Snapped camshaft

[totalnova]

Well I thought we was making some real progress, we had just finished rebuilding the engine and giving it a check over, turned the engine by hand, got half a turn and snappp.

https://i.imgur.com/uXPEeyo.jpg

Must be a record for the life of a camshaft

https://i.imgur.com/FDCn8k3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Vq2Bc97.jpg

I've contacted the company yesterday, sent two emails and had no reply, so I called them and had a conversation with a guy who said they would look at the pics and get back to me.

I won't be naming the company yet, it depends how they deal with this. I will add it's a big company and supposedly not cheap shit

Just want to add the cams where bough brand new by me, they have never been in a running engine and have zero millage.

Imo and I'm no expert the casting doesn't look brilliant and I would guess that's why it has failed.
Nick

[millworm]

Thats appalling, lucky you turned it by hand and you didnt do any irreversible damage

[_Tomiboy]

We had the same with catcams. They gave us 10% discount from the next cam...
This happens sometimes, motorsport cams, high revs...

[totalnova]

We had the same with catcams. They gave us 10% discount from the next cam...
This happens sometimes, motorsport cams, high revs...

Well this cam was never revved, not once.

[RallyMarshal]

I had the same with an SBD cam, (made by Kent) although it was used. Swapped the pair out for some Piper BP300m instead and been fine..

Paul..

[Will F]

Wow - don't see that very often!
Was it tight at all? I cant see how it could've snapped by hand unless it was already severely weakened through previous damage (being dropped etc)

I would be surprised if you get any material gratuity from the supplier - they will blame user/transport/damage I would guess

[totalnova]

It wasn't stiff, just got half a turn and it snapped.
To be honest the company are just ignoring the problem and have been crap to deal with so I'm now more then happy to name them, I may not get any money back but if I can stop someone from ordering cams from them, then I will sleep better at night.
The company is dbilas, since this happened I've found a few other instances where their cams have snapped, but all have been on running engines, it's just a shame they care so little about customers who have spent thousands with them.
I've now placed an order with CatCams for new set.

[millworm]

I'd be posting publically on their face book, hit them where it hurts so others can see, you'd be surprised how quick they can change their tune over these things

[bazzap8389]

Gutted mate, think I’d be doing what millworm suggested. The last thing they’ll wasn’t is bad publicity so should hopefully sort something out.

[totalnova]

The thing with Facebook is you can delete reviews and block people, so it's a pointless exercise, although maybe it's worth giving It a go. lol

[_Tomiboy]

I have good experiences with dbilas. They are 30km from me, the quality from the cams was always excellent, and the communication and prices too. If you buy more you can get huge price reduction.

[Will F]

What made you choose Dbilas over the more mainstream brands like Piper or Kent? Are they much cheaper?

Either way, they need to do something about it - not sure what your rights are - but the sales of goods act is always a good 'catch all'!

[totalnova]

They are cheaper, but Dbilas are a well known firm so I thought they would be ok.
If you look at their Facebook page there are a quite a few reviews by people saying they don't respond to emails, so I'm not alone. I will add I have called them and spoken to them as well but they didn't seem that interested in what I had to say.

I just won't be spending anymore money with them and I hope a few people are put off using them.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

man, that sucks. half a revolution life span.

probably got thrown like javelin into the back of the delivery van before you go it.

unlucky in one sense, but lucky it snapped before you fired the engine up, or it woulda probably trashed the head

[totalnova]

Well after Dbilas basically saying it must have been fitted incorrectly, they have finally agreed that I can send it back to them for inspection, I still expect them to try and wriggle out if this, but I will keep this thread updated.
Nick.

[millworm]

Good, keep us posted, i nearly bought their turbo kit when i had a corsa c breifly

[Will F]

finger's crossed matey