Removing and installing camshafts and camshaft adjusters — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Strip the belt drive and housings, release the retaining frame in sequence and lift the camshafts out. Clean all faces, position the camshafts, seal and bolt down the frame, clamp the camshafts and set their position. Refit housings, combination valves and the toothed belt, adjust timing, and turn the engine by hand before starting.

Fits: Audi A6 C5 (4B)

• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Renewed: gaskets

Don't miss

• Renew gaskets and seals; sealing faces must be oil- and grease-free.
• Fit the frame within 5 minutes of applying sealant; excess sealant can reach the bearings.
• Retaining frame bolts in sequence to 10 Nm; clamp spindle max. 10 Nm.
• Hook compression ring ends together on adjusters supplied with lugs.
• Wait approx. 30 minutes before starting and turn the engine at least 2 rotations by hand.

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

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Remove toothed belt .
2. Remove camshaft sprockets on respective cylinder head.
3. Remove combination valve for secondary air system: left-side , right-side .
4. Unplug electrical connector at Hall sender G40(item 1) and at Hall sender 3G300(item 2).
5. Remove bolts (1) and take off bracket with idler roller.

6. Remove bolts (2) and take off toothed belt cover (rear right).
7. Remove bolts (1) and (2) and take off toothed belt cover (rear left).
8. Remove camshaft clamp T40030 from camshafts.
9. Unscrew bolts (1 ... 6) and remove housing for camshaft control valves.
10. Unscrew bolts (1 ... 6) and take off housing for Hall sender.
11. Loosen bolts on retaining frame in the sequence shown by the numbers and then following the arrows.
12. Press off retaining frame using M6 bolts (arrows).
13. Carefully remove retaining frame.
14. Take out camshafts. [Note: Renew gaskets and seals.]
15. ⚠ Wear safety goggles. — Remove sealant residue from cylinder head and retaining frame using a rotating plastic brush or similar.
16. Clean sealing surfaces; they must be free of oil and grease.
17. Lubricate running surfaces of camshafts.
18. Position camshafts in cylinder head as illustrated.
19. Position camshaft in cylinder head as illustrated.
20. Cut off tube nozzle at front marking (nozzle approx. 1 mm ∅).
21. Apply sealant bead to clean sealing surface of retaining frame, as shown in illustration. [Note: The bead of sealant must be applied exactly according to these instructions, otherwise excess sealant can get into the camshaft bearings.The retaining frame must be installed within 5 minutes after applying sealant.]
22. Fit retaining frame immediately and locate in position using locking pin T40029. [Note: After installing the retaining frame, wait about 30 minutes for the sealant to dry.]
23. To start with, tighten bolts on retaining frame hand-tight: tighten uniformly in the sequence shown by the numbers, and then following the arrows.
24. Tighten bolts securing retaining frame to final torque (10 Nm). — 10 Nm (7.4 lb-ft)
25. Pull mandrel T40029 out of cylinder head and retaining frame using puller T10055.
26. Attach camshaft clamp T40030 to camshafts.
27. Expand camshaft clamp T40030 by means of the threaded spindle (tightening torque max. 10 Nm) until it is seated with zero play. — 10 Nm (7.4 lb-ft)
28. Install camshaft sprocket on exhaust camshaft.
29. Rotate exhaust camshaft (arrow 1) and inlet camshaft (arrow 2) 30° in direction of (arrows).
30. The cams (arrows) at No. 3 cylinder on inlet and exhaust camshafts must be positioned as shown in illustration.
31. Attach camshaft clamp T40030 to camshafts.
32. Remove camshaft sprocket from exhaust camshaft again.
33. Install housing for Hall sender and tighten bolts (1 ... 6). [Note: Depending on version, the compression rings on the camshaft adjusters are supplied with lugs at the ends.Hook ends of compression rings together on this version.]
34. If necessary, hook ends of compression rings (arrows) together as illustrated. [Note: If camshaft oil seals are being renewed, they must be pried out using lever T40017 before installing housing for camshaft control valves.Installing camshaft oil seals .]
35. Install housing for camshaft control valves and tighten bolts (1 ... 6).
36. Install combination valve for secondary air system: left-side , right-side .
37. Install toothed belt (adjust valve timing) . [Note: After installing camshafts, wait for approx. 30 minutes before starting engine. Hydraulic valve compensation elements have to settle (otherwise valves will strike pistons).After working on the valve gear, turn the engine carefully at least 2 rotations by hand to ensure that none of the valves make contact when the starter is operated.]

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