Engine Component Description: Camshaft

A steel camshaft is supported by 5 bearings pressed into the engine block. The camshaft sprocket is mounted to the front of the camshaft and is driven by the crankshaft sprocket through the timing chain.

Motion from the camshaft is transmitted to the valves by hydraulic roller valve lifters, valve push rods, and ball-type rocker arms. Gear teeth are machined into the camshaft near the rear journal in order to drive a shaft assembly which operates the oil pump driveshaft. The camshaft position (CMP) sensor reads a circular target, half raised and half lowered, that is integral to the camshaft sprocket. The CMP sensor signal is used by the powertrain control module (PCM) for start-up only.