On a scale of 1 to 10...

[78F350]

For me that would be a 2 of 10. No immediate concern, but a reminder that eventually the cam adjuster pads will need to be replaced. "Cam Deviation" would be the thing to check, using a Durametric or other high end diagnostic device.

That reminds me that the Boxsters are the only car that I ever check the filters on. We should really cut open check the filters on our Honda/Ford/Audi ...whatever, just to see what 'normal' looks like. I bet that most cars shed as much or more under similar mileage and age.

[bg305]

Originally Posted by 78F350

For me that would be a 2 of 10. No immediate concern, but a reminder that eventually the cam adjuster pads will need to be replaced. "Cam Deviation" would be the thing to check, using a Durametric or other high end diagnostic device.

That reminds me that the Boxsters are the only car that I ever check the filters on. We should really cut open check the filters on our Honda/Ford/Audi ...whatever, just to see what 'normal' looks like. I bet that most cars shed as much or more under similar mileage and age.

Thank you!

And I could not agree more, when I think back over all the cars I have owned, Trans-Am, Chevy SS, 240sx, Rx-7's, etc... it never once occurred to me to dissect the filter. Can't imagine what I might have found in the RX-7's! (Makes you wonder if the apex seals chunk off at all and fail quickly or just shave down to nothing...). Every sub-sect of car culture has it's own nuances.. I think i should take this habit on for good. Once you get over the initial shock that the filter is actually doing an important job and things wear down over time, it is just another data point to be more informed.

[P_Carfahrer]

I echo what 78F350 mentions regarding the cam deviation readings. Last winter in prep for a bunch of maintenance items, I pulled my pan and saw quite a bit of the shavings that you see. My cam deviations weren't horrible, but based on the scope of maintenance I had planned and the ease of doing the pads with the engine out, I decided to just pull the engine and do the pads at the same time along with everything else. I did have a bit of chain slap on start-up.

I ended up doing all the chain guides and tensioners while it was out with new chains, using the newer tensioners. The long guides from the IMS to the cams had very little visible wear while the cam adjuster pads were toast.