Removing and installing timing chain cover: Audi A3 (BAG, BLF, BLP, CAVG, …)

🧭 Before you start

Clear intake and covers, disconnect the battery, drain the oil and remove the belt, compressor, front exhaust pipe and alternator. Remove the crankshaft and coolant pump pulleys and the sump, then support the engine and remove the mounting and lifting eye. Unbolt and lift off the cover. Clean faces, fit new seals and gasket, guide the cover on with studs, tighten diagonally and rebuild, renewing the crankshaft oil seal.

Fits: Audi A3 (8P, 2003–2012)

• Special tools named: T10172/2
• Renewed: crankshaft oil seal

Don't miss

• Mark the poly V-belt direction of rotation before removing it.
• Do not bend the flexible joints in the front exhaust pipe more than 30°.
• Sealing surfaces must be completely free of oil and grease before the new gasket goes on.
• Use two M6x80 studs to guide the cover onto the dowel pins.
• Renew the crankshaft oil seal and adjust the engine mountings on reassembly.

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

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 22 workshop diagrams for BAG

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

📋 Procedure

1. Unclip air intake hose from air duct (arrows).
2. Unplug electrical connector at intake air temperature sender 2G299(item 2).
3. Detach vacuum hose (1) from actuator for intake air preheater.
4. Pull dipstick (1) out of guide tube.
5. Remove the engine cover together with air cleaner housing (arrows).

6. Re-insert dipstick in guide tube.
7. Remove cover (1) over battery. To do so, press release tab (arrow).
8. ⚠ Observe notes on procedure for disconnecting the battery 27. — With ignition switched off, disconnect battery earth cable (arrow).
9. Detach rubber bellows (1) from air duct (2).
10. Release both retainers (arrows) and detach air duct.
11. Unbolt hot air collector plate (arrows).
12. Unbolt front exhaust pipe from exhaust manifold (arrows).
13. Remove centre noise insulation (fasteners 1 ... 3).
14. Remove noise insulation (right-side) (fasteners 1 ... 3).
15. Place used oil collection and extraction unitV.A.G 1782 under engine.
16. Drain off engine oil. [Note: Before removing, mark direction of rotation of poly V-belt with chalk or felt-tipped pen. If the belt runs in the opposite direction when it is refitted, this can cause breakage.]
17. Turn the tensioner in the direction of the (arrow) to slacken the poly V-belt.
18. Lock the belt tensioner with a 4 mm Allen key (item 1).
19. Remove poly V-belt.
20. ⚠ The air conditioner refrigerant circuit must not be opened. — Unplug electrical connector (1) for magnetic clutch of air conditioner compressor.
21. Remove bolts (arrows) for air conditioner compressor. [Note: To prevent damage to the air conditioner compressor and refrigerant pipes/hoses, ensure that the pipes and hoses are not stretched, kinked or bent.]
22. Tie air conditioner compressor up to lock carrier.
23. Unscrew bolts (1 ... 3) and remove pendulum support.
24. Remove nuts (2) and (3) at exhaust pipe flange.
25. Separate exhaust system at flange.
26. Remove bolts (1) and (5).
27. Pull off bracket (4) for exhaust system from pins on front exhaust pipe.
28. Unplug electrical connector (2) for Lambda probe G39.
29. Unplug electrical connector (1) for exhaust gas temperature sender 1G235 (if fitted).
30. Remove all electrical connectors from the bracket. [Note: Disregard items marked (3) and (4).]
31. Unplug electrical connector (2) for Lambda probe G39.
32. Unplug electrical connector (1) for exhaust gas temperature sender 1G235 (if fitted).
33. Remove all electrical connectors from the bracket. [Note: To avoid damage, the flexible joints in the front exhaust pipe must not be bent more than 30°.]
34. Unscrew bolts (arrows).
35. Swing front exhaust pipe forwards and remove. [Note: Disregard (item 1).]
36. Unscrew bolts (arrows) and remove bracket for front exhaust pipe.
37. Swing front exhaust pipe forwards and remove. [Note: Disregard (item 1).]
38. Detach electrical connector (2).
39. Unscrew wire (1) at alternator.
40. Unbolt wire clamp (3) at alternator and move wiring harness clear.
41. Unscrew idler roller (2).
42. Unscrew bolts (1) and (3) and remove alternator. [Note: If alternator sticks in its bracket, screw bolt back in again down to the last 2 turns.Tap carefully on bolt heads with flat side of hammer to release bushes of alternator mountings.]
43. Unbolt crankshaft pulley; use tool T10172 with T10172/2 to counterhold.
44. File down the 3 round corners on the water pump wrenchV.A.G 1590 to dimension (a).
45. Unbolt coolant pump pulley; use water pump wrenchV.A.G 1590 to counterhold.
46. Unplug electrical connector (1) at oil level and oil temperature sender G266.
47. Unclip bracket (2) for wire to oil level and oil temperature sender G266 at subframe.
48. Unscrew sump/gearbox bolts (arrows).
49. Unscrew bolts for sump (1) in diagonal sequence and remove.
50. Take off sump; if necessary loosen it by striking lightly with a rubber hammer.
51. Disconnect fuel supply pipe (3) by pulling release ring.
52. Disconnect fuel return pipe (2) by pulling release ring. [Note: Disregard (item 1).]
53. Disconnect vacuum pipe (1) from activated charcoal filter.
54. Pull the activated charcoal filter upwards out of the retainer (arrow).
55. Unscrew bracket (3) for activated charcoal filter.
56. Unscrew bolt at filler neck (2) for washer fluid reservoir.
57. Disconnect the electrical connector at coolant shortage indicator switch F66 (on coolant expansion tank) and move electrical wire clear.
58. Unscrew coolant expansion tank (1) and place on top of engine with the hoses attached (secure if necessary).
59. Loosen bolts (arrows) of assembly mounting for engine approx. 2 turns.
60. Attach the shackle10-222 A/12 to the right-side engine lifting eye.

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