Removing and installing camshaft control valve: VW 3.6 (BWS, CHNA, CMVA, CNNA, …)

🧭 Before you start

Fits: VW Passat B7 saloon (362, 2010–2014), VW Passat B7 Variant (365, 2010–2014), VW CC (358, 2012–2017)

• Renewed: if necessary

Don't miss

• Before removing connectors, mark each connector and component to which it belongs.
• SealantD 176 501 A1 hardens quickly.
• Slide cover - slightly diagonally - onto camshaft adjustment valves. Ensure that cylinder head cover gasket is not pushed back.
• Check that gasket (arrows) is correctly seated. It must not have been pushed back.

🔧 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.

📐 5 workshop diagrams for BWS

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

📋 Procedure

1. Pull cover (1) off air duct, releasing clips on sides to do so.
2. Unclip air duct (2).
3. Remove air filter housing with connecting hose. To do this, unscrew bolt (A), pull off connector (B) and detach spring-type clip (C). Take note of marking (D) when refitting. [Note: Before removing connectors, mark each connector and component to which it belongs.]
4. Detach following connectors.
5. Lay wiring harness to side.

6. Unscrew coolant pipes from cover.
7. Remove vacuum pump .
8. Unscrew the three cylinder head cover bolts (arrows).
9. Unscrew coolant hoses at top and bottom of cover.
10. Unscrew cover (arrows) from cylinder head.
11. ⚠ Cover lower chain housing carefully so that no parts can fall into it.Securing bolts for camshaft timing control valves must not be completely removed at first, so that the valve is not canted during removal. — Unscrew securing bolts for camshaft control valves approx. 3 mm (5 turns) with socket T10072(arrows).
12. Pull camshaft control valve out of seat in timing case and slide it along loosened bolts.
13. Unscrew securing bolts and pull the valve for cam adjustment out of valve timing case.
14. ⚠ The valve seat in the control housing must not be scored or scratched.The camshaft control valves and the control housing must be free of dirt and soiling.Ensure the camshaft control valves are protected from knocks and impacts.Only unpack the new camshaft control valves immediately prior to installation.The camshaft control valves must not be pulled into their seat with the securing bolts. Only insertion by hand is permitted. — Moisten oil seal with clean engine oil.
15. Carefully insert camshaft adjustment valve into housing and press in perpendicularly to the valve axis by hand until stop is reached.
16. Tighten securing bolts (arrows) to 3.8 Nm. — 3.8 Nm (2.8 lb-ft)
17. Clean sealing surface on cover and on cylinder head.
18. Check seals for camshaft control valves and renew if necessary .
19. Check if gasket (arrows) is correctly seated in cylinder head cover.
20. Remove sealant residue from positions (A), if necessary.
21. Apply a thin bead of sealantD 176 501 A1 to clean sealing surface of cover.
22. In addition, apply a small amount of sealantD 454 300 A2 to cover at positions marked. [Note: SealantD 176 501 A1 hardens quickly.]
23. Slide cover - slightly diagonally - onto camshaft adjustment valves. Ensure that cylinder head cover gasket is not pushed back.
24. Check that gasket (arrows) is correctly seated. It must not have been pushed back.
25. First insert all securing bolts (arrows) and tighten lightly.
26. Then tighten all securing bolts. Specified torques
27. Then tighten the three securing bolts (arrows) of cylinder head cover to specified torque. Specified torques
28. Install vacuum pump .

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