Removing and installing left cylinder head: VW Phaeton 4.2 (BGH, BGJ)

🧭 Before you start

Fits: VW Phaeton (3D)

• Opens: brake fluid
• Renewed: cylinder head gasket

Don't miss

• Now carefully clean sealing surfaces of cylinder head and cylinder block. Ensure thereby that surfaces are not scored or scratched (if abrasive paper is used, grade must not be less than 100).
• Do not remove new cylinder head gasket from its packing until immediately before installing.Handle new gasket with extreme care. Damage will cause leakage.
• Fit new cylinder head gasket. Inscription (Part No.) must be readable.
• Ensure dowel sleeves (arrows) are inserted into cylinder block holes and the cylinder head gasket is located.
• It is not necessary to retighten cylinder head bolts after repairs.

🔧 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.

📐 20 workshop diagrams for BGH

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

📋 Procedure

1. Remove left air filter housing completely .
2. ⚠ When doing any repair work, especially in the engine compartment, pay attention to the following due to the cramped conditions:Route all the various lines (e.g. for fuel, hydraulics, activated charcoal filter system, coolant, refrigerant, brake fluid and vacuum) and electrical wiring in their original positions.Ensure that there is sufficient clearance to all moving or hot components. — All cable ties which are opened or cut open when engine is removed must be replaced in the same position when engine is installed.
3. Disconnect front exhaust pipe from exhaust manifold .
4. Unbolt guide tube for oil dipstick (arrow) from cylinder head.
5. Pull off connector (2).

6. Remove toothed belt .
7. Remove camshaft pulley , Removing, installing and tensioning toothed belt.
8. Loosen securing bolts (1) and (2) and remove rear toothed belt guard.
9. Disconnect vacuum hose (1) from combination valve.
10. Remove bolts (2).
11. Pull off connector (3).
12. Remove oil pipe (4).
13. Remove bolts (5) and remove combination valve.
14. Disconnect connector (6).
15. Remove bolts securing coolant pipe (arrow).
16. Pull connectors off all injectors.
17. Disconnect connector (1).
18. Disconnect hose (2).
19. Remove bolts (8).
20. Remove coolant pipe.
21. Remove intake manifold.
22. Remove cylinder head cover .
23. Loosen cylinder head bolts in the sequence given starting at the outside and working inwards and then remove completely.
24. Carefully remove cylinder head.
25. Place clean cloths in cylinders so that no dirt or emery cloth particles can get in between cylinder wall and piston.
26. Also prevent dirt and emery cloth particles from getting into coolant.
27. Now carefully clean sealing surfaces of cylinder head and cylinder block. Ensure thereby that surfaces are not scored or scratched (if abrasive paper is used, grade must not be less than 100).
28. Carefully remove metal particles, emery residue and cloths. [Note: Do not remove new cylinder head gasket from its packing until immediately before installing.Handle new gasket with extreme care. Damage will cause leakage.]
29. Fit new cylinder head gasket. Inscription (Part No.) must be readable.
30. Ensure dowel sleeves (arrows) are inserted into cylinder block holes and the cylinder head gasket is located.
31. Fit cylinder head, screw in new cylinder head bolts and tighten hand tight.
32. Tighten cylinder head bolts in tightening sequence shown working from inside to outside.
33. Pre-tighten all bolts to 35 Nm. — 35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
34. Then tighten all bolts to 60 Nm. — 60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
35. Then tighten all bolts 1/4 turn (90°) further using a rigid wrench.
36. Then tighten all bolts again 1/4 turn (90°) further.
37. Install cylinder head cover .
38. Install intake manifold [Note: It is not necessary to retighten cylinder head bolts after repairs.]

Other VW procedures

• Checking alignment of poly V-belt – VW Touareg I 4.2 · 2 torque figures
• Removing and installing ignition coils with output stage · 1 torque figures
• Removing and installing left cylinder head cover – VW · 1 torque figures
• Checking activated charcoal filter system for leaks – VW
• Removing and installing engine mounting – VW
• 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