Need HELP Cam wear? Is this ok?

I am doing my valve covers and noticed this cam wear is this normal?

 

I have a couple days until I get 3 more spark plug tube gaskets (I fucked up) rushing from the freezer to the valve cover and put them in upside down… they did not come out as nice as they went in

so I would love to know if the cam is ok or something I should worry about? the top of the lobe is fine it is really just on the side

thanks!

 

I would pull the corresponding camshaft and have a further look. Doesn't look normal or like something Toyota would send off

 

i spoke with 2 engine guys(boat mechanics)

came up with 2 internet guesses from the 2 pix
1)a bolt/washer/something hard was bouncing around and actually got pinched between the cam lob and the bucket.
this scored only the edge of the cam lob.....bounced around some more and did same to the next cam lob
2)some time in the past someone tried to pry(cam cap(?)) with a screwdriver and used the cam lob as a fulcrum point
(this guess doesnt make sense to the most front cam lob bc nothing to pry off)

interested.

i agree with Tdilly......need to dig deeper.....at very least remove that cam to further investigate

 

How long has this been running this way? If it looks like this has been running this way for a while and the shim doesnt look scored, it could be nothing, btw, the other lobe has some corner damage too if you didnt notice.

 

It looks like the other lobe (to the right) is starting to show the same wear.
Take a look and see. Maybe it's just the picture, but it looks like you have 2 lobes with the same issue.
The first one just isn't as bad.......maybe?

BTW, It's not normal.
Not from what I've seen.

 

What is that cover thing called, is it the journal? Looks like it gets hotter than surrounding metals and causes the oil to gum up. Am I reading that right? Look between the check marks.

 

It's called a "camshaft cap".
Or "Cam cap" for short.

 

I have had the truck for 6 months and ran great the whole time so I’m not sure when the “incident” happened I am going to remove the cam and I will post pictures as soon as I get it out

 

I put the new valve cover gasket on already is it ok to re use it or should I replace it? also the half moons do I need to re do the seal on them too?

 

Ok almost to removing the cams. I’ve decided to just replace the cams am I able to just replace the passenger side intake and exhaust or does it have to be both(meaning all 4)?

 

You should be fine reusing the gasket. I’ve done that a few times. Don’t redo the half moons. Did you replace the cam plugs? If not you should do them as well. Honestly I’m not sure I would replace that cam if it doesn’t have any symptoms. You don’t need to touch the cams on the other side.

 

OP keep in mind the cam caps have "worn in" with that cam over time and putting the on top of a new cam can cause issues. I agree with others that if it's running fine, I wouldn't jump to replacing it

 

Agree, if it was me i would inspect both buckets for rim contact-damage, then pull that one cam cap and inspect for damage, if all that is good, run it. the oil buildup on cam cap could be just a drain trail from baffling in valve cover, this may be a pia on the 5vz but pulling the oil pan may tell all, it sure looks like impact from something threaded.
R/

 

Can I just pull the exhaust cam on that side for inspection or does it have to be both intake and exhaust

 

IMO
Yes you can
Just make damn sure you document/take pix of the orientation of each lob’s position
Need to “pattern torque” cam cap bolts as well.

again, if no audible sound, taco was running fine….no need to tear into stuff

how about this
Bump the engine or turn crank bolt to inspect both cam buckets under each affected lob? See if bucket is also dmgd

if nothing obvious on cam bucket
I think your good

reason being the surface of the affected lobs in contact with the bucket is less than 3% of the contact surface. In addition, nothing abnormal about how the taco ran b4 the VC gaskets replaced.

 

Buckets look new! I think because the guy I bought it from had everything serviced at Toyota and had records also verified on carfax he had the valves serviced awhile back and I think someone left something in there and possibly started it heard it inspected after and reassembled then returned to the customer none the wiser… but everything looks great other than the chips

 

A firm tht

I like your hypothesis

I would button up everything.

B4 I did that I would inspect every nook and cranny of that visable portion of the head with magnet. Just make sure this “lost washer/bolt” was indeed removed

If you want to go crazy……(I wouldn’t…..too much of a chance to make a mistake)

BT mechanic said to remove that cam and file down both ridges on those lobs to make smoother.

 

I’m going to leave it in, I felt it and it is pretty smooth and doesn’t have any parts that feel like they stick out or feel sharp. I’m very glad I investigated further before putting it back together. I also took this time to look at the timing and seems to be spot on or maybe a hair advanced so I’ll leave that be also. Now to install a new scaler pulley and button up the rest!

 

If there was a noise/problem b4….would dig in
But
As others stated, and I agree…..button up and send it!