine oil changes, metal shavings found in the oil can indicate severe camshaft wear.
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- How It Happens: As the camshaft deteriorates, metal particles wear off and mix with the oil, spreading throughout the engine.
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- Why It Matters: Metal shavings in the oil signal advanced wear on the camshaft or other components, potentially causing significant engine damage.
Regular oil checks and maintenance at Branch Automotive can catch issues early, preventing costly engine overhauls.
6. Check Engine Light
Modern cars have sensors that can detect camshaft problems early, often triggering the check engine light.
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- Why It Happens: The camshaft and crankshaft must stay synchronized. If they fall out of sync due to camshaft wear, the car’s onboard computer will trigger a warning, signaling an issue with camshaft positioning or timing.
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- Codes to Check: Cam/crankshaft position sensor synchronization codes are often related to camshaft failure.
7. Unusual Valve Train Movement
Erratic movement in the valve train can point directly to camshaft failure.
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- What’s Happening: The camshaft controls the lifters, valves, and pushrods. If it wears out, these components can move irregularly or stop moving altogether, leading to further damage to the valve train.
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- What to Look For: Have a certified mechanic visually inspect the valve train for any irregular movement or obvious wear.
Detecting camshaft failure early can prevent a cascade of engine problems, including broken lifters, bent pushrods, or damaged valves.
Camshaft Experts You Can Count On – Here’s Why We’re the Best
We specialize in camshaft repair, offering unmatched expertise and service. Here’s why we’re your top choice:
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- Certified Experts: Our ASE Master Technicians are trained to handle complex camshaft and engine repairs.
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- Advanced Tools: We use manufacturer-specific scan tools and a chassis dynamometer to detect and fix camshaft issues with precision.
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- Comprehensive Service: We address the root cause of camshaft failure and repair related components like cylinder heads and valves.
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- High-Quality Parts: We use only OEM or premium parts to ensure lasting performance.
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- Preventive Maintenance: We focus on regular maintenance to help prevent costly engine repairs.
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- Customer-First: Transparent communication and fast, reliable service.
Camshaft Problems? Get Reliable Engine Repair at Branch Automotive, Littleton, CO
If you notice signs of camshaft failure or engine issues, don’t wait. Our certified experts at Branch Automotive are ready to diagnose and fix your vehicle. Visit us at 6030 E County Line Road, Littleton, CO, or call (303) 771-2224. Schedule your appointment at branchautomotive.com today!
