ARL PD Engine - Why do they eat cams?

[M20FES]

Mines a 2004 fr TDI 150 with 142k on the clock and no signs of cam issues.

 

[Elf458]

Mines a 2002 ARL with 135K on the clock and still running smooth.... A friend of mine is responsible for a fleet of 23 PD engines all ranging in variants (all Skodas 2003-2007) We can confirm from extensive experience, all PD engines suffer this problem. It is pure pot luck as to whether yours will fail or not. 14 of his 23 had this happen at least once, all company cars, correct oil always, no overrun on service schedules, meticulously maintained taxis so masses of motorway miles. Every engine is different guys remember this. We even saw one that ran its exhaust lobe completely round so it didn't even move the lifter! One characteristic that was prior to all of the camshaft failures, was that they all sounded like tractors. So if yours get noisy, get the head whipped off before it HAS to be ripped off.
Hope this helps

 

[cleverspoon]

Whats the advantage over catching it early? Surely if you check it and its failed you need a new cam etc, or if it fails you need a new cam? Or when it does go does it take other parts with it? Im just hoping im lucky and wait till it fails, in the mean time enjoy it

 

[JDUB 20V]

Whats the advantage over catching it early? Surely if you check it and its failed you need a new cam etc, or if it fails you need a new cam? Or when it does go does it take other parts with it? Im just hoping im lucky and wait till it fails, in the mean time enjoy it

If its prone with these engine due to lifters which take the cams with them, then wouldnt it be safer to replace lifters to prevent issue = no worries

 

[cleverspoon]

I think the cam loves wear as the lifters wear, so if your replacing 1 you replace the other. Just the same as motorcycle chains, if fitting new chain you fit new sprockets, so that the new parts can wear together, otherwise the old part would wear out the new part quicker.

I did a fair bit of research and got paranoid to drive the car, tbh now i dont worry, should it happen then ill repair it, if i wip the rocker cover off and see wear ill still have to get new parts. Iv got breakdown cover so if the s#*$ hits the fan ill get towed home and order the parts. Either way ill have to spend a lot on the parts......im personaly going to wait for that day, it may never happen in my ownership. Only on 60K.

Now iv said all that im gonna go hone, drive my car and probably break down due to the cams!