In cars with an overhead camshaft, you'll find a rocker arm. The rocker arm transfers the motion of the camshaft to the intake valves. The rotating motion of the shaft is converted into a vertical motion using a lever effect. A camshaft has oval-shaped lobes that rotate against the pushrod, causing the rod to move up and down. This rod then pushes against the rocker arm, causing it to open.
Rocker Arm Defect
A defective rocker arm needs replacing. A broken rocker arm no longer opens the valves or does not open them properly. This can cause the valve timing to be incorrect, resulting in loss of power and high fuel consumption.
There are a number of symptoms that can help you recognise a faulty rocker arm:
- Loss of power: a defective rocker arm affects the timing of the intake valve. The timing is important for the intake and exhaust of air in the combustion chamber. The right amount of air at the right time ensures the engine's power.
- A sputtering engine: if the valve timing is off due to a defect, you may notice this by a sputtering engine.
- A rapid ticking sound: you mainly hear this sound when starting and stopping the car.
- The engine control light is on: if there is a defect in one of the engine components, this dashboard light will illuminate.
Check the rocker arms if you recognise any of the above symptoms. If there is a crack or break in the rocker arm, it is clear that the part is broken. But do you see metal particles under the rocker arm? This also indicates a defect. You can compare the rocker arms with each other to determine the defect.
Replacing a Rocker Arm
Is the rocker arm defective and you want to replace it? You can do this job yourself. To replace it you need a ratchet, masking tape and a new rocker arm.
To replace a rocker arm, do the following:
1. Before you start, disconnect the negative cable from the battery. This will prevent a short circuit during replacement.
2. Then remove the air filter and disconnect the spark plug wires. Mark the spark plug wires with masking tape so that you can reinstall them correctly later.
3. Next, disconnect the throttle cables from the throttle body. Then remove the rocker cover with rocker cover gasket.
4. After you have removed and unscrewed all of this, you can loosen the rocker arm bolts and remove the rocker arm.
5. Install the new rocker arm and tighten the bolts to a torque of 30 Nm using a torque wrench.
6. Then reinstall the rocker cover with a new gasket and reconnect the cables to the throttle body and spark plugs.
7. Finally, reinstall the air filter and reconnect the negative cable to the battery.
Are you having the rocker arm replaced at the garage? Then order the parts cheaply at Winparts and deliver them yourself. This will save you a lot of money.
Buying a Rocker Arm
You can buy a rocker arm quickly and cheaply at Winparts. Enter your registration number or car details on the website and find the right parts. In addition to rocker arms, you will also find other engine parts at Winparts such as: cylinder heads, sumps and intake manifolds.