Timing chain replacement: VW VR5 Golf4, Bora, Beetle 2.3 (AGZ)
Step-by-step timing chain replacement for the VW VR5 Golf4, Bora, Beetle 2.3 (AGZ): 91 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.
Workshop procedure for VW — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.
🧭 Before you start
Fits: platform code VR5
- Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
- Renewed: gaskets, bolts note
🔧 Engine codes this applies to
📐 26 workshop diagrams for AGZ
Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.
📋 Procedure
Preparation and removal
- Always use new gaskets
- If necessary
- Place the front in the service position
- Check the timing marks
- Remove the air-conditioning compressor
- Remove the engine lower cover
- Disconnect the fuel feed and return lines
- Remove as shown
- Vehicles with automatic transmission
- Remove the timing chain cover
- Check the timing marks
- Clean off the old sealant
- Align the crankshaft timing marks
- Lock the camshafts
- Disconnect as shown:
- Remove the tensioner
- Remove the camshaft chain
- Remove the crankshaft chain
Installation and checks
- Refit the camshaft gearwheels
- Compress the tensioner
- Note: Use a new bolt
- Refit the chain guide(s)
- Refit the chain
- Note: Use new bolts
- Note: Use new bolts
- Check/renew the seal
- Refit the upper cover
- Check the timing marks
- If the locking tools do not fit, adjust the valve timing:
- Refit the valve cover
- Refit the inlet manifold
- Refit as shown
- Further refitting is in the reverse order of removal
Ask TorqFix about your VW AGZ — 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.
Ask about your VW AGZ — free → or sign up free to see the drawingsOther VW procedures
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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
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.