MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Technical Workshop => Topic started by: Boothy on April 14, 2011, 08:14:17 am

Title: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: Boothy on April 14, 2011, 08:14:17 am
Noticed a few posts on the cam follower recently, in particular it being replaced. I'm just curious as to what exactly this does and what sort of effects does a faulty one create?

Would like to know what to look out for if its common problem.

Ta.
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: vRS Carl on April 14, 2011, 08:34:27 am
Some of the early engines had problems where the fuel pump piston would wear through the follower and impact directly on the cam-lobe eventually causing them to need replacing.

I think VAG changed the design of the lobe when the BWA engine came out (it may even have been earlier) and thus alleviated the problem somewhat.

I changed the follower on mine 4 times over 67k miles. One time I left it, due to work and forgetting, for 23k miles and it wasn't worn excessively.

However for the sake of a £25 part and 30mins work I used to change them as a matter of course. As the saying goes prevention is better than cure and I'd rather pay £25 every 10-15k miles than pay around £700 for a new Cam.

Some people have never changed them and they have been fine so I don't think it's anything to majorly worry about but it's defo worth checking especially if you hav an AXX engine.
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: Boothy on April 14, 2011, 11:06:02 am
Would there be any tell tale signs if it was failing or had worn? Could it anyway be linked to poor fuel consumption by anychance?
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: vRS Carl on April 14, 2011, 12:53:19 pm
I don't believe there are any warning signs until it's too late.  :scared:

Hence the reason I used to change mine periodically.
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: Boothy on April 15, 2011, 12:22:41 am
Oh dear. Will get it checked as soon as then. Cheers bud  :happy2:
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: lingenfelter on May 16, 2011, 06:51:08 pm
I don't believe there are any warning signs until it's too late.  :scared:

Hence the reason I used to change mine periodically.

I change it every 5k miles approximatelly
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: Gene Hunt on May 17, 2011, 09:37:20 am
I don't believe there are any warning signs until it's too late.  :scared:

Hence the reason I used to change mine periodically.
.........there is,if you remove it you can see signs of wear.I think there is some sort of coating that shows signs.
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: vRS Carl on May 17, 2011, 10:17:00 am
I assumed that Boothy was meaning warning signs from the normal day to day running of the car. So i was referring to the fact that there are no warning signs that indicate it is wearing unless you strip it apart. :happy2:
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: alexperkins on May 17, 2011, 10:22:16 am
I don't believe there are any warning signs until it's too late.  :scared:

Hence the reason I used to change mine periodically.
.........there is,if you remove it you can see signs of wear.I think there is some sort of coating that shows signs.

The cam follower has a DLC (diamond like coating) which is black. If this starts to wear away to silver metal its time to replace as once the metal is exposed, it wears alot faster
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: rich83 on May 17, 2011, 11:14:46 am
How much is it to have these replaced?
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: alexperkins on May 17, 2011, 11:17:01 am
£26ish+VAT for the part.

I did mine and steves the other day. Took 5 mins  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: vRS Carl on May 17, 2011, 11:17:16 am
Part costs £25 approx and 30mins work yourself :happy2:
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: rich83 on May 17, 2011, 11:17:55 am
£26ish+VAT for the part.

I did mine and steves the other day. Took 5 mins  :signLOL:

Is there a how to?  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: alexperkins on May 17, 2011, 11:19:16 am
There is, but I havent got the link lol. I think its at the top of the How To section

Be prepared to get covered in petrol even with the pressure released  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: rich83 on May 17, 2011, 11:20:49 am
There is, but I havent got the link lol. I think its at the top of the How To section

Be prepared to get covered in petrol even with the pressure released  :signLOL:

Not a job to be done whilst smoking a pipe then!  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: vRS Carl on May 17, 2011, 11:21:21 am
Yes i did a tutorial in the How To section here:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,8339.0.html
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: vRS Carl on May 17, 2011, 11:22:44 am
Also just disconnect the battery when you do it and then you wont get fuel pissing on you. Or if you have a remap and can't put it back on (eg using a REVO SPS) then just DONT open the drivers door until it's all back together :happy2:
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: alexperkins on May 17, 2011, 11:24:36 am
There is, but I havent got the link lol. I think its at the top of the How To section

Be prepared to get covered in petrol even with the pressure released  :signLOL:

Not a job to be done whilst smoking a pipe then!  :signLOL:

Perhaps not  :signLOL: Or on a hot engine for that matter! The fuel pump gets rather toasty!!
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: Saint Steve on May 17, 2011, 04:08:09 pm
£26ish+VAT for the part.

I did mine and steves the other day. Took 5 mins  :signLOL:

and a "eye full"  of Super unleaded wasnt there Alex :signLOL:

Sorry that was when he changed my Fuel filter....
Title: Re: Cam Follower - what is it and whatsxproblems does it cause
Post by: alexperkins on May 17, 2011, 04:08:57 pm
yes that was rather painful  :signLOL: