Engine whine after cam install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Tx
Engine whine after cam install
Anybody else have this issue. Apparently its a know issue with Comp Cams, where they don't polish the lobes correctly.
I spoke with the vendor and they stated that this would cause no internal damage and that I shouldn't worry about it. That being said, I could pull the cam and send back to Comp for polishing. Just couple more weekends in the garage, gaskets, coolant, and new alignment.
I spoke with the vendor and they stated that this would cause no internal damage and that I shouldn't worry about it. That being said, I could pull the cam and send back to Comp for polishing. Just couple more weekends in the garage, gaskets, coolant, and new alignment.
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Anybody else have this issue. Apparently its a know issue with Comp Cams, where they don't polish the lobes correctly.
I spoke with the vendor and they stated that this would cause no internal damage and that I shouldn't worry about it. That being said, I could pull the cam and send back to Comp for polishing. Just couple more weekends in the garage, gaskets, coolant, and new alignment.
I spoke with the vendor and they stated that this would cause no internal damage and that I shouldn't worry about it. That being said, I could pull the cam and send back to Comp for polishing. Just couple more weekends in the garage, gaskets, coolant, and new alignment.
Seems like a coin flip on who gets the "whine", some attribute it to improper valve train setup... But it's still up in the air I guess..
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Texoma area Texas
Did you clean in between the lobes real well? It took me about 15 minutes. I used latex gloves and poured oil on each segment that went in and rubbed the oil in between the lobes.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Tx
I did start the car with the drive belt removed, and the noise did not go away, so it is not a pulley or accessory.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Norman OK
Same Friggin Whine
Yup, I have the same annoying whine after installing a new Comp Cam.After seeing your post I contacted Comp Cams and was told the same thing.........improper finish on the cam. I was told that I could send in the cam for repair. When I inquired about them just replacing it with a new one, I was told that I would have to discuss that with their warranty dept. Fortunately I purchased the cam directly from them AND registered the warranty. But as we all know changing the cam in a C5 Corvette is no small issue. If I were one of Snow White's seven dwarfs, I would NOT be the one named Happy!!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Tx
Yup, I have the same annoying whine after installing a new Comp Cam.After seeing your post I contacted Comp Cams and was told the same thing.........improper finish on the cam. I was told that I could send in the cam for repair. When I inquired about them just replacing it with a new one, I was told that I would have to discuss that with their warranty dept. Fortunately I purchased the cam directly from them AND registered the warranty. But as we all know changing the cam in a C5 Corvette is no small issue. If I were one of Snow White's seven dwarfs, I would NOT be the one named Happy!!!!
Last edited by orange rush; Jul 28, 2014 at 03:50 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Norman OK
Gas Turbine Sounding Cam
When I called, I explained my situation, and then proceeded to ask about compensation for all the consumables to replace the cam. The person I was talking to said "let me talk with management about that". I said then that conversation would not be necessary if he sent me a new cam.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Norman OK
End of Story: Red, the warranty mgr. @ Comp personally pulled a new cam from stock. He then stood by and watched as the new cam was micro-polished and inspected. He then had the cam shipped to me via FedEx Overnight Sat delivery. Cam is installed, whine is gone and I'm now the dwarf named "Happy". Moral of this story: **** Happens, but Comp Cams and Red in particular really stepped up and bent over backwards to make this right. Kudos to Comp Cams, and a special thanks to RED!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
Well "red" told you he pulled the cam off the shelf and watched the whole process till it was shipped off to you, I wouldn't be so quick to believe that but that's really not important.
How many extra hours of labor was added up in removing the faulty product you purchased and put in, time wasted in phone calls and what not trying to get a quality part you originally paid for, and install time of the new, red certified part back in? Did the reimburse you for any of that?
I wouldn't be doing a dance of joy if that happened to me, especially since it seems to be a quite common problem with the company's lack of quality control.
How many extra hours of labor was added up in removing the faulty product you purchased and put in, time wasted in phone calls and what not trying to get a quality part you originally paid for, and install time of the new, red certified part back in? Did the reimburse you for any of that?
I wouldn't be doing a dance of joy if that happened to me, especially since it seems to be a quite common problem with the company's lack of quality control.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Norman OK
I DO believe that Red did what he said. The cam sent had a mirror like finish, definately not just "off the shelf". It did suck that I had to go thru the hassle of getting a replacement. But as a professional I was able to swap the cam out in 5 hours without any other expense other than my time. Yes, it was disapointing to buy what I believed to be a high quality part from a reputable company only to find out it had a poor final finish. But, Comp DID make it right and they did spend serious $ on shipping. I am NOT jumping for joy but I am happy that the annnoying whine that I've had for the last 6 months is gone. I also understand that my "dud" cam was only one of many thousands that Comp has sold that never had a problem.The world is an imperfect place, mistakes happen but this company acknowleged a problem and resolved it quickly and in my eyes FAIRLY.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Norman OK
Thanks, Me Too!! Although I kind of miss my blower sounding whine.I got used to it and it DID sound cool.The Mustangs didn't want to mess with what sounded like a blown Corvette! ( I'm sure the lifters would not agree with the cool part thou) 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Tx
I got a new cam shipped to me no charge, with a return label. Person I talked to knew all about the problem with cams not being polished correctly. Goes to show you, Comp apparently doesnt have its story straight.
My new cam is still sitting in the garage, waiting for me to install. I have been driving around whining lol, but is seems to either be getting quieter, or I am getting used to it. But the way I see it, both cams are mine. I was compensated for a bad product with a replacement. If the whine goes away completely, then I have a second cam somebody will get a smoking deal on.
My new cam is still sitting in the garage, waiting for me to install. I have been driving around whining lol, but is seems to either be getting quieter, or I am getting used to it. But the way I see it, both cams are mine. I was compensated for a bad product with a replacement. If the whine goes away completely, then I have a second cam somebody will get a smoking deal on.
Last edited by orange rush; Aug 3, 2014 at 07:58 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Norman OK
Hey Orange,
Here is my advice: Do the right thing! (1) get that whining cam out of your engine....it will damage your lifters(and then you will be pulling the heads) to say nothing of the potential damage to the entire valvetrain due to the harmonics and vibration.(2) Send the defective cam back to Comp. They trusted you to send it back by not temporarily charging you for the replacement (they charged me....a business) But I know the right thing to do and would have sent it back irregardless. Don't reward their help by stealing a cam from them!!! Your rationalization for keeping what is not yours does not hold water and is dishonest. I cannot believe you would post up your dishonesty on this site! Shame on you.
Here is my advice: Do the right thing! (1) get that whining cam out of your engine....it will damage your lifters(and then you will be pulling the heads) to say nothing of the potential damage to the entire valvetrain due to the harmonics and vibration.(2) Send the defective cam back to Comp. They trusted you to send it back by not temporarily charging you for the replacement (they charged me....a business) But I know the right thing to do and would have sent it back irregardless. Don't reward their help by stealing a cam from them!!! Your rationalization for keeping what is not yours does not hold water and is dishonest. I cannot believe you would post up your dishonesty on this site! Shame on you.