Cam bridge and intake cam questions

[doc_oc]

I had low oil pressure at idle and occasionally the EPC don't rev past 4000rpm message.
So, after a little research here, I assumed I have the old tensioner and I should replace it. Well, let's do the entire timing if I'm in there. So, I ordered all 3 chains, all the rails, the tensioner and all tty bolts. The lower cover, all the gaskets....blah blah blah.
But what if the oil pump is bad? So I got that too.
So, I took it all apart and the screen on the cam bridge was in the oil galey down there, completely broken. But in one piece and not spread throughout the engine. And I ordered a cam bridge.
And this is where the questions start: the old bridge bearing on the intrake side has some scoring on it. The cam is not bad, but it has some scoring on it as well.
If I install the new bridge on the old cam, how long or how little can I expect any one of them to last for?
Here are some pics.
Oh, car has 270000kms on. At 145k previous owner had stage 2 oil consumption (pistons and rings) done. And a new style chain tensioner installed. Not sure about chains, rails, cam bridge etc.


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[jfo]

I'm afraid I can't offer advice on your scoring question. It's possible the damage you see was done when the screen first broke away from small fragments, and that could have happened many km's ago.
A question however....how is your oil consumption at 270K km? And did the chain have significant stretch or was the tensioner fully extended? Even if the chain was done at the stage 2 fix, it now has about 125K km on it. I keep my cars for the long term and I'm curious.

[doc_oc]

I'm afraid I can't offer advice on your scoring question. It's possible the damage you see was done when the screen first broke away from small fragments, and that could have happened many km's ago.
A question however....how is your oil consumption at 270K km? And did the chain have significant stretch or was the tensioner fully extended? Even if the chain was done at the stage 2 fix, it now has about 125K km on it. I keep my cars for the long term and I'm curious.

The oil consumption is ok. Maybe 500ml over 5000kms.
Chains have significant stretch. At least 1/4" when compared to the new ones.
So, the tensioner was extended. The new one has 6 grooves showing, with the spring on the second groove. The old one was showing 9 grooves with the clip on the 5th. IIRC


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[ELaw]

In this kind of situation, I'd go by feel rather than visual appearance. Run your fingertip and fingernail over the area on the end of the cam. If you can feel anything at all, consider replacing the cam. If you can't, it'll probably be okay.

[A4 Centaur]

I would replace the cam bridge if you plan on keep the car for a few more years and you run her hard.

Since you have done the chains, and oil pump chains too, looks like you have invested a bit of time and effort to keep her running smoothly for as long a possible.

Seeing that a cam bridge is only around what $300 bucks? Might as well replace that too.

[doc_oc]

I am replacing the bridge. I already bought it. The cam is the question. I already through 1500$ at it.
The bridge is aluminum, so it scores way easier. I'm hoping the cam is better at that.
I'm looking for answers from people that went through this :)

The scoring on the bracket, yo u can feel it with your finger. On the cam you can't really.

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[A4 Centaur]

^ I understand. I've been on here for about 5 years and you are a trailblazer.

Having worked on my engines over the years, understanding that aluminum is softer than steel, esp high carbon cam steel, I think you will be fine.

I doubt you need to replace the cam, but hey if you find a blown engine with one in better shape than your cam, then go ahead.

Another route you could go, is having it coated, but I doubt it will wear out before the wheel bearings, and other parts.

Happy Driving! and great work to the car, not many here have the patience or stomach to tear into things.

[doc_oc]

I'm just a hobby mechanic at best. I know my way around a wrench but I never built or fixed engines for a living.
I know the there was a campaign from the dealers that replaced the cam as soon as the bridge was found like this. But it's too late for me know.
I got the car at 192000kms and it worked fine till 265000. When it started with the low oil pressure. I thought it was the pcv at first. Replaced it and it didn't do anything. Then oil and filter change. Then pressure switch. So I used an external pressure gauge. Then I thought it was the chain tensioner, just to open it up and find the bridge like that. What should have been a 350$ repair.....turned into A LOT more.
Anyways. If it gives me another 70-100k I can only be happy I guess.
I have a 2004 A4 1.8t and that thing was rock solid. 260000kms
One or two leaking water pumps, a few vacuum valves, a couple wheel bearings, a seized caliper, a rusted through transmission oil cooler line. But it's still chugging away. So, I hope the b8 will be the same. Although, this engine already has more money in repairs than my entire b6:)

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