Camshaft Installation Note

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Mazda 3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Apply SAE 90 gear oil or equivalent, or engine oil to the positions shown in the figure.
CAUTION:
- Apply 0.05 ml {0.05 cc, 0.003 in3} or less of oil to area A in the figure.
Fig 1: Applying SAE 90 Gear Oil And Engine Oil To Positions
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Apply SAE 90 gear oil or equivalent, or engine oil to the following locations of each camshaft.
- Thrust surface of front journal (both surfaces front and back)
CAUTION:
- Be careful not to let oil adheres the engine front cover installation surface. If oil adheres to the engine front cover installation surface, a sealing malfunction may occur when the engine front cover is installed.
- If oil adheres to the engine front cover installation surface, remove any oil completely.
NOTE:
- If oil is applied to the front camshaft cap, oil should not be applied to the thrust surface of the front journal.
Install the camshaft with cylinder No. 1 cam aligned to the TDC position as shown in the figure.

Fig 2: Installing Camshaft With Cylinder No. 1 Cam To TDC Position
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
NOTE:
- The timing mark of SKYACTIV-G 2.5 is not parallel with the upper surface of the cylinder head.
Apply SAE 90 gear oil or equivalent, or engine oil to the central area of each journal on the camshaft.

Fig 3: Applying SAE 90 Gear Oil Or Engine Oil To Central Area Of Each Journal On Camshaft
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Apply SAE 90 gear oil or equivalent, or engine oil to the thrust surface of the front camshaft cap.
CAUTION:
- Be careful not to let oil adheres the engine front cover installation surface. If oil adheres to the engine front cover installation surface, a sealing malfunction may occur when the engine front cover is installed.
- If oil adheres to the engine front cover installation surface, remove any oil completely.
NOTE:
- If oil is applied to the front journal thrust surface of each camshaft, oil should not be applied to the front camshaft cap.
Apply sealant (Loctite #962T or equivalent) to the rear camshaft cap installation area on the exhaust side or the rear camshaft caps on the exhaust side of the cylinder head.
NOTE:
- To prevent engine oil leakage, apply sealant to the rear camshaft cap installation area on the exhaust side or the rear camshaft caps on the exhaust side of the cylinder head, and seal the journal.
Fig 4: Applying Sealant To Rear Camshaft Cap Installation Area On Exhaust Side
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
CAUTION:
- Verify that there is no sealant agent on the journal.
Sealant agent bead width

1-3 mm {0.04-0.11 in}
Install the camshaft caps in the marked number order, and temporarily tighten the camshaft cap installation bolts in two or three passes evenly.
Tighten the camshaft cap installation bolts in two steps in the order shown in the figure.

Fig 5: Camshaft Cap Installation Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Tightening torque

Step 1: 3.0-6.0 N.m {31-61 kgf.cm, 27-53 in.lbf}

Step 2: 8-11 N.m {82-112 kgf.cm, 71-97 in.lbf}