Inside of cam covers | FerrariChat

Inside of cam covers

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by WaltP, Nov 8, 2003.

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  1. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Walt P
    #1 WaltP, Nov 8, 2003
    Just removed the cam covers on my 308GTSi and found what I think might be strange. Inside the rear cover, stuck to the cam cover itself, there was a lot of black. The front cam cover was almost spotless. If this isn't normal what would cause this to happen and what is the fix? As always, thanks in advance.
     
  2. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
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    Lawrence A. Coppari
    #2 Lawrence Coppari, Nov 8, 2003
    I imagine it is just oil residue caused by the combination of moisture, oil, and time. Just scrape it off. Could be caused by short trips. If it took all those years to accumulate, I would not worry about it. I had an old Ford of mine do that years ago. I had been using a certain motor oil in it which I don't use anymore. Never had the problem again after switching oils.
     
  3. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

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    #3 WaltP, Nov 8, 2003
    The part of this that I'm trying to get a hold on is why was this mess only in the rear cam cover? It all cleaned off easily.
     
  4. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
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    Mitchell Le
    #4 yelcab, Nov 8, 2003
    Wow, do the concours judges remove the cam covers and look inside too? I have to redo mine.
     
  5. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

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    #5 WaltP, Nov 8, 2003
    I hear that they do in some places! But this really was a question I thought someone might have experience with or know why this would happen.
     
  6. 308GTS

    308GTS Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2001
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    #6 308GTS, Nov 8, 2003
    How much residue is in there? Mine were fairly clean when I changed them the 2nd time. I cleaned them well the first t-belt change and they looked great when I pulled them the 2nd time. Look for little bubbles on the timing belt back, rubber. If you see some then your bearing is on its way out.
     
  7. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    3,373
    #7 vincenzo, Nov 8, 2003
    Perhaps past mechanics were too lazy to pull the rear cover by the firewall.

    Likely only the front cover (visible to the owner looking at the back of the engine and easy for the mechanic to access) was removed & cleaned.

    Naw, say it ain't so..... tell me you meant 'front' to mean the one by the firewall.

    Rgds,
    Vince
     
  8. jselevan

    jselevan Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,873
    #8 jselevan, Nov 9, 2003
    WaltP - forgive my not knowing the anatomy of a 308, but in the Dino the chain is tensioned by a paddle with vinyl/rubber contact surface. As this wears, it removes the rubber to go elsewhere. I recently rebuilt a Dino engine where the paddle was essentially hamburger. There was no rubber on the paddle, and the paddle itself looked like it had been attacked with a grinding wheel. All that metal and rubber had to go somewhere.

    Is there a comparable tensioner on the side in question, and could debris from this tensioner stain the inside cam cover?

    Jim S.
     
  9. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

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    #9 WaltP, Nov 9, 2003
    Thanks to all for commenting on this. 308gts, I'm changing the belts and bearings at this time. Vincenzo, I may have it wrong but when I said the underside of the front cover was very clean, I meant front towards the front of the car. The more difficult to remove cover was the clean one. jselevan, there is no rubber under the cam/valve cover. I suspect it has something to do with the pollution control but I'm not sure. Still just trying to find out if this is normal.
     
  10. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
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    #10 vincenzo, Nov 9, 2003
    Thanks Walt... my faith is restored!
    Rgds,
    Vince
     
  11. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
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    May 5, 2001
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    #11 Verell, Nov 9, 2003
    When I first pulled my covers they were pretty clean. I then thoroughly cleaned them as I was painting them wrinkle black. Since then I've had them off a couple of times & they just had oil on them, no visable deposits.

    Where on the cover were the deposits located?
     
  12. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

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    #12 WaltP, Nov 10, 2003
    The deposits were evenly distributed over the entire cam cover. I now think it is from a hose that looks like a crankcase vent that connects to the cam cover on the clutch end of the engine.
     
  13. AEHaas

    AEHaas Formula 3

    May 9, 2003
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    #13 AEHaas, Nov 10, 2003
    WaltP, what motor oil have you been using?

    ali
     
  14. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

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    #14 WaltP, Nov 11, 2003
    Sorry for the delay. I use Castrol GTX 20W50
     
  15. 308GTS

    308GTS Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2001
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    #15 308GTS, Nov 11, 2003
    You are using the best oil for a 308 IMHO.
     

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