Dean Pichon
Well Known Member
I just "wasted" $1500 on a new camshaft. My engine was in the shop for a sudden stoppage teardown inspection and I was informed I would have to pay for a new camshaft due to corrosion.
I'm very frustrated as I feel I have always babied this engine and now have no idea how to prevent it in the future.
This camshaft is from a factory new (2001) O-360 A1A. I fly regiously once a week and have accumulated a little better than 450 hours over about 7 years since the first flight. It has always been hangered and for most of its life, it has been stored in a heated hanger. I change the oil and filter twice a year. I perform an oil analysis and add AvBlend at every oil change.
In the fall/winter, I block off the oil cooler and see oil temperatures around 180F. In the summer, I run between 190 and 200F.
The rebuild shop told me replacing the cam is very typical in this situation. The returned cam had very little visible corrosion, but I have no frame of reference with which to judge.
I could use help with two questions:
Have others had similar experience with needing a new cam early in an engine's life?
What can I do in the future to extend the life of this expensive part?
All input is most appreciated.
I'm very frustrated as I feel I have always babied this engine and now have no idea how to prevent it in the future.
This camshaft is from a factory new (2001) O-360 A1A. I fly regiously once a week and have accumulated a little better than 450 hours over about 7 years since the first flight. It has always been hangered and for most of its life, it has been stored in a heated hanger. I change the oil and filter twice a year. I perform an oil analysis and add AvBlend at every oil change.
In the fall/winter, I block off the oil cooler and see oil temperatures around 180F. In the summer, I run between 190 and 200F.
The rebuild shop told me replacing the cam is very typical in this situation. The returned cam had very little visible corrosion, but I have no frame of reference with which to judge.
I could use help with two questions:
Have others had similar experience with needing a new cam early in an engine's life?
What can I do in the future to extend the life of this expensive part?
All input is most appreciated.