Timing chain replacement: Audi 3.2 FSi 3.1 (AUK, BKH)

🧭 Before you start

Remove the gearbox and drive plate, drain the oil, take off the oil filter and the lower chain cover, then the upper covers on both banks. Turn the crankshaft to TDC, lock it and lock the camshafts on each head. Mark chains to gearwheels, lock and remove the tensioners, and take out the camshaft gearwheels, cam chains, oil pump chain and balance shaft chain. Refit in the specified order with new bolts, keeping tension on the inlet gearwheel and counterholding as you tighten. Clean off old sealant and fit the lower cover on oil-free faces, then check the timing marks before final assembly.

Fits: platform codes 3.2, V6, FSI, |, -CABRIOLET

• Opens: engine oil
• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Special tools named: locking tool

Don't miss

• Lock the crankshaft at TDC and both banks' camshafts before any chain comes off.
• Mark chain and gearwheels with paint before removal if parts are to be reused.
• Use new bolts where specified and counterhold the camshaft gearwheels with the tool while tightening.
• Keep tension on the inlet camshaft gearwheel while tightening; slack here shifts the timing.
• Remove all old sealant and keep sealing faces free of oil and grease before refitting covers.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 28 workshop diagrams for AUK

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

1. Crankshaft turning tool:
2. Unless otherwise advised by the manufacturer, the following procedures are recommended:
3. Vehicles with manual gearbox:
4. Remove the gearbox
5. Note: The tensioner must be removed from the engine

6. Spark plug removal tool:
7. Waste oil collection unit
8. Use new bolts
9. Remove the drive plate
10. Camshaft gearwheel
11. Remove the hoist
12. Valve cover
13. Remove the engine covers
14. Disconnect the electrical connector from the coolant expansion tank
15. Remove the coolant expansion tank and place it aside
16. Unlock the tensioner
17. Move the harness aside
18. Remove the ignition coils
19. Remove the cylinder head
20. Remove the air ducts
21. Remove the air inlet hose
22. Remove the ignition coils
23. Use the special tool
24. Disconnect the crankcase breather hose
25. Disconnect the connectors
26. Remove the connector bracket
27. Disconnect the connectors
28. Remove the upper left timing chain cover
29. Disconnect the connectors
30. Right-hand bank
31. Remove the upper right timing chain cover
32. Remove the oil filter
33. Drain the engine oil
34. Use the special tool
35. Pull the dowel sleeve out of the engine block
36. Right cylinder head:
37. Check the camshaft timing marks
38. Lock the camshafts
39. Use the special tool
40. Left cylinder head:
41. Lock the camshafts
42. Use the special tool
43. Remove the anti-roll bar
44. Remove the plug
45. Turn the crankshaft slowly to TDC and lock it
46. Mark the timing chain and camshaft gearwheels to each other with paint
47. Remove the camshaft gearwheels
48. Remove the chain tensioner
49. Remove the camshaft gearwheels
50. Remove the chain tensioner
51. Remove the chain
52. Lock the tensioner
53. Remove the tensioner
54. Remove the oil pump gearwheel
55. Remove the chain
56. Mark the chain and the gearwheels
57. Lock the tensioner
58. Remove the tensioner
59. Remove the balance shaft gearwheel(s)
60. Remove the balance shaft chain
61. Left-hand bank:

Installation and checks

62. Fit the tensioner and chain as shown
63. Fit the tensioner and chain as shown
64. When tightening, always use the tool to counterhold
65. Keep tension on the inlet camshaft gearwheel
66. Tighten the inlet camshaft gearwheel
67. Tighten the exhaust camshaft gearwheel
68. When tightening, always use the tool to counterhold
69. Keep tension on the inlet camshaft gearwheel
70. Tighten the exhaust camshaft gearwheel
71. Remove the crankshaft locking tool
72. Fit the lower timing chain cover
73. Ensure that the surface is free of oil and grease
74. Refit the cover
75. Installation sequence:
76. Stage 3:
77. Stage 4:
78. Refit the timing chain upper cover
79. Clean off the old sealant
80. Installation sequence:
81. Refit the valve cover
82. Further refitting is in the reverse order of removal
83. Fit the special tool

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