Final answer:
Engineers look for abnormal wear, scoring, and scratches on camshaft journals, which could indicate lubrication or contamination issues. Measurements are taken to ensure tolerances for roundness and surface finish are within specs, and oil clearance is checked to prevent engine problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
When checking camshaft journals, an engineer is typically looking for signs of abnormal wear, scoring, or scratches which may indicate a lubrication problem or contamination. Over time, with more than100words of operation, the camshaft journals can undergo wear due to the constant friction with the bearings. Inspecting the journals should be done visually and with precision measuring tools to ensure they have not exceeded the manufacturer's tolerances for roundness and surface finish. Excessive wear could lead to engine performance issues or failure. It is also important to look for pitting and to check that the oil clearance between the camshaft journals and bearings is within specifications. Each of these issues could result in decreased efficiency of the engine and potential damage if not addressed.