caution bad words ahead

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
03/10/2016 at 09:17 • Filed to: None

assume the position.

The service position that is. FUCK. Yep thats step one. SHIT. How hard would it be to fuck something up by taking the cams out of my engine because of-fucking-course that’s something that’s my luck. And yes, step one is assume the service position. I was really hoping I’d get a year out of the thing before shit like this happens. Wait isn’t that what I was saying about the control arms.... never mind.

the issue is that I’ve been smelling burning oil inside the car when I come to a stop. Its not bad but its there. some quick googling and it looks like its the cam seals.

http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_valv…

“Audi Allroad Oil Leaks #1 - Cam Chain Tensioner Gaskets and Seals

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! » Including replacement VIDEOS «

When the Audi Allroad camshaft adjuster seals and valve cover gaskets leak they typically cause a burning oil smell. The passenger side cam chain tensioner seal is located on the backside of the cylinder head and will drip oil onto the down pipe causing this smell.”

so there we have it.

DISCUSSION (61)

Ash78, voting early and often > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:21

I did the VCGs twice on the wife's 2.8 and both times they kept leaking. I finally sucked it up and paid the $700 to the shop to do it right, including the cam seals which are a PITA — don't let anyone tell you otherwise, especially Blauparts and their "80% accurate" instructions. The 2.7tt probably has another hour of labor to move all the plumbing around. On my personal 2.8, I replaced the VCG and that was all it took, first try. YMMV.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:22

Time to fit the whole front section with quick-release pins.

EL_ULY > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:24

I did those remember? Took a weekend and a shop we deal with to let me borrow a couple alignment tools.

Rico > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:26

Allroads are Sirens of the auto world. Lures you in and before you know it your fate is sealed.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Rico
03/10/2016 at 09:28

boooooo

Chris Clarke > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:29

I can assume the service position in under 10 minutes. You get a lot of practice when you own to B5s.

OPPOsaurus WRX > EL_ULY
03/10/2016 at 09:30

i vaguely remember something like that. do you have a link back?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Ash78, voting early and often
03/10/2016 at 09:32

are you a pro mechanic or just kinda mechanically inclined? My brother-in-law has offered his help. We’ve done valve cover gaskets on a camry (which only took an hour) the Audi is certainly more involved. How did you get hold of the timing tool thing EL_ULY mentioned

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chris Clarke
03/10/2016 at 09:32

lol having never done it, is it difficult?

EL_ULY > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:33

I added it to the original reply

Ash78, voting early and often > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:35

Definitely the second camp...if you're talking about the cam compressor thingy, I got mine in the Blauparts kit, and it promptly broke on me. So I skipped the CCT gasket part of the instructions, which was looking way too intimidating anyway. I just didn't like the idea of having to lift my cam out of place. The actual VCGs weren't too bad and I could almost do them with my eyes close, but clearance on those engines is pretty tight. It's hard to get the mating surfaces fully clean and access all the nuts easily. That's basically why I ended up at the shop after doing the job twice myself. The car was literally dumping 1/4 quart on every trip at that point.

Chris Clarke > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:35

Not if you have the right tools. The hardest part is figuring out how to pull away the plastic bumper cover, but on an Allroad I think it just swings open. VCG are pretty simple, but the tensioner seals are a pain. And the intake plumbing on the 2.7t can be a little annoying.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Ash78, voting early and often
03/10/2016 at 09:37

lol holy shit that’s no good. whats the potential issues with removing the cams?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chris Clarke
03/10/2016 at 09:37

yea by the way the website describes the issue, it certainly sounds like the cam gasket for me

Chris Clarke > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:38

Oh and, you shouldn’t need to be in the service position to do the VCG.

Ash78, voting early and often > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:40

It’s that they want you to gently lift them, without moving them, and replace the half-moon gasket underneath. I just didn't want to risk letting the cam rotate too much and destroying the entire head. Apparently that's almost impossible, but I just didn't want to do all that work and then need to get it towed and spend $2k+ on a new head. Damn interference engines :D

OPPOsaurus WRX > EL_ULY
03/10/2016 at 09:40

so would you tell me to get lost, or as a driveway mechanic, I can do this?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chris Clarke
03/10/2016 at 09:42

the video I watched it was step #1, and this is for cam gaskets which requires the removal of the timing belt & serpentine belt

Chris Clarke > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:53

Yup, that’s right. Just the VCG don’t need the service position, but to do the cam seals need to pull the cams, cam gears, and timing belt. Might as well do an entire timing belt/water pump swap while you’re in there.

EL_ULY > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 09:53

are you up for it? It was the first time I did one but i’ve done a bazillion head jobs (lol) in my day and knew what to do. I did check the internets frequently to recheck how certain hoses were routed, getting the core support into service mode, timing alignment specs, torque specs, but all in all I knew where to generally go with it. I lost a couple bolts and broke a set of hoses. I broke a couple clips and that sort of thing that cause set backs but I have an endless supply of those random little thing at work. You will first off need a tool cart and ALL the right tools. Extensions and swivel extensions are GOD! I got these sweet locking swivel extensions from Matco that worked perfect.

I know you can do this but it will take you a good while. That shock you did took way longer than it should have lol :] Getting the alignment tools for the front pulleys and knowing how to put those cams back CORRECTLY is key. Mark everything! I used a Volvo touch up pen to mark the chains and the teeth. Make sure you get ALL the gaskets you need to get before starting.

All in all, find a good forum that can help you with those little technical questions or ask me (hopefully I remember lolz)

OPPOsaurus WRX > EL_ULY
03/10/2016 at 10:01

I’m more up for this than paying $$$$$$$$$$$ to have someone else do it. But I also dont want to end up having to replace a head cuz I fucked up putting it back together and the timing is off. I think the hardest thing will be for me to get the timing tool.

EL_ULY > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 10:02

Did you get a quote for it yet?

OPPOsaurus WRX > EL_ULY
03/10/2016 at 10:05

i’m scared to

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 10:25

Silence, you have an allroad and don’t have to deal with this APB V6 on an S4.

The B5 S4 might just say “Step 1) Remove the modular front end. Step 2) Remove the engine and transaxle. Step 3) Do actual work.”

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Chris Clarke
03/10/2016 at 10:27

You have to pull it in a direction that you don’t think it will go. The worst part there is draining the washer fluid, and then preparing to swing the carrier out of the way (Can be done on an A4/S4 body, not sure about the allroad)

OPPOsaurus WRX > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
03/10/2016 at 10:29

isn;t that the same engine? 2.7 biturbo 30v v6

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 10:29

#Audilife

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
03/10/2016 at 10:33

lol no need to single me out, i’ve seen your posts - #germanlife

OPPOsaurus WRX > EL_ULY
03/10/2016 at 10:34

i asked the guy that helped me with the control arms, this is his reply

That is a monster job. Whole bumper assembly, radiator, condenser comes off just to gain access. Not a DIY job. Requires factory tools and best guess is 10-12 hours anyways. If you do the work you end up doing the t belt, tensioners, rollers, and any other related gaskets. I would say at least $1500...

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 10:35

cooling systems to BMWs are timing components to Audis, but I think my expansion tank is easier to replace than your tensioners :P

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 10:37

Yes. In an even smaller engine bay.

EL_ULY > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 10:43

It’s not a DIY job if you don’t have the tools. Besides that, a lot of people do these at home. A car lift would help soooo much tho. I’d give that estimate to be accurate. A lot of shops purchase special tools from us (exc. Lotus/Aston) so you can shop around if you choose that route.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 11:00

Kinja'd!!!

Welcome to the club.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
03/10/2016 at 11:03

Lol its not that bad, you just lose 2 inches between the false firewall and the back of the block. It only really sucks if you have combi valves, which take up all that reaming space.

OPPOsaurus WRX > EL_ULY
03/10/2016 at 11:06

yea i was just watching a video and there are some special tools ot get the fan fan/clutch off that I dont think I’d be able to source

EL_ULY > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 11:14

special tool for the fan clutch? I think I used this tool I use to get leak detection pumps on AWD Volvo to lock the bracket and remove it

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 12:16

Give me your model year and when I get home from work I’ll get you dealer quality instructions with diagrams.

RallyWrench > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 12:26

You don’t have to take the cams out, you can compress the adjusters and lift the tensioner up enough to slip new gaskets and half-moons under them. And the cam seals can be pulled out with a pick. Just make sure you don’t nick the cam surface.

OPPOsaurus WRX > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
03/10/2016 at 12:26

2003 allroad 2.7 bi-turbo 30v 6 speed MANual. I dont know if this will help unless the instructions come with the tools. I was watching a video and there are a couple tools that are special that I dont think I’d be able to easily get my hands on

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 12:28

I can get you the part number for the special tool, I just can't do it from my phone.

OPPOsaurus WRX > RallyWrench
03/10/2016 at 12:43

thats a bit more inspiring than other stuff i’ve been reading. I still think i’m going to have trouble in other areas with special tools I do not have

OPPOsaurus WRX > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
03/10/2016 at 12:48

you gunna come help with this when I do it ?

i’m sure the tools are a fortune but at least i could try selling them afterwards

RallyWrench > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 13:04

They do suck no matter what, but there are easy workarounds for some things. You will need the cam lock bar and a tensioner compressor (a sort of screw and claw that comes on new ones to keep them in service position) at least. There are some outfits that rent the tools.

OPPOsaurus WRX > RallyWrench
03/10/2016 at 13:06

i watched about half a video and when he pulled that out i said i’m fucked and closed out

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 13:50

Or keep them for when it breaks again in 2000 miles.

OPPOsaurus WRX > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
03/10/2016 at 13:54

yea after i sent that, that was exactly what I thought

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/10/2016 at 13:58

You need tool 3240 (Oil Seal Extractor) and tool set 3241 (Cam Seal Installer Kit)

A quick search shows 3241 as being $180 http://www.toolsource.com/seal-installer…

OPPOsaurus WRX > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
03/10/2016 at 14:07

holy crap. there was another they used, something to pull a cam bar off or something, it kinda looked like a hub puller tool

Kinja'd!!!