Is this camshaft toast?

[Djgz71]

I have a lifter that went bad. When the removed it and looked at the lifter they indicated that it beat up the camshaft. I have zero knowledge in this area to know if this looks bad and has to be replaced or is this minor?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I would say 'yes', but other members more knowledgeable than me in this area will chime in.

 

[OR VietVet]

BAD! It can look like that on the edge and still be bad. That is all across the lobe face.

 

[wjburken]

Definitely chewed through the hard candy shell and into the soft nougaty center.

New cam is in your near future. I’d plan on replacing all your lifters as well.

 

[Djgz71]

Definitely chewed through the hard candy shell and into the soft nougaty center.

New cam is in your near future. I’d plan on replacing all your lifters as well.

Lifters were already being replaced. This car just keeps bringing joy!

 

[OR VietVet]

Lifters were already being replaced. This car just keeps bringing joy!

Think of how much joy you would have if you owned a Mini Cooper.....

 

[Djgz71]

It would sure corner better!

 

[strutaeng]

Toast would be an understatement!

You are not doing a complete overhaul? My concern would be all that metal that got chopped off surely must have damaged oil pump, main/rod bearings and whatnot.

You still had oil pressure? No knocking?

 

[Djgz71]

I had driven it two weeks earlier and went a bit over 400 miles. No issue at all. Then started it up and went up the street and CEL came on and a noise. Took it over the next day to the shop.

 

[Marky Dissod]

If you decide to keep this engine, your next three oil changes should be 2x as often as you used to, at minimum.
Some of that worn cam and worn lifter are still floating around, shaving other bearings down.
Otherwise seriously consider used motor oil analysis, if you are interested in poopooing the above idea.