What are the symptoms of camshaft noise in the EA888 engine?
2 Answers
The symptom of camshaft noise in the EA888 engine is the sound produced between the camshaft bearings and the shaft during engine operation. Noise description: It is a rhythmic, dull metallic knocking sound, which is more noticeable when listening at each camshaft bearing location during idle or slightly higher idle speeds. The camshaft is a component in a piston engine, and due to its high rotational speed and the need to withstand significant torque, it has high requirements in terms of strength and support. Its material is generally high-quality alloy steel or alloy steel. Causes of noise: Excessive clearance between the camshaft and its bushings. Rotation of the camshaft bushings. Bending deformation of the camshaft. Excessive axial clearance of the camshaft. Burning or detachment of the camshaft bushing alloy.
In our EA888 owners' group, we often discuss this rattling issue. Specifically, the engine makes a 'click-click-click' metallic knocking sound during cold starts, somewhat like rapidly tapping fingernails on sheet metal. It's most noticeable during the first few seconds after sitting overnight - the sound is dense and crisp. If you listen with the oil cap open, you'll find the noise clearly originates from the cylinder head area. Strangely, the sound diminishes when the engine warms up, but during hard acceleration it changes to a whistling 'whoosh-whoosh' noise. Last time my car had this problem, it was accompanied by slight idle vibration. Upon disassembly, we discovered worn camshaft bearing seats with grooves worn into the shaft.
