Opinion on Cam Follower & Cam Lobe Wear

[KatieT]

Hi all,

New member here!

I have recently bought a 'project' GTI

It has a very noisy (clackety/tappety) engine, but this noise disappears above 2.5k rpm (if that's any help with diagnosis)

I have since read up on the cam follower issues

I narrowed down the noise to the cam follower/pump and chain area of the engine

I removed the HPFP to take a look at the cam follower and cam lobe condition, pictures are below, please let me know your opinions on wear

When the HPFP goes bad, does it also make a tappety type noise?

When I put everything back together it did quiet down to an acceptable level for around 10-15 seconds or so, again, if this helps with diagnosis

Link to pics below
https://imgur.com/a/p6enNHQ


Thanks all x

 

[KatieT]

Cam lobe feels smooth btw

[muff1991]

Hi,
Your cam lobe and HPFP looks fine to me. The follower is a bit worn but nothing to worry about. It will need changing. But the tappety rattly noise your hearing is likely to be the cam chain and tensioner.
I replaced mine back in the summer last year as it was rattling on idle. The minute you rev the sound goes or cannot be heard.


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[chigmuss]

Katie,

I'd definitely be changing your follower. Any wear through the coating is a sign that it needs changed, even much lighter wear than yours is displaying.

[pudding]

This is the story those pictures tell me:  Previous owner let the follower wear through, HPFP's spring keeper contacted the cam, stuck a new tappet in and sold it on.   The wear on that tappet is abnormal.  The groove in the cam is chewing it up.

The cam is a door stop I'm afraid.

[KatieT]

You know, judging by how bad the engine sounds, I’m inclined to agree with you

Do you know what constitutes a broken HPFP? Would it get noisy? How do I know if it needs to be replaced?

So, what should be on my shopping list? I’m thinking:

Cam follower
Inlet camshaft
Chain and tensioner (would I need the adjuster too?)

Anything else?

What bolts etc. do I need for replacing the cam?

Thanks all!

[pudding]

Given the HPFP has contacted the cam, I would add a new one to your shopping list.  Even as little as a mm shaved off the end of the HPFP plunger can affect the flow rate. Something to bear in mind if you plan on a Stage 1 remap in the future.  A new one from VW is around £200+VAT.

I would add a chain cover gasket to that list.

You will also need a new bolt for the VVT adjuster, and some cam girdle sealant, which isn't cheap I'm afraid!

The VVT adjuster can make some noise, but you can check it's working OK with VCDS if you have access to that?

I would have a read of the DIY chain replacement guide for an overall picture of what needs doing.

Kudos to you for attacking it.  Many peeps would walk away 

[KatieT]

Thanks all, will let you know how it goes 👀