Thread: Boken camshaft

Hello everyone itsgreat to find this website.
I have a 1997 grand prix GTP. It died at 80 mph on the highway the other day no hauled it to a shop and they told me the camshaft had broken completely in half. The lobes also broke off the journals so the whole engine had been destroyed because of this. They told me that they have had this problem with the 3800 engine before. I have never heard of this.
Is this common on this engine? And could you tell me some possible causes so Incan avoid this ever happening again. Oil has always been changed regularly and I use only synthetic.

Originally Posted by shawngtp

Its a scam i want pix. Dont get pimped dude.

Stuff does happen, but I'd agree that it sounds fishy... If it's even possible, it's extremely rare. But that garage has now seen it at least two times. Doubtful?

I've heard of it happening when it chucks a rod, and the rod slaps the cam.

a broken cam. maybe a crank but that does sound odd. if anything maybe just worn out lobes.

ive heard the 3100's are common for snapin the cams, well not common but happens more than it should. but never heard of a 3800 doing it...

I've never heard of it either. I told the shop I wanted the old motor back for spare parts. I'm going to take it apart to see what exactly happened. They are dropping a complete motor with 75000 miles on it, back in the car.
They said the cam lobes broke the journals off in the block so we will find out soon hopefully. I will take pictures and put them on here as soon as I can.
Please excuse the typos as I am doing this on an I phone that I'm not familiar with. Thanks for the help.