Quick answer. This 2013 Chevy Volt had 117,176 miles and a grinding noise. Our tech did one hour of diagnosis, $125, and found the cause. The camshaft lobes were worn. That wear was causing the grinding. The record shows the diagnosis only, so this post stops there.
Key Points
- The worst news first. The camshaft lobes on this engine are worn.
- That wear was the source of the grinding noise.
- The car had 117,176 miles on it.
- The diagnosis was one hour, $125.
- The record does not show a repair yet. We will not guess at one.
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What Came In
A 2013 Chevy Volt. The Volt drives on electric power first, and it has a small gas engine that runs to make more power when the battery runs low.
The work order said Diagnostic. The car was making a grinding noise, and the owner wanted to know why.
What the Tech Found
The tech found it in the top of the engine. The camshaft lobes were worn.
A camshaft has a row of egg shaped bumps called lobes. As the shaft turns, each lobe pushes a valve open. When a lobe wears down, the parts that ride on it do not move the way they should. Metal rubs on metal. That is the grind.
Worn cam lobes are not a part you swap in ten minutes. They are inside the engine. That is why we put this one first and plain.
What It Cost to Find
2013 Chevy Volt, October 17
Came in with: a grinding noise, booked as a diagnostic.
Miles: 117,176.
Tech found: worn camshaft lobes, causing the grinding.
Cost: $125 for one hour of diagnosis.
The diagnosis was $125. For that, the owner got the cause, in plain words, with photos of the actual part.
Our techs write every finding on a diagnostic card in Shop Desk, the software our San Jacinto shop built. The owner reads it on their own phone. Other mechanics can use the same thing free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a grinding noise from a Chevy Volt engine?
On this Volt, it was worn camshaft lobes. Other cars can grind for other reasons, so it needs a diagnosis.
What are camshaft lobes?
They are the bumps on the camshaft that push the valves open. When they wear, the valve parts do not move right and can make noise.
How much did the diagnosis cost?
$125 for one hour.
Was the Volt repaired?
The job record we wrote this from shows the diagnosis only. It does not say what the owner chose to do next.
Can I keep driving with worn cam lobes?
Ask your mechanic. Wear inside an engine tends to get worse, not better, so do not wait long to decide.
Supercanic tip: A new noise from the engine is worth one hour of diagnosis before it turns into a bigger bill. Call us at (951) 904-2477.
Hearing a Grind or a Tick?
We find the cause and show you a photo of it before you pay for any part.
