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Removing and installing cylinder head — VW

Removing and installing cylinder head on VW: 128 steps, 23 torque figures, engines AEK, AFK, AFT, AGZ.

Workshop procedure for VW — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.

128 steps 40 engine codes 23 torque figures engine codes and torque figures merged from 117 documented variants

🧭 Before you start

Fits: VW Passat CC (357, 2008–2012), VW Golf V / Jetta (1K, 2003–2009), VW Passat B6 (3C, 2005–2010), VW Tiguan I (5N, 2007–2016), VW Golf VI (5K, 2008–2013); platform codes 1F7, 137

  • Opens: coolant
  • Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job

Don't miss

  • Unscrew bolt (2) from heat shield using a 6 mm hex key (A). The hexagon faces must be at least 5 cm long (B). A socket which tapers to 6 mm at the tip is too thick.
  • Mark positions of sprocket markings (1) on camshaft timing chain and cylinder head (arrows) using a permanent felt tip marker.
  • Also mark alignment of camshaft timing chain (2) relative to guide rail of camshaft timing chain using a permanent felt tip marker.
  • If it is not possible to insert the lever T40243, the distance between the timing chain and the guide plate on the lower cover is too small. It is then necessary to remove the lower cover.Passat, CC Golf, Eos, Scirocco Tiguan
  • Bolt camshaft clamp T40271/1 to cylinder head. Counterhold camshaft clockwise (arrow) using open-end spanner.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

AEKAFKAFTAGZAHWAJHAJMAKQAKSALTAMFANYAPEAQQARLASZATDATUAUAAUBAUYAWCAWFAWGAXRAXUAXZAYTAYZAZZBAABAGBARBBYBFQBGPBGQBHKBHLBKG

🔩 Torque settings

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

TorqueFastener / step
10 Nm (7.4 lb-ft)Install cylinder head cover and tighten securing bolts
10 Nm (7.4 lb-ft)Install ignition coils and tighten
10 Nm (7.4 lb-ft)Then tighten bolts (13)
15 Nm (11 lb-ft)Pre-tighten all bolts
20 Nm (15 lb-ft)Attach bracket to cylinder block using threaded hole in vicinity of coolant pump -as…
20 Nm (15 lb-ft)Bolt bracket -as shown- to cylinder block at threaded hole near coolant pump
20 Nm (15 lb-ft)Bolt bracket to cylinder block using threaded hole in vicinity of coolant pump (as…
20 Nm (15 lb-ft)Screw retainer, as illustrated, into cylinder block threaded hole in vicinity of coolant…
20 Nm (15 lb-ft)Screw retainer(1) into free threaded hole and tighten
25 Nm (18 lb-ft)Install poly V-belt tensioning element
30 Nm (22 lb-ft)Pre-tighten all bolts
30 Nm (22 lb-ft)Then tighten all bolts
30 Nm (22 lb-ft)Tighten
30 Nm (22 lb-ft)Tighten all bolts
35 Nm (26 lb-ft)Tighten
40 Nm (30 lb-ft)1
40 Nm (30 lb-ft)Pre-tighten all bolts
40 Nm (30 lb-ft)Screw retainer(1) into free threaded hole and tighten
40 Nm (30 lb-ft)Tighten
50 Nm (37 lb-ft)Then tighten all bolts
60 Nm (44 lb-ft)Tighten
8 Nm (5.9 lb-ft)Apply locking fluid to bolts (arrows) and tighten
8 Nm (5.9 lb-ft)Specified torque of bolts (arrows

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.

📐 7 workshop diagrams for AEK

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

Removing and installing cylinder head — AEK · diagram 1
Removing and installing cylinder head — AEK · diagram 2
Removing and installing cylinder head — AEK · diagram 3
Removing and installing cylinder head — AEK · diagram 4
Removing and installing cylinder head — AEK · diagram 5
Removing and installing cylinder head — AEK · diagram 6
Removing and installing cylinder head — AEK · diagram 7
🔒 7 workshop diagrams for this job Ask about your VW AEK — free or sign up free to see the drawings

📋 Procedure

  1. Pull off engine cover panel .
  2. Remove air filter housing .
  3. Loosen hose clip (2).
  4. Remove bolt (4).
  5. Disconnect electrical connector (arrow) and move electrical wires clear.
AEK? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. ⚠ Hot steam/hot coolant can escape - risk of scalding.The cooling system is under pressure when the engine is hot.Cover filler cap on expansion tank with a cloth and open carefully to dissipate pressure. — Open filler cap on expansion tank.
  2. Removing front exhaust pipe with catalytic converter
  3. Remove right front wheel.
  4. Remove noise insulation General body repairs, exterior50Noise insulation.
  5. Remove right wheel housing liner General body repairs, exterior66Wheel housing liner.
  6. Drain coolant .
  7. Remove charge air hose (A).
  8. Remove bolt (1) and take out air pipe downwards.
  9. Remove bolts (arrows).
  10. Remove air pipe (lift clips (items 1 and 2)).
  11. Separate electrical wiring connections (1 and 2) and place electrical wiring to one side (arrows).
  12. Unscrew bolts (1 and 2) and move coolant pipes to the left.
  13. Remove right drive shaft Running gear, axles, steering40Removing and installing drive shafts.
  14. Remove bolts (1 and 2) and detach support for turbocharger.
  15. Remove banjo bolt (2) and move coolant pipe clear to one side.
  16. Remove bolts (1) on oil return line.
  17. Remove bolts of oil return line at crankcase.
  18. Remove bolt (3) on oil supply line.
  19. Only vehicles with sound generator: Remove charge air duct to sound generator.
  20. Pull connector (1) off camshaft control valve 1N205.
  21. Detach connectors from ignition coils and place wiring harness to one side.
  22. Remove ignition coils using puller T40039.
  23. Unscrew bolt (arrow) for air pipe.
  24. Loosen hose clip (1) and remove air pipe.
  25. Press release buttons (2), and pull crankcase breather off air intake hose.
  26. Disconnect crankcase breather hose (1).
  27. Remove bolts (arrows) and remove crankcase breather.
  28. Disconnect crankcase breather hose (1).
  29. Unscrew bolts (arrows).
  30. Unscrew bolt (arrow) for air pipe.
  31. Loosen hose clip (1) and remove air pipe together with crankcase breather.
  32. ⚠ The fuel line is under pressure.Risk of injury to eyes and skin from fuel.Wear eye protection and protective clothing to avoid eye injuries and skin contact. Before loosening hose connections, wrap a cloth around the connection. Then release pressure by carefully opening the connection point. — Detach lines (1 to 3) from the fuel transfer point.
  33. Disconnect coolant line to coolant expansion tank (arrow).
  34. Remove coolant hoses (arrows) from coolant pipe.
  35. Unbolt earth cable (3) and loosen bolt (4).
  36. Pull off vacuum hoses (arrows).
  37. Unscrew bolts (1…3) and remove heat shield together with coolant pipe.
  38. Remove oil supply line (4) from turbocharger. [Note: Unscrew bolt (2) from heat shield using a 6 mm hex key (A). The hexagon faces must be at least 5 cm long (B). A socket which tapers to 6 mm at the tip is too thick.]
  39. Pull electrical connector (2) from fuel pressure regulating valve N276.
  40. Pull connector (A) and hose (B) from secondary air inlet valve N112.
  41. Loosen coolant pipe by unscrewing bolts (arrows).
  42. Pull coolant hose from union on side of cylinder head.
  43. Disconnect electrical connectors (1 … 4).
  44. Place electrical cable (5) to one side.
  45. Pull off vacuum line (6) leading to activated charcoal filter.
  46. Pull off breather line (1), release activated charcoal filter (A) and remove upwards (B).
  47. Disconnect electrical connectors (1) and detach connectors from retainer.
  48. Disconnect electrical connectors (2 … 4).
  49. Unscrew bolts (arrows) and detach coolant pipes from intake manifold.
  50. Remove securing nut (1) and bolt (2), and remove intake manifold support.
  51. Remove oil filter.
  52. Disconnect coolant hoses (arrows) and move clear.
  53. Unscrew bolts (arrows) and remove inlet camshaft control valve 1N205.
  54. Remove upper timing chain cover .
  55. ⚠ The control valve has a left-hand thread. — Remove control valve using assembly tool T10352 (engine codes CCZA, CCZB, CDAA, CDAB: assembly tool T10352/1) in (direction of arrow).
Workshop diagrams + 68 more steps

Ask TorqFix about your VW AEK — it answers with the exact sequence for that engine and the workshop drawing for each step. First question is free after a 20-second sign-up, no card.

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Other VW procedures

Who makes these pages, and how

TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.

The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.

Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.

Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com

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Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.