2005 GTI - Cam Follower question

[mac456]

Hi guys,

I have a standard 2005 MK5 GTI which is now on 105k miles and currently runs great (touches wood) - Owned for the last 5 years.

I have read about the cam follower and spoke with my local vag specialist in regards to getting it checked last year which they said it will be fine as long as the car is well maintained and standard which it is and they didn't recommend getting it done.

Is this right? Or should I be getting this checked?

What is the average price for checking this?

Thanks

[Sessions]

Definitely get it checked quite easy if your handy with a spanner if not around 30 mins Labour.

[Sway_ed30]

Definitely get it checked quite easy if your handy with a spanner if not around 30 mins Labour.

As Sessions said. Quite simple to do yourself. A few guides on here, im sure someone will have a link to post...

The first thing I would replace for sure would be the cam follower, assuming you have just purchased the car. A £90ish job (with labour) or £25 if you can do it yourself could save you hundreds in the future if a camshaft replacement is needed.

#0096 Edition 30
Instagram: @SS55WAY

[Shoy1980]

I have a used one for sale in very good condition. I changed it with a brand new one before I went Stage 2.

[ROH ECHT]

That person's comment is a load of $#!@+....you can do everything to "take care of it" and the tri-lobe of the intake cam will still wear through the black DLC on the face of the CF before it reaches 120k miles....if not having worn completely through, and ruining your hpfp and intake cam. Just replace it and you won't need to worry about it for another 100k miles. VW neglected to add a CF inspection in the service interval manual. But there have been thousands who are out $1500 to $2500 for repairs in replacing the hpfp and intake cams. I've even helped a couple people locally to discover what is wrong with their MK5's here at my home. It was a worn cam follower, worn tip on the hpfp piston, and a grooved tri-lobe on the cam. I give them a slightly used CF to get them through until they can get the repairs done...and I find out they turn around to sell the car because not wanting to spend the money for repairs. Here's my DIY vid...there are others that may help with the dreaded Banjo bolt should you have it:

&t=125s

[ROH ECHT]

Here's one for a Banjo bolt on the low pressure fuel line to hpfp connector;

[delob]

Is there a specific mileage interval for when this should be done. I have a very low mileage 2008 Gti and during a recent visit to VW dealer for a DSG service they suggested that mine Cam Follower couldn’t possibly need to be replaced.

[Juliand]

Here's one for a Banjo bolt on the low pressure fuel line to hpfp connector;

Good video, thanks for posting that. I have read a few posts about problems with that banjo bolt - do you know what year's that version was used on? I'd probably pay an indie to do the job, but it's nice to see exactly what is involved. Like most of these jobs, it's essential to have the right tools for the job, like those stubby spanners and wrenches etc. I used to do most jobs on my cars ....but I was a lot younger (no fear!) then. Now I just think, oh that banjo bolt problem is bound to happen to me, or I'll strip a thread or something, ha ha.

[muff1991]

Is there a specific mileage interval for when this should be done. I have a very low mileage 2008 Gti and during a recent visit to VW dealer for a DSG service they suggested that mine Cam Follower couldn’t possibly need to be replaced.

i would check every 20-30k

[delob]

Is there a specific mileage interval for when this should be done. I have a very low mileage 2008 Gti and during a recent visit to VW dealer for a DSG service they suggested that mine Cam Follower couldn’t possibly need to be replaced.

i would check every 20-30k

Cheers

[ROH ECHT]

Is there a specific mileage interval for when this should be done. I have a very low mileage 2008 Gti and during a recent visit to VW dealer for a DSG service they suggested that mine Cam Follower couldn’t possibly need to be replaced.

It does depend...

If running the stock hpfp and tune; The CF should last up to 100k or 120k miles. I personally would replace it at 75k to 80k miles because when the black DLC is worn off the CF's face...more wear is done to the tri-lobe of the intake cam.

If tuned....and the target rail pressure was increased....there will be more pressure applied between hpfp and cam lobes because oem pressure is 110 bar and tuned is usually 130 bar and you would need to check it often and at equal intervals for the moment the black DLC is gone from the center of the CF face. I'll include a pic below.

If the hpfp internals are upgraded; replace every 10k to 15k miles depending on what you learn when replacing the CF. I had to replace the CF every 10k miles at first when using Castrol oil...but since switching to LiquiMoly the CF lasts 20k miles.

Synthetic oil is best...if 100% synthetic. Those labeled "Full Synthetic" are not usually 100% as they can say "Full" if they contain over 50% synthetic.

I do not recommend doing many inspections. Just replace it at a safe interval. Many inspections becomes a pain and you risk stripping the threads out of the aluminum(←because I use US English, LOL) tensioner cover the hpfp is mounted to...even if torqued properly each time.

So again; replace the CF at or before 100k miles to be safe and then, do not worry about it for another 100k miles. If tuned; mileage/CF will depend on the new target pressure for the rail and you'll need to determine when to do the CF. If HPFP internals are upgraded; replace the CF at 10k miles...more if you discover it may last up to 15k or even 20k miles.

This shows the black DLC gone from the face of the CF...time to replace; http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d1QtJVKjgag/TOqsE36L16I/AAAAAAAAAl4/Cg1BSUCphG0/s1024/CIMG4655.JPG

[delob]

Is there a specific mileage interval for when this should be done. I have a very low mileage 2008 Gti and during a recent visit to VW dealer for a DSG service they suggested that mine Cam Follower couldn’t possibly need to be replaced.

It does depend...

If running stock hpfp and tune; The CF should last up to 100k or 120k miles. I personally would replace it at 75k to 80k miles because when the black DLC is worn off the CF's face...more wear is done to the tri-lobe of the intake cam.

If tuned....and the target rail pressure was increased....there will be more pressure applied between hpfp and cam lobes because oem pressure is 110 bar and tuned is usually 130 bar and you would need to check it often and at equal intervals for the moment the black DLC is gone from the center of the CF face. I'll include a pic below.

If the hpfp internals are upgraded; replace every 10k to 15k miles depending on what you learn when replacing the CF. I had to replace the CF every 10k miles at first when using Castrol oil...but since switching to LiquiMoly the CF lasts 20k miles.

Synthetic oil is best...if 100% synthetic. Those labeled "Full Synthetic" are not usually 100% as they can say "Full" if they contain over 50% synthetic.

I do not recommend doing many inspections. Just replace it at a safe interval. Many inspections becomes a pain and you risk stripping the threads out of the aluminum(←because I use US English, LOL) tensioner cover the hpfp is mounted to...even if torqued properly each time.

So again; replace the CF at or before 100k miles to be safe and then, do not worry about it for another 100k miles. If tuned; mileage/CF will depend on the new target pressure for the rail and you'll need to determine when to do the CF. If HPFP internals are upgraded; replace the CF at 10k miles...more if you discover it may last up to 15k or even 20k miles.

This shows the black DLC gone from the face of the CF...time to replace; http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d1QtJVKjgag/TOqsE36L16I/AAAAAAAAAl4/Cg1BSUCphG0/s1024/CIMG4655.JPG

Thanks for this. Very detailed response. My car is running a stage 1 map, high flow panel filter and Milltek exhaust. That’s it so not heavily modified. It has just ticked past 30k miles so reckon I should be safe for the moment. I decided to ask because it is something I read about a lot but wasn’t really sure what the determining factors where for when it should be checked. I will leave well alone for the moment

[mac456]

Thanks for the help And advice all.

The car is booked in for a service and a cam follower replacement next week 👍