Removing and installing camshaft adjuster: VW Golf IV / Bora (AXX, AYL, BDE, BFH, …)

🧭 Before you start

Remove the intake manifold, drain coolant, disconnect the hoses and connectors and remove the cylinder head cover. Set the crank to TDC with T10068 fitted, remove the chain tensioner and top timing chain cover, take the bar out and undo both adjusters while counterholding the camshafts. Refit the inlet adjuster, count 16 rollers to the exhaust adjuster mark, align marks A and B with the housing notches and tighten both bolts. Turn the engine 2 turns, recheck, then seal the head gasket holes, fit the cover with new seals and refit the tensioner, head cover, manifold and thermostat housing.

Fits: VW Golf IV / Bora (1J)

• Opens: coolant
• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Special tools named: 32 mm open-end spanner

Don't miss

• Remove T10068 before loosening or tightening the adjuster bolts; counterhold with a 32 mm spanner.
• Count exactly 16 rollers from mark 24E on the inlet adjuster to 32A on the exhaust adjuster.
• Crank must not be at TDC on any piston if the camshafts are turned, or valves can hit pistons.
• Fit the top timing chain cover within 5 minutes of applying sealant; refill the 3 mm gasket holes.
• Press the tensioning plate on the chain by hand while turning the crank for timing checks.

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.

📐 57 workshop diagrams for AXX

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

📋 Procedure

1. Remove intake manifold .
2. Drain coolant .
3. Detach air hose (4) and vacuum hose (1) from combination valve for secondary air system.
4. Unbolt earth wire (2).
5. Pull off coolant hoses (3) and (5).

6. Mark and detach electrical connectors:
7. Loosen cylinder head cover bolts in sequence (11 … 1).
8. Set crankshaft at securing bolt of vibration damper in direction of engine rotation to TDC marking (arrow).
9. At same time it must be possible to insert camshaft bar T10068 in both shaft grooves. If necessary, turn crankshaft through 1 rotation.
10. Unscrew chain tensioner for camshaft timing chain (arrow).
11. Unscrew bolts (1 … 3) and remove top cover for timing chains horizontally from cylinder head. When doing so, ensure that cylinder head gasket is not damaged.
12. Remove camshaft bar T10068. [Note: Make sure that the camshaft bar T10068 is not inserted when the retaining bolts for the camshaft adjuster are being loosened or tightened.]
13. Unscrew retaining bolt on inlet camshaft adjuster, counterholding hexagon section of camshaft with 32 mm open-end spanner.
14. Remove inlet camshaft adjuster.
15. Unscrew retaining bolt on exhaust camshaft adjuster, counterholding hexagon section of camshaft with 32 mm open-end spanner.
16. Remove exhaust camshaft adjuster.
17. Place camshaft timing chain over camshaft adjuster valves.
18. Check TDC position of crankshaft (arrow) again.
19. Check TDC position of camshafts:
20. If necessary, turn camshafts (arrows) to correct position using 32 mm open-end spanner on hexagon sections. [Note: Ensure that crankshaft is not at TDC with any piston when camshafts are turned. Danger of damage to valves and piston crowns.]
21. Screw on inlet camshaft adjuster (A) and turn to left as far as stop.
22. Place camshaft timing chain in this position tight on sprocket of inlet camshaft adjuster.
23. From mark "“24E”" of inlet camshaft adjuster count exactly 16 rollers on timing chain in direction of exhaust side.
24. Insert tooth at mark "“32A”" of exhaust camshaft adjuster into chain exactly after 16th roller.
25. Turn sender wheel(2) in exhaust camshaft adjuster (1) clockwise as far as stop (arrow).
26. Hand-tighten exhaust camshaft adjuster to exhaust camshaft in this position.
27. Press tensioning plate against camshaft timing chain.
28. Marks (A) and (B) on camshaft adjusters must align with notches (arrows) in valve timing housing (C).
29. Remove camshaft bar T10068.
30. Tighten retaining bolt on inlet camshaft adjuster, counterholding hexagon section of camshaft with 32 mm open-end spanner.
31. Tighten retaining bolt on exhaust camshaft adjuster, counterholding hexagon section of camshaft with 32 mm open-end spanner. [Note: When turning the crankshaft, the tensioning plate must be pressed firmly against the camshaft timing chain by hand (instead of by means of the chain tensioner) (arrow), to prevent the chain from jumping.]
32. Rotate crankshaft through 2 turns at vibration damper securing bolt in direction of engine rotation and set to to TDC mark (arrow).
33. At same time It must be possible to insert camshaft bar T10068 in both shaft grooves.
34. Marks (A) and (B) on camshaft adjusters must align with notches (arrows) in valve timing housing (C).
35. If marks do not match, repeat setting process for timings.
36. Remove old sealant from 3 mm holes in cylinder head gasket (arrows).
37. Fill 3 mm holes in cylinder head gasket with black sealantAMV 174 04 01. [Note: With the cylinder head installed, the holes in the cylinder head gasket are only half visible.]
38. Fit new seals in top cover for timing chains .
39. Clean sealing surfaces.
40. Check whether dowel sleeves (2) and (3) are inserted in top cover for timing chains.
41. Fit new seal (1) and new gasket (4).
42. Coat clean (hatched) sealing surfaces of top cover for timing chains thinly with sealing pasteAMV 188 001 02. [Note: Also coat sealing surface underneath cylinder head gasket with a little sealant, taking care not to kink cylinder head gasket.The top cover for the timing chains must be fitted within 5 minutes of applying the sealant.]
43. Locate top cover for timing chains and tighten bolts as follows.
44. Unscrew chain tensioner (arrow) for camshaft timing chain.
45. Turn engine two revolutions in direction of engine rotation and check valve timing again.
46. Install cylinder head cover .
47. Install intake manifold .
48. Install thermostat housing .

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