Second Hand Ford S-Max Camshaft

Yes, every Ford S-Max has at least one camshaft — it is a fundamental part of any petrol or diesel piston engine, so all S-Max variants from the first generation onwards are fitted with them. Petrol engines typically run twin camshafts (DOHC), while some diesel units use a single camshaft arrangement, so the exact number and design depends on your specific engine. The engine code is the key detail to have ready before approaching a breaker.

The S-Max Mk1 ran from 2006 to 2015, with a facelift in 2010, so both a 2008 and a 2012 car fall within the same generation — but that alone does not guarantee the camshaft is interchangeable. Ford used several different petrol and diesel engine codes across that period, and a camshaft is machined to exact tolerances for its specific engine family, so the engine code on both vehicles must match. Confirm compatibility with the breaker against your registration and the donor vehicle's registration before purchasing.

The Mk1 and Mk2 S-Max are built on different platforms and share very few mechanical components, so a camshaft from the Mk1 is very unlikely to suit an Mk2. Even where an engine family carried across generations, detail changes to the head and valvetrain design mean direct swaps across this boundary are risky without expert verification. Always confirm with the breaker using both vehicles' engine codes.

Trim level makes no difference whatsoever to camshaft fitment — the camshaft is determined entirely by the engine fitted to the car, not whether it is a Zetec, Titanium, or Titanium X. Two S-Max cars with the same engine code will use the same camshaft regardless of badge or specification level. Focus purely on matching the engine code, which you can find on your V5C or via a VIN check.

Yes, fuel type is critical — a petrol camshaft and a diesel camshaft are completely different components and are not interchangeable under any circumstances. Beyond that, different petrol engines and different diesel engines within the S-Max range each have their own specific camshaft profiles designed for their valve timing requirements. Always confirm the full engine code with your breaker to ensure you are quoted for exactly the right part.

Not necessarily — the 2.0 TDCi designation covers several different engine variants across Ford's range, and camshaft specifications can differ between them even where the displacement and fuel type appear the same. Parts from other Ford models such as the Mondeo or Galaxy may share components with the S-Max where the engine code genuinely matches, but that must be confirmed by the breaker rather than assumed from the badge. Provide your full engine code and registration to the breaker so they can cross-reference the correct part.