Worn cams / metal in the oil??

[jzajfen]

I just bought a 911E that was represented to have recently had an engine rebuild. My mechanic tells me that the cams are completely worn and that there's probably metal particles from the worn cams throughout the motor, which may mean a new rebuild!

Help! Can I avoid this by replacing the cams and flushing out the metal in the oil with frequent oil changes for the next few months. Can I use some kind of heavy duty oil filter to help with this.

I so don't want to jump into a rebuild if the engine can be salvaged.

[KNS]

I've got a little bit of pitting on my cams as well. I'm concerned about it and don't want it to worsen. I've been told everything from: "don't worry, a lttle bit is normal" to "that's not a good thing". However, my oil analysis always comes back normal.

If I were you, drain the oil, remove the valve covers, take a look at the cam lobe surfaces and send in an oil sample for analysis.

Edit, Sorry I see your mechanic has already seen the cams...?

[Steve@Rennsport]

I'd want a LOT more detailed information before making any decisions, but flushing the engine with successive oil changes will do nothing besides lower your checkbook balance.

The first thing I would do is open the oil filter (using the proper cutter for this job) so you can unfold & inspect the paper element for ferrous metal. Camshaft material is VERY hard and if that circulates through the engine, the bearings can get damaged. Since the oil filter on these particular engines is only on the scavenge side (unlike the late 3.6's), they will not catch all the material in the system.

Time for some detective work.

[KNS]

Steve,

In addition to opening up the filter, will these metels show up on an oil analysis? What metels are we looking for?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by KNS

Steve,

In addition to opening up the filter, will these metels show up on an oil analysis? What metels are we looking for?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread.

Hi Kurt,

Elements of all kinds show on oil analysis. This means ferrous and non-ferrous metals and all trace elements that are both byproducts of combustion and oil contents.

High ferrous metals indicate issues with any steel/iron engine parts.

[dshepp806]

Originally Posted by KNS

Steve,

In addition to opening up the filter, will these metels show up on an oil analysis? What metels are we looking for?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread.

They will surely show up on the analysis....there's a great thread floating 'round here that speaks of the metal relations to individual mechanical parts.

Do report back on that filter autopsy.

Best,

Doyle

[KNS]

Steve,

Thanks for the reply.

[jzajfen]

Thanks all. I'll dig around and won't assume that ground down cams automatically mean armageddon

[Aurel]

Also, remember that times are though and winter is slow season, so your mechanic may have a vested interest in rebuilding your motor, making things look worse than they really are...