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" signifies serious engine wear, identified by metal flakes in oil filters or on piston skirts; ferrous metal indicates critical rotating part failure, often the camshaft, requiring significant repairs.
Lycoming engine camshafts are a recognized weak point, partly due to their design leading to insufficient oil distribution, prompting the manufacturer to recommend using new components over re-grinding.
The leading cause of camshaft and tappet failures is aircraft inactivity, which promotes corrosion; prevention is centered on regular flying, proper long-term storage preservation, and diligent oil changes with filter inspections.

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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.