I posted about a "ticking sound" on my 1997 260E (12/96 build date 155K) a few days ago and TimC suggested I check the cam. I have 1 badly worn lobe (last bank close to firewall. Pic attached) and the rest look ok. I am researching a camshaft and need to know if there is a way to tell if the modification was done. The head looks like it was done at some time. It is incredibly clean under the VC. There is lots of bright aluminum next to the exhaust manifold all attachments to head have also been removed, there also appears to be a new or completely cleaned cover on the cam sprocket area and all the bolts have wrench marks on them. Seems like it would save big $$$ I don't really have if I don't have to buy new rockers and gears.

The car runs great except for the ticking sound.

Thanks

Charlie

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Not sure, but what I do know is that there was a recall if the car was under warranty and the owner decided to do it. Possibly try to bribe the dealer into letting you know if there is any history for the car. They usually don't do this I hear, but if you go in person and ask really nice you might get lucky.

Remember to do the valve stem seals it requires removal of cam and rockers. If yours does not show any oil on the spark plugs, it is 99.9% chance it has already been removed to do the stem seals. At 155k there is no chance they are original if you have no oil consumption on the plugs.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Thanks. There is no oil on the plugs. I don't want (really cant unless no other way) to buy 12 rockers etc. I am pretty sure the head was done I just dont know if the rockers were replaced. I guess I just missed the part# on them. I drive 150Mi per day and I think it is getting worse fast. I was hoping I could just buy a cam and throw it in with 1 rocker on the badly worn lobe. The car just runs like a dream besides the tap. Seems you have to know if the rockers gears and all have been changed to know if the cam will fit.

You can't buy the updated cam with the old style rockers unfortunately. It is an entire swap.

Early rockers that need to be replaced:
103 050 02 33

Updated rockers:
103 050 10 33

Early cam that needs to be replaced
103 050 51 01 or 103 050 52 01

Updated cam:
103 050 64 01

This is why unless it was done early during warranty, it is high unlikely they were replaced. Based on your issues, I doubt they are the updated models. That scoring looks like what I have seen on the early style. Like I said earlier, expensive yes and it sucks, but once replaced your top end will last 500k miles albeit a few more valve seals and a couple head gaskets of course.

Make sure regardless going forward you are using 15-40 Diesel grade oil such as Rotella-T 15-40, Mobil1 Delvac 15-40 etc.... That is part of the reason why this scoring occurs due to modern oils not having the correct zinc additive package that these engines require. It will also keep your valvetrain super clean.

If you can't afford it now, I recommend going to the junkyard and grabbing another OLD style camshaft and rocker and temporarily solve your issues until you can fix it for the long haul.

__________________
2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

I really appreciate your input. I found a used head on ebay last night. It has 128K on it for $199.00 I will swap the cam and lifters from it.

Charlie