How to Distinguish the Camshaft of a Cruze?
2 Answers
The intake camshaft of the Cruze has the letter 'I' or 'IN' marked on it, while the exhaust camshaft has the letter 'E' or 'EX' marked on it. Below is an introduction to distinguishing the camshaft of a Cruze: 1. Introduction: The camshaft is a component in a piston engine that controls the opening and closing of the valves. 2. Distinguishing Methods: Common transmission methods between the camshaft and the crankshaft include gear drive, chain drive, and toothed belt drive. The transmission between the lower-mounted camshaft or mid-mounted camshaft and the crankshaft mostly uses cylindrical timing gears, and generally, only a pair of gears is needed from the crankshaft to the camshaft.
I've encountered the issue of distinguishing Cruze camshafts while working on the engine myself. The Cruze has two camshafts - one for intake and one for exhaust. They're positioned differently but look somewhat similar. I recommend checking the front engine markings first - the intake camshaft may have markings like 'IN' while the exhaust shows 'EX', or they might be differentiated by colored dots. This varies by model year - for example, the 2010-2013 LDE engine's intake camshaft has a groove at the front while the exhaust one is flat. Be careful not to mix them up, as incorrect installation can cause slippage or severe engine vibration. If possible, consult the vehicle manual or check the VIN to confirm the model - you can also reference part numbers when searching for replacements online. In ambiguous cases, remove them and measure with calipers against factory specs (the intake camshaft is slightly thicker). This job requires caution, but regular engine maintenance can help prevent such issues.
