Excessive Came Lobe Wear? (Pics inside)

[GMFan]

Originally Posted By: Challenger71
It appears the outer hardened case is wearing away. Are you hearing any ticking noise from the valvetrain?

Let me guess, you're manual recommends 0w-20?


It does make some ticking at idle, but it isn't known to me whether it is just the nature of this particular motor. Yes, 0w20 is the recommended viscosity in the OM.

I'm not sure on what the construction is for this particular motor...but this 2.5L is very similar in design to Ford's proven 2.5L duratec in the Fusion, Escape etc. As far as I know, these are a reliable breed. However, I have heard that the Mazda 2.5L head may be different than Ford's. Naturally, any mass produced product can leave the line with faults.

However, I'm not even 100% convinced there is actually an issue here...it really seems to be discoloration of the lobe or best case perhaps some illusion.

I have some additional pictures I could post in different lighting that I took. The two pictures I posted were with the most light.

 

[Nick R]

Ticking at idle with those Duratec (It's a duratec, or MZR) and most vehicles these days is just loud high pressure injectors. Here is the cam on my focus at 9k miles. It is almost an identical engine to that one.

 

[tom slick]

I think you're seeing a reflection of the inside of the valve cover. The wear marks don't make sense for the way a cam (came?) and follower interact.

 

[oggb]

I don't like the way that looks. My Mirage's cams look flawless.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Looks like what happens on some Aspire's. The plastic piece holding the rocker center can break which in turn causes the roller rocker to be off center. Not sure what retainer's the 2.5L use I'd say a spring. Maybe the spring is broke or mis-aligned.


It's cam over bucket. There is no rocker or roller.

 

[SLCraig]

Touchy feely test.
If it feels smooth, take your next pic under better light

 

[GMFan]

So this morning I did the finger test. At first it felt smooth over the lobe, but after much careful consideration it DOES in fact feel the slightest rough. If I feel it very very carefully I can feel the slightest roughness/ridge on both sides of the cam lobe. Again, it was almost non-existent but it was there.

After looking at it again today, I think I can safely judge that it is NOT a reflection or the lighting. It is either discoloration or in fact wear to the cam lobe.

If it is barely noticeable by touch, is this something to concern myself over? What would cause this type of wear to the cam? It look strange. Wouldn't a cam lobe wear about the circumference of the lobe rather than as shown in the pictures?

For now would you just assume it was just some break-in wear and for now it shouldn't get progressively worse? What are the tolerances anyway for a car manufacturer for cam lobe wear being excessive?

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: mcrn
Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
given Gm's track record with cam wear I would have them look at this. My professional opinion is that this is an issue



So what does this have to do with a Mazda engine?



I was thinking the same! Worst thing is what "track record" of cam wear is he talking about??

 

[mechtech2]

I don't like that at all for 9k. I don't like it at 75k, either.
Looks like a 'soft' cam lobe.
Get dealer attention and paperwork started now!

BTW, it's great you caught this , and caught it early.

 

[tom slick]

That surface should be very polished and shiny. If it does indeed have wear marks like your picture indicates then it needs help ASAP.

 

[Virtuoso]

That cam should be polished and perfectly smooth.. any roughness at all will result in increased wear over time.

Dealership might try to say this is normal, but it is not.

 

[onion]

I don't see a problem there. If that's engine has bucket followers (and I think it does), then the lobes are gonna wear much like your average flat-tappet cam. And that's exactly what those pictures look like to me.

If you take that to the dealer, I guarantee that you're gonna tell you it's normal and send you on your way.

Here's a suggestion that could help clear things up without having to rely on a bunch of conflicting opinions from us oil-nerds: Go have a look at a few of these same vehicles at used car lots. Bring along a small flashlight. Take off the oil cap and have a look... see if they all look like yours. I'd be willing to bet that they do.

 

[hypervish]

Just go to the dealer and make sure it's in the system. LOL... It's not that hard.

The wear on the cam does not look normal.

 

[Charlie1935]

I don't think it's a reflection, the photos are taken from different angles and the mark in question looks to be in the same place and shape. Go to dealer time.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: onion
If you take that to the dealer, I guarantee that you're gonna tell you it's normal and send you on your way.


+1

Even if it's not normal, the dealer won't want to replace the cam on a perfectly running engine.

But since the car is so new, you could ask them to look at some other cars on the lot with the same engine.

Also, you could contact Mazda and email them the pictures.

 

[2oldtommy]

There is nothing wrong with that cam. If you have never rebuilt an engine, and have never seen a truly worn cam, then looking at a couple of lobes will tell the inexperienced person nothing. Trust me. FWIW--Oldtommy

 

[Propflux01]

Take a UOA, if its showing excess cam stuff in it, then you'll know, and have proof for the dealer.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: 2oldtommy
There is nothing wrong with that cam. If you have never rebuilt an engine, and have never seen a truly worn cam, then looking at a couple of lobes will tell the inexperienced person nothing. Trust me. FWIW--Oldtommy



I think you missed the main point...the car has 9,300 miles not 93,000.

I agree that this should be looked at and documented at the dealer. Also, the poster should find another car like his and take a peek. Maybe it is normal, maybe not. I would not risk it and have a big bill AFTER the warranty expires.

 

[hattaresguy]

It looks fine, it looks like a reflection.

Cam's are surface hardened so when they start to wear they wear fast. If it was a bum cam from the factory you will start to see a lot of scoring along the lobe as the hardening wears off.

How long is the power train warranty? If it really is an issue it will give up before the warranty expires, they don't last to long once they start to wear.

I'd just watch it, if nothing changes over the next 10k-20k miles forget about it.

Oh lastly make sure whatever oil you run meets all the manufactures specifications. If this is a problem, and you are running oil that doesn't meet specs they will probably refuse to fix it.

 

[KrisZ]

I'm not convinced that there is nothing to worry about. Looking at the first picture, right on the tip of the lobe you can see what looks like scoring and slight discoloration, the same pattern can be seen in the second pic.

Could be nothing, but it would be a good time to follow owners manual to the letter, and possibly do the maintenance at the dealer, to ensure OP has all documentation needed in case of cam failure. The last thing I would want to do is scramble to get all my receipts and find out I’m missing few.
As others already mentioned, starting proper documentation and getting the dealer involved now, could save OP a lot of headaches down the road.