How to Care for Your Lycoming Camshaft

Often called the Achilles heel of the Lycoming engine, here’s how to keep that camshaft doing what it should.

Thursday, May 05, 2022 at 08:41 AM ET

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It is easy to look at the camshaft and tappet body using a flashlight and inspection mirror. [Photo: Richard Scarbrough]

Key Takeaways:

"Making metal" in aircraft engines, especially ferrous (magnetic) flakes found in oil filters or on piston skirts, indicates serious internal wear, often pointing to camshaft or rotating part failures.
Lycoming engine camshafts are a recognized weak point, partly due to their position above the crankshaft leading to potential oiling issues, prompting the manufacturer to recommend new parts over re-grinding.
The primary cause of camshaft and tappet failures is aircraft inactivity leading to corrosion; prevention involves consistent flying, regular oil changes (every 25 hours) with filter inspection, and proper preservation for long-term storage.

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You are making metal. I am sorry about that. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and back away from the screen for a minute. Better? OK, let’s try this again. If you know, you know.

If you don’t know what that means, consider yourself among the lucky few owner-operators who have not heard that term. Allow me to break it down for you. The phrase “making metal” occurs when someone finds tiny metal flakes in the oil, typically in the oil screen or oil filter. Do people even still use oil screens instead of a filter these days? Yes, and they are excellent at stopping rocks from flowing through your engine.