It sometimes seems like the camshaft seal of your Volkswagen can last forever, which is why many drivers don’t pay attention to this unassuming part of the vehicle. However, that is not a correct outlook. Camshaft seals are a vital part of your car, and without a working seal, you will run into quite a few major issues with your VW. It’s best to keep an eye on this component as part of your VW’s regular maintenance. When you start to see wear and tear, it’s time to replace it. Normally, these can last anywhere between 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
What is a Camshaft, a Camshaft Seal, and Why is it Important?
- Camshaft: All internal combustion engines (ICE) have a camshaft. This is a mechanical device that opens and closes the engine’s intake and exhaust valves to allow the intake of air and fuel and to expel the exhaust gasses.
- Camshaft Seal: Camshaft seals are o-rings, usually donut-shaped, which are used to seal connections to stop leaks. These are usually made of durable rubber or PTFE (Teflon), which is extremely resistant to adverse conditions like high heat, moisture, chemicals, etc., and are very long-lasting. The camshaft seal is located at the end of the camshaft, between the camshaft and the engine block.
- Purpose of the Camshaft Seal: Camshaft seals are necessary in engines with a timing belt. Their job is to prevent leaks. That may sound like a simple matter, but in reality, any kind of leak in your Volkswagen can end up causing serious problems.
Signs of a Faulty Camshaft Seal
Any component of your VW, no matter how well-built it is, will deteriorate over time. Moisture, grime, heat, cold—all will eventually have an effect on the camshaft seal. It will start to become brittle and crack and lose integrity. Here are some signs to watch out for, as these may be an indication it is time to change your camshaft seal.
- Oil Leaks: When your Volkswagen is parked for a while, do you notice spots of oil on the ground? Or do you see accumulated oil on or around the engine, near the camshaft? This means you have an oil leak due to a failed camshaft seal.
- Increased Oil Consumption: It’s obvious if you seem to run out of engine oil too quickly, there may be a leak, and the camshaft seal will need to be inspected.
- Oil Can Symbol Light: Your VW’s check engine oil MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) will light up if there is any kind of problem with the engine oil system. A leaking camshaft seal could be one of the many problems. So keep an eye out for the little oil can symbol on your dashboard.
- Poor Engine Performance: If you notice your VW has become sluggish and resists picking up speed when you accelerate, a faulty camshaft seal may be to blame. If the engine oil is not lubricating the engine properly (perhaps because of a leak), this could happen.
- Strange Engine Noises: If you hear unusual rattling or even ticking sounds from your engine, have your VW checked for possible problems with the camshaft seal.
- Dark Smoke: If leaked oil gets into the exhaust pipe it will burn and create a thick, dark smoke to come out of the tailpipe.
- Unusual Smell: For the same reason as above, it will also produce a nasty, burnt, and smoky smell.
- Check Engine Light: If the failing camshaft seal starts to cause engine issues, your Check Engine Light (CIL) will activate on your dashboard. There can be many reasons for this light to come on. The only way to know for sure is to run a thorough diagnostics with an OBD-II (On Board Diagnostics) scanner.
Visit Fifth Gear Automotive Today!
When you encounter any of these problems, bring your Volkswagen to us at Fifth Gear Automotive so that we can perform a thorough check on your vehicle. Our highly trained and certified mechanics will start with the obvious—a visual inspection to make sure if there are any traces of oil on your engine block near the camshaft. From there on we’ll do other diagnostics to make sure what the problem is. If it’s the camshaft seal, we can easily replace that. So, give us a call or come on over! We’re in Texas. We have shops in Lewisville, Argyle, and McKinney.