What Causes Excessive Noise from the Camshaft in Changan Eado?

[MaggieLee]

The reasons for excessive noise from the camshaft in Changan Eado include: 1. Abnormal wear of the camshaft; 2. Excessive clearance between the camshaft and bearings. When the noise becomes noticeably loud, it indicates the issue has reached a severe stage and should be addressed promptly to prevent damage to the camshaft journals and bearings. The Changan Eado is a compact sedan under Changan Automobile, featuring a MacPherson strut independent front suspension and a torsion beam non-independent rear suspension. In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 4730mm in length, 1820mm in width, and 1505mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2700mm. It is powered by a 1.4T turbocharged engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

[DawsonMarie]

I've been driving for over a decade and encountered many cases of camshaft noise. The most common issue with Changan Eado is excessive camshaft bearing clearance – natural wear after long-term use creates particularly noticeable clunking sounds. Improper valve clearance or worn hydraulic lifters can also cause ticking noises, especially loud during cold starts. Last time I repaired a car, I also found a failed chain tensioner – that kind of noise sounds like metal pieces fighting. My suggestion is to start with the basics – check the engine oil condition. Oil with too low viscosity or insufficient oil level leads to inadequate lubrication and accelerated wear. If the oil is fine, then you'll need to remove the cover to inspect bearing wear – anything over 0.1mm means replacement is needed. Don't delay, prolonged abnormal noise will score the camshaft surface, eventually requiring replacement of the entire shaft at greater expense.

[LeIsabella]

As a mechanic with years of experience in repair shops, I've found that most cases of abnormal noise from the Yidong camshaft boil down to these issues: Worn bearings causing excessive clearance produce a dull metallic sound, a failing timing chain tensioner leads to a loose timing system and high-frequency knocking, and insufficient oil pump pressure results in poor lubrication and dry friction noise. My usual approach is to first check the oil pressure—if it's below 2.5 bar, I inspect the oil lines. Then, I use a stethoscope to pinpoint the noise source: chain issues manifest at the front of the engine, while valve train noises come from the cylinder head. Last time, I solved the problem by replacing the tensioner with an upgraded version and readjusting the valve clearance—the noise disappeared immediately. I recommend checking the chain tension every 40,000 km and using 5W-30 viscosity oil during oil changes.

[SanJosiah]

The used Eado I bought a while ago also had this issue. The mechanic said it might be due to a stretched timing chain or stuck hydraulic lifters, with a particularly harsh metal clanking sound. He suggested trying a full synthetic oil change first, and the noise actually reduced a bit. The mechanic explained that dirty oil can clog the oil passages, causing the camshaft to lack lubrication and create friction noise. If an oil change doesn't help, the engine needs to be opened up for inspection—it could be bearing wear or a faulty tensioner. My friend's car had excessive bearing clearance and cost over a thousand to fix. Now, I get it serviced every six months, focusing on checking the timing chain tension. If you hear unusual noises, don't push it—fixing it early saves money.

[OLily]

I've been maintaining my Eado for five years, and camshaft noise is often caused by inadequate maintenance. The most common issue is the aging and failure of the chain tensioner, which causes the chain to loosen and slap against the guide rails, creating a 'slapping' sound. Using the wrong oil viscosity or not changing the oil for too long can lead to sludge clogging the hydraulic lifter oil holes, resulting in a 'ticking' noise. Some owners replace the bearings with aftermarket parts, causing excessive clearance, which produces a particularly noticeable 'clunking' sound. I recommend checking the timing chain slack every 30,000 kilometers; if it exceeds 3 centimeters, the tensioner should be replaced. Always use genuine oil filters, as inferior filters can allow metal debris to enter the lubrication system. Last time, an owner didn't change the filter, which led to camshaft damage and doubled the repair cost.

[StLilliana]

As a female car owner, I recently experienced a terrifying rattling noise from the camshaft position during cold starts of my EADO. The mechanic diagnosed it as possibly a broken timing chain tensioner spring or insufficient lubrication due to thin engine oil. He conducted a simple test: lightly pressing the accelerator after starting the engine—if the noise varied with RPM, it indicated a tensioner issue; if it persisted at idle, it likely pointed to excessive valve clearance. The test confirmed a faulty tensioner, costing over 800 yuan to replace with a new part. The mechanic advised regular oil changes, emphasizing replacing the filter every 5,000 km, as inferior oil can form sludge and jam the lifters. He suggested not panicking upon hearing unusual noises—identifying the root cause before repairs is more cost-effective.