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View Full Version : New engine or new cam? Dilemma



dekhelia
07-06-2020, 04:50 PM
My everyday car is a MkV 2008 GT Sport diesel, rescued from the local Copart after the last owner ran into something and holed the sump, dinged the bonnet and bumper and a few other minor things. I replaced the turbo because it smoked and had probably not benefited from being oil-starved by the hole-in-the-sump scenario. It fit with my 'only buy a car that costs under 500 quid but needs a bit of work' rule: and it's a great car, both for journeys and the commute, despite having done 185000 miles.

However, in the 2 years I've had it, it's always had a tak-tak-tak at the top end, probably in the no.4 cyl area. The noise occurs about 7 times per sec, which would put is in camshaft territory (the crank goes round at 14 per sec, roughly). The general running is not overly affected. It pulls well, bar a little flat spot when pulling away in 1st, and a lumpy idle. It was originally a stop-gap car that I wasn't going to keep, but now I'm going to sell my T3, so I'm thinking I'll keep the Golf.

So. I'm thinking either to drop a replacement motor in - these can be had for about 300 quid - or, alternatively, get a couple of cams and a set of lifters from the local scrappy.

I'm wary of the replacement engine for a few reasons, and would rather go the cam route as it's obviously less time-consuming....provided I can get a decent cam and lifters.

The engine's a BKD. I know they don't have many fans, but I like them. When they run well, they seem to me to be a great motor - power and economy all in the same place.

I've got the tools to do either of the jobs. But what do you guys think - are there too many unknowns in a cam implant? Do I need to take all lifters, followers etc....or, god forbid, the bearings too?

Any input appreciated! Whichever job I go for, it'll be end of June time, when I have a week off.

Crasher
07-06-2020, 06:19 PM
Unlikely to be a cam fault on the valve lobes as they are roller rocker arms but possibly one of the hydraulic equaliser elements built into the rocker but which one? At £852.10 a set genuine... but you can get genuine KS versions for £16 each. The more likely possibility is a worn injector lobe.

dekhelia
07-06-2020, 08:11 PM
Hm, ok. If it's a worn injector lobe (this is on the cam, no?), would re-setting of the injector actuator make things better?

dekhelia
07-06-2020, 08:13 PM
By injector actuator I mean the thing that you screw down onto the injector, then back off a little. Don't know what its name is.

Crasher
07-06-2020, 09:05 PM
Probably not.

VAG-Abound
07-06-2020, 11:18 PM
If the only symptom is the sound is it worth messing with? Like you I like the BKD engines, and it it is largely fine at tgat age and mileage I'd be happy to stay on top of cam belts, etc until something goes awry.

dekhelia
08-06-2020, 05:15 AM
Yeah, I know what you mean. Sometimes I think the noise is worsening....but mostly it seems not to be. I was more thinking that after 2 years I may be pushing my luck somewhat, and I'd like to get to what's a little awry here at home - before it gets to me, 50 miles away on a rainy night.

dekhelia
08-06-2020, 05:51 AM
Crasher - can you elaborate on the 'hydraulic equaliser'? Don't suppose you have an exploded diagram of the valvetrain?