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Well, I got these fittings (both sides were done) from ********, but I'm not going to consider them as a source of the problem. An additional and very disturbing find: the oil tubes contained a few small pieces of what looks like hi-temp silicone/RTV. I assure you, I don't even have this in my house, much less would I have used any in this car. Also, when I reinstalled the tubes when I did the timing chain I cleaned them and they were absolutely spotless.
Here's how I see it - one of these things happened:
1. The engine had been abused, when I replaced the RH camshaft no doubt the LH bearings/journals were on their way out anyway (the LH cam in fact had a little wear on ther rear lobe then, and it's worse now). The rear bearing oil film failed, that fitting melted, this stopped the flow to the others. Of note, the hydraulic compensators all seem to have a good supply of oil and there was plenty near the drain hole and to hit the exhaust manifold when I removed the valve covers.
2. The tube popped off (this time on the LH side). I have to think that this is extremely unlikely.
3. REALLY SCARY: Where did these bits of RTV come from? Just suppose that the PO or his/her mechanic had used it on the oil pan or valve covers (I see no evidence of this). Even if this were true, _how_ did it get past the oil filters, which have been replaced and looked very clean, as did the canister? It is worrisome that the RH side oil flow was reduced (but not down to zero, the front oil tube hole was dripping at idle, and everything looks OK. Maybe there was a lack of pressure and everything was gushing out of the melted fitting area). How do I know that if I repair this, that it won't happen again? Certainly, I can check for good oil flow at start-up. But what about any more RTV? In 100 miles? 1000? On a long trip where I might not notice noise until the one final loud bang?
Anyway, I'm hoping for #1, but #3 has me worried. I will know more when I take the cam bearings off of the LH side. IN the meantime, I have a line on some used parts that will probably run $200; to replace all this new, even at a discount, will be over $700, and I'm not sure that I'm willing to gamble that much on this. Should I reassemble it and find no oil flow, I'm going to have to consider some other options - which is a darned shame, because I just put a good bit of time and money in this car.
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