Most car users often suffer from heavy fumes and excessive fuel consumption. The best way to get rid of these engine issues is to install a camshaft on the engine. But how much does it cost to install a camshaft?
You’ll have to spend around $700 to $3,000 to install camshafts on cars and $600 to $1,000 for trucks. However, it can vary according to installation preferences, camshaft price, and labor cost range.
It costs less than installing other car parts. We’ve covered the installation process, costing range, and benefits of a camshaft.
Is It Necessary to Install A Camshaft?
Yes. Usually, a good-quality camshaft can last for 3 to 4 years on average. It also boosts torque and horsepower. You must maintain a camshaft properly to last longer and extend the engine’s life expectancy. Experts suggest installing a camshaft to lift engine performance.
Camshaft is an excellent device for a heat engine that balances fuel consumption and emits exhaust fumes. It separates different cylinder sections to control fuel efficiently and works great with a 2000 rate per minute.
Once you install the camshaft, you don’t have to worry about controlling fuel input and emissions. We recommend installing a camshaft to keep your driving experience smoother than you can even think.
How Much Does Camshaft Installation Cost?
The camshaft installation cost varies with car brands, models, and labor costs. You’ll need $700 to $3,000 to install a new camshaft on your car engine.
Most car shops will cost around $750 to $2500 to install camshafts. But how much is a camshaft? It costs $250 to $1000, depending on the car brand.
And how much does it cost to cam a truck? It’ll require $600 to $1,000 to camming a truck. Here are the prices and installation costs for camshafts of different brands.
| Brand | Price | Installation Cost |
| Honda | $347 | $971 to $1,224 |
| Toyota | $110 to $287 | $636 to $803 |
| Mercedes | $871 | $849 to $1,071 |
| Acura | $518 | $589 to $742 |
| BMW | $978 | $1,128 to $1,423 |
| Audi | $974 | $872 to $1,099 |
| Hyundai | $282 | $566 to $713 |
How to Install A Camshaft: Step by Step Process
If you want to install a camshaft on the engine, you can do it quickly by following some steps. We’ve included the easiest method for camshaft installation.
Tools and Materials Required:
- Camshaft
- Prybar
- Rachets
- Sockets
- Jackstand
- Flat head screwdriver
- Valve cover gas caps
- Torque wrench
- Lubricator or oil
- Wheel chock
- Car authorized instruction manual
Step 1: Prepare the Car Engine
The first thing you have to do is keep your vehicle in a well-ventilated area and open the engine hood for a cooling engine. Now take wheel chocks and adjust them around the rear wheel.
Step 2: Check the Instruction Manual
While installing the camshaft, you should look into the instruction manual to understand engine specifications. Installing a camshaft wouldn’t be wise without checking the instruction manual.
Step 3: Consider the Engine Type of Your Vehicle
If your vehicle has Overhead Camshaft Engine, you can easily reach the camshaft unit of the engine. But in Overhead Valve Engine, the camshaft unit is in the middle of the engine block. At this point, you can take the engine out for installation if you want.
Step 4: Uninstall the Engine Belt
Keep your car’s body pinch welds on the jack stand gently. Now you must remove engine drive belts by loosening tension with rachets and sockets.
Step 5: Take Off the Timing Cover
One of the most difficult parts of installing a camshaft is to detach the timing cover. For this, check the timing specification in the instruction manual.
On an overhead camshaft engine, you must detach three chain bolts from the bottom of the timing cover and take it out.
When it comes to the overhead valve engine, use a pry bar to reach the middle of the engine. Remove timing bolts with a flathead screwdriver and take the timing cover off.
Step 6: Remove the Ignition Coil
Squeeze the electrical retainer clip and take out the connectors. However, take the rachet socket to loosen the ignition coil retainer bolts and pull the ignition coil.
Step 7: Pull Out the Valve Covers
Detach the valve cover by pulling the mounting bolts with a pry bar and uninstall the valve cover gas cap.
Step 8: Align the Timing Marks
Take the crankshaft pulley bolt out and turn the engine around. Wait for a while to set up timing marks gradually. Nevertheless, detach the timing belt as you pull off the engine belt.
Step 9: Disconnect the Old Camshaft
You have to pull out camshaft gear. Moreover, place the gear on the new camshaft. It’s time to remove the old camshaft from the unit. Clean the camshaft compartment to prepare the surface.
Step 10: Install The New Camshaft
Apply oil or engine lubricator on the new camshaft to insert it through the engine cam unit. Keep pressing camshaft until it’s gone inside the compartment. Finally, your new camshaft installation is done.
Step 11: Assemble.
Now install the valve cover, timing belt, and ignition coil on respective units. Additionally, set up the timing cover and engine belt. Turn the engine on to check whether it works or not.
Simple Tips to Follow While Installing New Camshaft
It’s better to follow some quick tips to install a camshaft on a vehicle engine without damaging it. Such as
- Use gloves while using oil or lubricator to spread perfectly.
- You must follow factory-guided timing marks.
- If your vehicle guide doesn’t indicate timing marks on the manual, then use a marker pen or vibrant color nail polish to make timing marks.
- Rotate the engine chain two times before driving.
- Lubricate all the parts that are related to the camshaft.
- Keep the installation area clean and follow the manual guide.
- Check twice if you’ve torqued every part properly.
- Take an expert’s opinion to understand the technical terms of a camshaft.
What Happens If You Drive with A Bad Camshaft?
If you drive with a bad camshaft, it can damage the engine gradually. Moreover, it causes cylinder misfires that can affect the engine performance. It affects the power system and imbalances fuel consumption.
Fuel emissions are one of the most harmful things that can happen to engines. Besides, it’ll stop working and warn you by sending signals to the engine control module. A damaged camshaft can produce loud noise and backfire.
Is It Worth Replacing A Camshaft?
Yes. It’s worth replacing a camshaft on your vehicle engine because it keeps valves open and regulates gasoline into cylinders.
Replacing the camshaft is a wonderful idea when it gets old or deteriorates over time. The camshaft replacement cost will be around $1,500 to $3,000.
So how long does it take to replace a camshaft? It takes 2 to 3 hours to replace a camshaft at home. The shops will take 16 to 24 hours for professional installation and maintenance.
Though it’s not recommended to repair the camshaft, you can repair it if you’ve high-end vehicles. Thus, it won’t be effective for long time use. Thus, the camshaft repair cost $500 to $1,000.
How Often Do You Need to Replace A Camshaft?
You should replace a camshaft after driving 80,000 to 100,000 miles on average. The camshaft of your vehicle can be worn out over the years. Usually, manufacturers guarantee a lifetime warranty.
But it won’t last for long. So, you should often inspect the camshaft position and capacity to track whether it’s worn out.
Is Camming A Car Illegal?
Not all countries permit the use of a camshaft on your car. In most countries, it’s considered illegal as it modifies the engine parts.
But many countries permit using a camshaft on the engine to make the performance faster.
It’s better to check the laws on the camshaft before installation. If your country legalizes engine camshaft, you can install or replace it whenever needed.
Final Thoughts
You can cut off the camshaft installation cost if you install it yourself. In that case, you only need some tools and a camshaft. So, it’ll cost less than installing it by authorized car shops or repair centers. So, how much does it cost to install a camshaft?
Installing a camshaft on cars will cost $700 to $3,000, depending on brand and quality. To install camshaft on trucks, you’ll require $600 to $1,000. Hence, major cost to install a camshaft is the product price and labor cost.
Sometimes it’s hard to know if the camshaft is damaged or misplaced. To solve this, you should check before replacing it. That’s all for today.
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Hello, I’m Michael Rosales an expert in cars. As a little boy, I have always loved cars. Over the years I became lucky to have the opportunity to work as a car dealer. It was at this stage I became vast in the knowledge of cars, things you need to know when buying cars and how to minimize cost while still getting your dream car.