Cam swap done... questions now...
#1
Cam swap done... questions now...
I just finished my cam swap, installed a Torquer 2. I changed the pump and timing chain, oil pressure is good (much to my relief), everything seems ok. However, this is my first cammed car, my first time doing any kind of work this 'intensive' and I wanted to make sure some small things I've got are normal.
My PCM has a tune by EFI Alchemy to get me to my tuning apointment on Friday, also car is an A4...
When I first got everything together and the PCM in, I went to start the car, radiator cap off, and begin topping off the coolant. I continued to add water or coolant, leaving the cap off. I was having some questions as I went along so I called someone I know and was told to let the car idle for like 30 minutes, let the t-stat open, continue adding water and coolant. I did that... I was concerned about the car getting hot though. I was advised by the individual to just keep an eye on it, and if the factory gauge approached 260 then to shut it down, let it cool off, and start again later. I did that. At one point, the highest the temperature reached was probably 245-250 going by the factory gauge. A light came on on the dash that said 'check gauges' and I immediately shut it down. It didn't get into the red, or the 260... but I guess I'm just worried it might have gotten too hot.
There's no steam or coolant going anywhere, there's no evidence of coolant on my oil dip stick, and aside from a hard cold start, surging, and some bucking, the car actually runs reasonably well considering it's virtually untuned.
Is there any possibility I might have let the car get too hot and caused some damage? It seems to drive fine now, but I just wanted to be sure since I'm about to make a 200 mile roadtrip to EFI Alchemy on Friday.
If I could have gotten it hot, how could I tell?
Once the car is cooled down and I go to start it up, it seems to warm up a lot faster than it did before the cam swap, but even while idling for probably 4-6 minutes in place the gauge doesn't go past the 210 mark...
Any cause for concern?
My PCM has a tune by EFI Alchemy to get me to my tuning apointment on Friday, also car is an A4...
When I first got everything together and the PCM in, I went to start the car, radiator cap off, and begin topping off the coolant. I continued to add water or coolant, leaving the cap off. I was having some questions as I went along so I called someone I know and was told to let the car idle for like 30 minutes, let the t-stat open, continue adding water and coolant. I did that... I was concerned about the car getting hot though. I was advised by the individual to just keep an eye on it, and if the factory gauge approached 260 then to shut it down, let it cool off, and start again later. I did that. At one point, the highest the temperature reached was probably 245-250 going by the factory gauge. A light came on on the dash that said 'check gauges' and I immediately shut it down. It didn't get into the red, or the 260... but I guess I'm just worried it might have gotten too hot.
There's no steam or coolant going anywhere, there's no evidence of coolant on my oil dip stick, and aside from a hard cold start, surging, and some bucking, the car actually runs reasonably well considering it's virtually untuned.
Is there any possibility I might have let the car get too hot and caused some damage? It seems to drive fine now, but I just wanted to be sure since I'm about to make a 200 mile roadtrip to EFI Alchemy on Friday.
If I could have gotten it hot, how could I tell?
Once the car is cooled down and I go to start it up, it seems to warm up a lot faster than it did before the cam swap, but even while idling for probably 4-6 minutes in place the gauge doesn't go past the 210 mark...
Any cause for concern?
#3
your fine... just make sure you have no leaks, and you have all you fluids topped off and everything ready for the dyno!
Sucks to get on the dyno and find something wrong, see it all the time!
Sucks to get on the dyno and find something wrong, see it all the time!
#4
Also there's a light amount of grey/white smoke coming from the tips at idle. Again, it's very light, but I can see it. My buddy says it's just from all the new parts and the condensation that built up during the cam install... We took our time and had to wait on parts a couple times, took about 6 days.
I dont remember if it was smoking a little or not before the install...
#5
Here's a video of the 'smoking'. Just pay attention to the tips, you can see a little come out if you watch closely... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb9Gc2sATYM
#6
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Did you change your head gaskets when you did the cam swap? If not how many miles are on them? Just keep watching your radiator fluid and see if you lose any. Your probably fine though man.
The other thing it may be from is because itrs not fully tuned. Get it tuned so it doesnt stumble while idleing and then see if its still smoking.
The other thing it may be from is because itrs not fully tuned. Get it tuned so it doesnt stumble while idleing and then see if its still smoking.
#7
Did you change your head gaskets when you did the cam swap? If not how many miles are on them? Just keep watching your radiator fluid and see if you lose any. Your probably fine though man.
The other thing it may be from is because itrs not fully tuned. Get it tuned so it doesnt stumble while idleing and then see if its still smoking.
The other thing it may be from is because itrs not fully tuned. Get it tuned so it doesnt stumble while idleing and then see if its still smoking.
In regards to head gaskets, no I didn't remove the heads. I'm going to drive the car about 100 miles around town tomorrow and do an oil change. It's my thinking that if there's a problem it will show its face during that time frame. I'm just sick of stressing over this car. I've been freaking out about every little thing during the install and it's time to just relax. If I popped a gasket then **** it, LS6 heads will go on.
Everyone feel free to continue posting feedback though...