Cam Phaser – How to Replace your Cam Phaser

Have you been hearing about Cam Phaser, or do you know what it is but don’t know how it really works? Now if you have an interest in knowing more about itit, that means you are reading the right article. In this article, we will be giving you the basic required information about the Cam Phaser. So, all you need to do is to read this article carefully.

What is a Cam phaser? A Cam Phaser is a computer-operated sprocket attached to the camshaft, mounted on the cam drive sprocket, which controls the camshaft. The major duty is to adjust the camshaft’s position relative to the crankshaft and the pistons connected to it while the engine is running

Cam Phaser

It works with the camshaft to control valve timing. Valve timing is the opening and closing of the valves while the engine is running. This is in a modern vehicle is located on the intake and exhaust cam sprockets and connected through a timing chain. The camshaft is relative to the crankshaft, which is operated by a computer-controlled servo.

Rotate the camshaft slightly fore or aft to advance or retard the valve timing to suit the engine needs Advancing the valve timing at low rpm (revolutions per minute) would enhance drivability and throttle response. Retarding the valve timing when the engine is under load at high rpm reduces NOx emissions and improves fuel economy.

Reasons Why a Cam Phaser Goes Bad

There are lots of reasons why your cam phaser goes bad and below are some of them.

• Low oil pressure: Adequate oil pressure delivers power to the cam phaser at an exact time. When this is not provided, your cam phaser might go bad. This problem could also arise from failed oil pumps or dirty oil used. Also, the cam phasers are made of metals. Wearing the inside phasers caused to a lack of oil pressure might lead to poor efficiency performance of the oil and might cause your cam phaser to go bad.
• Poor Oil Viscosity: Using the right oil for your cam phaser is necessary for friction reduction and the engine’s efficient running because the engine runs at a high temperature. The right oil guarantee that proper viscosity is generated for adequate oil pressure. You using the wrong oil viscosity can cause the cam phasers to respond slowly.
• Debris and sludge: The presence of debris or dirt will affect oil flow and might cause your phaser to go bad.
• Not Changing the Oil Often: Make sure you change the engine oil after a certain period of time to escape cam phaser damage. Decide on the right oil before choosing one or either brand of the same grade oil.
• Problems Within the Electrical Control Unit: Then ECU controls the cam phaser, and once the computer lacks control of the cam phaser, your cam phaser might go bad.

For you to make your cam phaser function well or last longer you will have to avoid those reasons above.

Symptoms of a Bad Cam Phaser

Below are some symptoms of a bad cam phaser, and these symptoms we have to take note of them, So we can quickly know what is wrong with our vehicle and can take it for repair before it gets worst.

• Decreased fuel economy
• Cam phaser noise
• Check engine light illuminated
• Loss of engine power.
• Poor engine performance.

Above are the symptoms of a bad cam phaser.

How to replace your Cam Phaser

If you want to know how to replace it, follow the step-by-step guide on replacement below.

• Open your bonnet and disconnect the battery.
• Take out the air intake tube.
• You’ll find about three 10mm bolts on the power steering reservoir. Unbolt them.
• Now you will also find one 18mm bolt and two 13mm bolts on the power steering reservoir bracket. Unbolt them.
• You will see the positive crankcase ventilation (PVC) tube on the valve cover. Remove it.
• Unplug the major wiring plugs and the electrical components on the driver’s side’s valve cover.
• Remove the power train control module and disconnect the mounting bracket.
• Use the capable air compressor to remove dirt from the valve cover, which is already exposed to prevent dirt from entering the valve train while removing the cover.
• You will find 8mm bolts on the valve cover. Loosen them.
• Again, you will find an 8mm bolt on the dipstick tube. Remove it without removing the dipstick tube itself.
• Disconnect the ignition coil packs and the cam timing solenoid.
• Carefully raise the cover off to prevent the variable cam timing solenoid from damaging.
• Bring out your timing chain wedge tool and insert it in between the chain’s two halves.
• Use a dowel pin to mark the cam phaser’s position with respect to the timing chain and the camshaft.
• Use vice grips and a bar breaker to loosen the cam phaser bolts.
• Remove the bolts on the cam phaser and gently remove the cam phaser from the camshaft while trying to remove the timing chain from the cam phaser sprocket.
• Insert the new cam phaser and use the dowel pin to properly align the new cam phaser using the old phaser as a reference during the installation.

Tighten the newly installed cam phaser bolts to a torque of about 30fts/IBS.

How to prevent Cam Phaser Failure.

Here are some easy ways to prevent from failing.

• Use the right engine oil.
• Regular oil change.
• Regular cleaning or replacing the solenoids.
• Always change your filter regularly.

Following the above steps and guidelines, you will easily prevent your cam phaser from failing.