Cam damage due to modern motor oils - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

loepke72 · #1 08-04-2009, 08:54 PM

I used a name brand 10W30 oil due to finances several months ago instead of the 0W40 Mobil 1 I had been using. Over time the engine developed a noise, and later on a rough idle. The car was a daily driver until two weeks ago; my daily driver is now a 95 Ford Escort that I got for a real good price considering its condition. Last night I decided to pull the valve covers to see if anything under there was causing the problems. I found a worn cam lobe on the #7 cylinder. I had heard stories of reformulated motor oils causing this kind of damage on older, non-roller valve train engines. Guess I'll be sticking with the Mobil 1 from now on. I might be able to get cams from a local wrecking yard; there's a 79 450SEL there I got some parts off of two weeks ago, will have to see if the cams on that one are any good. At least I don't have the pressure of having to repair this as soon as possible any more. Here are a couple pictures of the cam lobe. The fluorescent color of the oil is from a leak detection dye I used to locate a leak (found it to be the upper oil pan gasket).

Tomguy · #2 08-05-2009, 08:10 AM

My lobes were far worse, and not from inferior oil but from clogged cam tubes!

Clean those camshaft oilers... PLEASE!