what could snap a cam shaft like this see pics
 

my son got his oil pan cracked and changed it out. He didn't screw the plug on fully and the oil drained out. I put a plug on the pan filled it with oil and it started but ran slightly rough. nothing bad. the next day while driving it killed on him while driving. I pulled the valve cover and found what is shown in the pic's. What could have caused this and what else could it have damaged that I need to check. It is a Euro 240d 123 1984. I was going to junk it but I'd rather fix it. RAY M

It looks like the bearings took a dump because of no oil and the cam shaft seized up and snapped. If the bearings at the top of the engine look like that then I am pretty sure that all the bearings in the lower half of the engine look similar or worse. Looks like you need a new engine or at least a used one. That turned into one expensive mistake. I hope you have skills to put a new engine in.

Did the timing chain snap? I've seen pictures of the results of a timing chain breaking at speed. In that case it ruined both the block and the head. Either way, I'm thinking you should be looking for another engine.

OUCH. I think Boom hit the nail on the head.

x2. That engine is now scrap metal, time for a new one. Engines don't like to run with all of their oil missing...

The chain is fine. The engine turns but had no compression. Why would the engine run some 80 miles after I refilled it with oil then quit. So you think there is no chance of changing the cam shaft and cam brng set could do it. If it was yours you would scrap the engine.

no compression and you are looking at a huge bill because the sleeves in the cylinders need to be replaced. The top end is the last place the oil would run out because the pump is at the lowest part of the engine. So the bearings on the main crank would be without oil for some time. The engine is toast, you will just rack up a bill if you try to fix the motor. Just replace the motor with a used one, heres a chance to replace it with a 300d turbo motor.

well it`s a crap shoot, ya never know.
Pull a cam with towers and rockers off a JY engine. might work.

that bearing doesn`t look good, what about the rest of the bearings? there will be metal in the system, the filter will get some.
drop the pan to see what`s in there, and maybe place a magnet in it.

my gut feeling. w/o oil the other major bearings will be damaged as well.

you said your son was driving when this happened, so being an interference engine there will be valve damage also contacting the pistons.

Your son learned a valuable lesson here, tighten the plug.

Charlie

The pictures clearly show that the cam was starved for oil. As stated earlier, that means that the bottom end will look even worse, and the engine will run you alot more to fix than to replace.

this would be a great time to upgrade to a 5cyl!

How long was it run without oil?

when stopped it had about 2 or 3 qts of oil on the ground so some was in it at the time. It ran out rather quickly. Then I filled it and it ran again. but a little rough. 80 miles later it stopped with oil in it still. No more leaked out.

You are not very accurate in your assesment
 

How in the world do you estimate 2 or 3 quarts of oil lying on the ground. How big a spot does a quart cover?

Stick a small block Chevy in the car, and Th350 trans. really easy conversion, and you'll be very happy w/the results. lol

pour one in your driveway. you will see

Well off to pull a part with $20.00 to get the parts I need. I'll post the out come. I think most of you know the outcome already.