Removing and installing front exhaust pipe with catalytic converter, engine codes CLCA, CLLA, CLJA — VW

🧭 Before you start

Remove the engine cover, loosen the clamp bolt and the securing bolt on the upper converter bracket. Underneath, remove the noise insulation and the right drive shaft heat shield, secure the flexible joint, undo the clamping sleeve nuts and push the sleeve back, remove the front and rear tunnel bridges, the bracket bolts, the nuts above the converter bracket with the ratchet wrench and the bracket itself. Unbolt the pendulum support and push the engine and gearbox forward by the given measurement with the support device. Turn the filter until the pipe hangs down, unhook the rear exhaust, push it forward and down, remove the underbody cover nuts, clamping washers and tunnel heat shield, then rotate the filter 180° to bring it out through the tunnel. Install in the stated sequence with new seals, self-locking nuts and clip.

Fits: VW Passat CC (357, 2008–2012), VW Touran I (1T, 2003–2015), VW Tiguan I (5N, 2007–2016), VW Golf VI (5K, 2008–2013), VW Passat B7 saloon (362, 2010–2014), VW Passat B7 Variant (365, 2010–2014); platform codes 137, 521, 1F8

• Renewed: seals

Don't miss

• Secure the flexible joint before the clamping sleeve comes off; it bends and is ruined.
• Seals, self-locking nuts and the converter clip are renewed, not reused.
• The filter comes out only by turning 180° through the tunnel after the rear exhaust is pushed down.
• Refit the cable tie in the same place it was removed from.
• Follow the installation sequence given for the particulate filter; it is not simply reverse order.

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

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 62 workshop diagrams for CLCA

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

📋 Procedure

1. Remove engine cover panel .
2. Loosen bolt (2) and remove clamp.
3. Unscrew securing bolt (1) from upper bracket of catalytic converter.
4. Remove noise insulation General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Assembly overview - noise insulation.
5. Unscrew bolts (if any) (arrows) and remove heat shield for right drive shaft.

6. ⚠ Avoid damage to the flexible joint.Secure flexible joint. — Undo clamping sleeve nuts (1) and push clamping sleeve towards rear.
7. Unscrew nuts (arrows) and remove front tunnel bridge.
8. Unscrew nuts (1) and (2) and remove rear tunnel bridge.
9. Remove bolts (arrows) of bracket.
10. Unscrew securing nuts (1) above catalytic converter bracket using ratchet wrench T10384; unscrew nuts (2).
11. Remove catalytic converter bracket.
12. Unscrew bolts (2) and (3) for pendulum support.
13. Push engine/gearbox assembly with engine support device3300 A forwards by measurement (a).
14. Remove particulate filter and turn it until exhaust pipe hangs downwards.
15. Unhook rear part of exhaust system from rubber mountings.
16. Push rear part of exhaust system as far forwards and downwards as possible.
17. Unscrew nuts (arrows) from underbody cover.
18. Unscrew clamping washers (2) and (3).
19. Guide heat shield (1) for transmission tunnel past exhaust pipes and remove.
20. Remove particulate filter by turning it 180° around its own axis through the tunnel. [Note: Renew seals, self-locking nuts and clip for catalytic converter.Fit cable tie in same place when installing.]
21. Observe sequence when installing particulate filter:

Other VW procedures

• Removing and installing fuel delivery unit, four-wheel drive · 1 torque figures
• Replacing vacuum unit with position sender for charge pressure positioner G581
• Checking oil pressure switch F1 – Audi A6 C6
• Removing and installing right coolant pipe – Audi 3.3 TDI
• Removing and installing radiator cowling with radiator fan
• Removing engine · 41 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshaft – VW Golf Cabriolet · 47 torque figures
• Adjusting valve timing – VW Passat B5 · 83 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshafts – VW Passat B6 · 39 torque figures
• Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures