Key Takeaways
The following are the key takeaways from this article:
- The camshaft pulley is a part of the engine’s timing system that controls the camshaft speed.
- It differs from a simple pulley as teeth are engraved on its outer surface.
- The camshaft pulley is made up of cast iron or molybdenum alloys.
- Some common problems of the camshaft pulley include insufficient lubrication, wear and tear, and misaligned camshaft pulley.
- The symptoms of a bad camshaft pulley include misfiring cylinders, tapping sound, and difficulty starting the engine.
- The cost of replacing a camshaft pulley can be between $50 and $ 100.
Introduction
A camshaft pulley is an important part of the engine’s timing system that controls the camshaft’s speed. With the engine speed, the camshaft pulley adjusts its speed to control the cylinders’ poppet valves responsible for the intake and exhaust cycle.
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This pulley is connected pivotally with the timing chain, so it controls the speed of the cam synchronically with the crankshaft. The camshaft pulley is designed to withstand high-speed performance, so it needs a replacement after driving considerable mileage (1). This article will discuss camshaft pulleys’ function, characteristics, and common problems.
The function of Camshaft Pulley
As discussed above, the camshaft rotates with the crankshaft to control the valve movement. So, the camshaft pulley is attached to the timing belt to control the camshaft’s rotation with the crankshaft.
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This pulley has a fixed position in conventional cars. However, in some high-performance vehicles, the camshaft pulley can be adjustable. You can also make the pulley adjustable after some aftermarket installations that will make the camshaft pulley adjustable (1). It is also to be ensured that the camshaft pulley is adjusted with the timing belt replacement. There are markings on the camshaft pulley to be adjusted along with the timing belt. Similarly, replacing the timing belt will also provide an idea about the wear and tear of the camshaft pulley that needs to be replaced if it is malfunctioning (2).
Characteristics of Camshaft Pulley
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A camshaft pulley differs from other pulleys as it has teeth engraved on its outer surface and a hole in between. The camshaft is stuck between the pulley hole, and the timing belt is installed over the engraved teeth.
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So, when the crankshaft rotates, the timing belt will rotate the camshaft pulley, and the camshaft will synchronize its movement with the crankshaft. In this way, the cylinder inlet and exhaust cycles are optimized. A camshaft pulley is usually made of cast iron or molybdenum alloys for wear resistance and sturdiness (2). This makes it both wear-resistant and heat-resistant to sustain high temperatures and pressure. The camshaft pulley of different vehicles differ in diameter, so consult the instruction manual before ordering one for your vehicle.
Common Problems of Camshaft Pulley
Following are a few common problems with the camshaft pulley:
Insufficient Lubrication
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Like other engine parts, the camshaft pulley also requires effective lubrication to move the pulley. Without proper lubrication, the pulley will cease to rotate, which will cause a problem in the movement of the camshaft.
The lack of lubrication can be due to a malfunctioning oil pump or less engine oil in the reservoir. So, the driver should check the engine oil level before driving for long distances. In some vehicles, the engine oil light will illuminate, indicating less engine oil in the reservoir. If there is a lack of lubrication, the driver might hear tapping indicating that the camshaft pulley is starving (3). After covering a few miles, this tapping sound decreases as the engine oil reaches the camshaft pulley. As a driver, you should pay attention to this tapping engine noise as it can create complex engine problems if ignored for a long.
Wear and Tear
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Another problem with the camshaft pulley can be wear and tear impacting its engraved teeth. In addition, wear in the pulley will impact the timing belt as it will also wear and eventually need replacement.
Wear in the pulley can be due to several reasons, such as lead components in the engine oil causing abrasion on the pulley. Similarly, these small particles can get stuck between the pulley teeth impacting the timing belt (4). So, the drivers should replace the oil filters at regular maintenance intervals. Similarly, wear and tear can also cause damage to the camshaft and cam journals as their rotation speed will be impacted. In simple words, wear on the camshaft pulley should be analyzed, and it should be replaced before it causes damage to other internal engine components.
Misaligned Camshaft Pulley
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Another critical problem with the camshaft pulley can be its misalignment with the timing belt. There are measurements of the camshaft pulley that must be followed while installing a timing belt.
Some manufacturers also recommend replacing the camshaft pulley with every timing belt replacement. It is because a misaligned camshaft pulley will impact the movement of the camshaft, and the entire intake/exhaust cycle will be disturbed (3). If the driver is installing an adjustable pulley, it is recommended to follow the vehicle’s instruction manual to avoid any performance issues at a later stage.
Symptoms of a Bad Camshaft Pulley
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A bad camshaft pulley’s common symptoms include difficulty starting the engine. It is because the engine starts when the optimum air-fuel mixture enters the cylinder regularly.
However, a bad camshaft pulley will impact the intake/exhaust cycle, making the engine difficult to start. In extreme cases, the engine might not start at all. Another symptom of a bad camshaft pulley can be the tapping engine sounds (5). The tapping sounds indicate that either the pulley has worn down or there are external lead/iron components impacting the movement of the pulley.
Conclusion
To conclude, the camshaft pulley is an integral component of the engine’s timing system. This pulley is different from the standard and is installed with the timing chain. The movement of the timing chain rotates the pulley, which eventually results in the synchronized movement of the camshaft with the crankshaft. However, problems such as lack of lubrication, wear and tear, and misaligned camshaft pulley can impact the engine functionality.
FAQs
Camshaft components wearing and tearing will release metal debris throughout the engine. A driver can analyze the engine oil when it’s drained out. If there are metal pieces in the engine oil, then there is a chance that the camshaft is malfunctioning and the components are wearing.
A camshaft pulley is designed to sustain around 70,000 miles to 100,000 miles. However, issues such as dirty engine oil and high engine temperature can cause the pulley to malfunction before this mileage. As soon as the camshaft pulley starts deteriorating, it is time to replace it before it damages different engine components.
It is always difficult to drive with a bad camshaft pulley. The timing chain can wear and even break due to camshaft pulley malfunction. Similarly, the engine cylinders will misfire when there is a problem in the intake/exhaust cycle. To prevent such issues, it is better to replace the camshaft pulley in case of malfunction.
