Special tools needed for doing the cam chain tensioner job?

[Audifan]

I know that I will need these tools for the timing belt job eccentric pulley pin wrench, crankshaft locking lock pin, cam locking bar, camshaft sprocket puller, camshaft seal installer, camshaft seal extractor, belt tensioner pin. I would like to know if I will need any special tools when replacing the cam chain tensioners? I also will be installing new timing cam chains.

[MikkiJayne]

The tensioner has a special tool 3366 to compress it so you can get everything apart. New tensioners should come with this tool holding them together in transit, but its worth buying another one to remove the old tensioners as they are very cheap.

You'll also need a 5Nm torque wrench for the cam cap bolts. They are 5Nm + 90 degrees.

Tip: hit the top of each cam cap bolt with a hammer using the T30 torx tool as a drift before you try and remove them. They aren't tight, but they have so much stiction in the head it is very easy to strip the heads, snap the T30 tool etc. Hitting them lightly just cracks the stiction and then they come out easily

[spannerrash]

Be careful to mark up the cams and chain positions. If you are going to replace the chains I think you will have to completely remove both cams. I did anyhow. It makes reassembly less stressful.

There is a procedure for counting the number of links in the Bentley manual but I found it a little confusing. I found this way easier and as I say, less stressful because you know it will be as it was when it goes back. Simply lay the old and new chains side by side and replicate the marks.

[Audifan]

Thanks for the info MikkiJayne and thanks for the tip spannerrash.

Next question, can the tensioners and chains be replaced with the cylinder heads on or do they need to be removed?

[spannerrash]

Can be done without removing the heads.

[Ronin]

MikkiJayne did a whole video showing the procedure start to finish:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showpost....0&postcount=73

[Audifan]

Some reviews I've read about the special tool 3366 break while using it. Is this because of aftermarket version of the OEM tool? Or is it because of not using the tool correctly?

[MikkiJayne]

I would say because of not using the tool correctly - probably over-tightening it. The tensioner only compresses so far, and unless you've got a 200lb gorilla on the tools you can easily feel the change in torque on the screw as the tensioner bottoms out.

I've used the Laser Tools version and the cheap chinese ones and never had a problem.

[Stromaluski]

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

I would say because of not using the tool correctly - probably over-tightening it. The tensioner only compresses so far, and unless you've got a 200lb gorilla on the tools you can easily feel the change in torque on the screw as the tensioner bottoms out.

I've used the Laser Tools version and the cheap chinese ones and never had a problem.

This. It's the same tool as on a VW 1.8T. I've done the tensioner on a 1.8T a few times and the only time I ever broke one was because I wasn't paying enough attention and over-tightened it.

[Audifan]

Ah, I had a feeling they broke because of improper use.