Cam Damage, Lifter Fell Off

[jras312]

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I purchased this car last year and it ran very smooth and quiet, no lifter tick and certainly could not hear what was going on with this rocker and cam lobe. Can this be repaired, or am I now looking for a good set of stock cams?

[KeithMac]

Definitely replace cam and lifter, also check the valve stem isn't slightly bent!.

[familyMAN]

Since it's such a wide area that's affected, it looks like the cam needs replaced. If it were smaller the roller wouldn't be affected. Definitely replace the rocker also.

I prob have a set of cams around if you need it.

[jras312]

Yeah I figured that was bad enough to warrant replacing. Oh well, it will force me to tear down and inspect the heads now! I don't know anything about swapping cams. Is it literally drop in for all sets of stock cams? I will be needing a set, how much does a good condition used oem set go for?

Edit: 94TT if that matters

[sergechronos]

In truth, I would pull the oilfilter and cut it open looking for the debris from that. I had a similar thing happen and strip metal pieces out of the camshaft which went on a nice journey through combustion process and oiling system, ended up just rebuilding the whole thing and replacing oil cooler and turbos to be on the safe side.

Depending how long ago it happened, the oil may have been changed since so you may not find any evidence of it. At a minimum, I'd swap cams, do new lifters and do a 120k while it's all apart (unless it was recently done) and check the bearings while the oil pan is off for the oil pump change. Overkill? Sure, but better safe than sorry.

[sublime_whatigo]

I've seen that happen several times from the piston hitting the valve, have you checked your timing?

[jras312]

Hmm actually I haven't checked the timing yet. The engine is on a stand right now, I just need to make a crank pulley tool and get to disassembling everything. Damn I really wanted to have this car up and running before the snow hits. I will take a look when I get home and report back on the timing.

[Primus101]

This is a great example why not to endorse replacing unprimed lifters & waiting for oil pressure to fill the slack- once buttoned up, youre really taking your chances with the valvetrain mayhem for that first minute or so.

[Chris@Rvengeperformance]

This is a great example why not to endorse replacing unprimed lifters & waiting for oil pressure to fill the slack- once buttoned up, youre really taking your chances with the valvetrain mayhem for that first minute or so.

if you prime the car cranking with the ecu fuse unplugged they will be primed before it starts. You risk hanging the valves open if you prime them manually.

[Jimvr4]

This exact thing happened to my car. Timing was not affected on mine and the valves were fine. I had detonation and some land ring breakage as well. Ended up deciding the heat caused the valve to stick in the guide and float the rocker. I rebuilt the heads with new guides and VSS and upgraded the pistons.