The efficient functioning of a car engine depends on many different components, among which camshafts are evident. Furthermore, if a car engine has a timing belt, it features camshafts with purpose-built seals to prevent oil leakage. These particular components are known as camshaft seals. Involved in core engine processes, the optimal functioning of each camshaft seal is crucial for the engine’s performance. However, similar to other moving parts, a camshaft shield is prone to damage and may become problematic with time. Here are some of the common causes and symptoms of a failing camshaft seal.
Symptoms of a Failing Camshaft Seal
The function of a camshaft in a car engine with a timing belt heavily relies on a camshaft seal. This is why faulty camshaft seal symptoms, including those discussed below, are often noticeable.
Check Engine Light
Underperforming camshaft seals can directly impact the working of camshafts. This in turn leads to a problematic car engine. Causing engine issues, bad camshaft seals can be among the reasons behind an illuminated check engine light. An OBD scanner is often used by professionals to detect such technical issues.
Oil Leaks
Engine oil leakage can be caused due to a variety of reasons. However, a faulty camshaft seal is among the most common ones. Check for any oil spots under the car. The trail of these oil spots can be traced back to the bad camshaft seal located on the engine’s cylinder head.
The positioning of the camshaft oil seal often leads to the formation of oil spots and residues on the engine’s rear end. Besides camshaft seals, inspect other car engine parts for signs of oil and lubricant leakages to ensure timely diagnosis.
Cylinder Misfire
Oil seeping into different engine parts is a sign of a damaged or faulty camshaft. As a result, an underpowered engine is among the evident symptoms of a failing camshaft seal. An underperforming engine often misfires, leading to erratic acceleration response in a car. Besides bad camshaft seals, there are various other causes of engine misfiring to watch out for.
Engine Bay Emitting Smoke
It is one of the visible symptoms of a failing camshaft seal coupled with a smoky smell. It is caused when the burning engine oil escapes the engine bay area, resulting in an unusual smoke. Smoke can be of varying textures depending on the intensity of the leak. For instance, if there’s a minor leak, there might be light smoke.
Similarly, if the smoke has a thick, dark texture, it may indicate considerable leakage. On the other hand, different car exhaust smoke colours may hint at different types of issues. However, the know-how of these signs and indications is essential for timely diagnosis and repairs, preventing major breakdowns.
Now that we have learned about the symptoms of a bad camshaft seal, let’s find out what commonly causes it.
Causes of a Faulty Camshaft Seal
Similar to other car engine parts, the lifespan of a camshaft oil seal is finite. However, the seal can wear out earlier than expected due to the lack of maintenance and other mechanical faults. Let’s detail the common reasons behind the camshaft seal failure.
Insufficient Lubrication
Camshaft seals are made of either plastic, silicone or rubber. The rubber ones are more common because not only are they cheaper but also are stronger and more flexible. However, the downside of a rubber camshaft seal is that it loses lubrication with usage.
When the rubber is dried, it becomes hard and more vulnerable to getting damaged. As a result, the camshaft seal fails to maintain tight contact with its housing, resulting in oil leakage. It is one of the reasons why to replace your car’s camshaft seal. Moreover, it’s important to know the recommended engine oil viscosity for a particular engine to prevent such issues.
Camshaft Misalignment
Every engine part relies on the functioning of the other part. If one part fails or is improperly fitted, it can put additional stress or cause other components to wear out. Similar is the case with the camshaft. If it is misaligned, it leads to excessive axial movement. This, in turn, puts excessive stress and pressure that can lead to premature failure of its oil seal.
FAQs
What is a camshaft seal?
A camshaft seal is a rubber or silicone ring located at the end of the camshaft in an engine. Its purpose is to prevent oil from leaking out of the engine block where the camshaft is located. This ensures proper lubrication and sealing of the engine’s combustion chambers.
What is the camshaft seal replacement cost?
A camshaft seal is available for around AED 30 to AED 40, depending on its material and size. For the replacement of such internal engine parts, it is recommended to contact certified technicians. This means the overall camshaft seal replacement cost in the UAE may also include the technician fee.
Where can you buy a camshaft seal?
You can easily buy a camshaft seal from a car parts shop or online. Platforms like dubizzle have a wide-ranging selection of products. Browse these new and used car parts for sale in the UAE and pick your desired item.
This was everything to know about the symptoms of a failing camshaft seal. There’s a holistic checklist for buying used vehicles and checking the engine for mechanical faults is its crucial part.
Sometimes upgrading your vehicle is better than dealing with its multiple mechanical problems. It can save you from time-consuming car repairs that may cost a fortune. Consider buying a pre-owned car in the UAE by picking a suitable model in the preferred budget.
Stay tuned to the dubizzle auto blog for more updates on the reasons for camshaft seal damage and related problems.
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